I think the thing I enjoy so much about my conversations with Cathy is her hopefulness.? She is not one to talk about her own past traumas, but she has shared some of it with me over the years and I can assure you that her life story is one that would make most people very pessimistic and withdrawn.? Instead, her faith and her compassion for others has led her out of a very dark place into one where helping others is not only possible, but in her mind critical to her own healing.
I think she?s doing something very simple and incredibly difficult at the same time.? She?s living what she believes. Her faith that there is a reason for the traumas that she has endured and that God has used them to make her stronger and more able to help people that desperately need a life line.? Her story is one of perseverance. her message is one of healing.? I don?t know about you, but I?m pretty sure today?s world could use a lot more Cathys.
Cathy Lins worked as a consultant for many years by assisting numerous not-for-profit organizations to raise money to do work in communities with desperate needs.? She has also given speeches and conducted workshops around the country specializing in fundraising techniques as well as help trauma survivors recover.? Her current full-time project is Gather My Lost Sheep, which focuses on helping trauma survivors return to Catholic parishes and to restore their faith in Christ.? She did this as a result of realizing that Priests aren't always trained in this and aren't sure what to do.? In addition, stigma keeps the laity from talking about mental health issues. This results in Impacted families feeling isolated.? Cathy became convinced that this isn't who the Church is meant to be. ? Gather My Lost Sheep strives to teach people to ask "How do I accompany someone who is hurting? How can I be Christ to them?"
Over 70% of the population has experienced trauma. The events and isolation in 2020 have simply added to the strain on our mental health. Cathy decided to rethink evangelization and pastoral care when she saw the impact on people living with trauma and their mass exodus from the Church. As a national speaker working with US bishops and priests, she has talked about leadership in the Church at the parish and diocesan level.? She brings technical knowledge and lived experience to this conversation.
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