Theresa Karminski Burke, Ph.D., started one of the first therapeutic support groups for post-abortive women in 1986 after founding The Center for Post Abortion Healing.
She published Rachel’s Vineyard: A Psychological and Spiritual Journey for Post Abortion Healing in 1994 to offer a unique support group model for counselors working with women grieving the loss of an aborted child. In 1995, she expanded the curriculum into a format for weekend retreats. The retreats began to spread across the country and are presently being offered at 375 sites in more than 70 countries. Rachel’s Vineyard became a ministry of Priests for Life in 2003.
Kevin Burke is a licensed social worker, Co-Founder of Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries and a Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life. He is a graduate of The Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work. Kevin’s presentations address the effects of abortion on men, couples and families and effective post abortion ministry for Clergy and Counselors.
The Rachel’s Vineyard™ support group and retreat models are now offered in 49 states. The international outreach of Rachel’s Vineyard is now in over 70 countries. The Retreat manual has been translated into 22 languages with other translations in progress. We offer over 1000 retreats annually worldwide.
Kevin is the co-author of Redeeming A Father’s Heart-Men Share Powerful Stories of Abortion Loss and Recovery and co-author of Sharing The Heart of Christ: Safe and Effective Post Abortion Ministry for Clergy and Counselors, with Theresa Burke and Fr. Frank Pavone. He has contributed and authored articles on the trauma and recovery after abortion. Kevin has been a guest on EWTN’s “At Home with Jim and Joy” and the “Gospel of Life” on Sky Angel Network.
Comedian Chelsea Handler is in the news with her controversial video short making the rounds on social media, “A Day in the Life of a Childless Woman.” (Be warned, the video contains mature themes and profanity.) Handler offers a tongue-in-cheek…