“Choose Life: A Day of Hope” Retreat in Falmouth

After a successful first year, the second annual "Choose Life: A Day of Hope" retreat will be held at Holy Martyrs Church, located on 266 Foreside Road in Falmouth, on Wednesday, June 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event offers an opportunity to reflect on the current environment of adoption and pro-life in Maine; to pray for wisdom, strength, and protection in working to save lives; and to meet others who stand for life.

Lunch will be provided. Among the featured speakers are:

Maria Szemplinski
Founder, St. Gianna's Place
Maria started the Gianna Family Care Center, a nonprofit organization that promotes the Creighton Model FertilityCare System and the science of Natural Procreative Technology which helps monitor a woman's health while teaching the gift of being a virtuous woman and mother. This science aims to protect the dignity of human life from the moment of fertilization. Maria is also the co-founder of St. Gianna's Place in New Hampshire, which provides shelter for homeless pregnant women and their babies.

Jackie Komar
Director, Adoption Solutions of Maine
A clinical social worker, Jackie has over 25 years of experience providing support and counseling services to women and families. She is the mother of five children who she and her husband adopted at birth, and Jackie served as an adoption social worker for almost a decade. Adoption Solutions of Maine is a nonprofit organization that provides free support services to both pregnant women and those who want to adopt. The staff offers service stemming from professional training, education, and personal experiences as adoptive parents and adopted children.

Judy Shaw
Project Rachel, Diocese of Portland
Judy presents Rachel's Vineyard retreat weekends in Maine. The weekends, part of Project Rachel, gather anyone who has been affected by an abortion, including women, their spouses, parents, grandparents, and friends, even former abortion workers. They are a journey to spiritual wholeness and healing. As a person who had an abortion many years ago, Judy draws from personal experience in helping participants discover God's love and forgiveness.

Speakers will also include representatives from 40 Days for Life and other groups. All are encouraged to attend. For more information, click here.