Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

Date:              
January 5, 2009

To:                  
Diocesan Pro-Life/Respect Life Directors

State Catholic
Conference Directors

Project Rachel
Directors

From:              
Susan Wills

Re:                  
Remembering those affected by abortion in January

Dear Director,

January can be a very difficult time for those most directly
impacted by abortion. The recent holidays may have brought no true peace or joy.
And as the anniversary of Roe v. Wade
approaches, it is almost impossible to avoid hearing about abortion, as
pro-lifers from San Francisco to Washington, DC and every major city in between
march, witness, lobby and pray for an end to abortion.

It is not surprising that some pastors find it difficult to
address abortion in their homilies, especially at this time of year when the
issue seems “politicized.” As important as public witness is to help shape our
nation’s laws and policies, we can never lose sight of the fact that abortion is
not simply a political issue; it is primarily a moral issue. Children’s lives
are taken, and countless souls may be forever lost because of unrepented involvement in an abortion.

How can we make this a time of grace and reconciliation for
those suffering loss and remorse in the aftermath of abortion? We propose three
ideas:

Good homilies on the subject of God’s merciful love never
fail to bring many who’ve been involved in abortion to Confession or pastoral
counseling. We attach “Homily Notes” prepared by Fr. David Toups, S.T.D., of the USCCB Secretariat of Clergy,
Consecrated Life and Vocations and hope that, even at this late date, you’ll be
able to forward them to your diocesan priests.

The Secretariat, with the Sisters of Life and others, are
offering an “Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance & Intercession” in the Crypt
Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on
Wednesday, January 21 from 1 – 4 PM. The simple program includes Eucharistic
Adoration and rosary, personal testimonies from those who have been affected by
abortion, intercessory prayer, opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Developed by the Sisters of Life, the New
York Archdiocesan Family Life/Respect Life Office & Lumina/Hope &
Healing After Abortion, this will be the first time the program is presented
outside the Archdiocese of New York. The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life
Activities and Shrine staff are co-sponsoring this
event as a deeply meaningful way to begin observances at the Shrine marking the
36^th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decisions. The program would
be easy to replicate in your diocese later in the year or next January.

Lastly, the Secretariat is teaming up with local Project
Rachel offices to run two ads   http://www.usccb.org/prolife/media/index.shtml  Metro trains during the month of
January. You are welcome to reproduce these for similar efforts in your own
region. Please note that you’ll have to replace 888-456-HOPE with your own
diocesan or statewide Project Rachel number. A recent radio ad broadcast in
western states and using that number is bringing calls in to the Arlington, VA
office of Project Rachel. They are glad to counsel those who’ve called (from as
far away as California!), but it’s tough on sometimes apprehensive callers to be
told they have to contact a different office for referral.

May God give you every grace and blessing you’ll need in the
coming year to continue your vital, life-saving work!

 
Yours in Christ,

 Susan Wills