PASTORAL MINISTRY
OFFICE OF PARISH MINISTRIES
RACHEL'S VINEYARD RETREATS-FOR HEALING AFTER ABORTION
Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats are a beautiful opportunity for any woman or man who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion. During the weekend, we gather as the suffering Body of Christ and minister to each other in His name. We share spiritual exercises focusing on God’s forgiveness, compassion and mercy. There are psychological exercises that help work through repressed grief and anger and many rituals to help you grieve the loss of your unborn child and accept God’s forgiveness. The sacrament of reconciliation is also available. The retreat concludes with a memorial service and Mass of Resurrection.
“Thus says the Lord: In Ramah is heard the sound of mourning, of bitter weeping! Rachel mourns her children; she refuses to be consoled because her children; are no more. Thus says the Lord: Cease from your cries of mourning, wipe the tears from your eyes. The sorrow you have shown will have its reward. There is hope for your future, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 31: 15-17
“I experienced a great inner healing as a result of attending the post abortion retreat. I would highly recommend this retreat to any woman who has felt the void and shame of the abortion experience. It is a wonderful way to forgive yourself, find the unconditional love of Christ and grieve the loss of your little child.”
“To any woman considering the need to reconcile her abortion, the retreat is a wonderful gift she could give to herself. You are able to experience the sadness, grief, and shame in the company of other women and men feeling very much the same. You are able to turn this pain into hope with the help of nurturing counselors and supportive caretakers. You are not rushed or hurried, but given time to reflect and become open to the healing process gradually. In the spirit of penance and reconciliation this retreat addresses the pain and suffering of women who feel their sin of abortion has made them outcasts from their church and their faith.”
“I was terrified to take the first step forward and participate in Rachel’s Vineyard. It seemed safer to remain hiding in the darkness, keeping the pain locked up deep inside rather than to risk exposing my shame to another soul. Now I am grateful to have experienced God’s healing and forgiveness with other women in an atmosphere of complete acceptance and trust. Rachel’s Vineyard has been a blessing to me.”
“Shout for joy, you heavens; earth, rejoice, break into songs of triumph, you mountains, for the LORD has comforted his people and has had pity on them in their distress.” Isaiah 49:13
If you or a friend are hurting from an abortion, please call the toll-free national hotline 877-HOPE-4-ME or in the Diocese of Springfield call 413-452-0661.Retreats are held throughout the year in many states. The retreat and registration are strictly private! All inquiries will be answered confidentially. For more information and retreat dates call one of the numbers above or visit the website at www.rachelsvineyard.org. You can also write to Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries, P.O. Box 195, Bridgeport, PA 19405-0195; or locally to Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats, P.O. Box1730, Springfield, MA 01102-1730.
Weekends in the Diocese of Springfield will be held:
June 20-22, 2008 in Stockbridge
October 17-19, 2008 in ChicopeePlease call 413-452-0661
About Rachel’s Vineyard
“Jesus Himself said that He came to call sinners and not the self-righteous. I pray that all who participate in Rachel’s Vineyard with the longing to be free and to be healed by Jesus, may find Him, the source of true joy, peace and love, and allow God to restore them to wholeness and happiness, I am praying much for you.”
----God bless you.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta“The experience of the healing leads one to an openness in faith and life that often draws those who are broken back to the church and the Christ who loves them. Rachel’s Vineyard is an experience that leads its follower to a wholeness that can only be God’s gift.”
----Father Michael Mannion
Author and lecturer“Rachel’s Vineyard is a unique weaving of spirituality and psychology. Participants are invited to experience God’s conversion by reverencing the mystery of their own lives, experiencing the gentle embrace of Jesus and the power and transforming grace of the sacraments. Rachel’s Vineyard calls each participant into the heart of the God who passionately desires their wholeness and holiness, loving each as if they were the only one.”
----Trish Schickert
Associate Director, National Office of
Post-Abortion Reconciliation & Healing
