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MAIN MENUOctober 2021HomeFAQsRetreatsContact USOur StoreARTICLESRachel's Vineyard RetreatsOffer Healing to ThoseImpacted by AbortionBook Review:"You Carried Me"Message from the PastoralDirectorEvents of Interest:Virtual TrainingGrieving in the Light ofHope and HealingThe Good Shephard ProjectWalking with RachelUnited in PrayerConnect with us!! Rachel'sVineyard Social MediaUpcoming Grief to GraceRetreat WeekendsUpcoming Rachel'sVineyard Retreat WeekendsUNSUBSCRIBERachel’s Vineyard Retreats Offer Healingto Those Impacted by AbortionBy Barb UmbergerThe trauma or shock of an abortion is very difficult to manage, especially when one doesso alone, said Fe Mahler, board chair of Twin Cities Rachel’s Vineyard, a ministryfocused on providing healing for people impacted by abortion. Beyond the mother whoaborted her baby, family members and friends can be impacted, she said.Men and women have gone on retreat at Rachel’s Vineyard, Mahler said — and someretreatants have been part of the abortion industry but turned away from it and needhealing.Sometimes, friends of the woman who had an abortion attend — people who earlier intheir life may have driven someone to an abortion clinic.“They realize later that maybe they could have been more supportive in helping theirfriend either keep the child or go through adoption or some other alternatives, notrecognizing that the abortion itself would be very painful and would not be the end-allthat maybe they thought it would,” Mahler said.Mahler and retired priest Father Kevin Clinton, who has offered post-abortion counselingfor more than 40 years, recently joined “Practicing Catholic” program host Patrick Conleyto describe retreats offered by Rachel’s Vineyard to those affected by abortion.Rachel’s Vineyard offers weekend retreats, Friday to Sunday, that include time to rest,gain perspective and help participants face the truth that will set them free by the grace ofGod, she said. “We base it on the passion of the Christ,” she said, with Friday night thecrucifixion, Saturday the tomb and Sunday the resurrection. “We go through differentprocesses, and with living Scriptures,” she said.A Scripture reading is followed by a meditation, and then a ritual to “make it real for theindividuals,” she said.Mahler said that by Sunday, men and women who came in burdened by the world leavewith faces shining again, “and they have been able to meet with God, see the faith of Godand begin to heal and reconcile.”Asked how Jesus presents himself to those impacted by abortion, Father Clinton referredto the story of Jesus in a group of people with a woman who was accused of committingadultery. Jesus reacts with compassion and a willingness to accompany the person in the

pain and the shame and the embarrassment the woman is feeling and certainly is being puton her, Father Clinton said.With the tremendous polarization in today’s culture, Father Clinton said, “we are kind oflike a field hospital, in which those who have been in denial for a long time are given asafe environment to face into their woundedness and open up to healing.”Many people following an abortion lock themselves in a form of prison, he said, andisolate themselves.In the Bible story, Jesus puts the crowd back on their heels by encouraging those withoutsin to cast the first stone, Father Clinton said.While Jesus doesn’t support adultery, he wants to be present to the woman and bring her,accompany her by the grace of God to a better place, Father Clinton said. Similarly,retreatants are not judged, he said. “We are accompanying them and providing them anenvironment where they feel safe to deal with the truth in their lives.”To learn more about Rachel’s Vineyard, visit rvineyardmn.org. To hear the full interview, listen to thisepisode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show. It airs at 9 p.m. Sept. 10, 1 p.m. Sept 11 and 2 p.m.Sept. 12 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show alsoincludes interviews with Archbishop Bernard Hebda, who discusses the local impact of Pope Francis’recent letter on the “extraordinary form” of the liturgy, and Brian Ragatz, president of Edina-basedCatholic Schools Center for Excellence, and Jules Nolan, operating partner at Minneapolis-basedPhoenix School Consulting, who discuss how CSCOE teams with Nolan’s organization to offersupport to students, teachers, principals and parents.Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired cingCatholictinyurl.com/PracticingCatholic (Spotify)**Article originally posted here by The Catholic Spirit"Start by doing what’s necessary;then do what’s possible;and suddenly you are doing the impossible." Francis of Assisi

A book review by Sr. Marcelina Mikulska, CSFN, MS"You Carried Me" by Melissa OhdenThere are mysterious stories in our lives that seem to be unrealistic. However, there isnothing impossible for God. While struggles of decisions about abortions of the past arenot merely remnants; still, there are miracles on the other side of the unknown, of guilt,of shame, of suffering, and so forth. Melissa Ohden is a daughter of a woman whoexperienced abortion. Melissa survived! Melissa survived with the grace of God! Melissafound her way to a biological mother. Melissa forgave and rebuilt a relationship.You Carried Me is the title of a daughter’s memoir, a book written by Melissa Ohden.She fantastically describes the long-term consequences of suffering an abortion. Despitedifficulties in life and numerous remembrances of something “off,” Melissa did not stopsearching for a meaning of her existence and how it evolved throughout her lifetime. Shebecame an accolade not only for herself but also for her biological mother and herimmediate and extended family.Trigger Warning: This memoir may be a trigger for those who have experienced anabortion.While it may take some courage to read this book, it is a great opportunity to look forhope despite all obstacles in life. It is good to rejoice with others and see the evidence oflove in other's lives."Weeping may endure for a night,but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5

Message from the Pastoral DirectorDear Brothers and Sisters,The month of October provides a lot of opportunities for the healing message and missionof Rachel’s Vineyard to move forward.First of all, I don’t know if you saw Congressman Chris Smith’s message on the floor ofCongress when the House voted a few days ago on a very extreme abortion bill, but hementioned the need for healing after abortion as our nation continues to wrestle with thisissue.Second, as many Churches observe “Respect Life Month” in October, we will bereminding them of the Rachel’s Vineyard retreats.Likewise, this month on the many Life Chains that will take place, the message “AbortionHurts Women” (which Janet Morana and I proposed to Life Chain back in the 1990’s)and “Jesus Forgives and Heals” will appear on signs across the nation.At rallies in front of the Supreme Court this month in support of the Dobbs case, ourmessage of healing will likewise be conveyed.In the many briefs submitted to the Court in that case, the fact that abortion hurts women– and others – is a key argument, because even in Roe the Court acknowledged that thestates do have an interest in protecting the health of women in the context of abortion.The Dobbs case is essentially telling the Court that if the states have that interest, theyshould not be hindered in asserting it through their pro-life laws.And finally, on Wednesday night October 20, Priests for Life will sponsor a nationalZoom call for clergy to help them in their pastoral care of men who suffer from abortion.Details and a signup form are at www.TheGoodShepherdProject.com. Please encourageyour clergy to take a look!So we are on the move. The Campaign continues to grow, to serve, to bring the healing ofChrist, and for this we are grateful to each of you!Sincerely,Fr. Frank PavonePastoral Director, Rachel’s Vineyard MinistriesNational Director, Priests for Life"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein

Events of InterestVirtual Training Event:Join Dr. Theresa Burke, a pioneer and expert in the Aborting Healing Counselingmovement for a dynamic and life-changing series of training that will build andstrengthen a solid foundation for Healing After Abortion.The Rachel's Vineyard Professional Training Series will provide unique, practical, anddynamic workshops to equip you to help those healing from abortion.This unique training will be held in 6 sessions over the course of 2 years.Session Dates: February 22, 2021 June 14, 2021 October 18, 2021 February 28, 2022 June 13, 2022 October 17, 2022Costs: 15 per class 20 additional per class for CEU’s (pending) Multiple sessions discount Pay over timeAudience: Clinicians--morning classes are geared to clinicians, but open to all. Clergy–are welcome to attend all classes, with one class addressing your special role. Rachel’s Vineyard Team–are welcome to attend all classes. Anyone–and everyone is welcome. Even if you aren’t currently involved in thisministry, understanding the trauma that can stem from abortion can help you help somany!*To learn more about this training, click here.*To visit the Facebook Event page, click here.*To Register directly, click here.

The Good Shepherd Project:Virtual event for Priests & DeaconsNext Seminars:October 20, 2021 @ 7:00 p.m. ET: Men and AbortionWednesday, November 17 @ 7:00 p.m. ETSign up here to receive the zoom information for the Seminar!"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leavethe ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he doesfind it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy” (Lk. 15: 4-5).The clergy are ordained to shepherd the flock of God. We proclaim the Gospel of JesusChrist, which is the Gospel of Life and the Gospel of Mercy.

A shepherd knows his sheep; he knows what helps them and what harms them. He feedsthem with what is good and keeps them from what is evil. And he binds up all theirwounds.Christ Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we strive to be shepherds after His own heart.Today, we shepherd our people amidst a culture of death, the most destructive aspect ofwhich is abortion.Shepherding the flock includes teaching them the truth about abortion, strengtheningthem to avoid it, and healing those who have done it.We who reject abortion do not reject those who have had abortions. Rather, we embracethem with the love of Christ and lead them to his mercy and peace.**For more information, click here!"Two roads diverged in a wood,and I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference." Robert Frost