Friends in Faith: Sharon O’Brien

Sharon O’Brien is a tireless advocate for those affected by domestic abuse. Even though we both live in the DC area, our contact tends to be via email, which is why it was a true gift to spend some time together last month at the National Council of Catholic Women’s national convention and chat about our ministries. Sharon serves as director of the National Catholic School of Social Services’ Catholics for Family Peace Education and Research Initiative at the Catholic University of America. I admire how this busy, energetic woman collaborates nationally with others to help clergy and pastoral leaders know how to recognize and respond to domestic abuse among parishioners.

That’s where you come in. October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, and I’ll be teaming up with Sharon to illumine how faith can help those in abusive relationships find a new path. If you’ve been abused or have used abuse against your spouse or were a child witness, I’d like to send you three questions so we can learn how faith helped or hindered you in finding hope, help, and healing on what we’re calling the Journey to Peace.

Your name and other identifying information will not be disclosed. The 200-250-word profiles will appear in October on the Catholics for Family Peace website. I hope you’ll consider participating, or sharing this request with a friend or relative who might be interested. Just send me an email at melanie@rejoicebeglad.com with the subject line Journey to Peace, and I’ll send the questions. Thanks!