Revival, A Grieving Mother’s Retreat

Revival, A Grieving Mother’s Retreat

Revival, A Grieving Mother’s Retreat is an overnight weekend retreat that will be hosted by Red Bird Ministries for mothers grieving the loss of a child through miscarriage and stillbirth, or as an infant. This retreat offers space for prayer, connection, emotional healing, and spiritual renewal alongside other mothers who understand this type of sorrow – no matter how recently or how long ago your loss occurred.

Red Bird Ministries is a Catholic non-profit organization that upholds those carrying the cross of miscarriage and infant loss. Through accompaniment and compassionate care, Red Bird Ministries guides individuals and couples through the complexity and trauma that happens with the loss of a child.

Dates: March 27-29, 2026

  • Retreat check-in begins on Friday, March 27 at 5:00pm
  • The retreat ends on Sunday, March 29 at 2:30pm

Location:
National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians
Don Bosco Retreat Center
174 Filors Lane
Stony Point, NY 10980

Retreat Registration: $250
Registration Deadline: March 8, 2026

Meet the Red Bird Ministries Team

We look forward to welcoming Kelly, Elizabeth, and Anna to the Archdiocese of New York as they host this Revival Retreat.

Kelly Breaux
Founder

Elizabeth Leon
Family Support

Anna Gowasack, M.S.
Psychological Services

Retreat Support Services Include:
  • Small Groups: The retreatants will be grouped with their peers based on the age of their child at the time of the loss.
  • Group Leader: Each participant will be paired with a peer leader of the same age of loss.
  • Counseling: Retreatants have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a professional counselor.
  • Spiritual Guidance: Retreatants can meet one-on-one with a spiritual guide and discuss how grief has impacted their relationship with God.
Testimonies from Revival Retreat Attendees:

“If you want to feel surrounded by love, and know that you are not alone. Attending this retreat is an opportunity for you to meet other mothers and be surrounded by love and encouragement.”

“It was the first time since my loss where I felt completely understood and supported. The graces of the sacraments blessed our retreat in so many ways that made the weekend so beautiful and holy. I’m grateful for the women who shared their testimonies and how they’ve run to Jesus in the wake of sorrow rather than run away. I left full of hope and feeling lighter knowing the Lord carries me.”

“Attending the retreat and spending time with the Holy Spirit reaffirmed that my child is with Jesus. I also learned that our children are present with us every time we go to Communion so that brought such joy and peace to me. Just knowing that being able to have a closer connection with my son really heals my heart.”

Retreat Chaplain – Fr. Pierre Toussaint, CFR

Fr. Pierre Toussaint, CFR is a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Raised in Long Island, he attended Ave Maria University, graduated in 2008, and entered formation with the Friars of the Renewal in September of 2008. He made his final vows in July of 2013 and was ordained in May of 2018. He currently lives in the Bronx and is a local servant within the Friars.

Questions?

Please contact us!

Retreat Registration Form

A Note about the Retreat Application

We know your time is valuable, and we want to thank you in advance. While this application is somewhat lengthy, it should take approximately 15–20 minutes to complete. The Red Bird Ministries team has designed this process intentionally to help us better understand your needs, your story, and how we can best serve you during our time together. Our goal is to create a retreat experience that is not only meaningful but deeply personal and supportive. Your responses allow us to do that with great care. Thank you for entrusting us with your heart – we are honored to walk with you.

Please keep the following information in mind:

We understand the importance of your health needs. The Red Bird Ministries team will thoroughly review your application within 3 business days to ensure we can provide the necessary accommodations. If, for any reason, we are unable to meet your needs and you’ve already paid, we will promptly refund your registration fee. Your well-being is our priority. 

If approved, you will receive a welcome email.

Once you have completed the registration form below, please proceed to the payment page to submit the registration fee. Your application will be complete and considered once BOTH the registration form and payment have been received.

***Registration Deadline: Sunday, March 8th

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for those in need of financial assistance. Please complete BOTH the Scholarship Application as well as the Retreat Registration Form below if you are interested in being considered for a scholarship.

***Scholarship Application Deadline: Sunday, March 1st

Red Bird Ministries follows a strict confidentiality agreement. Only our Red Bird Ministries Team, the Assigned Small Group Leader, the Assigned Spiritual Director, and the Assigned Counselor are permitted to review your registration form. Please complete the entire registration form for registration.

Required:

Additional information about you

Health and Medical Conditions

The Red Bird Ministries team is not equipped to serve families with confirmed mental health diagnoses or families who are medically fragile. If you have a serious mental or health condition, please let us know before you arrive so that we can determine if our team can accommodate your needs. Please let us know if you have any food allergies, including the severity, and how we can prepare food to accommodate you. In case of severe allergies, we may ask you to bring your own food if the retreat center cannot fully accommodate.

Please check if you have any of the following medical or mental health conditions.

Required:
The retreat center where we hold our retreat does require the retreatant to climb a short flight of stairs. Will you be able to climb the flight of stairs a few times over the weekend? Required:

Emergency Contact Information

Please provide the name and contact information of an emergency contact person who is aware of your attendance and will be available to be reached during the weekend in case of an emergency. Additionally, we will send out instructions by email on how to reach us during the retreat if something happens. Please ensure that they are aware and ask them to look out for the email.

Child's Information

If pregnancy loss, please list weeks in utero. This information is only used if we have to split a larger group into two groups to keep peers together.

Church Parish + Diocese Information

Familial Relationships

Are you married, separated, divorced, or single? Required:
Do you have any living children? Required:

Grief Journey (Get to Know Me)

Registration Items

Red Bird Ministries is not equipped to handle major medical or health needs. If an emergency arises and you must be taken to a doctor or hospital, we will need a copy of your health insurance card uploaded below. If a retreatant requires medical care, contact your emergency contact. If you are from out of town, our volunteers will assist you in finding a walk-in clinic nearby. If you need emergency medical care, Red Bird Ministries will call 911 on your behalf and someone will assist you to the ER.

We hope to offer opportunities for Spiritual Direction and/or Counseling during the retreat. Are you interested in either or both of these sessions, if available? Required:

Red Bird Ministries is not equipped to handle medical or health needs.

Required:
Do you have health insurance? Required:

I understand that I will receive newsletter event updates and support opportunities from Red Bird Ministries and if I do not wish to receive these further that I will unsubscribe and hold harmless Red Bird Ministries.

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Anyone who makes a purchase, or signs up for any event that Red Bird Ministries offer will be added to our newsletter email list. If you do not wish to receive any emails from us, please unsubscribe from the email list upon receiving your first email. This is an automatic process from our website platform.

Disclaimer and Retreat Policies

Red Bird Ministries’ support seeks to accompany grieving families in the trenches of their grief but is not intended to replace traditional therapy. Red Bird Ministries does not provide online or in-person counseling or therapeutic services for a fee. Any registration fee, gift, or donation received directly offsets retreat center fees, operational expenses, and program development expenses to fund these resources. The team of Red Bird Ministries and its volunteers are not mental health providers, and all retreatants will hold harmless the ministry and its volunteers for providing a safe place for you to bring your grief. If you need mental health counseling or have a mental illness, please seek professional counseling. Our retreats and small groups are meant to be peer-led and support those who are grieving, but never to replace traditional therapy.

Required:

Retreat Registration and Refund Policies

If, after reviewing your application, we determine that we are unable to meet your health or support needs, your payment will be fully refunded without delay. Once your application has been reviewed and confirmed, we will notify you promptly and officially add you to the retreat roster. Due to the requirements of the retreat center, no refunds will be given within 30 days of the retreat, if you cancel or are unable to attend. If a refund is given, credit card processing fees will be deducted. Thank you for your understanding and for allowing us the opportunity to walk with you through this sacred season of grief and healing.

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