The Diocese of Ogdensburg has been named as an accredited Rachel’s Vineyard site. The retreat location is now listed on the national website: www.rachelsvineyard.org.
This accreditation comes after the Diocese has met the requirements established by National Rachel’s Vineyard. Each retreat team member had their own Rachel’s Vineyard retreat experience, attending retreats in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The retreat coordinator and facilitator have served as helpers on a retreat as well. Three team members attended the National Leadership Training Conference in June.
Two priests are trained for this ministry in our Diocese, Fr. Mark Reilly and Fr. Bryan Stitt. Rita Mawn, director of the Resurrection House in Saranac Lake is the retreat facilitator and Dr. Nancy Dvorak, a psychiatrist in Albany will serve as the counselor.
The Respect Life Office has provided pastors with a Rachel’s Vineyard outreach plan, awareness postcards and brochures to help promote the retreat, which will take place in our Diocese on Columbus Day Weekend.
Rachel’s Vineyard is a three-day retreat program, open to mothers, fathers, grandparents and siblings of aborted children as well as those who have worked in the abortion industry. The weekend helps retreatants begin healing from their loss through "living scripture", group sharing, a memorial service and Mass. It is an intense weekend emotionally, mentally and spiritually but the results of God’s mercy & grace are amazing.
The retreat in our Diocese will begin the evening of Friday, October 5th and continue until the afternoon of Sunday, October 7th at the Guggenheim Lodge in Saranac Lake. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged. The cost of $100 covers food, lodging and materials. Scholarships are available.
The Please contact the Respect Life office for more registration or to register. Please keep the retreat team and participants in prayer as this new effort moves forward.
Photo Above: John and Colleen Miner with Theresa Burke (Founder of Rachel's Vineyard)
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