Upcoming Event
June 2008
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat
June 20-22, 2008
Call (904) 221-3232 for details or
e-mail
rachelsvineyardjax@yahoo.com
Hundreds in our community celebrated Mother’s Day in May and most recently
Father’s Day. Sentimental cards, thoughtful gifts, phone calls filled with
words of gratitude, dinners at favorite restaurants were all part of the
festivities. Priceless accolades for mothers and fathers - all received with
honor, and rightly so.
And then there are mothers and fathers who shudder and silently suffer in
shame on these celebratory days due to an “unspeakable” betrayal against
their son or daughter. By limiting the number of days in the warmth and
security of the womb, they deprived their child of a full life.
Ironically, in this pro-choice society, many felt they had no choice or
actually were coerced into aborting. Whether abruptly entered into or
entered into with a great deal of thought, abortion can result in
unparalleled grief, only to be intensified on holidays such as Mother’s and
Father’s Day.
Seeking and accepting help in dealing with post-abortive trauma is extremely
imperative for as long as you keep silent, you will waste away (Psalm 32:3).
Allow yourself to accept God’s gifts of compassion, forgiveness and mercy.
For there is no distinction; all have sinned (Romans 3:22). Learn to forgive
yourself and others involved in this tragedy.
Anxiously awaiting to meet and sincerely guide you in this crossing is a
most compassionate group of people who are instrumental in orchestrating one
of countless Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats. As you courageously embed yourself
in this weekend retreat, you will find it creates a place where men and
women can share, often for the first time, their deepest feelings about
abortion. You are allowed to dismantle troubling secrets in an environment
of emotional and spiritual safety. Participants, who have been trapped in
anger toward themselves or others, experience forgiveness. Peace is found.
Lives are restored. A sense of hope and meaning for the future is finally
re-discovered.
www.rachelsvineyard.org
These life-giving retreats are held in thousands of locations throughout the
United States, Canada and Latin America as well as abroad on continents such
as Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe. The Rachel’s Vineyard website,
www.rachelsvineyard.org, lists all locations and dates for
these retreats.
For instance, there is a retreat being held in the Jacksonville area the
weekend of June 20-22, 2008, and then again the weekend of October 3-5,
2008. For information on attending or for details, please call Donna
Augustine at (904) 221-3232 or e-mail Donna at
rachelsvineyardjax@yahoo.com.
I strongly encourage you to attend a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat to begin your
healing quest.
Sincerely,
Pat Ruebush
Co-Coordinator
Respect Life Ministry
Saint Michael Catholic Church
Respect Life Ministry Page 1