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’.
Today's post is the first in an Advent series from Fr. Michael Schleupner, a beloved retreat presenter, spiritual director and priest who frequently celebrates Mass at our Center. Let's prepare our hearts and minds during this special period of waiting for the birth of Jesus. Getting Ready - 1 Dear Friends, During December, most of the focus is on getting ready for Christmas. Often enough, Christmas is presented as simply a holiday or week of holidays. I realize that sometimes…
Today's post comes from retreat presenter, Mary DeTurris Poust. It's a great reminder, especially as we begin the season of Advent. Will you take some time to pause during this special time of anticipation and hope? Becoming a participant in your own life by Mary DeTurris Poust on November 3, 2021 It’s amazing how we can convince ourselves that we simply don’t have the time to do even the little things that might make our lives demonstrably better. We race…
During the first week of Advent, we focus on hope. Let's take a few quiet moments to lift each other up with this prayer of hope as we welcome the season of Advent. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned..." ~Isaiah 9:2 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the…
The last of the beautiful fall leaves seem to be falling from the trees around us. Poets often reflect that the leaves are not simply falling, but letting go, using it as a metaphor for many lessons in our lives. As we near the end of the month of November and begin to prepare for the season of Advent, let's take a quiet moment to reflect on letting go with this beautiful poem by Nelson Mandela. Letting go To let…
Today marks the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. In a recent article* by Sr. Mary M. McGlone, SSJ, the meaning of this day was analyzed in scripture and made poignant when she says, "The reason the church should celebrate the solemnity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, is to call ourselves to account. Today's feast calls us to look at Christ the crucified servant and to ask not 'Are you a…
Amy Kulesa, Director of the Sisters of Bon Secours Associates, presented a retreat recently around a gratitude theme. She shared a few inspiring videos with these guests and we thought that you would enjoy this one. This video is a reminder that even if we are burdened, life gives us so much to be grateful for...gifts from the only Source of all our blessings. May this video resonate with you as you pray with us, providing inspiration for this Thanksgiving…
Today's post comes from our Retreats & Events Manager, Jen Murphy. Let's read her reflection about perspective and take a moment to pray for those who are hungry all around the world. Perspective After the weekly grocery store trip for my family of four (the 5th is currently away at college) I came home and complained to my husband about the lack of stock and variety on the shelves, as well as the rising prices. My kids joined in, asking…
Most conference groups who utilize our Center return time and time again and we are able to develop friendships with many of these guests. Their time here is often focused on being present with one another, away from the daily grind of their office buildings and home offices. They frequently commend our facilities and staff, saying that our service is unmatched by other conference centers. They are a joy to host too! Upon their departure, a recent healthcare group donated…
This afternoon, retreat guests will gather for a "Making All Things New" retreat with presenter Paul Gallagher. This retreat is generally held twice per year at our Center and is based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. (Click here to learn more about the January dates.) We can all learn from these exercises that focus on the mind, body and spirit. It's a powerful prayer practice that can deepen your spirituality. Let's take a quiet moment to…
Fr. Michael Schleupner shared the following homily last Sunday and it's a wonderful example of the Gospel lesson. Let's read about a hero from history and Jesus' lesson of love. Gospel Reading: Mark 12:28b-34 Doing What God Demanded In the 1820s, a woman named Harriet Tubman was born here in Maryland. She was born into an enslaved family, and she herself was a slave. But, she became a hero. Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery and then helped many others to…
