Healing
When I am cursed at while praying in front of PP, I’ve always thought that the intensity of the cursing is directly related to that person’s closeness to an abortion. Maybe they brought a sister, daughter, or friend, to have an abortion. Maybe the man yelling at me paid for an abortion. And maybe the woman screaming at me had an abortion herself.
All of these people are in need of healing — the forgiveness and healing that comes from God and his Son.
There are several local organizations that offer post-abortion healing programs for men and women.
Several of them are—
Rachel’s Vineyard of Pittsburgh
Rachel’s Vineyard is a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing. Rachel’s Vineyard is a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Retreats are held in over 375 locations.
-from their website, www.rvofpgh.com
Women’s Choice Network
BREATHE is an after-abortion care program that offers emotional healing to those who have experienced abortion. Whether having an abortion was a decision made alone or was the result of being pressured by someone else, the emotional aftermath deserves tender attention. We provide in-person and virtual group opportunities that guide participants through emotional healing. Our groups meet every week for six weeks in various locations in and around the Pittsburgh area.
-from their website, https://womenschoicenetwork.com
If anyone reading this reflection is hurting from an abortion, or knows someone who is, please reach out to one of these local organizations. You will be welcomed with compassion, understanding, and non-judgmental love. And with time, God and his Son, Jesus Christ, will heal you.
-Chris
Stories from the Sidewalk
Many life bearers on the sidewalk this morning. Sidewalk Advocates Kim, Katie, and myself turned our attention towards the young women entering and exiting PP. A few accepted resources. Carolyn and her church (Resurrection Parish from Bethel Park) and Walt signed up from 9 to 1 today.
David from West Virginia was there offering prayers for those entering PP as well as for Laura, the homeless woman asleep in her wheelchair covered with blankets who has stationed herself near us. Bill H. stopped by too.
Several homeless people stopped by to chat or ask for money. Our security guard made his presence known when needed.
Kathy
An ambulance was in front of PP during our shift, tending to our homeless friend Laura, who seemed in bad shape. Let us pray that she gets the help she needs.
A number of couples went in and out of Planned Parenthood. One man actually thanked me for being there, but no one was interested in taking any information or learning about abortion alternatives.
Linda
Thank God for our faithful friends from St. Matthew Parish: Frank, Mary Ann, Theresa, Bernie, Bob, Kathleen, Matt & Jean. And thank God for this beautiful warm weather. There was a lot of hustle and bustle on the sidewalk today. Our St. Matthew friends prayed the rosary and Bernie was sharing information with passersby. Greg had quite a few conversations with those entering and exiting PP and also with passersby. He prayed with a woman who had just gotten out of the hospital and she also prayed with us. A man by the name of Joe came up to me and asked me to pray for Laura, so we did. There was a young man on his bicycle who came by, thanking us for being there and praising God for creating all life. We had a beautiful conversation and he shared that he has a 1 year old daughter and he knows that she is God’s gift and belongs to God. He told me he has the blessing to parent her. He took some of our brochures to share with others. It’s just like God to send blessings our way on the sidewalk in the midst of the tragic things happening inside PP. May the love of Jesus continue to shine brightly through us on the sidewalk.
Donna
