The Gatherings: Fighting the battles
of post abortion trauma
“The Lord said to
Joshua “Take all the soldiers with you and go on up to Ai…don’t be afraid or
discouraged…I will give you victory”. Joshua 8
At the Gatherings specific issues of post abortion trauma
are addressed using scripture meditations followed by questions pertaining to a
particular issue regarding abortion, such as denial, grief, or shame. Through
this time of prayer and discussion the participants are able to grow as a
community, face their fears together and gather the tools necessary for them to
deal with the individual experiences they are having as a result of their
abortions. Their various stages of healing enable them to share with one
another, specific methods that have worked. They are also able to discover
personal trouble spots and individual abortion connectors that are crucial to
identify in order to reach healing. Each group has 2-3 facilitators consisting
of at least one counselor.
The Gatherings run for two hours and begins in chapel. Each
woman is given a copy of a scripture meditation that will be used for the
group. Each meditation is focused on a specific post abortion issue and has
questions pertaining to that issue following the reading.
After ½ hour of meditation before The Blessed Sacrament, the
participants gather in another room and a discussion begins. This group is 1
1/2hours in duration.
Special Gatherings
During
the advent season, a day long retreat is given each year with a theme in the
birth of Christ.
As
post abortive women and men, the advent and Christmas season can be
particularly trying as we focus on the birth of a baby, and getting gifts for
children.
This
retreat allows those who attend to focus on the birth of Mercy Himself, who came to earth to save us
from our sins..
