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	Patching Lives Back Together By Jack Poirier The Observer August 5, 2008 http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1142918 A Sarnia woman still suffering from the sexual abuse inflicted by a former priest is hoping to help other victims to pick up the pieces. Irene Williams was preyed upon by disgraced Catholic priest Charles Sylvestre when, as a nine-year-old, she volunteered at St. Thomas Aquinas parish in south Sarnia's Bluewater Village. Sylvestre pleaded guilty in 2006 to molesting 47 girls over three decades while serving at parishes in Sarnia, Chatham, Pain Court and Windsor. The 84-year-old died three months into a three-year prison sentence. Williams is one of three women who have created a healing quilt to be unveiled at a special ceremony on Aug. 16 at the Dow People Place. "This isn't about saying poor me," she said. "We wanted to do something positive. The quilt gives the victims an opportunity to express, through art, how they feel." For years, Williams said she dealt with feelings of shame, abandonment and fear. She took her story to the church and to police, but was ignored, she said. Compounding the victimization was the fact Sylvestre was removed from St. Thomas Aquinas parish at one point, only to be placed in another parish a short time later, Williams said. The assaults occurred while he served at parishes between 1952 and 1986. Williams said never once did a nun, priest or teacher ever take her aside and tell her the abuse wasn't her fault. So, the quilt was designed to give Sylvestre's victims an opportunity to express their feelings and make a public statement, she said. Many of the victims went public, including Williams. Many more didn't, she said. All have been included in the project. Williams said the quilt is made up of 16 panels containing a total of about 90 decals. Each decal represents a Sylvestre victim. The disgraced priest admitted in court only to assaulting 47 women. Embroidered along the top is Sylvestre's name, with the word "VICTIMS" underneath, which Williams said is an acronym that stands for "Victimized Innocent Children Through Intimidation Manipulation Sexually. "Following Sylvestre's sentencing, a small group of women got together and came up with the idea for the quilt. It's been more than a year in the making, Williams said. "It's very powerful. It's been a really big part of the healing process," she said, her voice trailing off. "As you can hear, I still get emotional." Williams said the women want to ensure such abuse never happens again by talking about their experience. Public awareness of the issue of childhood sexual abuse was a key factor in deciding to stage a public ceremony, she said. "This is not a Catholic Church-bashing event," Williams said, noting some people have said enough already. "We need to protect our children. Silence will only lead to past sins being repeated. We are begging the public to come out." The free event will take place at the Dow People Place on Aug. 16, from 1:30 p. m. to 3:30 p. m. It will feature guest speakers, including victims, representatives from local, provincial and the federal governments, victim services and social service agencies.
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