The first Rachel’s Vineyard retreat in our Diocese was held on Columbus Day weekend at the Guggenheim Center Lodge. The weekend was a wonderful healing opportunity for all those in attendance. Every aspect went very smoothly, no doubt due to the many prayers which were being offered for this intention.

A great big thank you to all those who prayed where they were and also to the adorers from around the Tri-lakes who came to pray at the retreat center during the 38-hour perpetual adoration. A private adoration chapel
was set up with a beautiful “Mary, Mother of the Eucharist” monstrance donated by Roger and Cookie Miner in memory of their deceased spouses, Mary Ellen Miner and George Cooper. Adorers from town fulfilled the
daytime and evening hours while the retreatants and retreat team fulfilled the nighttime hours of adoration.

The retreat team would like to thank everyone who graciously donated to the retreat. Many donated their time and talents. These include Mrs. Normajean Smith who hand-made rosaries, Mr. Pat Kiah who crafted a wooden
cross for the Memorial Service and Sr. Rita Mawn who made the "Alleluia" banner which draped over the cross.

The Catholic Daughters, Court St. Bernard donated funds and baked several goodies. Family Camp supplied a breakfast, lunch and dinner. Businesses who donated items for gift baskets include: Bed, Bath & Beyond, Cornell Extension Maple Sugar in Lake Placid, The Candyman in Jay and Adirondack Balsam Products in Saranac Lake.

The flowers & candles for the retreat were donated and an anonymous donor provided one scholarship. Rachel’s Vineyard of Scranton, Pennsylvania and Rachel’s Vineyard of Paterson, New Jersey donated items for the living scriptures. St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake  provided sacristy supplies for daily Mass and St. John’s Church in Lake  Clear donated the use of several items for the living scriptures.

A big thanks to the ladies who worked in the kitchen: Diane Brewster and Val Trost. And a sincere thank you to the retreat team, who made time in their busy schedules to minister so compassionately during the weekend.
These include Father Bryan Stitt, Fr. Mark Reilly, Sr. Rita Mawn, Dr. Nancy Dvorak, Mrs. Sandra Izzo and John Miner.

The Diocese of Ogdensburg hopes to offer future Rachel’s Vineyard after-abortion healing retreats. Please check the North Country Catholic, your church bulletin or this website for updates. Please continue to pray for
all those who are hurting but on their way to healing after their loss. May they experience God’s mercy and forgiveness and look forward to the day when they reunite with their children in heaven.