Bible study offers ‘Time to Heal’

Project Rachel also helps after abortion “About half of American women have experienced an unintended pregnancy, and at current rates more than one-third (35 percent) will have had an abortion by age 45, according to the Guttmacher Institute (www.guttmacher.org). Studies find that at least half of those who have abortions suffer a variety of negative effects, including grief and guilt. Men, siblings, grandparents and others also may suffer from their loved ones’ abortions. “A Time to Heal” Bible study was developed by Yvonne Florczak - Seeman, who had an abortion at age 16. It led to depression, continual feelings of guilt and a sense of constant torment. She began using drugs, attempted suicide, and later had four more abortions. Florczak-Seeman, credits God’s grace for helping her rise above all that trauma, and her desire for the Bible study is to bring a message of hope and healing to other post-abortive women. The “A Time to Heal” Bible study is available in the Diocese of Rockford as part of Project Rachel. Project Rachel is a referral service to help post-abortive women and men who are seeking reconciliation and healing. It is a ministry of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Respect Life offices of dioceses throughout the country. In 1975, in their first Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, developed in response to the legalization of abortion nationwide, the Catholic bishops in the U.S. committed “the pastoral resources of the Church” to “the specific need of … those who have had or have taken part in an abortion.” They stressed in this document that “God’s mercy is always available and without limit, that the Christian life can be restored and renewed through the sacraments, and that union with God can be accomplished despite the problems of human existence.” Terri White is the volunteer coordinator for Project Rachel in the Rockford Diocese. When she receives a call, her first recommendation is to refer the person to someone in the Project Rachel network of priests and counselors to provide the one-on-one care to help him or her find reconciliation and healing. Project Rachel info: 800/593-2273 www.hopeafterabortion.org or www.noparh.org.

By Amanda Hudson, News Editor

Terri White was 18 when she had an abortion.

Already separated from the Catholic Church, the abortion only pushed her farther away.

“I buried (my abortion) for 13 years,” she says. “I couldn’t face it.”

White credits the Blessed Mother and the Eucharist for bringing her back to God, beginning with a healing Mass that she attended while visiting her godmother.

God pierced and converted her heart that evening, White says. “I was flooded with the reality of God’s presence in the world.”

Soon, White made herself go to confession, thinking that would make everything fine.

In one way, that was true, she says, because her sins were forgiven. But her memory and the spiritual and emotional effects of her abortion lingered.

“I thought that confession was the end,” she says. “What it did was open the door to healing.”

White is one of nine volunteers in the Rockford Diocese who facilitate “A Time to Heal,” a 14-week Bible study designed to help women who have had abortions. In the study, they ponder their own lives and struggles as they look at several women in biblical history.

The diocesan Respect Life Office also offers Project Rachel (see box, left) and is working to bring the Entering Canaan, a prayer and retreat post-abortion program to the diocese, developed by the Sisters of Life and Theresa Bonopartis in the Archdiocese of New York.

“A Time to Heal” Bible studies already have been offered in the Rockford and McHenry deaneries. The goal, says Christianson, is to present the study at least once annually in each of the diocese’s seven deaneries.

Welcoming program

“It is a safe place,” says White, who understands firsthand the challenges women face in the healing process, sometimes years after their abortions.

Each Bible study session is limited to eight participants and three to four facilitators. All promise confidentiality, and several steps are taken to assure privacy when they meet.

Each study begins with prayer, followed by a Bible reading, discussion questions, reflections, words of encouragement, a “God’s love letter” and homework.

“The mission is to restore women,” says Laura Christianson of the diocesan Respect Life Office. “It emphasizes God’s mercy and love and reconciliation.”

Homework each week provides a challenge for participants to take another step in the healing process.

“They do it at their own pace,” Christianson says. “Nothing is handed in (so they) may get it done that week or later on. Healing takes place at each person’s own schedule.”

“God meets each of us where we are at,” White says. “Healing is always a journey, and God peels away layers and heals along the way in His own time.”

For more information about “A Time to Heal” and other post-abortion resources, contact Laura Christianson at the Respect Life Office, 815/399-4300 or lchristianson@rockforddiocese.org.
Terri White can be reached at 608/289-6105 or projectrachelrockford@gmail.com.

VOLUNTEER TO HELP:

Volunteers are welcome to ask about future leader training sessions. “The (leaders) are not professional counselors,” says Christianson. “We simply act as friends by accepting the women where they are at and by walking this portion of their healing journey with them.”

Bible study offers ‘Time to Heal’

Project Rachel also helps after abortion “About half of American women have experienced an unintended pregnancy, and at current rates more than one-third (35 percent) will have had an abortion by age 45, according to the Guttmacher Institute (www.guttmacher.org). Studies find that at least half of those who have abortions suffer a variety of negative effects, including grief and guilt. Men, siblings, grandparents and others also may suffer from their loved ones’ abortions. “A Time to Heal” Bible study was developed by Yvonne Florczak - Seeman, who had an abortion at age 16. It led to depression, continual feelings of guilt and a sense of constant torment. She began using drugs, attempted suicide, and later had four more abortions. Florczak-Seeman, credits God’s grace for helping her rise above all that trauma, and her desire for the Bible study is to bring a message of hope and healing to other post-abortive women. The “A Time to Heal” Bible study is available in the Diocese of Rockford as part of Project Rachel. Project Rachel is a referral service to help post-abortive women and men who are seeking reconciliation and healing. It is a ministry of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Respect Life offices of dioceses throughout the country. In 1975, in their first Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, developed in response to the legalization of abortion nationwide, the Catholic bishops in the U.S. committed “the pastoral resources of the Church” to “the specific need of … those who have had or have taken part in an abortion.” They stressed in this document that “God’s mercy is always available and without limit, that the Christian life can be restored and renewed through the sacraments, and that union with God can be accomplished despite the problems of human existence.” Terri White is the volunteer coordinator for Project Rachel in the Rockford Diocese. When she receives a call, her first recommendation is to refer the person to someone in the Project Rachel network of priests and counselors to provide the one-on-one care to help him or her find reconciliation and healing. Project Rachel info: 800/593-2273 www.hopeafterabortion.org or www.noparh.org.

By Amanda Hudson, News Editor

Terri White was 18 when she had an abortion.

Already separated from the Catholic Church, the abortion only pushed her farther away.

“I buried (my abortion) for 13 years,” she says. “I couldn’t face it.”

White credits the Blessed Mother and the Eucharist for bringing her back to God, beginning with a healing Mass that she attended while visiting her godmother.

God pierced and converted her heart that evening, White says. “I was flooded with the reality of God’s presence in the world.”

Soon, White made herself go to confession, thinking that would make everything fine.

In one way, that was true, she says, because her sins were forgiven. But her memory and the spiritual and emotional effects of her abortion lingered.

“I thought that confession was the end,” she says. “What it did was open the door to healing.”

White is one of nine volunteers in the Rockford Diocese who facilitate “A Time to Heal,” a 14-week Bible study designed to help women who have had abortions. In the study, they ponder their own lives and struggles as they look at several women in biblical history.

The diocesan Respect Life Office also offers Project Rachel (see box, left) and is working to bring the Entering Canaan, a prayer and retreat post-abortion program to the diocese, developed by the Sisters of Life and Theresa Bonopartis in the Archdiocese of New York.

“A Time to Heal” Bible studies already have been offered in the Rockford and McHenry deaneries. The goal, says Christianson, is to present the study at least once annually in each of the diocese’s seven deaneries.

Welcoming program

“It is a safe place,” says White, who understands firsthand the challenges women face in the healing process, sometimes years after their abortions.

Each Bible study session is limited to eight participants and three to four facilitators. All promise confidentiality, and several steps are taken to assure privacy when they meet.

Each study begins with prayer, followed by a Bible reading, discussion questions, reflections, words of encouragement, a “God’s love letter” and homework.

“The mission is to restore women,” says Laura Christianson of the diocesan Respect Life Office. “It emphasizes God’s mercy and love and reconciliation.”

Homework each week provides a challenge for participants to take another step in the healing process.

“They do it at their own pace,” Christianson says. “Nothing is handed in (so they) may get it done that week or later on. Healing takes place at each person’s own schedule.”

“God meets each of us where we are at,” White says. “Healing is always a journey, and God peels away layers and heals along the way in His own time.”

For more information about “A Time to Heal” and other post-abortion resources, contact Laura Christianson at the Respect Life Office, 815/399-4300 or lchristianson@rockforddiocese.org.
Terri White can be reached at 608/289-6105 or projectrachelrockford@gmail.com.

VOLUNTEER TO HELP:

Volunteers are welcome to ask about future leader training sessions. “The (leaders) are not professional counselors,” says Christianson. “We simply act as friends by accepting the women where they are at and by walking this portion of their healing journey with them.”