Julia Shelava (DC Diocese) and Sarah LaPierre (Arlington Diocese) waiting to board a boat for the Welcoming of the Pilgrim Image of Our LAdy of Czestochowa in MD
A Ripple Effect in the Ocean of Mercy
As seasons change and we reminisce on the sounds of summer, the imagery
of ripples of waves comes to mind with regards to a recent experience of
post-abortion outreach and Our Lady.
This first ripple was just a month ago in early August when the Project
Rachel post-abortion healing ministry of the Catholic Diocese of
Arlington in northern Virginia learned from Theresa Bonopartis about the
international pilgrimage of the Icon of the Black Madonna coming to the
U.S. with her first stop on the shores of Maryland. We decided to help
promote her visit, but soon discovered that Our Lady had so much more in
store for our ministry.
The next ripple occurred when our Family Life director suggested we
inquire about hosting the Icon at our upcoming monthly ministry
intercessory prayer Holy Hour. We were excited to learn that she was
available on the night that we requested – and just a few weeks away!
Other ripples, we pray, will be from the message presented that evening
through the talks, prayer cards and brochures on Our Lady of Czestochowa
as the patroness of the post-abortive. Normally, we have 30 regular
participants. However, over 400 people came out to venerate the Icon and
the lines for confession were packed until well after the Holy Hour
ended. It was a beautiful gathering of meeting “new” faces, traveling
from all over northern Virginia, and getting reacquainted with old
friends helped by our ministry.
With Our Lady’s intercession, and hopefully the sharing by the attendees
about healing after abortion, the ripple effect will continue to reach
many souls wounded in the wake of abortion so that by God’s grace they
too can be immersed in His Ocean of Mercy.
Sarah LaPierre
Gabriel Project<http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/familylife/gabriel.php> / Project Rachel<http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/familylife/rachel.php> Director
Office for Family Life
Catholic Diocese of Arlington
200 N. Glebe Rd., Ste. 814
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 841-3812
