Project Rachel
Project Rachel 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 ministry of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, offers one-day 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.
Logo: Into the emptiness of a life lost, the Divine Mercy and forgiveness of Our Lord flowing from His Most Sacred Heart, the compassion of Christ for those who are suffering the pain of an abortion. The fire transformed into a light in the image of the Blessed Sacrament and the crown of thorns transformed into a beautiful rose, the symbol of new life.
The program, in partnership with the Project Rachel ministry of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, offers one-day 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.
Logo: Into the emptiness of a life lost, the Divine Mercy and forgiveness of Our Lord flowing from His Most Sacred Heart, the compassion of Christ for those who are suffering the pain of an abortion. The fire transformed into a light in the image of the Blessed Sacrament and the crown of thorns transformed into a beautiful rose, the symbol of new life.
"Unfailing Mercy" Retreats
Upcoming Unfailing Mercy Retreats
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Click for brochure
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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!
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An Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance & Intercession
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All are welcome! |
Sponsored by the Project Rachel ministry and Sacred Heart Parish. For information please contact Teresa at 816-591-3804 or projectrachel@diocesekcsj.org
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Candlemas Of Innocents: A Remembrance Of Lost Infants
Held annually in February on a date near the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, this service includes Confession, the Rosary, and the Mass. 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 us. Reverend Matthew Bartulica officiates this healing Mass, a special opportunity for God to bring his grace to your heart as you entrust your child to his love and care. For more information, please contact Teresa at thoeppner@diocesekcsj.org or 816-591-3804. St. Mary Parish, 600 N Liberty Street, Independence, MO 64050 6:00 p.m. Confession 6:30 p.m. Rosary 7:00 p.m. Mass Reverend Matthew Bartulica will officiate this healing Mass, a special opportunity for God to bring his grace to your heart as you entrust your child to his love and care. For more information, please contact Teresa at thoeppner@diocesekcsj.org or 816.591.3804. |
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“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 Retreats
• Referrals to Priests & Deacons
• Professional Counseling Referrals
• Web-Based Healing Study
• One-on-one Lay Counseling
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Pastoral Care
Project Rachel Cards -- May be placed in discrete location or distributed during the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Finding Pure Grace…Project Rachel — Introduce the ministry to your Parish Respect Life committee. Caring for Yourself After Abortion How to Talk to a Friend Who’s Had an Abortion If Someone Tells You that They are Considering Abortion Prayers The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy A Rachel Rosary--by Fr. Larry Kupferman Prayer for Those who have Lost a Child to Abortion--by Fr. Frank Pavone Books No One Told Me I Could Cry: A Teen’s Guide to Hope and Healing After Abortion --by Connie Nykiel. This book is a great resource for young adults, as well as teens. After Abortion: God Offers Forgiveness, Healing, and Hope —by Angela Burrin. This booklet of hope based on God’s word is provided free of cost to the Project Rachel ministry by The Word Among Us Partners. If you would like to have a supply for your parish, please email thoeppner@diocesekcsj.org. This resource was originally created to offer hope and healing to women in prison who have had an abortion. If you are involved in prison ministry and would like a supply, please contact thoeppner@diocesekcsj.org or The Word Among Us directly at 1-800-775-9673. Additional Items Please visit www.hopeafterabortion.com |
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. This will be used for items such as books and resources, prayer cards, rosaries and crucifixes, as well as training and travel for team members. 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!
