The Diocese of Ogdensburg is an accredited Rachel’s Vineyard site. The retreat location is now listed on the national website: www.rachelsvineyard.org.
This accreditation comes after the Diocese has met the requirements established by National Rachel’s Vineyard. Each retreat team member had their own Rachel’s Vineyard retreat experience, attending retreats in New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The retreat coordinator and facilitator have served as helpers on a retreat as well. Three team members attended the National Leadership Training Conference in June.
Two priests are trained for this ministry in our diocese, Fr. Mark
Reilly and Fr. Bryan Stitt. Dale Barr, Eastern Ontario Silent No More Awareness
Coordinator serves as the retreat facilitator. Vickie Agresta, a licensed
clinician, serves as the retreat counselor. Colleen Miner, Respect Life
director, serves as the retreat coordinator.
Rachel’s Vineyard is a three-day retreat program, open to mothers, fathers, grandparents and siblings of aborted children as well as those who have worked in the abortion industry. The weekend helps retreatants begin healing from their loss through group sharing, a memorial service and Mass. It is an intense weekend emotionally, mentally and spiritually but the results of God’s mercy & grace are amazing.
The retreat is offered each spring and fall at the Guggenheim Lodge in Saranac Lake. The retreat location is a private, Adirondack Great Camp style facility on the shores of lower Saranac Lake. Each room has two double beds, bathroom and shower facility. The $150 retreat fee includes all retreat materials, lodging and meals. Scholarships are available.