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’.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Do not assume that divine guidance flows only when you are in need of help. Guidance continues to flow whether or not you have problems. It transcends problems, heartbreaks, and traumas, flowing through dreams and illuminations. Whether guidance comes during times of tranquility or trauma, however, it is up…
During a recent Centering Prayer session, the following Psalm was shared. Then later the facilitator, Amy Kulesa, noticed that this was the fall decoration in the Welcome Center, created by Guest Services Agent Vivian Eddy. Coincidence? Maybe. But, could it be an example of how the Holy Spirit shares common themes in our lives? Quite possibly. Think about how the Spirit is speaking to you today. We just need to take time to be quiet and to listen. Let's meditate…
The Sacrament of Letting Go Slowly She celebrated the sacrament of Letting Go… First she surrendered her Green Then the Orange, yellow, and Red… Finally she let go of her Brown… Shedding her last leaf She stood empty and silent, stripped bare Leaning against the sky she began her vigil of trust… Shedding her last leaf She watched its journey to the ground… She stood in silence, Wearing the color of emptiness Her branches wondering: How do you give shade,…
Today we recognize All Saints Day. We remember the many saints we've learned about through scripture and writings from history. Please take a quiet moment in prayer to remember the wide variety of saints before us. "May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love." Prayer for All Saints Day We give you thanks, O God, for all the saints who ever worshiped you Whether in brush arbors or cathedrals, Weathered wooden churches…
On Wednesday, Linda Mastro will be guiding our Friends Day retreat with the theme of Blessing the Ordinary. (Click here to learn more.) As the holidays approach we tend to get wrapped up into a hectic pace and focus on those high points in spirituality, but what are you thankful for today? How does scripture guide us to have gratitude for ALL of the blessings in our lives? Are you thankful for the fall foliage today? The friendly smile of…
As we continue to recognize Spiritual/Pastoral Care Week, we want to take a moment to thank all of the spiritual leaders who have walked through our doors. Our sponsored retreat ministry relies on these leaders as they present and guide our many retreats at the Center. Our Spiritual Direction Institute trains future spiritual directors/companions. Our conference groups often include spiritual leaders too and they utilize our space to train or offer respite to those who serve. We are so blessed…
This week we are recognizing and celebrating Spiritual/Pastoral Care Week. Have you be touched by the gifts of a spiritual director/companion, pastor or chaplain? These special individuals offer hope and healing so we pause to offer this blessing for continued connection to God's presence in all that they do. A Blessing for Presence May you awaken to the mystery of being here And enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. May you have joy and peace in the temple…
Today's reflection is another wise post from retreat presenter Fr. Michael Schleupner. Are you familiar with the roots of the word 'opportunity'? This visual described below can be a great reminder for us to evaluate and take advantage of our opportunities in life, based on guidance from Scripture. Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding…
Many guests will be attending our "Grief Retreat: How Wisdom/Spiritual Teachers Can Guide Us" retreat this Saturday. Unfortunately, it's a topic that most of us are familiar with in life, but there are many resources available to guide us. Coming together in community and being aware of how grief can affect us can be a powerful tool for healing. We hope that if you are hurting today, reading this will remind you that you're not alone in your journey. Invite…
We Are Connected Although everyone is an individual, we are all connected Having a living body on earth at this time makes us accountable to each other When things happen in the universe collectively it affects everyone singularly “Am I my brother’s keeper?” is not just a question the answer is a truth I’m responsible for you as well as you are for me No matter how much we may deny it We all came to…
