Project Rachel / Project Joseph
Project Rachel~Project Joseph is the diocesan program to support and to provide healing to women and men who are suffering the emotional, psychological and spiritual pain of a decision to have an abortion.
The program, in partnership with the Project Rachel~Project Joseph ministry of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, offers both one-day and weekend healing retreats known as Unfailing Mercy. Separate retreats are held for women and men. The program also provides assistance in identifying additional pastoral, sacramental, and professional clinic resources when appropriate. Logos: Into the emptiness of a life lost, there is a great sorrow in the heart of the mother and father. Through Divine Mercy, however, we receive the forgiveness of our Lord, and he brings us peace. He truly makes us a new creation. |
"Unfailing Mercy" Retreats
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Click for brochure
Podcast: "I Am Forgiven"
07/13/2020, (20 mins) |
Thanks to the caring hearts and hands of our St. James and St. Bernadette Parish Prayer Shawl Teams!
They create these lovely prayer shawls for our Unfailing Mercy retreatants. Truly, the women who receive these actually feel the love of Christ. They are surprised… and so blessed… by this generosity and kindness! Many thanks!
They create these lovely prayer shawls for our Unfailing Mercy retreatants. Truly, the women who receive these actually feel the love of Christ. They are surprised… and so blessed… by this generosity and kindness! Many thanks!
An Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance & Intercession
Women, men, families, health care providers and all of us, directly or indirectly, have been impacted by abortion. We gather to pray and to seek healing and forgiveness.
Service includes:
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Candlemas Of Innocents: A Remembrance Of Lost Infants
The Candlemas of the Innocents offers an opportunity for parents who have lost a child in infancy, miscarriage or abortion to commemorate the lives of their children. We also invite couples who are grieving due to infertility. Everyone is welcome to join in this special service. It is suggested that the service may include Confessions, the Rosary, and the Mass, but it can be adapted to fit the needs of each parish. This service may be held any time of year, but a fitting time to hold the service is in February on a date near the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord/Candlemas. If the service is held at a different time of year, it might simply be called a Mass of Remembrance of Lost Infants. Parents have an opportunity to light a candle in honor of their child, a simple yet profound remembrance. This healing Mass offers a special opportunity for God to bring his grace as parents entrust their child to his love and care. For more information on bringing this service to your parish, please contact the Respect Life Office. |
“In Ramah is heard the sound of moaning of bitter weeping! Rachel mourns for 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 rewards...There is hope for your future." Jeremiah 31:15-17
Program Materials
The pain that follows an abortion is so often unexpected. It may come immediately afterwards, or it may take years to come to the surface. If you or someone you care about are experiencing this aching in your heart, you know the profound guilt, the sorrow, the shame. You know the great distress of this “choice” that you have made. You may be able to get through the day and do what needs to be done, and everything may—from the outside—appear to be going along fine. But down deep there is a quiet, relentless sadness that persists. You feel unlovable and unforgivable.
Ways we can help:
• Unfailing Mercy 1-day & Weekend Retreats
• Referrals to Priests & Deacons
• Professional Counseling Referrals
• Web-Based Healing Study
• SaveOne Bible Study Support Group
Pastoral Care
Prayers
Books
Additional Items
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Leadership & Volunteer Opportunities
It does not matter how effective we may be at providing pastoral care if we do not also have volunteers helping with such things as promoting and organizing events, managing supplies, and most importantly, praying both inside and outside of our parishes. Every person must have the opportunity to share his or her unique gifts, limited only by the guidance of the Holy Spirit!
Below are the current volunteer opportunities for the Project Rachel program.
Leadership & Planning
Pastoral Care
Fundraising & Promotion
Prayer & Worship
Below are the current volunteer opportunities for the Project Rachel program.
Leadership & Planning
- Create or join a Respect Life Committee in your parish or local faith organization
Pastoral Care
- Facilitate parish, school and group presentations on post-abortion syndrome or the availability of post-abortive healing
- Serve as diocesan resource for questions on post-abortive healing
- Assist with the distribution of Project Rachel program materials
Fundraising & Promotion
- Participate as a member of a diocesan program fundraising, promotional or event-planning committee
- Assist parishes with creating flyers for scheduled parish presentations
- Assist the Respect Life Office with development of promotional materials (e.g. brochures, flyers, posters, etc.) for the Project Rachel program
Prayer & Worship
- Start or join a parish prayer group. Pastoral care leaders will periodically email or text updates and requests for prayers to parish prayer group leader(s). These communications can then be sent to individual parish email/text list or shared at regularly-scheduled parish prayer group meetings.
Partners
Project Rachel - Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Rachel's Vineyard
If Not For Grace
Silent No More Awareness Campaign
Rachel's Vineyard
If Not For Grace
Silent No More Awareness Campaign
Please prayerfully consider making a donation to the Project Rachel ministry. Your gift will be used to sponsor retreatants, as well as for items such as books, prayer cards, rosaries and crucifixes. You may donate online or by sending a check made payable to:
Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph
Respect Life Office
20 West Ninth Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
Please note “Project Rachel” on the memo line of your check. Thank you!
Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph
Respect Life Office
20 West Ninth Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
Please note “Project Rachel” on the memo line of your check. Thank you!