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’.
These words from Fr. Michael Schleupner resonate for many, especially as we focus on goals for the new year. Let's read more about the importance of being present in the moment. It is now the moment. ~Romans 13:11 On New Year’s Day, these words of Saint Paul reminded us to focus on the present. Sometimes we can get stuck in the past. We may find ourselves longing for the good old days when everything seemed just right. Or we may…
Several retreat guests will arrive today to begin their 3-night or 6-night Directed Retreat. These retreats are offered periodically throughout the year and offer a time of silence for guests. They meet with a spiritual director for one hour per day and attend Mass, if they'd like, but otherwise spend time reflecting, praying, reading and writing on their own within an environment of silence. Many seek this retreat annually to reconnect with the still, small voice within and they leave…
Most of us probably have a close friend or family member who works in healthcare and has been significantly disrupted in their daily work by the pandemic. The latest spike in our hospitals is taxing the health, energy and mental stamina of so many. They need our prayers! Let's take a few quiet moments in prayer, lifting their name to the One who can get them through this difficult time. A Prayer for Health Care Workers May the One who…
Today's post comes from favorite retreat presenter, Fr. Michael Schleupner. He shared the following as we reflect on the Epiphany this week. Fr. Michael, and three other spiritual directors, will be leading retreat guests on a silent directed retreat at our Center, beginning this Friday. Please keep them in prayer as you contemplate the "ripples" of prayer too. A Stone and Ripples Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. ~Is.…
Tomorrow we celebrate Epiphany, the day we commemorate the Magi visiting the infant Jesus. If you are seeking a way to celebrate this special day, why not register for our online Epiphany retreat? This retreat will be guided by Gordon Creamer, tomorrow evening from 6-8pm. Click here to learn more. For now, let's take a few quiet moments to contemplate the meaning of this encounter so long ago. Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven…
Happy New Year! Thank you for allowing me to take a few minutes of your time to reflect and share my appreciation. As I write this, there are so many on the front lines that are continuing to battle and brave the risks to take care of those in need. We certainly appreciate the daily, recurring commitment of so many unheralded heroes. Many others are lending an ear, or extending a hand to those in need, which may not be…
First Coming Madeleine L’Engle He did not wait till the world was ready, till men and nations were at peace. He came when the Heavens were unsteady, and prisoners cried out for release. He did not wait for the perfect time. He came when the need was deep and great. He dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine. He did not wait till hearts were pure. In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin…
We Greet Your Coming People in Nativity Scene Costumes We greet your coming, God, with wonder: You come to be with us; yet you remain far greater than we can imagine. You are near; yet your wisdom sets you apart from us. You appear among us; yet we cannot describe your glory. We greet your coming, God, with repentance: We are more or less satisfied with ourselves; but your presence exposes our sin and failure. We are self-confident; but you…
Fr. Michael Schleupner offers another blog today with a powerful visual analogy about a familiar Advent reading from Scripture. Does this image resonate with you, inspiring you with hope, humility, truthfulness and patience? Sideling Mountain A voice cries: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough…
On this last Sunday of Advent, we offer another important lesson from Fr. Michael Schleupner's 'Getting Ready' series. Although this was presented for the 3rd week of Advent, it can lead us right into today's focus on love as well. Let us know your thoughts as you reflect on the hope, peace, joy and love of the season. The week has arrived! Jesus is coming soon! Getting Ready - 3 Dear Friends, Last week I recommended that we get in…
