PATHway Spring 2018
Post Abortion Treatment and Healing
A Huge Thanks to All of Our Donors as PATH Celebrates
Our 50th Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat
On February 16-18, 2018, PATH ran its 50th retreat in the Atlanta area. It was
once again an honor and privilege for the PATH retreat team to serve men and
women who have been impacted by a past abortion experience. During a Rachel’s
Vineyard retreat, individuals are able to identify the ways abortion has impacted
their lives and explore any unresolved emotions they might struggle with. It is a
time to pursue inner peace and experience the healing power of Jesus Christ.
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beaMuatirfyulAannndisnuvcihtecdlahreitry vhoalsubneteeenrgsa, iDneeed DthiBatuoonneo,feMelysr‘tdleiffFeerletnotn,,’ aalnbdeiLt,o“rci hMaantgtehde”wasntdoutnrsauvreel otof hWowinsttoopnr-oScaeleemd wNiothrothut
theCsaarfoeltinyaofttoheePxpAeTrHiegnrcoeupa. Rachel's Vineyard retreat and weigh in on the decision to add a retreat to PATH’s
proTgoraremmse. dy this, PATH believes in inviting all those involved in the abortion experience into the healing process by
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mardeetreinatthaet Cfeamrmineinl ReeitmreaagteCoefnGteOrD, wahnedrethiat thathsebyeaerneruinnnfainctg lroevterleyatasnedvwerosrtinhcyeo. f love. This study helps each woman
underTsthaendreGpoudt'astwioinll foofrthheer PuAniTqHueRlyacahse“lw’soVminaeny”aarnddrheotrweahtetrebaemhahvaiosrrceaancbheedinbfleuyeonntidaltihnemcaonnyfiwnaeyssofforGtehoerggoiaoadnodf tinhe
fam20ily08anadnodu2r0s0o9ci,etteya. m members were asked to conduct a retreat in Jamaica to help them establish a much needed
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vcwcooeoupnVFtmonitlinonseBaigreennynildyscidoknaalaTuiftgrklhftidldnensefeeoronattirPwndienhnAtgadehvftTmomehesfHouuniearrrpoytmnmpoponyaerionanryaworeetiktisanao,inthnnyeurnoogsdyntuooattcproaffinolulsaxotatnreihhdncedtseeehdetusyyiair.arco.emsatnsHfesrissereitonsthfrrhtfoeertirs,ehsarueetafdchopttyoRreupamefayrloraicpeewrcthlsaasitee,c..nhelape’CktsbreusereVdirpgtirronoaeeeerrxnfloaeepytturaaleiyrsrorre,ndinwedtnarhootebceorfteokrdruPeooeotaAffsctwTaoausbHuhmbaoraicretbytetenleitesaotaomsntsr,hte,.ureoxEiedyspuatyecrrmmcehohtiaerogrtinehrpnetttteeortrbreeiarseeaigmnattaoitgnrr.mdehanOqeeteoueflgpettrierdtiornnheeuogtessipsfimtar,osfeflfruroeoesocteohtmmlohdinafeepgsTnypsrarp,jealuerlapnaspoldathofarenanwrasasegtsosteiiiowmeodoenninett,,ahonl
spitreitaumallmy, eeemtiontgios,naalnlyd, arelloattioofnpalrlayyaenrd. Ysoouciredtaollnyastoiotnhsehyacvaenhlievlepehdapupsytoanpdrohceuarltehtyhleiveitsemwhsiwleepnroeceladimtoinrgunthtehegoroedtrenaetw, s
thaptrGovoiddeHesaclhsotlhaersBhriopksetnohewaortmede!nEamnodtimoneanl,hienaclltuhdiisnagnmimiliptoarrtyaannt dpavret toefroaunrs,oavnerdalpl ahyeatlhthe. rItetarleloawt sceuns tteorccoopsetsw. iStho,lifaes’s
chaPlAleTnHgems oanvedsefnojorwy alirfed’sinptloeatshuerefus.tuBreeinagsparenginnasntrtucmanenshtioftfoGuordp’esrmceeprtcioynasnodf hoeuar lrinelga,tiwoneswhiapns,ttthoesfauytutrhea,nakndyoouurtsoelavlel s
in wpohwoesrufuplpworatyos.uFroellfofowritnsg. an abortion, this shift feels confusing and unsure. There is an odd sense that our bodies, our
relationships, our view of the world, and our spirituality are all ‘different’ now. Things feel complicated and there are often
strong feelings and difficulty coping.
While PATH offers healing from this complicated grief, we realize that the abortion and its healing are not simply
‘events’ but rather an overall experience: a profound and life-changing experience. And, while grief and despair are
overcome internally, the challenge remains of how to behave in relation to others. It can be scary to leave the safety of the
Board Members 40 Days for Life
Deacon Michael Mobley, Sr. In 2004, four members of the Brazo Valley Coalition for
President
Life in College Station, Texas, prayed and asked God how He
Martha Robert
Secretary would have them end abortion in their community. During
Pilar Plazas
Treasurer that time of prayer they found themselves drawn to the
Fr. Brian Lorei timeframe of 40 days, a timeframe God consistently uses
Mary Ann McNeil, MSW
throughout salvation history to transform his people. They
Martha Shuping, MD
Kathryn Siegel gave their new project the name: 40 Days for Life.
__________________ Emotional health is aTnhe campaign is a time of prayer, fasting, and constant
important part of our overall hepaeltahc.eful vigil to end abortion. In 2007, 40 Days for Life
Director BIctheM4Rai0analaclgDlerhlioaneewygtltseGpsafsru,oeyGaurgnA–sLndiaf2Cen0etoot1no8rjodcyicnoalapinfteeo’rswsphiltiehfat suolilatirfovueeheun’sars.cshthbeeedciowtsmofreilrdsathwnoaosttriiolndngwailtdlyheeceocvoaermndtipnawaitgietnhd campaign. Since then
Jody Duffy, RN hundreds of cities all
each spring and fall.
PATHway
perceptions of our relationshipsS, itnhcee it began, the campaign has seen the permanent closure
is published
for supporters of future, and ourselves in powoerff9u6l abortion clinics.
PATH, Inc. wsTbhhoawMiedfytriasaee.sIrsfi,eewsFioosetoatumllsaslrao.ernrwIcetehohilcnaoinaentgdfdingoudtnbsaldiysennishfegeafinpeanssrkbsaae,eeononsdrdputttiretohaouavnabnkit,oebeswueurtothrauoaeitstrf.hsoipstehoaenkree4,r0saoDtmatyhesethfooinrpgLeinufeinniegqvuereanltlaysnidfnorsthpteehcepiaa4ls.0tT. DhHaaotywsuenfvoieqrru,Letifheaenrinde
PATH, Inc. is a registered thsepwecoiraldl ,soamndeothuirnsgpiisritauyaolituynagrewoalml an named Rachel Guy, the coordinator for the Marietta,
501(c)(3) nonprofit program which ‘diGffeeorergnita’ canmopwa.ign. Things feel
compBliceafoterde Raancdhetlhweares baorren, otfhtreene doctors told her parents to abort her because she was
fosters a process strsoicnkg fineeulitnegrsoa.nHdedriffpicaureltnytcsopreinfug.sed, which was not pleasing to the doctors. Her parents
of compassionate healing
fouWghhtilefoPrAhTeHr loiffefearsndhesaoliungghftroomut medical providers who were willing to help. Rachel was
and restoration
for women and men wounded by thbisorcnomprpelmicaatteudrelgyriaenf,d wweeigrheeadlizoenly 1 pound and 2 ounces. She was sick at birth, but not
abortion. thwatitthheanabyoortfiothneanpdooitrs dhieaaglninogseasreher parents were given by the doctors who encouraged
All gifts to PATH noatbosirmtioplny. ‘events’ but rather an
are tax-deductible.
For more information overaTllheisxplifeeriechnacen:giangperovfeonutnldauanncdhed Rachel’s family into not only saying they were pro-life
please contact lifea-ncdhavnogtiinnggepxrpoe-rliefen,ceb.utArneda,lwlyhtialeking action in the movement. Rachel’s mom prayed that
our office at
404-717-5557 grisehfe wanodulddeusnpdaeirrstarned aotvearcyomuneg age the gravity of this story, not their story, but God’s
or visit us intsetronrayl.lyA,lltpheregchnaalnletnwgeomreemn,atinhseior funborn babies and the medical providers all hold a special
on the web at hopwlatcoe btehheahveeainrtsreolaftitohnetGouoythfearms.ily and they pray that they will see the hope and joy in
www.healingafterabortion.org It cchanoobseinsgcalirfye.to leave the safety of
the hTehaelinGguyefnavmiroilynmperanytedanadndrea-sked God for guidance in their quest to help the pro-life
encgoamgemuwniittyh. Aosthuesrusal,wGhood iswfeariethful. He placed 40 Days for Life in their paths. A friend
pMwtAinhrfhvalPiaaotneoeintslflaaeorlkyhvrnSeuaheinnhgdnlodeelheetd,atditdhimhlnsahiaenaocPpeenrbtghwapsmsdhoorleieduosweatotnotladrohi.tetbetebhhthsoIaoeioternotsatowtrtnhi4uedoiuleea0htnlnniarsafdbiDulseghtinenhlahxeaehgeypatrowasnemicvfnrdcifseitrieosuaeehssenrmrntreurtorcLceriecsienwitahod?foo.gemwrycapnabafmtooiogrupnwthanaeisgtrtonataf.hnnMRaddatiancclreghileiaentodlitcuiwant,lgosaGisudtetlhedoyisreasgoawniaroo.anwublhdodeirsnttcaiooskvnheeeracwltilnhoaiatsctojwutfhshweteroarereskwe.tnahSisheoeyar
claarnitdy hhearsmboetheenr,gSauinzaendneth, aptraoyneed much. They knew it was a huge undertaking. Rachel was
feenlesrv‘oduifsfearbeontu,t’ thalebereits,po“cnhsaibniglietyd”of leading this campaign, but also excited.
and TuhnissuSrperinogf Chaomwpaitgon aptrtohceeePdlanned Parenthood in Marietta is the third at this location.
wiAthltohuotugthhethissapfeatryticouflartPhelanPnAeTdHParenthood does not do surgical abortions, it is a provider
groouf pth. e abortion pill, RU-486, which in itself has tragic consequences. For Rachel, it is a joy to
seeTGo orde’ms epdeyopthleiss,taPnAdTHupbefolirevHeis love and to be His voice. She wants women to know they
inairneviltoinvgedabllytGhosdeainndvotlhvaetdthinerteheis hope. Her grandmother always tells her that the battle is
abworotnioonneoxpuerrkiennecees,inatnodthbeihnegaalibnlge to be a loving and praying presence at the clinic is at the
prvoecerysshebayrthoafvwinhgatthGeomd wcaonmtpsluesteto do.
their own retreat or bible study.
Oftentimes family members are
invited to the closing group at the page 2
endPAToHfwaay weekend retreat.
From Our Director – What is RU-486?
Jody Duffy On February 6th of this year, I was a guest speaker at the Marietta, Georgia 40 Days
for Life Kick-Off Rally. Since the Planned Parenthood clinic in Marietta is a provider of the
abortion pill, RU-486, I thought it would be a good opportunity to inform those who
would be involved in the campaign at that clinic about this method of abortion.
Originally known as the “French Abortion Pill”, RU-486 made its worldwide debut in
1988, and became available in the United States in the year 2000. The misconception at
the time, and still today, is that RU-486 is safer than a surgical abortion.
RU-486 works by blocking the effects of progesterone, the natural hormone which is
required to maintain the lining of the uterus during pregnancy. The developing child is
deprived of necessary nutrients, starves to death, detaches and is then flushed out of the
body with the uterine lining.
An abortion attained through the use of RU-486 is a long, draining and
unpredictable time for a woman, especially compared to a 15 to 30 minute surgical
abortion which takes place in a clinical setting, where clinical staff can assist and or call 911 should complications arise.
This is not the case for an abortion acquired through the use of RU-486. Once verification of how far along the
pregnancy is, RU-486 can be prescribed to women who are up to 10 weeks gestation. If that choice is made, the woman
is given the first pill, Mifeprex, in the clinic. This drug blocks the effects of progesterone, causing changes in the uterus
and detachment of the pregnancy. The woman is then given a second pill, Misoprostol, to take at home within 24 to 48
hours. This causes uterine contractions and the expulsion of the fetus.
The effect of these two drugs is physically and emotionally difficult on women. The abortion process lasts a minimum
of three days. Complications can include severe hemorrhaging and or septic shock if all the product of conception is not
expelled.
A surgical abortion is usually a 15 to 30 minute procedure with time spent in recovery after. The woman gets dressed,
goes home, and by her own choice, never has to see that clinic again. However, in the case of a woman who has taken
RU-486, she usually goes home, takes the second pill and expels the fetus, most often in the bathroom.
At that point, she is left to her own devices as what to do with her now dead, unborn child. Does she place it in the
trash can, flush it down the toilet? That woman’s home, bedroom, and bathroom become the abortion clinic that she will
see day after day and cannot hide from. It is no wonder the emotional scars run so deep in women who have had a
chemical abortion.
At PATH, what we have heard
from the women who used RU-486
is even more traumatic than what
we hear from women who have had
surgical abortions. Yet, the push for
RU-486 increases because it is easier
for a doctor to write a prescription
than to perform a surgical abortion.
Or maybe, like Pontius Pilate, they
can justify themselves as being
innocent of blood on their hands.
Whatever the reasons for the push
of the abortion pill, we can be
assured that more and more women
will be extremely traumatized by the
experience.
God Bless,
Jody
page 3
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. Postage Prepaid
ATL. GA
PERMIT No. 3084
PATH
PO Box 501238
Atlanta, GA 31150
PATH says thank you to Joe Carr at BuckBlue Printing for donation of printing and mailing services for this newsletter.
Joe is a St. Jude parishioner and all-round great guy!
Where We're Going and Where We've Been
October 2017 February 2018
26: Respect for Life: The Rest of the Story at St. Jude 8: Kickoff 40 Days for Life at St. Ann’s
16-18: Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat - Carmel Retreat Center
November 2017 22: Respect for Life – The Rest of the Story at St. Ann’s
29-30: Parenting Classes @ PAC South 24: Spotlight Conference at Messiah’s House AG Church
25: Teen Classes at Holy Spirit
December 2017
11-12: Parenting Classes @ PAC North March 2018
22: Restoration Project Luncheon for Life @ Maggiano’s
January 2018
6: Respect for Life: The Rest of the Story at St. Brigid Perimeter
11: Care & Support Service Night at Mount Bethel
April 2018
UMC & SaveOne Bible Study begins 9-12: PAC Parenting Classes – North & South
12: PAC Respect Life Luncheon @ Maggiano’s 19: Military Council of Catholic Woman Worldwide in San
Buckhead Diego, CA
19: March for Life, D.C. – Silent No More Awareness 26: Guest Speaker at Restoration Project Luncheon for Life
Campaign @ Maggiano’s Perimeter
22: Mass for Unborn and Stand For Life – Cathedral of
May 2018
Christ the King 17: St. Stephen’s KOC Golf Tournament – Stone Mountain
25: Restoration Project Luncheon For Life @
June 2018
Maggiano’s Perimeter 22-24: Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat – Carmel Retreat Center
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PATHway Donations large and small can be sent to: PATH PO Box 501238 Atlanta, Ga. 31150 or made
securely online at www.myegiving.com/path