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Hope & Healing
After Abortion
Websites
& Links
Project Rachel Events & Workshops
What is Project Rachel ?
Project Rachel is the name of the Catholic
Church's healing ministry to those who have been
involved in abortion. Its name comes from
Scripture:
 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...
There
is hope for your future.
Jeremiah
31:15-1
Project
Rachel operates as a network of professional
counselors and priests, all trained to provide
one-on-one spiritual and psychological care for
those who are suffering because of an abortion.
Although most dioceses use the name Project
Rachel, some programs are named differently. In
addition to individualized counseling, some
programs include support groups and retreats.
Founded in 1984 by Victoria Thorn in Milwaukee,
today Project Rachel programs can be found in
140 Catholic dioceses in the United States, as
well as in dioceses in other countries.
A single phone call to a
Project Rachel program puts you in touch with
those who can help at
1-888-456-4673 (Lincoln
489-2249).
Healing Awaits
You!
Abortion can be one of the
most traumatic experiences in a person’s life.
Feelings of grief, anxiety, guilt and anger are
common, not only for the woman who undergoes an
abortion, but also for the man involved,
relatives, friends, counselors and even medical
personnel. In many cases, the pain of loss may
initially be buried, sometimes for years, but
may be manifested by relationship difficulties,
depression, or other psychological or spiritual
problems. It may even be intensified by a sense
of alienation from God and the Church.
Project Rachel is here to
reach out to those hurting psychologically and
spiritually after involvement with abortion. We
recognize that all of us have made choices we
later regret. But, we must not give into
discouragement nor lose hope. Abortion is not an
unforgivable sin, and the Church wants to
welcome you home to the mercy and forgiving love
of Christ Jesus.
At project Rachel we
understand that pain caused by your involvement
with abortion is often not recognized by our
society. This pain comes in part from a denied
grief that there was a child who is no more.
We believe abortion has
physical, psychological and spiritual effects,
and that knowledge of God’s limitless mercy and
love is a significant part of the healing
process.
Project Rachel
offers:
·
A Toll-free line
1-888-456-4673
which you will be given a confidential referral
to either a specially trained clergy person or
counselor.
·
Specially trained persons are available to help
you sort through unresolved feelings and
conflicts.
·
A priest sensitive to your particular needs can
prepare you to receive the Sacrament of
Reconciliation.
·
Priests outside your community are also
available for reconciliation.
Project Rachel is open to anyone in need
regardless of their faith background.
There is NO charge for those who enter
the Project Rachel process. If extended
professional counseling seems indicated, fees
will be based upon your ability to pay.
Project
Rachel allows you, in a caring and hopeful
context, to move toward reconciliation with
yourself, your unborn child, your family, your
church and with God.
Symptoms of
Post Abortion Trauma
-
Low self-esteem
-
Grief (mild to profound)
-
Depression (sometimes to the
point of suicidal thoughts and
attempts)
-
A sense of alienation from
family & friends
-
A
feeling of being “numb”, not
able to feel joy from activities
that used to be pleasurable
-
Isolating
self from others to avoid
discussing the abortion
experience with them
-
Guilt
& shame
-
Difficulty
concentrating
-
Anger
toward self, or the child’s
father, or others involved in
the abortion decision
-
Alcohol
& drug problems to dull the
sorrow
-
Desire for a “replacement” baby
-
Anniversary reactions of grief
or depression on the date of the
abortion or the baby’s expected
due date
-
Problems bonding with your other
children (being over-protective
but emotionally distant)
-
Fear that God will punish you or
is punishing you.
Some, especially young girls, experience
symptoms soon after the abortion. However, it is
more common for the symptoms to occur over the
course of five to twelve years after the
abortion.
Post-Abortion
Aftermath/Healing Websites
ELLIOT INSTITUTE
(post-abortion):
www.afterabortion.org
ELLIOT INSTITUTE
(abortion harms women):
www.poorchoice.org
SILENT NO MORE
(post-abortive women):
www.SilentNoMoreAwareness.org
U.S. BISHOPS
(post-abortion):
www.hopeafterabortion.org
ABORTION/BREAST CANCER
LINK:
www.abortioncancer.com
www.abortionbreastcancer.com
RACHEL’S VINEYARD
RETREAT:
www.rachelsvineyard.org
PROJECT RACHEL:
www.noparh.org
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