Prayer shawl ministries create ‘prayful hugs’
For the women, and sometimes men, who struggle with an abortion decision and the alienation that follows, Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreat offers the peace and forgiveness they are yearning for.
As the women and men enter the retreat, on each chair is a prayer shawl lovingly knitted or crocheted by Prayer Shawl ministries through the archdiocese including The Church of the Little Flower in Berkley Heights, St. Thomas in Bloomfield, and St. John’s in Hilldale.
“As soon as they enter the retreat, they are given a prayer shawl. It’s like a security blanket for the participant when sharing throughout the weekend,” Respect Life Ministry Director Cheryl Riley said. The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month every October.
Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries was started in 1994 by Dr. Theresa Burke. After seeing the trauma held onto for years post-abortion, Dr. Burke created a post-abortive weekend retreat to “do the work” of grieving and forgiveness. The name “Rachel’s Vineyard” comes from Biblical text. “Rachel” refers to an Old Testament figure in the book of Jeremiah: “Rachel mourns her children; she refuses to be consoled because her children are no more.” The word “vineyard” refers to Chapter 15 of the Gospel of John, where Jesus says, “In the same way, you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. 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.”
For 26 years, the Archdiocese of Newark has held Rachel’s Vineyard retreats as its outreach to those suffering from an abortion decision.
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The retreats take a lot of work and a lot of prayer, that’s why the prayer shawls are such a welcomed blessing to the retreat, said Riley. The Prayer Shawl Plus Ministry at the Church of the Little Flower meets the third Wednesday of the month to create prayer shawls for the retreat attendees to use for the weekend and after they return home. Not only are the knitters creating a warm wrap, but in every stitch the knitter says a prayer for those in need of healing.
Prayer Shawl Plus at Little Flower began creating shawls — and hats and blankets for preemies — in 2004. Julie Flynn quips that she would like to say she joined the group for altruistic reasons, but it was to learn how to knit.
“Now it gives me such peace and comfort knowing I am creating something for someone who needs a prayerful hug,” Flynn said.
The “Plus” in The Prayer Shawl Plus Ministry is because the Union Village Methodism Church has joined Little Flower collaborating in the knitting and prayer ministry.
“Just to know that people are praying for them to find forgiveness, is such a comfort,” Riley said.
After attending a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat, Patty said she found her faith again after 20 years of feeling estranged for the Church due to an abortion.
“At the retreat, I received the mercy of forgiveness,” Patty said.
Because every abortion experience is different, the retreat offers an opportunity for participants to examine their individual abortion experience, identify how the loss has impacted them, and help acknowledge any unresolved feelings they are struggling with, according to Rachel’s Vineyard’s website.
Each retreat is led by a team of trained volunteers who have all participated in a retreat, including lay ministers, an archdiocesan priest, and deacons.
The retreat also welcomes grandparents and siblings of aborted children to heal. The retreats are offered in English and Spanish twice a year. The next retreat is April 5, 2024.
For more information on Rachel’s Vineyard, visit www.rachelsvineyard.org. To learn more about the archdiocesan Respect Life Office, visit www.rcan.org/respect-life/.
