St. Rita Ministry
Contact:
Rita Welsh
219-1101
Contact Us
For information:
St.Rita Ministry Hotline 919-219-1101
Ministry Description:
" Religious faith represents a primary source for making sense out of experience and for providing support in times of crisis. Hence it is not surprising that, in the midst of violence in the family, many people turn to their religious or spiritual tradition to explain what is happening and to find support."........Marie Fortune
St. Rita of Cascia
Born Rita Lotti, at Rocca Porena near Cascia in the Province of Umbria, Italy in the diocese of Spoleto in 1386* to parents Antonio and Amata, aging parents who looked upon her birth as a gift from God.
She was betrothed at age 12 by her parents to Paolo Mancini and was married to him at age 18. She bore him two sons. Her husband was a cruel and ill-tempered man. She was a good wife and mother and put up with his abuse for 18 years. Her husband was murdered and their sons swore vengeance on their father's killers. Through Rita's prayers and intervention they forgave the offenders and died a few years later of natural causes.
After her sons died Rita joined the Augustinian Nuns. Her days were spent in prayer and contemplation in service to the sick and poor.
Rita is well known as a patron of desperate, seemingly impossible causes, abuse victims, and difficult marriages.
"When I call for help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women"
As Pastors of the Catholic Church in the United States, we state clearly and strongly as we can that violence against women, inside or outside the home is never justified. Violence in any form "-physical, sexual, psychological, verbal" -is sinful: often, it is a crime as well. We have called for a moral revolution to replace a culture of violence. We acknowledge that violence has many forms, many causes, and many victims-men as well as women.
The Catholic Church teaches that violence against another person in any form fails to treat that person as someone worthy of love. Instead, it treats the person as an object to be used. When violence occurs within a sacramental marriage, the abused spouse may question. "How do these violent acts relate to my promise to take my spouse for better or for worse?" The person being assaulted needs to know that acting to end the abuse does not violate the marriage promises. While violence can be directed towards men, it tends to harm women and children more. In 1992 we spoke out against domestic violence. We called on the Christian community to work vigorously against it. Since then many dioceses, parishes, and organizations have made domestic violence a priority issue. We commend and encourage these efforts.
Many abused women seek help first from the Church because they see it as a safe place. Even if their abusers isolate them from other social contacts, they may still allow them to go to church. Recognizing the critical role that the Church can play, we address this statement to several audiences:
- To women who are victims of violence
- To pastors, parish personnel and educators
- To men who abuse and men who do not know how to break the circle of violence
- To society
...............reprinted from The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops "When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women" (tenth anniversary edition) available in print editions in English and Spanish and may be ordered by calling toll-free 800-235-8722. Ask for publication number 5-509 (English) 5-888 (Spanish).
Facts:
An estimated 3 - 4 million women in the United States are battered each year by their husbands or partners.
Approximately 37 percent of obstetric patients of every race, class and educational background report being physically abused while pregnant
Journal of the American Medical Association
There were 600 reported cases of domestic violence in Cary in 2001
There were over 750 reported to the Cary Police Department in 2002.
More than 54% of all calls to the Cary Police Department are for domestic violence.
What is our purpose?
The St. Rita Ministry was developed in partnership with INTERACT of Wake County, to bring awareness, understanding, and education to the St. Michaels and Cary Communities, and to offer referral assistance to Interact, local law enforcement agencies, Triangle Family Services, the DOSE program, and other supportive agencies.
What is our goal?
Our goal is to educate the St Michaels community through informational seminars and making educational materials available. To establish a hot line to be staffed by trained volunteers. To offer confidential support groups to victims of domestic violence, facilitated by trained volunteers.
Volunteer opportunities:
In order for our ministry to be successful we need many volunteers, in several areas. As a volunteer, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference in our Parish community. Volunteers will help provide information, support, referral, and follow up services. If you are compassionate, dependable, and looking for a challenging volunteer experience that will help you grow, we have a position for you.
Support Services Group:
To staff the 24 hour hotline, volunteers will be provided with crisis intervention training. Cell phones to be provided.
Adult Group Facilitators:
Co-facilitate support groups for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
Training to be provided by INTERACT.
Education Committee:
Volunteers are needed to help with parish presentations and table top displays, to recruit volunteers and to keep the website current. The work of the ministry is made known through NC Catholic newspaper and parish publications. This group will meet on a frequent basis to keep materials and news of the ministry updated.
What you can do now if you are in an abusive relationship:
BREAK THE SILENCE
- Trust your feelings.
- Talk about what is happening with someone you trust.
- Keep telling until someone believes you and will listen.
- Tell a counselor.
- Don't blame yourself.
- If you are in an emergency or dangerous situation call 911.
Hotline Numbers:
| Interact 24 hour Crisis Line | 919-828-7740 |
| Rape | 919-828-3005 |
| S.A.F.E. Center | 919-828-3067 |
| St. Michaels | TBA |
| NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence | 919-956-9124 |
| National Domestic Abuse Hotline | 1-800-799-(safe)7233 |
| KIRAN | 1-866-KIRANINC |
| Domestic Violence and Crisis Services for South Asians in NC | 919-865-4006 |
For further information:
Websites:
Publications:
- When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women
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