What people are saying about Rachel's Vineyard:

• "The Rachel's Vineyard Retreat restored my life. I feel whole again, alive and capable of love."
  
  
• "Before this retreat I was spiritually dead. I was empty inside . I felt separated from the church and from God. After this retreat, I now feel alive, and happy to be alive. I feel the love of God inside me"
  
  
• "To any woman considering the need to reconcile her abortion, the retreat is a wonderful gift she could give to herself. You are able to experience the sadness, grief, and shame in the company of other women and men feeling very much the same. You are able to turn this pain into hope with the help of nurturing counselors and supportive caretakers. You are not rushed or hurried, but given time to reflect and become open to the healing process gradually. In the spirit of penance and reconciliation this retreat addresses the pain and suffering of women who feel their sin of abortion has (made them) outcasts from their church and their faith"
  
  
"Rachel's Vineyard offers women who have experienced the pain and suffering of having an abortion to seek healing and reconciliation with our Lord and the Church.  Rachel's Vineyard leads these suffering women into a prayerful dialogue with Christ and may lead to profound conversion of heart."
    Father Terry Walsh,  Diocese of Bridgeport


"The Rachel's Vineyard retreat was as powerful an experience of my Priesthood as I have had.  Engaging the sin, sorrow, heartache and healing of these heroic women's lives deepened my appreciation of the gift of this vocation." 
    Father Peter Cipriani, Diocese of Bridgeport

"As the effects of abortion manifest themselves in so many ways, so the Rachel’s Vineyard retreat addresses the need for healing on many levels.  Spiritually, the individual is given an opportunity to receive Christ’s forgiveness.  The presence of a priest on the entire weekend emphasizes the Church’s desire to welcome back all those who seek the Lord.  Socially, the women benefit tremendously to be in a friendly and warm environment with others who have suffered from the effects of abortion; they are no longer alone in their pain.  The presence of the staff that have themselves been touched by Rachel’s Vineyard, encourages well-founded hope that the healing that occurs on the weekend is maintained beyond the weekend. Psychologically, the weekend includes evidence-based healing exercises that allow the individual to explore their thoughts and feelings, and work through the pain that the abortion has caused.  A psychotherapist is available on the entire retreat for general or individual professional support.  Physically, the setting and atmosphere of the weekend are relaxing and nurturing.  The volunteers go through great lengths to shower the retreatants with beauty, emphasizing the dignity of each person, in a private and confidential setting.   

Without reservation, I recommend that women who have had an abortion and men who have assisted their wives/girlfriends in procuring an abortion attend this retreat and experience God’s grace, love, and forgiveness. "  
   Dr. Timothy Lock, Clinical Psychologist, Brookfield, CT