Five years after her retirement, Pat Mudd, the first leader of the diocesan Office of Victim Assistance, is still fondly remembered by those she served.
“A couple of the victim survivors approached me and said it would be nice (to) have an event that could honor her,” said Frank Moncher, director of the Office of Victim Assistance. “They knew that she had retired and just wanted to show their appreciation, because they would ask about her often but hadn’t seen her in a while.”
Former colleagues, victim survivors, Mudd’s family and others gathered at St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax March 8 to pray the Stations of the Cross for Survivors of Abuse, followed by a small recognition ceremony for Mudd in the parish hall.
Mudd started her career at Catholic Charities, during which time she personally placed 148 children with adoptive families. In 2002, the American bishops wrote the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, and the Arlington diocese created the Office of Victim Assistance. “Thank you for shepherding this ministry from its very beginning,” Moncher told Mudd. “It wouldn’t be what it is without you.”
Mary Jo, who asked that her last name be withheld, thanked Mudd for helping her along her healing journey. John Voiland said he wouldn’t be alive today without Mudd’s intervention in his life. “I was really down on the church for what they did to me. She never gave up,” he said.
“I was a piece of work, I know, because I had been so traumatized,” he told Mudd. “I gave you a hard time, but I owe my life to you. Many people owe their life and their happiness to you, Pat. You have earned your place with God, over and over.”
Mudd insisted that they were the ones who changed their lives for the better, but she was grateful for their words. “I thank you all for coming today,” she said. “I loved what I did.”
