THE BLOG OF THE BON SECOURS RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTER
Retreat with Us
Welcome to the Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center’s blog! This blog will extend our retreat ministry by bringing prayers and reflections into your home ‘retreat.’ Many of our presenters and staff share their homilies, favorite prayers, and reflections through this medium. We encourage you to comment, pass it along to friends or simply take a moment to pray with us. We hope that this will serve as a moment during your day when you can ‘retreat with us.’
The entire Church mourns the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. In cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, shrines, and chapels the Holy Eucharist will be offered for the repose of his soul. Communities and individuals will ask God to bestow his infinite mercy on the man who served the Church as Bishop of Rome. This novena has been prepared to help pray for the Pope during the time of mourning. The daily novena – lasting for the novendiales period from April 26…
The entire Church mourns the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. In cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, shrines, and chapels the Holy Eucharist will be offered for the repose of his soul. Communities and individuals will ask God to bestow his infinite mercy on the man who served the Church as Bishop of Rome. This novena has been prepared to help pray for the Pope during the time of mourning. The daily novena – lasting for the novendiales period from April 26…
God's Love Poured Out By Sarah Laitinen "During the Year of Lasallian Spirituality, Christian Brothers Conference is publishing reflections to provide spiritual inspiration and stir continued dialogue around Lasallian spirituality. In the busyness of each day, it’s amazing how the mental to-do list can be in the forefront of our minds. We balance meetings, classes, time with colleagues, work on projects and presentations with our personal and family commitments. As a wife and mother of three young children, I am constantly…
The entire Church mourns the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. In cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, shrines, and chapels, the Holy Eucharist will be offered for the repose of his soul. Communities and individuals will ask God to bestow his infinite mercy on the man who served the Church as Bishop of Rome. This novena has been prepared to help pray for the Pope during this time. The daily novena—lasting for the novendiales period as directed by the College…
He Is Risen: Embracing the Joy of Easter in the Catholic Faith “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” – Luke 24:5-6 Easter is not just one feast day among many—it is the feast, the heart of the liturgical year, the celebration that gives meaning to all others. As Catholics, we proclaim with joyful hearts: Christ is risen, Alleluia! His resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, the triumph of light…
Today as we begin Holy Week, we share with you two great resources from Dynamic Catholic. The first is called "A Catholic Guide to Holy Week" which provides excellent background information (for everyone - not just Catholics!) about what Holy Week is and how "these great moments in the life of the Church and the life of Jesus provide powerful lenses through which we can see our lives in a new way, expanding our understanding of ourselves and others."…
A Plant Mom By Sr. Elaine Davia, CBS A friend gave me a lovely little pin that says “Plant Mom” on a watering can. What an unusual way for this Catholic nun...to be a mom! Anyone who knows me knows I love my garden and love to work in it in the warm summer months. During the long winter months, I’m thinking about what I will do in the garden next summer. I look with longing at seed packages in…
The Great Dance of Life By Annie Hisle ‘Losing’ is intrinsic to life … but so is ‘finding.’ As a bereavement counselor for over 40 years, I continually notice that ‘losing' and ‘finding' are dance partners in the great dance of life. They complement each other, and they need each other! When we lose a job, a relationship, or a beloved person, we can eventually give thanks for what we had and imagine some new possibility. When we lose…
Pilgrims of Hope: Prayer Is the Way Linda Mastro Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ~ Romans 12:12 In this Jubilee year, Pope Francis calls us to be Pilgrims of Hope. How do we embrace hope when the world feels dark and the way forward is unclear? Adopting the attitude of a pilgrim may help us cross the divide. Pilgrims step up to challenges that appear along the way because they are: up for adventure…
The Wound as a Portal to Grace and Healing By Amy Kulesa The idea of wounds as a portal to grace and healing is an area that is close to my heart and experience. My entryway into faith and my continued healing journey have inevitably, throughout my life, been catalyzed by times of pain and challenge. There is a central place for joy, yes; but when it comes to transformation, I believe that God most often “breaks us open” through…
