Two internationally established Living Scripture programs will be offered in Perth for people who have experienced trauma and are seeking psychological and spiritual healing.
Rachel’s Vineyard offers a weekend retreat aimed at post-abortion healing, while Grief to Grace is a five-day program for healing the wounds of abuse.
The Rachel’s Vineyard retreat scheduled for May will offer a confidential, safe and supportive healing experience for men and women who have suffered grief, loss and trauma through abortion.
Grief to Grace and Rachel’s Vineyard coordinator Sr Stella Ruth Mary OSM said grandparents and other relatives are also encouraged to attend the retreat, which is guided within a Catholic spiritual framework, adding that people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to join.
Sr Stella said participants will have the opportunity to work through a series of guided scriptural meditations, group work, and reconciliation to help them release their anger and grief.
“The retreat is a renewed realisation of God’s personal love and care which sets them free to experience real joy again,” Sr Stella said.
Feedback about the retreat has included the emotional support it has provided guiding people to let go of the heavy psychological burdens caused by abortion.
“The most meaningful lesson for me was the power of forgiveness and the love that Jesus has for us. Also the companionship was beautiful to experience,” another participant commented.
This July, the Grief to Grace program will be offered in Perth for the first time.
Grief to Grace was launched in the United States of America in 2005 as a spiritual and psychological healing program for people wounded by sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
Both programs were developed by US psychologist Dr Theresa Burke, who will lead the Perth based retreat in July.
Dr Burke found that the Rachel’s Vineyard retreats consistently included men and women who had also suffered sexual abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse and who were sharing their stories for the first time.
She developed Grief to Grace to end the isolation and secrets of abuse, through a process fully centred on the healing person and presence of Jesus Christ.
“Abuse profoundly damages an individual’s relationship with God and with others,” Dr Burke said.
Grief to Grace provides both spiritual and trauma-informed healing which is consistent with the Blue Knot Foundation’s Australian practice guidelines for the treatment of complex trauma.
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