- Global Solidarity Partnership
- Archdiocesan Legislative Network
- Cultural Ministries
- Ethic of Life
- Project Rachel
- Catholic Relief Services
- Catholic Campaign for Human Development
- Anchorage Faith & Action: Congregations Together (AFACT)
- Videos Available
- Anchorage Faith & Action: Congregations Together (AFACT)
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Social Development and World Peace
- Catholic Campaign for Human Development
- Catholic Relief Services
- Office for Social Justice, Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul
- Center of Concern
- Center for Catholic Studies
- NETWORK - National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
- Natural Family Planning
- End the Death Penalty
- Horrors of War
Project Rachel
Rachel mourns her children;
she refuses to be consoled because her children are no more.
Thus says the Lord: Cease your cries of mourning.
Wipe the tears from your eyes.
The sorrow you have shown shall have reward.
There is hope for your future.—Jeremiah 31:15-17
What is Project Rachel
Project Rachel is the after-abortion healing ministry of the Catholic Church but is open to anyone who is struggling after an abortion loss. We hope to bring Christ’s healing and reconciliation to women who have had abortions and to others affected by abortion.
This ministry is made up of facilitators trained in the support process who help in understanding to work through the grief and unrest that a woman might have been experiencing after the abortion. We are here to listen to you. Priests and other professionals are available for counseling.
What does Project Rachel Offer
- 9-week individual or group support sessions
- Monthly follow-up meetings
For More Information
- Confidential voice mail in Anchorage: 907-297-7781
- Toll free outside of Anchorage area: 866-434-3344
- Confidential email: projectrachel@caa-ak.org
After Abortion: What you need to know (common symptoms)
- Guilt (Inability to forgive yourself)
- Depression
- Emotional numbness
- Lowered self-esteem
- Inability to bond
- Avoidance of relationships
- Desire to become pregnant again
- Sexual problems
- Anger and rage
- Nightmares and flashbacks
- Anorexia or other eating disorders
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Suicidal urges
- Unsuccessful Grieving
- Denial that there is anything to grieve
- Burying your feelings
- Replacement behaviors (repeat pregnancy or abortion, adoption)
- Believing that time heals all wounds
- Obsession over making mistakes
- Self-deprecation (abusive relationships, self-punishing, unforgiving)
- Flight (change of boyfriend, job, geography)
- Self isolation and insulation (secrecy, defensiveness)
- Grieving alone
- Ongoing unresolved anger (self, God, boyfriend/husband, parents, friends, baby)
- Pursuit of “me-ism”
- Sexual dysfunction (promiscuity, frigidity)
- Phobic patterns (fear of health clinics and gynecological exams)
- Panic attacks
- Dissociation and emotional disconnectedness
In Familiaris Consortio, John Paul II wrote:
“May the Virgin Mary, who is the Mother of the Church, also be the Mother in “the Church of the home.” thanks to her motherly aid, may each Christian family really become a “little Church” in which the mystery of the Church of Christ is mirrored and given new life. May she, the Handmaid of the Lord, be an example of the humble and generous acceptance of the will of God. May she, the Sorrowful Mother at the foot of the Cross, comfort the sufferings and dry the tears in distress because of the difficulties of the families.”
Other Sources of Help
