Navigation |
PROJECT RACHELProject Rachel is a ministry for post-abortive women and men. The Catholic dioceses within Michigan work together to offer ongoing opportunities for education, legislation and reconciliation. The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw will offer opportunities for legislative advocacy, Rachel?s Vineyard Retreats and a Support Network.Project Rachel is named after the Old Testament figure from the book of Jeremiah. "In Ramah is heard the sound of weeping. Rachel mourns her children. She refuses to be consoled because her children are no more." Thus says the Lord: "Cease your cries of mourning. Wipe the tears from your eyes. The sorrow you have shown shall have its rewards." Jeremiah 31: 15-17 As a society we fight for the right of the mother to choose, not understanding or choosing to ignore the mounting evidence that abortion causes harm. Our role as a society ought to be to support the family. If we want to stop abortions we must find a way to support mothers and fathers. Offering support before abortion becomes an option, viewing each person (mother, father, child) as a "child of God," with a dignity that they can never lose. "This past November it was my privilege to participate in a Rachel's Vineyard retreat as a part of my facilitator training. Sixteen women and men attended the weekend. They were mothers, fathers, and grandmothers whose life stories varied, but the circumstance that brought them there did not. Story after story told of the negative effects of abortion. Stories about pain so unbearable that it was better not to feel, stories of relationships destroyed because forgiveness seemed impossible, of destructive behavior engaged in because they did not see their own value. Some came to the weekend at the beginning of their healing journey, others were near the end. Wherever they were when they arrived, we all agreed that by the end, it was a life altering experience, filled with the healing mercy of our God. Although, I have not had an abortion, it was a profound experience of not only watching others heal, but of a healing for myself. I am grateful for the retreat experience and the opportunity to walk with others on their journey." - Sandy Buza, Catholic Diocese of Saginaw Rachel's Vineyard weekend retreats are a beautiful opportunity for any person who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion. The retreat is a very specific process designed to help you experience the mercy and compassion of God. The retreat offers many exercises to help you grieve the loss of you unborn child. It concludes with a Memorial and Resurrection Service. The retreat and registration are strictly private. All inquiries will be answered confidentially. For more information on this retreat visit the national website: http://www.rachelsvineyard.org or call (989) 797-6652 or 1-800-453-2081 x 652. If you or someone you know is hurting from an abortion or miscarriage, please call the national toll-free hotline today: 1-877-467-3463. Rachel's Vineyard RetreatsSaginaw Area Contact: Sandy Buza (989) 797-6652 sbuza@dioceseofsaginaw.org Next Retreats: Aug. 10, 2007 and Feb. 22, 2008 Ann Arbor/Detroit Area Contact: Beth Bauer (734) 878-2217 x214 Grand Rapids Area Contact: Maggie Walsh (616) 243-0491 | ||||||
Print this page
Last Modified: 10-16-2006
E-Mail: DoSwebmaster@saginaw.org
Contact Number: (989) 799-7910 ©2006 Catholic Diocese of SaginawCreated by Eden Computing, LLC
