Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

 We have kicked off our Entering Canaan Day of Prayer & Healing ministry in Brighton, Michigan.  Our dedicated team is so honored and excited after the Covid hiatus in 2019.  We had so much momentum from a retreat with Theresa in 2014.  At that time she had suffered the loss of her dear friend Father Benedict Groeschel.  We feel his helping hand to this day with our humility and the timing of so many blessings. God knew we were not ready then and both he and our Lady have had their hand on us.  I know God worked on me personally from the calling to start this ministry.  But I needed the time and suffering to learn, as Theresa counseled, to “get out of the way, Eileen!”.  

    Now there is great joy in watching God work with our team who have expanded since the core group from 2019.  Our mission is now more organized and focused on post-abortive suffering.  I am certain Theresa will whole heartedly agree!  She patiently counseled and encouraged us to follow the model when we tried desperately to “make it work” with only a deacon and no confession.  We have since rallied and have graciously received priests who strongly support our mission.  In fact, yesterday we had 7 women (5 new) who joined us and 3 who confessed their abortion for the first time!  They expressed so much gratitude and we saw the healing on their faces.   

    The salvation of souls who suffer from the pain of abortion is our primary goal.  God’s hand reaches out to them through us.  Most noticeably we feel God during the courageous witness talks and group sharing as the most common theme in post abortive women is loneliness in our shame.  We bond through connection and support of each other.  As in the Resurrection, a group of God’s people who once walked in darkness are shown great light.  Restoration!  

    It is such a privilege to be part of this ministry.  We happily report increasing attendance as word spreads of our work.  We even have participants from over 50 miles away driving out to be a part of the day.  Feedback is extremely positive with an average of 9.7/10.  One of the priests who has served with us said: “ I encourage women suffering from the effects of abortion to experience God’s love and mercy in this confidential and compassionate setting.”  What a blessing during this Easter season!  Alleluia!  

 Eileen Craig