Maria Goretti Network/MGN

A New Online Group!
Healing and Restoration can be yours. Join us for a 10-week healing group for survivors of sexual assault.  Online groups for women in English and Spanish are starting soon.  For more information or to register contact Bernice Simmons for English at 972-333-9859 or Adriana Villa for Spanish at 214-926-9478 or email [email protected]
 

People anywhere can attend meetings via Zoom. For those who may not be familiar, here are the rules to participate in a meeting. 

These Ground Rules make our meetings prayerful and caring. We treat each other with gentility and care, and we care about everyone’s comfort and security. By attending a meeting, you agree to comply with these Ground Rules.

1. We agree that we share responsibility for keeping our meetings prayerful and confidential.

2. We agree not to share with anyone else the names or stories, in detail or in general terms, which we may hear during meetings or in conversations with other attendees of this meeting we might speak to outside meetings.

3. We agree to focus on our own issues, feelings, and recovery. Our commitment is to work on ourselves and avoid seeking distraction from our commitment by trying to solve the problems of others.

4. We agree to share information about only our own stories, circumstances, and feelings.

5. We further agree that discussion of another person’s story details or circumstances is not appropriate unless that person is present and has specifically requested input.

6. We agree to share feelings and to listen without judgment. Our feelings just are or were. There are, no right or wrong statements. There are, no right or wrong feelings.

7. We agree that each person knows what is best for her or himself and, therefore, must take care of her or himself during sessions. People are free to leave or take a break from a meeting any time they feel the need to do so.

8. We agree that the presence of everyone is appreciated and can be a source of healing for others. No one is required to speak during the sessions.

9. We agree not to interrupt each other. We agree to listen actively to each person as she or he speaks with the idea of how this person’s experience relates to her or his own healing.

10. We agree to not seek advice or give advice, even if it is solicited. GIVING AND ASKING FOR ADVICE IS NOT PERMISSIBLE. We agree that only by gathering ideas for ourselves through listening are we empowered and able to heal. We also understand that none of us knows what is best for another.

11. We agree that respecting each other’s boundaries is critically important. We agree to respect each individual’s right to set their own boundaries for physical contact with the members of the group. We will honor each person’s request to not be hugged, and we agree not to pressure anyone into accepting physical contact. Similarly, we will also respect and honor each individual’s emotional and spiritual boundaries.

Remember, you can join a meeting anonymously and you don't have to speak. Come feel the presence of The Holy Spirit that occurs at every meeting. The miraculous healing of our bodies, minds, feelings, and soul happen on a regular basis at our meetings. No problem is too small or too big to bring to an MGN meeting. Lastly, non-Catholics are welcome! Stop suffering and join us. YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID!

                                                                

1. MGN finds in Jesus Christ the source of true healing and forgiveness.
2. MGN recognizes that any form of abuse is evil.
3. MGN is a group committed to work for healing of individuals.
4. MGN encourages reporting all crimes of abuse to appropriate authorities.
5. MGN seeks to network all people of good will that can help in the process of healing the scars of abuse.
6. MGN feels division and bitterness are the fruits of sin, which can only be healed through love. We work with love to promote collaboration and respect with others who work to help the healing process.
7. MGN believes in justice for abusers. Forgiveness does not excuse the abuse, but encourages the abusers to accept responsibility for their actions and to change their lives.
8. MGN is an apostolate of committed Christian men and women. It is independently directed by its Board.
9. MGN is non-political and is committed to transparency and accountability.
10. MGN recognizes that the Church is established by Christ as His instrument for carrying the Good News to all people. This mission belongs to all people of God.

Bishop Robert Barron wrote a "Letter to a Suffering Church". 
(https://sufferingchurchbook.com) He pledged that the proceeds from the book would go to help people affected by sexual abuse and exploitation.  Word on Fire chose the Maria Goretti Network as one of the charities to support with some of these funds.
MGN is very grateful to Bishop Barron for his generosity, but even more appreciative of his willingness to speak out clearly to the tragic reality of sexual abuse.  We wish more leaders would be as clear in confronting the evil of abuse.