Archdiocese of St. Louis - Project Rachel

Project Rachel 2010 Retreats

shellymarstall — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:28:53 +0000

Project Rachel is the Catholic Church’s ministry to those who have suffered the trauma of an abortion experience. Project Rachel provides free, professional, confidential counseling, reconciliation and spiritual direction with love and compassion for men and women wounded by an abortion experience.

Two opportunities for Project Rachel healing are offered in an expanded retreat format for women. A one-day retreat was offered on Saturday, May 8. A full weekend retreat will be offered on July 30, 31 and August 1. For more information, contact Marisol at 314-792-7451 or ihnpfaff@swbell.net or use the online contact form.

To register for an upcoming retreat, please use this online Retreat Registration Form.

Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus Retreat House.pdf

Respect Life Apostolate

New Contact Information for Project Rachel

shellymarstall — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:33:08 +0000

Project Rachel has updated its email address to make it clearer and easier for men and women to contact us for help. PLEASE DISCONTINUE promoting and using hope@stlprojectrachel.org AND Project_Rachel@archstl.org (note this email has an underscore) in your bulletins.

PLEASE BEGIN PROMOTING ProjectRachel@archstl.org (note the underscore is now removed) effective IMMEDIATELY. Thank you for updating your records to reflect this change. Our phone number remains 314-792-7565.

A majority of those men and women who call the hotline do so because of parish bulletins regularly mentioning Project Rachel or because of a direct referral from a parish priest. We wouldn't be able to offer hope and healing to as many people if it weren't for continued parish promotion of the help available. Thank you again!

Respect Life Apostolate

Project Rachel & Project Joseph Spiritual Support Groups

shellymarstall — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:34:11 +0000

Project Rachel Spiritual Support Group

After a woman has gone through Project Rachel counseling, she can participate in "In His Name," a support group that meets monthly to accompany those who have suffered an abortion, regardless how long it has been since their abortions have taken place.

It is an invitation to receive the healing grace of God, where you will meet other women who have had abortions.
It is an invitation to continue your healing within a loving and understanding ministry with oneself, the unborn child, family, God and Church.

For upcoming meetings, please visit the RLA calendar.

Project Joseph Spiritual Support Group

An informal spiritual support opportunity to meet and hear from other men who have this shared experience and are seeking God's healing and mercy. As one previous participant stated, "As the father of an aborted baby, I felt not only loss but failure. Through Project Joseph I was able to regain a sense of self-worth and return to my faith." Project Joseph also offers free, professional, confidential, individual counseling and spiritual direction for any man directly or indirectly wounded by an abortion experience.

This group meets on the first Monday of every month, 7 p.m., September-June. For more information or location details, please call or email Deacon Scotty at (314) 960-7272 or deaconscotty@wainscotts.org.

Respect Life Apostolate

Project Rachel & Project Joseph Spiritual Direction & Reconciliation

shellymarstall — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:22:19 +0000

Project Rachel offers the sacramental healing found in Penance. Though all priests are able to hear confessions, a number of priests have shared a special interest in counseling those who have experienced abortion in some way and thus have received additional training to best help those on a path toward hope and healing. These men have received special training on the grief, sadness, and the symptoms that those experience after abortion.

If you would like to be put in contact with a priest in an area of your choosing, please call 314-792-7565 or use the online contact form.

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Into your Sacred Heart, I give you my wounded
heart. Though it can never be as beautiful as
yours, I give it to you asking that you Make it
whole once again in union with You.

You are far greater, than the mighty ocean, than
the highest mountain, than the healing works of
our hands.

Speak, Lord a merciful and loving word
That your healing grace may pour into my heart,
Make whole again this broken heart, speak a
word of peace to calm my fearful thoughts and
trouble feelings.

Create in me a new heart and spirit, that I may always proclaim:
The Lord God Almighty, Who made ALL things, Has upheld me with His mighty Hand,
and by His word placed in me a new heart.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me.
Imprimatur: +Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke
Archbishop of St. Louis, October 2, 2006

Respect Life Apostolate

Project Rachel Retreats

shellymarstall — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:36:16 +0000

Project Rachel is the Catholic Church’s ministry to those who have suffered the trauma of an abortion experience. Project Rachel provides free professional and confidential counseling, reconciliation, and spiritual direction with love and compassion for those left wounded by an abortion.

And He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons and He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. - Mark 1:34

In our retreats, women ponder the great gift of God’s mercy and love poured out for all in the Person of Jesus, His Son, focusing on the Heart of Jesus. Jesus in turn showed His love by giving His own Mother to all to love and care for our needs: “This is your Mother.” - John 19:27

Come and spend some restful time in company of Jesus and Mary. The retreats will be held in a homelike, private setting for a time of prayerful recollection. Mass and the Sacrament of Penance will be available.

The retreats are directed by the Sacred Heart Sisters and the Project Rachel Support Team:

Sister Catherine Marie and the Sisters are members of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart. They are on the staff of Paul VI Pontifical Institute for the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Marisol Pfaff is a post-abortive woman who leads a spiritual support group and coordinates the women's retreats for the Archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate's Project Rachel Program.
Ms. Kathy Miloshewski, a Licensed Professional Counselorwho works with Marisol in the spiritual support group and the retreats.

Upcoming Retreats: (please note that location information is always kept confidential for those who register)

May 12, 2012, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
One day retreat (an English-speaking retreat and a Spanish-Speaking Retreat will both be offered.)

July 27-29
Weekend Retreat

Cost:
One day retreats are $30 (meals included). Please mail a $10 deposit along with a copy of the submitted registration confirmation.

Half-Day retreats are $20 ($10 due at registration).

Weekend Retreats are $175 (meals included). To reserve a room, please mail a check or money order for $50 deposit along with a copy of registration confirmation.

Our suggested offering does not cover our costs, but we never turn anyone away because of inability to pay. You will receive confirmation and directions to the retreat by mail.

Registration:
To register for this retreat, please use this online Retreat Registration Form. Please call Marisol at (314) 792-7451 with any questions or concerns.

Spanish Rachel Retreat Flyer

Respect Life Apostolate

Rachel's Garden

shellymarstall — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:24:34 +0000

Rachel's Garden, located in Resurrection Cemetery, is dedicated to reflection. One enters the garden along a prayer path with scriptural readings leading to an image of the risen Lord. This garden and the Project Rachel ministry bearing the name Rachel was inspired by Sacred Scripture in the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (31:15-17). In the book, the sound of moaning and of bitter weeping is heard in Ramah. 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 reward…There is hope for your future.'" This garden is to be a place of hope and healing for anyone who has experience such sadness and sorrow from abortion.

Directions

South of Watson on Mackenzie, first right into Resurrection Cemetery, stay to the left as much as possible. Link to map.

Respect Life Apostolate

Snapshot of Post-Abortion and Healing

shellymarstall — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:14:36 +0000

Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS) is the particular type of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) when PTSD is the result of an abortion experience. A person who undergoes a traumatic experience, such as witnessing a violent death, experiencing physical injury or sexual assault, often has intense feelings of fear, helplessness, or loss of control.

Women may experience abortion as a traumatic experience for many reasons. Many are forced into unwanted abortions by boyfriends, husbands, or parents. Some may feel their reasons for the abortion are valid yet still feel responsible for the death of their child. While they do not go through the physical experience of the abortion, men may feel guilt or anger at not being able to protect their child.

Some of the common symptoms of post-abortion syndrome are:

Drug or alcohol abuse
Repression or denial of feelings about the abortion
Flashbacks to the abortion experience
Suicidal thoughts or acts
Inability to maintain trusting or loving relationships
Intense feelings of guilt, anger, shame or regret
Desire for a “replacement” baby

Information from Post-Abortion Syndrome – Are You at Risk? By David Reardon, Ph.D.

It is not uncommon for 10-15 years to pass after an abortion experience before counseling is sought. Women and men may repress or deny the experience because of the guilt, anger or sorrow surrounding the abortion. Subsequent life events such as the birth of a child, the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship may bring the repressed or denied emotions to the surface. Information from Aborted Women, Silent No More by David Reardon, Ph.D.

Men and Abortion

“Society’s portray of abortion as a woman’s issue may be a reason that men tend not to talk about their abortion experience. Because of this portrayal, there is nearly a total lack of recognition by society that men should feel anything related to abortion. It is extremely difficult for people to express grief and work through grief when they are given the message that their grief is not valid. In spite of the changing roles and expectations of men and women, there is still a great deal of pressure on men to maintain a strong and controlled front. Unresolved anger and guilt following an abortion also may contribute to reckless behavior such as drug and alcohol abuse or sexual promiscuity. Finally, there is the privacy factor. Both men and women would be expected to avoid talking about an issue as personal and private at that of abortion.” Men and Abortion:A Path to Healing by Catherine T. Coyle, Ph.D.

Project Rachel is a ministry of the Catholic Church that offers counseling – emotional and spiritual support - to women and men suffering from an abortion experience, regardless of age, religion or connection to the abortion. The counseling is professional, confidential, and free of charge.

Many professional counselors may not understand post-abortion issues and thus may be unable to help identify and deal with the source of the pain. Project Rachel counselors receive specific training about post-abortion syndrome in order to facilitate the healing process. Project Rachel also offers group spiritual support meetings and annual one day or weekend retreats.

Many have found the healing and peace they deserve after Project Rachel counseling. For more information call 314-792-7565.

“When I became pregnant at 18, I had an abortion. I was completely unprepared for the emotional fallout. I thought the abortion would erase the pregnancy. I thought I could move on with my life. I was wrong. I experienced periods of intense anger followed by periods of profound sadness. When my feelings became too difficult to deal with, I reached out for help from a trained counselor. With counseling and the help of supportive friends, I was able to enter into a healthy grieving process.” Michaelene Fredenburg, creator of Abortion Changes You

“Abortion has many victims. The child, the mother, the father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings – all are at a loss when abortion is chosen. For myself, there is personal loss because I don’t know my child. But the greater loss is that you don’t know my child, or any of the children we’ve lost through abortion.” Olivia Gans, founder American Victims of Abortion

“As the father of an aborted baby I felt not only loss but failure. Through Project Rachel I was able to regain a sense of self-worth and return to my faith.” Charles

“I would tell other women who have had an abortion to come, call, run to Project Rachel, because you need healing physically, mentally, spiritually.” Faye

“I would like now to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give into discouragement and do not lose hope…the Father of mercies is ready to give you His forgiveness and peace. You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living with the Lord.” Pope John Paul II The Gospel of Life no. 99

Respect Life Apostolate

Project Rachel and Project Joseph: Post-Abortion Healing Programs

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 02:59:51 +0000

There is Hope After Abortion.

The physical, emotional, and spiritual pain of abortion is undeniable. Because it is such a traumatic event, many who experience an abortion develop a form of post-traumatic stress disorder known as Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS).

Project Rachel and Project Joseph provide healing and hope to women and men wounded by abortion through the following:

Free, confidential, professional counseling for anyone who has been wounded by an abortion experience
Monthly spiritual support group meetings
Women's Retreats and Men's Retreats, based on the Entering Canaan model.
Spiritual Direction or Reconciliation

To learn more about healing after abortion, please call (314) 792-7565 or email ProjectRachel@archstl.org or ProjectJoseph@archstl.org. Trustworthy caring persons will answer your call. We make every effort to ensure that you will be comfortable with those serving you.

You may also contact our Spiritual Support Coordinators directly. For Project Rachel, contact Marisol Pfaff during office hours at ihnpfaff@swbell.net or 314-792-7451. For Project Joseph, call or email Chuck Raymond at (314) 974-8767 or craymjr@sbcglobal.net.

Project Rachel and Project Joseph also have a number of other resources:

Testimonies of those who have experienced hope and healing through Project Rachel or Project Joseph, including this photo and audio presentation created by the St. Louis Review
Rachel's Garden, located at Resurrection Cemetery in South County
Scriptural References for Hope After Abortion
Symptoms of Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS) which is similar to Post-Tramatic Stress Disorder
"We All Want to be Loved: A Priest's View on Abortion," with Fr. Tom Pastorius for the St. Louis Review
Podcast on Healing Retreats with Sr. Catherine Marie Stewart for the St. Louis Review
"Church Shows There Is Healing After Abortion," by Jennifer Brinker for the St. Louis Review
Project Rachel Hot-line business cards, great for parish gathering spaces, counselors' offices, confessionals, etc.
National Project Rachel contains national contacts for other Project Rachel Programs across the country
"Services Expanding for Those Wounded by Abortion" article from ProLife Profile July 2010 Issue announcing the Project Joseph Program

Some other sites that might be helpful for post-abortion healing:

To order the additional information and promotional material, please complete the Materials Order Form.

Please support Project Rachel by letting your parish, organization or school know that these services are available. Please consider having a perpetual bulletin or newsletter item highlighting these services. Below is a document with some suggestions.

Project Rachel and Joseph Bulletin Announcements.pdf

Project Rachel and Joseph Bulletin Announcements.doc

Respect Life Apostolate