On September 16, 2006, AAC-H held a Rachel Training & Awareness Day at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waxahachie, Texas. There were 6 people who came out to take part in the event and to find out more about post-abortion trauma and the healing that is available through this ministry. Father Guadagnoli, pastor of St. Joseph’s, also stopped by to offer a prayer and words of gratitude and encouragement.

During the event, I discussed post-abortion trauma, Post-Abortion Syndrome (“PAS”), how PAS develops, the world’s abortion laws and what factors may influence a woman to choose abortion, even against her own moral code. I talked about the ripple effect of abortion and how it affects not only the mother, but the father of the aborted child, the grandparents, the siblings . . . the entire family unit. The ripple continues to impact the larger community of friends, neighbors, co-workers, fellow parishioners, etc. Not one person on this earth is left unaffected by abortion in some way, shape or form . . . which makes the need for awareness and action an urgent priority.

Also discussed during this event were ways in which people can get involved and help us spread awareness of abortion’s trauma, as well as the paths to healing and hope available to post-abortive persons. Jennifer Pruitt, our Helpline Coordinator, spoke about the need for more volunteers to answer our helpline. She talked about having a “compassionate heart and willing spirit” as the requirements of a volunteer to answer these often desperate calls. Sharon Martyn, our AAC-H Assistant, talked about Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats and demonstrated a few of the exercises used on a retreat weekend. She talked about her own story of abortion and how the retreat literally saved her life.

One woman was particularly touched by our event and stated that she never realized the extent of the damage that abortion has caused women and men in this country . . . and the world. “I have a whole new perspective on abortion and the devastation it causes,” she said. “I never realized how badly people suffer from having an abortion.”

Submitted by Caryn Stevens
Director, AAC-H
September 16, 2006