CHARLOTTE — "There was a deep, dark hole in my heart."
St. Joan of Arc parishioner Shelley Glanton, a registered nurse, talks openly about her journey through grief that began after procuring her second abortion. Glanton now works as a volunteer to bring the light of mercy into the lives of women suffering the unique loss of abortion.
During this Jubilee Year of Mercy in the Church, Pope Francis has placed special emphasis on extending mercy to those who desire forgiveness and healing after an abortion. Diocese of Charlotte leaders want to emphasize the resources they have available for women – and men – who seek healing after an abortion.
In the Diocese of Charlotte, caring, trained professionals are available to support individuals in need of post-abortion healing. Priests offer reconciliation, prayer, support, guidance and referrals. Deacons and other professionals offer counseling, spiritual direction and support groups at the parish level. Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte also offers professional counseling throughout the diocese, including the Project Rachel Ministry with its Rachel's Vineyard healing retreats.
Rachel's Vineyard is an international non-profit ministry of Priests for Life that organizes more than 1,000 retreats in 48 states and 57 countries around the world each year.
The Diocese of Charlotte offers Rachel's Vineyard healing retreats at least twice a year in different areas of the diocese. Upcoming retreats are planned for June and September in the Asheville area.
People from all areas, including neighboring dioceses, are welcome to attend. The retreats are primarily attended by mothers, but fathers, friends and other family members are also welcome.
"These retreats offer a beautiful, spiritual opportunity to learn more about the healing love and forgiveness Our Lord has to offer, and the sacrament of reconciliation is available for those who would like to receive it," said Jennifer Ganser, the diocese's Respect Life program director.
"The connections and support that retreatants receive from and share with one another are amazing and incredibly healing. Although we use a Catholic model of these retreats (with Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation), individuals of all faiths are welcome," Ganser said.
Glanton and other trained volunteers – many of whom have also experienced the pain of abortion – help retreatants through the three-day program.
"I went to my personal retreat 12 years ago now," Glanton said. "I came back and began working with a friend, and working with St. Barnabas Church (in Arden) started the Rachel's Vineyard retreats here in the diocese."
It can be incredibly difficult for a woman who has had an abortion to even talk about it, much less pick up the phone to register for a retreat, Glanton said. "Even getting them there (to the retreat) is hard. One woman asked me if we were going to be mean to her on the retreat. I said, 'No, we're not going to be mean to you. It's the mercy of God.'"
Often, retreat-goers must work through years of silence, denial and deep-seated grief. Through group discussions, prayer, counseling and the sacraments, they have the opportunity to begin to heal. Retreatants are also provided with tools and resources to continue their healing journey after they return home.
"We get to see miracles happen on the weekends – truly we do," Glanton said.
Father Dean Cesa, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Church in Candler, is one of the priests who has assisted on the retreat weekends.
"Those who have had an abortion or assist in one carry a lot of guilt with them – guilt that haunts them even for decades," he explains. "They feel rejected by the Church and feel that what they have done can never be forgiven. They separate themselves from the Church.
"These retreats provide an environment that is loving and non-judgmental so that they can experience wholeness and healing. I participate in this by hearing their confessions and celebrating Mass, welcoming them back to communion. My faith is built up as I see them unburden themselves of guilt. I never get tired of seeing them relax and smile as they receive God's forgiveness."
Glanton wants women and men who have participated in an abortion to know that help is available, and that healing is possible.
"This is the Year of Mercy, and this is the mercy of God. Sin is sin, and sin can be forgiven," she said.
She also knows that God has called her to help others on their own healing journeys.
"I would never talk about my abortion before. I'm not proud of what I did, but God has put it in my heart to help other people now."
Glanton encourages anyone who has procured an abortion to take a leap of faith: "Give it a chance. Come and see what God can do... After Rachel's Vineyard I have a scar, but it's not a big, dark hole anymore. That's the difference. You will always remember. You will never forget. You will have a chance to honor your child."
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Upcoming retreats
Asheville area
(sponsored by the Diocese of Charlotte)
June 24-26 and Sept. 16-18
Contact: Jennifer Ganser (336-209-2161, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Shelley Glanton (828-230-4940, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Durham area
(Sponsored by the Diocese of Raleigh, not a Rachel's Vineyard retreat)
April 29-May 1
Contact: Mary Beth Phillips (919-719-8267, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or 919-852- 1021, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
More resources
At www.hopeafterabortion.com: Learn more about the Project Rachel Ministry
At www.rachelsvineyard.com or toll-free 877-HOPE-4-ME (877-467-3463): Get more information about Rachel's Vineyard retreats