I would now like 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 in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

To the same Father and his mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone’s right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life. (EV, 99, ST. JPII)

A Rachel’s Vineyard weekend is a chance to get away from all the daily pressures of work and family and focus on this painful time in your life through a supportive and non-judgmental process. The time away provides an opportunity to deeply enter the grieving process and identify all the ways your abortion may have affected you

 

Rachel's Vineyard is a safe place to renew and rebuild your life after experiencing the trauma of abortion.  The healing weekends offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgemental environment where women and men can deal with painful post-abortive emotions.

Rachel's Vineyard can help you to experience God's love and compassion on a profound level.  It creates a place where men and women can share, often for the first time, their deepest feelings about abortion.

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Marene T: 07505 904 656
Freephone: 0800 059 9879

Contact: Rachel’s Vineyard Website

Rachel's Vineyard is a place of reconciliation.  Participant's, who have often experienced deep anger towards themselves or others, experience forgiveness.  Peace is found.  Lives are restored.  A sense of hope and meaning for the future is discovered.

The name "Rachel" refers to an old testament figure who was written about in the book of Jeremiah. The exact biblical quote is this:

Thus says the Lord:

 

"In Ramah is heard the sound of moaning, of bitter 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 reward, says the Lord".Why a Vineyard?
There are many images attached to a vineyard. It is a place where grapes are grown, pruned, lifted up and cleansed so they can bear a more bountiful harvest. Perhaps the most significant association with vine comes from the powerful and moving words of Jesus found in Chapter 15 of the Gospel of John: "I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me".