Zoom events to be held April 27 and June 15

After a priest once assigned to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Boyd (Father Eugene Comiskey) was on the list of clergy within the Diocese of La Crosse found to have credible accusations of child sex abuse made against them, Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls will be hosting two virtual presentations on abuse and the trauma that results.

The virtual presentations are being put on by an organization called “Chippewa Grace,” describing itself as “a collaboration of Catholic laity and clergy in Chippewa Falls to address effects of clergy sexual abuse in our community.” To register for one of the presentations, readers may go to www.chippewagrace.org/events, with the virtual presentations also available for viewing at Holy Ghost Church, located at 412 S Main Street in Chippewa Falls.

The first presentation, which is entitled “Understanding Trauma and Its Effects” and will be held Tuesday April 27th from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Central Time on Zoom, the presenter being Dr. Stephen Saunders, a professor and chair of the psychology department at Marquette University.

Dr. Saunders presentation April 27th will focus on what trauma is, the different types of trauma, and the effects of traumatic experiences. Also speaking with Dr. Saunders as part of the April 27 event will be a survivor of clergy sex abuse, sharing how it has affected him personally. Once again, those seeking to register for the ZOOM presentation should go to www. chippewa grace.org/events. The event April 27 will be the inaugural event for Chippewa Grace as a local organization. Those unable to attend may also request to be emailed once a recording of the event is available.

The second event, also via ZOOM on Tuesday June 15th, will be hosted by Fr. Matthew J. Malek, a Conventual Franciscan priest who will focus on “Institutional Abuse & Betrayal,” and how victims of clergy abuse are traumatized not only by their abusers but the institutions they represent, encouraging participant to “work together toward institutional courage,” and to “create an environment where healing is possible.”

Fr. Malek was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in 2013, also completing counseling training in 2019 with a Master of Counseling Psychology from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. He blends spirituality and psychology to “help people heal their wounds.”

Those with questions may email [email protected] gmail.com for more information.