The February 2004 edition of Vine and Branches from Rachel's Vineyard is online.
After announcing in January that the four-year relationship between the American Life League and Rachel's Vineyard had ended, the new news is that Rachel's Vineyard has been taken on board by Priests for Life.
We decided in January that we could best continue our unique calling and restructure for continued growth in partnership with another pro-life ministry that shared a sensitivity to our unique mission and understood the importance of healing and reconciliation for those women, men, couples, and families who have suffered the loss of a child from abortion.
When the Rachel's Vineyard Retreat Manual was first published we relied on the pastoral sensitivity and sacramental knowledge of Fr. Frank Pavone. He was an important advisor and mentor in this development process. Fr. Pavone and Fr. Denis Wilde, O.S.A., have served as priests on a number of Rachel's Vineyard retreats and have actively encouraged their brother clergy and interdenominational pastors to help staff our retreat teams.
Given the sensitivity and compassion of Fr. Pavone when we worked together on our retreat manual, we contacted Fr. Pavone in January to explore the possibility of developing a partnership with Priests for Life to continue expanding and organizing the mission of Rachel's Vineyard. We feel blessed to learn that Fr. Pavone and Priests for Life share our vision, mission and our excitement to grow together in this healing ministry. We have made the decision as directors of Rachel's Vineyard, to become a ministry of Priests for Life. We believe that as Rachel's Vineyard continues to spread, it is important to have the spiritual, organizational, and material assistance that Priests For Life can provide in order to respond to the growth, and empower leadership for the future.