I recently participated in an Awake Milwaukee Men's group on Zoom. I was VERY impressed! I wholeheartedly recommend them and their blog. "Awake began to take shape in March 2019, when a small group of Milwaukee-area Catholics gathered in a living room to talk about the Church’s sexual abuse crisis. United in grief and anger about the abuse suffered by victims and the leadership failures that protected abusers, we began considering actions we could take to push for change and work toward healing in the Church we love"
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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!