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LEWISTOWN -- Sacred Heart of Jesus Church will host sexual abuse survivor Heidi Bracken during its Oct. 6 sermon.
Father Bill Weary, along with the local ministerium, thought a sermon focused on healing for sexual abuse survivors would be fitting during this time of priests being accused of abuse.
During a conversation, Bracken shared her story with Weary, and he asked her to take charge of the sermon.
"This will show that it's not just a Catholic church issue," Weary said. "It's an all-around issue."
Bracken said she was a victim of molestation as she was growing up, with her family making her feel as if it was her fault.
Bracken met her God-given mother, Pastor Helen Kester, at the church Kester was pastoring at the time.
During her time there, Bracken was raped by a member of the church.
Bracken said Kester helped contact authorities to create documentation of the event and go through proper procedures that involved a trip to the hospital.
"That process helped me realize I did not deserve it and it was not my fault," Bracken said. "It was almost harder – I was so scared to do it right when I was raised to think the other way."
Kester went one step further and brought the rape to the attention of the church.
Because the church had dealt with a previous rape situation, it was unwilling to support Bracken on her path to recovery.
Kester was asked to leave the church after she gave a sermon centered around aiding people who are raped, and standing up for what is right.
Once again, Bracken said she felt like it was her fault.
Kester received a call from Highland Park Presbyterian, in Lewistown, and accepted the offer. She is currently its pastor.
Kester encouraged Bracken to accompany her to Lewistown and get a fresh start, which she did.
Now, Bracken has graduated from Messiah College and is on her way to ordination to become a pastor herself.
"This was God's way of showing me a new beginning," she said.
Bracken has also written a book titled "Transforming Tessie," about how a life of abuse led to a life of hope.
"I want to share my story because it is a story of hope, and there is life after rape," she said. "Things can turn around."
The sermon will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Lewistown. Children under age 12 are not advised to attend due to the nature of the sermon's content.