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Year of St. Joseph in the Diocese of Lafayette
One hundred fifty years ago, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph as the Universal Patron of the Church. In light of this anniversary, Bishop Douglas Deshotel has declared a year of St. Joseph in the Diocese of Lafayette from August 16, 2020 – May 1, 2021.
In this year of St Joseph, The Office of Pro-Life Apostolate will begin Project Joseph in the Diocese of Lafayette. We ask for your prayers through the intercession of St. Joseph as we offer a Project Joseph retreat in the summer of 2021.
Project Joseph is an outreach specifically for men who struggle with the emotional and spiritual pain of abortion. This one-day retreat is a unique and effective process designed to help men experience the mercy and compassion of God.
Background of Project Joseph (excerpts from article by Kevin Burke, co-founder of Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat on July 28, 2017 in the Christian Review)
For many years now the abortion recovery program Rachel’s Vineyard has welcomed men, as well as women, on their weekend retreats. The presence of men has proven to be a great blessing for the fathers who need to grieve their abortion loss and find reconciliation and healing, but also for the women who attend.
Many of the symptoms women and men struggle with after abortion touch on the areas of sexuality, intimacy, communication, and trust. The Rachel’s Vineyard retreat provides many opportunities for wounded mothers and fathers to reach beyond that anger and hurt and discover a renewed compassion and respect for one another as they grieve their children lost to abortion. Yet there are many men who will not be open to a group experience of women and men – at least not in the initial stages of their recovery.
Eileen Kuhlmann, Director of Healing After Abortion Ministry with the Catholic Pro Life Committee of Dallas developed Project Joseph as an additional resource for fathers who may not consider a mixed-sex program. Some fathers of aborted children find a men’s group the most effective setting for their recovery.
Eileen felt called to make St Joseph the spiritual father of their outreach to men. The ‘silence of St. Joseph’ was the image that kept returning to her as she prayed about the abortion grief of men. St. Joseph provided a great model for wounded men; how he lived, his quiet obedience, and giving life to his adopted son Jesus. Eileen saw in Saint Joseph the perfect model for their program. Eileen, with the assistance of a deacon, male therapist, and a writer developed the Project Joseph Manual. The ‘Prodigal Son’ theme is an important aspect of the program. Eileen explains: “We all abort God’s will at different times of our lives; sadly and willfully often saying ‘no’ to God. Like the Father, we need to offer them a confidential and safe way in which they can receive forgiveness and help them to forgive themselves.
If you or anyone you know is interested in attending the Project Joseph Retreat, please call 337-261-5598 to register. Pre-registration is required. All calls are confidential.