Gulf Pine Catholic

24 Gulf Pine Catholic • October 25, 2024 Rachel’s Vineyard -- A place to find God’s mercy and forgiveness In John 8:10-11, Jesus asked the woman who was going to be stoned for committing adultery, “Woman, has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, do not sin any more.” This story illustrates for us the great mercy that our God has for all of us. This woman who was caught sinning was to be stoned by the community. But instead of joining them, Jesus recognized that there was something larger than the law of Moses. This woman, even though she sinned received the mercy of Jesus by His intervention and for- giveness. We all look to find forgive- ness because none of us are worthy to cast the first stone. No matter how small or how large the sin, God wants us to come to Him to experience His divine mercy and forgiveness. Even those who have committed the most grievous sins such as the sin of abortion are worthy of God’s love. Rachel’s Vineyard provides that opportunity for both women and men to experience first-hand the saving grace of God’s mercy. The Rachel’s Vineyard retreats were established in 1996 by Theresa Burke and her hus- band, Kevin Burke, as a ministry for women and men to find forgiveness and healing after abortion. Women who have had abortions, men who had no say-so in the abortion, and men and women who would have been grandparents had the child’s mother not chosen to abort the child -- all of these benefit from Rachel’s Vine-yard . In addition, women who have suffered miscarriages may also find healing at the Rachel’s Vineyard retreat. This beautiful retreat has grown exponentially from the first retreat in Pennsylvania. Today, Rachel’s Vineyard retreats can be found throughout the world. Most any weekend of the year you will find a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat hap- pening. By attending the retreat, the participants, both men and women encounter Jesus through the Eucharist and through the living scriptures. In 2022, the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi conducted their first Rachel’s Vineyard retreat, ministering to five participants who all had suffered from their decision to abort their children. A dedicated team of women and men, lay people, a deacon and a priest, led by the Holy Spirit, helped the participants walk through this weekend journey of forgiveness and healing. Since that first weekend, three additional weekends have been held and many more souls have found healing. This ministry is truly a gift from God and a blessing to all those who never thought they would receive forgiveness for the sin they committed. Men who suffered from being unable to stop the abortion have also found comfort in the arms of God. The next Rachel’s Vineyard retreats for the Biloxi Diocese will be held May 2-4, 2025, and September 19-21, 2025. If you or someone you know is hurting and is seeking healing and for- giveness, please contact Deacon Johnny Williams at (228) 702-2169 or email Rachel’s Vineyard at rachelsvineyard@bilox- idiocese.org. You may also visit the Rachel’s Vineyard web page on the Diocese of Biloxi website at www.biloxidiocese.org/Rachel. Please know that Jesus is waiting for you to come to Him and seek His mercy and His forgiveness, just as He did with the woman caught in adultery. Prayer for Protection against Storms and Hurricanes Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during this Hurricane season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.