On Saturday, July 6th, St. Luke’s Revesby hosted a profound and transformative retreat for twelve women, focusing on the nature of grief experienced through miscarriage, multiple miscarriages, or infertility. Facilitated by Julie and Carmela, the session provided a space for participants to explore their grief and find solace.
Women from the broader Sydney region and the Central Coast gathered for this retreat, brought together by the vision and dedication of Monica Reyes. Feeling a divine calling, Monica sought to create a prayerful and reflective environment where women could share their grief journey in faith. Her initiative was promoted through parish bulletins in the Sydney, Parramatta, and Broken Bay Dioceses. The day commenced with Monica sharing her personal experience, setting a compassionate and understanding tone for the retreat.
The “unbound” session – a path to healing
The retreat’s focal point was a session titled “Unbound,” a five-step journey leading participants to receive a blessing from Jesus. This session resonated deeply with everyone involved, as reflected in Monica’s feedback:
“It was such a blessed day—the Holy Spirit was truly working, and I felt that every talk was anointed. I particularly loved the photo activity—it was amazing to see the transformations that occurred in just a few hours. God is so powerful.”
Participant testimonials – voices of healing
The day was filled with moments of vulnerability, community, and healing. Here are some heartfelt testimonials from the participants:
“An incredibly healing day, praise the Lord!”
“I really enjoyed us women coming together and being vulnerable with one another around such a sensitive topic. It was a beautiful way to create community along this journey, and hopefully, we can continue to do so.”
“I’m so grateful to God and for everyone who came and the work He did for me and others.”
“It was such a healing day with both tears and smiles. I left with my heart feeling lighter and reconnected with our Lord, knowing that He is with me.”
Celebrating Eucharist – a spiritual conclusion
The retreat concluded with a celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Rev. Dariusz Basiaga PP. This spiritual conclusion reinforced the sense of community and divine presence experienced throughout the day.
Visual expressions of grief and hope
Participants also engaged in a “photo language” activity, selecting images that expressed their journey throughout the retreat. For instance, one participant described moving from feeling like they were drowning to being relaxed and at peace.
A song of comfort
The retreat ended with the song “My Loved One” by James Maher msc, reminding everyone of God’s unconditional love and presence in every aspect of their lives. The song’s message reinforced the retreat’s theme that no one is alone in their grief journey.
You can listen to “My Loved One” here.
The Freedom to Hope Retreat Day provided a powerful and healing experience for women dealing with grief from miscarriage and infertility. Through prayer, community, and shared experiences, participants found hope and solace, reaffirming that they are not alone on their grief journey.
Upcoming Memorial Masses
In addition to our retreat, we will be holding a number of memorial masses in October at various locations to remember and support those affected by Pregnancy, Infant, and Child Loss:
- 5th October 2024, 9am: Pregnancy, Infant & Child Loss Memorial Mass at St Paul’s Parish, John St., Camden, followed by refreshments.
- 8th October 2024, 7:30pm: REMEMBERING OUR BABIES at All Saint’s Parish, Liverpool.
- 13th October 2024, 6pm: REMEMBERING OUR BABIES AND CHILDREN at Gerald Majella Lawn (time to be confirmed).
Details will be available soon on our events page.
