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 comes from Sr. Ji Choi, a Novice with the Sisters of Bon Secours who is serving in our Retreat Services ministry at the Center. We're delighted to have her help and look forward to the retreats that she'll be leading. She's currently presenting a series of free Stations of the Cross mini-retreats. These Friday retreats in March begin next Friday. Click here to learn more. March, the Month of St. Joseph The Roman Catholic Church dedicates monthly devotions…
On February 19, we lost a very dear part of our Bon Secours family, Louis Vanlandingham. Louis joined our Housekeeping Department in 2017 and has been a dedicated member of our team ever since. In the days following his passing, staff gathered – some (safely) in person and some virtually – to celebrate the incredible man that he was. We shared stories and laughs about the inside jokes he held with so many of us, the deep love of his…
Today's post is from our friend, Fr. Michael Schleupner. He shared these words during the liturgy on Ash Wednesday and they provide inspiration for us to carry through Lent. We're so thankful to Fr. Mike for sharing his homilies with our blog audience. Were you able to attend an Ash Wednesday service? If not, did you mark the day in a special way in your home? Please share with us in the comments. Genesis: A Living Conversation I imagine most…
Today's post comes from our Marketing Manager/Sales Associate, Tessa Newton. Many of our guests are familiar with her warm, welcoming presence, but even Tessa has struggled with the winter season and the pandemic. Let's read her thoughts about how she's getting through until spring arrives. Spring has to be right around the corner, right? We have now experienced every season in a pandemic. I have to say, winter-pandemic was my least favorite. On a good day, I’d give it “2…
During Black History Month, we have the opportunity to learn about leaders who we may not have been taught about before. Unfortunately, many of us didn't learn from history books that included these amazing pioneers. So, today, we are sharing just a few and we hope that you'll pursue new knowledge about others too. Then, let's pray together as we strive to be a society that is always inclusive and can heal from racial injustice. Fannie Lou Townsend Hamer (1917-1977)…
Today's post is another great reflection by Fr. Michael Schleupner. Let's read his thoughts, the first in a series about repentance, as we begin this sacred season of Lent. Repentance - 1 Dear Friends, A few days ago we observed Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, the season for repentance. What is repentance? Often, we have been led to see this as focusing almost solely on myself, as doing a serious examination of conscience and seeking God’s forgiveness. The emphasis…
Today's post is a continuation of the series about the power of our words from Fr. Michael Schleupner. We are happy to have Fr. Mike back this summer for a week-long directed retreat where he will offer daily spiritual direction to his group and also offer daily Mass. You can click here to learn more. Let's take a few quiet moments this Valentine's Day to read these inspiring words about sharing our love through words. Words - 2 Dear Friends,…
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, today's post is shared by a leader of the future. Amanda Gorman moved the nation when she read her poem below at the recent Presidential Inauguration. The spirit and words of this young African American poet inspired listeners and today we share the words with you to prayerfully sit with again. “The Hill We Climb” When day comes we ask ourselves Where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss…
Fr. Michael Schleupner, friend of the Center, is offering a series of posts about the power of words. Take a moment to read and think about the self-talk. Can you focus on the positive and find the joy today? Words - 1 Dear Friends, Last Sunday, my homily focused on the power of our words. Click here to read that post. Today I am sharing some additional comments on the same topic. Besides the words that we speak to or…
Today's reflection comes from Amy Kulesa, Director of the Sisters of Bon Secours Associates and frequent retreat presenter. Amy graciously facilitates the weekly Centering Prayer schedule for the Retreat & Conference Center too. These sessions are being held in a virtual format and you just have to email Amy for the link and instructions. Click here and scroll to the next session for more information. Now, let's take a quiet moment to reflect on this beautiful quote from Henri Nouwen…
