This weekend, I’m off to Kelowna for Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat, of which I’m the Spiritual Director. This is a ministry of healing for those suffering from the trauma of abortion. Abortion hurts women in so many ways. Factors like coercion, fear, hurt, desire for success (to move on with life and not to be tied down by a baby), confusion and betrayal etc can lead to abortion. Abortion brings an immense sense of guilt that never goes away until a person opens herself or himself (men are accomplices) to God for complete healing.
Please pray for me that I may minister and serve with heart and compassion of Christ. Pray for the candidates, too, that they may experience healing and wholeness from the loving and merciful hand of our heavenly Father.
The retreat begins on a Friday. When the candidates arrive, there’s sadness. Through Scripture and various Spiritual exercises the candidates are drawn to Jesus on the Cross. They are invited to leave with Jesus the burden they have carried for so long. They leave this burden at the foot of the Cross. They find a deep sense of peace and rest. From time to time, I witness a fulfillment of the words of Jesus: “Come to me all who are weary and overburdened and I will give you rest.”
On Sunday, they look so different. They are healed. They experience the joy of the resurrection. They name their aborted child and claim him or her as theirs. These babies are now Saints in heaven and forever will pray for their mom/dad until they reunite in heaven.
You can pick up a Rachel’s Vineyard brochure in the foyer for details.
We welcome our brother Fr. Harry. We thank him for celebrating with us this weekend and for sharing the love of Christ with us. Fr just came back from Ireland. We hope he enjoyed his holidays and his time with family.
Finally I want to thank you all – the Catholic Parishes of Penticton for the love, kindness and support I received from you last week as I celebrated my anniversary. May the Lord bless you all and keep us together in His grace and love. Thank you.
Your brother,
Fr. Obi