April: National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Lea esta página en español

National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Click the graphic to learn more about National Child Abuse Prevention Month

 

From ACTION

To report child abuse or find support, call 703-324-7400.

To learn more about the ACTION Committee’s initiatives, visit saintjn.org/action/ or email Dennis at SJNAction@gmail.com.

“See what love the Father has for us, that we should be called Children of God.” -1 John 3:1-2

“During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we draw special attention to the extraordinary responsibility we have to protect children entrusted to our care,” says Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington in his statement. One of the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching is the Life and Dignity of the Human Person, which includes children.

We all have children in our lives whom we serve as parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, teachers, coaches, and more. This month gives us opportunities to learn more about how to keep these precious children safe and to pray for a world that values the life and dignity of children.

Events at SJN are hosted by the ACTION Committee and the Parish Nurse.

 

Events

Ongoing in April

Pinwheels for Prevention Gardens

This month you’ll see our Pinwheels for Prevention gardens on the church grounds. Pinwheels are the national symbol for child abuse prevention. The pinwheels represent childlike whimsy and lightheartedness and our vision for a world where all children grow up happy, healthy. The pinwheels are a reminder that we all play a role in children’s lives and we each have a responsibility to help prevent child abuse.
Pinwheels for Prevention: Prevent Child Abuse: All children deserve great childhoods because children are our future.

April 2

SJN’s monthly Prayer Vigil for Peace, Life and Justice (virtual, link on SJN website)
4:00pm – 4:45pm via Zoom

We’ll mark the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention month by praying that children will be blessed with safety at home, in church, in school and on the playground.

“Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith. Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by your truth.” –USCCB
Through prayer, scripture, and song, let us continue to pray for those who have been abused.

April 23

Healing Circle
9:30am – Noon in the St. John Neumann Brown-McCarthy Auditorium

April 26

Healing Circle
7:00pm – 8:00pm via Zoom

April 30

Healing Circle
9:30am – 12:00pm, in the St. John Neumann Brown-McCarthy Auditorium

 

Looking Ahead

ACTION is hosting an Evening of Testimony on June 16, 2022 in the evening in the St. John Neumann Brown-McCarthy Auditorium. This educational event is offered in support of victims of sexual abuse, and will be presented by Teresa Pitt Green, founder of Spirit Fire, in conjunction with Dr. Frank Moncher of the Arlington Diocese’s Office of Victim Assistance. All are welcome to attend to better understand the insidious nature of this social phenomenon. Refreshments will be provided. Stay tuned for more information.

Ongoing all year

Support Groups for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
(All emails and group participation and discussions are held in confidence.)

For those who have experienced sexual abuse by clergy or others as a child or vulnerable adult, consider being a part of a local, independent, volunteer-based peer support group (not a therapy group).

The group is facilitated by Angie Boggs and is open to anyone who participates in a faith community and anyone who does not. Angie is a Catholic laywoman and circle keeper. She is a bioethicist and board-certified chaplain experienced in addressing secondary traumatic distress and moral distress in a large health system. Angie is a participant in the STAR (strategies for trauma awareness and resilience) program at Eastern Mennonite University and a participant in a survivor support group sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Angie is a member of the St. John Neumann parish ACTION group committed to advocacy and reform.

Please email 2020victimssurvivors@gmail.com if you are interested in participating.

 

Mes Nacional de Prevención del Abuso de Menores«Mirad cuál amor nos ha dado el Padre, para que seamos llamados hijos de Dios; por esto el mundo no nos conoce, porque no le conoció a él.» -1 Juan 3:1-2

«Durante el Mes Nacional de Prevención del Abuso de Menores hacemos un llamado a prestar especial atención a la extraordinaria responsabilidad que tenemos de proteger a los niños confiados a nuestro cuidado» dice el obispo Michael Burbidge de la Diócesis de Arlington en su declaración. Uno de los siete temas de la Doctrina Social Católica es la Vida y Dignidad de la Persona Humana, que incluye a los niños.

Todos tenemos hijos en nuestras vidas a quienes servimos como padres, abuelos, padrinos, tías y tíos, vecinos, maestros, entrenadores y más. Este mes nos brinda la oportunidad de aprender más sobre cómo mantener seguros a estos preciosos niños y orar por un mundo que valora la vida y la dignidad de los niños.

Los eventos en SJN son organizados por el Comité de ACCIÓN y la Enfermera Parroquial.

Para obtener más información sobre el Comité de ACCIÓN, envíe un correo electrónico a Dennis Fargo a SJNAction@gmail.com o visite saintjn.org/action/. Envíe un correo electrónico a la Enfermera Parroquial, Susan Infeld, a sinfeld@saintjn.orgPara denunciar el abuso infantil o buscar apoyo, llame al  703-324-7400.

 

Eventos

En curso en abril

Jardines de “molinetes para la prevención”

Este mes verá nuestros jardines de “molinetes para la prevención” en los terrenos de la iglesia. Los molinetes son el símbolo nacional para la prevención del abuso infantil. Los molinetes representan el capricho y la alegría de los niños y nuestra visión de un mundo donde todos los niños crezcan felices y saludables. Los molinetes son un recordatorio de que todos jugamos un papel en la vida de los niños y cada uno de nosotros tiene la responsabilidad de ayudar a prevenir el abuso infantil.

 

Continuo todo el año

Grupos de apoyo para sobrevivientes de abuso sexual

Para aquellos que han experimentado abuso sexual por parte del clero u otras personas cuando eran niños o adultos vulnerables, considere ser parte de un grupo de apoyo de pares local, independiente y basado en voluntarios (no un grupo de terapia).

El grupo (en inglés) es facilitado por Angie Boggs y está abierto a cualquiera que participe en una comunidad de fe y a cualquiera que no lo haga. Angie es una laica católica y encargada de los círculos. Es bioética y capellán certificada por la junta con experiencia en el tratamiento de angustia traumática secundaria y angustia moral en un gran sistema de salud. Angie participa en el programa STAR (estrategias para la concienciación y la resiliencia del trauma) en Eastern Mennonite University y participa en un grupo de apoyo para sobrevivientes patrocinado por la Arquidiócesis de St. Paul y Minneapolis. Angie es miembro del grupo SJN ACTION comprometido con la promoción y la reforma.

Envíe un correo electrónico a 2020victimssurvivors@gmail.com si está interesado en participar. Todos los correos electrónicos y la participación y las discusiones en grupo se mantienen de forma confidencial.

Volunteer Opportunities

Newcomers’ Welcome Committee Members Needed:
Are you interested in helping us welcome new members to our Parish? We are looking for people for our Newcomers’ Committee to perform one of the following tasks:

  • Make phone calls welcoming the new member(s) and possibly inviting them to meet you at mass.
  • Help wrap new member gifts and prepare welcome packets
  • Assist with set-up and clean-up for the welcome receptions
  • Attend reception and welcome attendees


Assists at The Closet Needed:

St. John Neumann is assigned two days a month when we are responsible to help sort and manage donations dropped off at The Closet in Herndon. Contact Jo-Ann Duggan, Director of
Outreach at jduggan@saintjn.org.