A Day of Remembrance and Healing for the Loss of a Child is taking place March 30 at St. Therese of Lisieux, Phillips.
Three speakers will share their personal experiences during the 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. event.
Janene Ravet, a parishioner at St. Paul the Apostle, Catawba, lost her only child, Graham, to an accidental overdose when he was 23.
Caroline Lenz, member of St. Therese of Lisieux, Phillips, speaks for the first time about her 17-year-old daughter Carla’s murder in 1986.
Pamela Peterson, member of Chequamegon Community Church in Washburn, tells of her loss and healing process following an abortion.
There will be Bible readings and musical breaks between speakers, said Ravet, who is also an organizer.
The event gives grieving parents a chance to meet and share their experiences, and it is also for post-abortion ministry, she added. “Pamela Peterson will have materials on the H.E.A.R.T. (Healing Effects of Abortion Related Trauma), and we will have materials available for Project Rachel, also the Northwoods Women’s Resources brochure (by Price County Respect Life), Crisis helpline information, local treatment facilities for addiction, Embrace shelter, Grief support groups available.”
Janene Ravet on child loss:
“In every tragic situation, we have an opportunity to bring Christ’s healing love and forgiveness to others. Showing compassion and concern for each person’s loss, having empathy and listening are all things that must be present to create a place where God can enter in and heal wounds. We hope to reflect all those qualities throughout the afternoon. Hearing stories of others’ losses allows a person to not feel alone in their journey, that Christ also walks with them even if they do not recognize it. It is comforting and healing in itself to know that someone shares your most intimate pain. My personal hope is that someone in attendance will have an opportunity to equate one of the stories that day to their own lives, gain a perspective that God’s grace can be abundant through tragic loss and even in the years afterwards, possibly even reconcile themselves to the Lord if need be.”
