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September
5, 2005 
VOL.
43, NO. 15Oakland,
CA
Retreat for abuse survivors set for Oct. 8-9
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse are invited to take
part in a retreat, Coming Out of the Darkness, to be held Oct. 8-9 in
Los Gatos at Presentation Center. Father Gary Hayes, himself a survivor
of clergy abuse, will lead the event.
The Church-sponsored retreat will contain some Catholic imagery and symbols.
It aims to rekindle the spiritual lives of participants, who have the
option of attending whichever sessions they choose.
Space is available for 25 men and women who have been sexually abused
by clergy. Survivors who have attended previous retreats are available
to talk to anyone interested in this event.
To reserve a place at the retreat, call or e-mail Mercedes Corral at (510)
267-8306 or mcorral@oakdiocese.org. To speak to a survivor who has attended
a previous retreat, call George at (510) 558-1999 or Judy at (925) 827-9853.
The retreat will be held under the auspices of the diocesan No More Secrets
Group, which offers mutual support to survivors.
The group meets the first Saturday of each month at Holy Names University
in Oakland. It is open to spouses and family members as well as survivors.
The confidential meetings are open-ended and guided by a therapist with
pastoral and clinical experience. Although the focus of the meetings is
mutual support rather than therapy, information and referrals to mental
health professionals and other resources is available.
For more information on the support group call Sister Barbara Flannery
at (510) 267-8334 or Mercedes Corral at (510) 267-8306.
