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Sunday, September 4, 2011

Christine Monteith (@Mondabi2000) has shared a Tweet with you:

"Mondabi2000: In our fight against abortion, let us not forget how people get to a place where they are considering it!

http://t.co/JuGxAcF" --http://twitter.com/Mondabi2000/status/110422603453300736

4 comments:

  1. Hi Christene
    I love your blog
    my name is Maria, and I am due to go on a rachels vineyard retreat this weekend in Leeds, Uk
    however, im a bit nervous as although i am catholic i am not deeply religious and my partner is atheist,is that ok? will we still get healing out of the weekend despite this?
    thanks
    maria xx

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  2. Hello Maria!

    Thank you for your kind words. I am always hopeful my words might help someone in any way.

    I was nervous prior to my first retreat, as well. This is totally normal. And, since having the opportunity to work the other side of the retreat, now, as a team member, I am able to witness people from all backgrounds experience the healing grace made available to them.

    Regardless of your deep commitment or lack thereof, I believe Rachel's Vineyard to be a wonderful weekend of great healing and love. We do not worry about anyone's dedication to our faith. We do lead it in the Catholic tradition, however, I have experienced many people attending retreats who are NOT Catholic or have a little or even limited faith life. They all received great blessings.

    My best advice to you is simply to allow yourselves to be open to the process. Do not pre-judge the activities, but permit them to work from within. Then, allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest. Even without a faith life or active belief, the retreat is about facing our fears, rejections, as well as allowing ourselves to grieve.

    I hope that is helpful. It is wonderful you are attending a retreat. My husband and I will pray for you and for all who attend. Let me know how things turn out.

    Blessings to you!
    Christine

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  3. Hi christine,
    Thank you so much for getting back to me, and your kind words. Its so nice of you to say that you and your husband will pray for us all. That means the world. Im really nervous about going, and have been putting it off.. but I know I need it. Its been three years and Rachels vineyard caught my eye, must be for a reason. Its great the work you do, Thank you. All the info you gave me was really helpful, my partner is scared he wont fit in being non catholic, but I assured him it would be ok. Did you and your husband go together? Thank you for your message and your site xoxox

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  4. Maria,

    You are so welcome. I am glad my words could give you some sort of comfort. Yes, my husband attended my retreat with me. He was not the father of my unborn child, but he chose to attend and he fully participated. It not only brought us closer together, but now, he is a Rachel's Vineyard Team Member with me. We work retreats together and he is 100% supportive of my Pro Life ministry.

    And, please let your partner know that we are about helping to heal the pain. We are not worried about someone not being Catholic. In fact, the majority of people we serve are not, in fact, Catholic. He will do just fine as long as he allows himself to remain open to the process. We are not there to convert people to Catholicism, we are there to convert pain and suffering into healing and forgiveness.

    Blessings to you both!
    Christine

    ReplyDelete