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’.
To continue our Black History Month Friday series, today we are featuring the life of Bayard Rustin. Mr. Rustin was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. He was born into a Quaker home and grew up in a household of non-violence and civil rights activism. This upbringing lead him to become an adept strategist for the Civil Rights Movement. He worked closely with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and was a key organizer and strategist…
Fr. Michael Schleupner, one of our frequent retreat presenters and spiritual directors, offers an "Inbox Inspiration" on our blog today. Let's read about this practical story and the poignant lessons from Scripture that he shared recently. ...And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” ~ Luke 4:12 (taken from reading Luke 4:1-13) Temptation There is a story about a man who, let’s just say, had put on a few extra pounds. At the…
Each Friday of February, we are celebrating Black History Month! Today we are sharing about the life and ministry of Sr. Thea Bowman. Sr. Thea was the first black sister of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, an active part of the Civil Rights Movement, a singer, an educator, and an Evangelist. Sr. Thea spoke often about being Black within the Catholic Church and she was prolific in sharing her culture, heritage, customs, and joy with the Church and all…
Today's Ash Wednesday prayer is brought to us by Pastor Jenny Smith. Rev. Dr. Jenny Smith is the Lead Pastor at Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church in Sykesville, Maryland. Please take a few moments to quiet your heart and mind and then join us in reading... The ashes on my head are a reminder of God’s love for me. God promises that nothing can separate me from God. As you see my ashes, remember I am a child of God! …
With Lent approaching, we are taking today to focus on what we can do to deepen our faith. Often people will give something up for Lent but this poem challenges us to give something up AND take something up, too. What will you FAST from and FEAST on this season? Share in the comments. The Fast Life Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ dwelling in them. Fast from fear of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.…
Today we continue our Black History Month series with inspiring pieces from the beloved Maya Angelou. She was not only an incredibly gifted writer, but a civil rights activist too. "Equality" was written in 1990, yet that dream of equality is still yet to be fully achieved. The 2nd poem we're highlighting was written in 1995, entitled "Touched by An Angel" and focuses on something that can make her vision of equality possible, love. We hope you enjoy these beautiful…
Our labyrinth was installed in 1999 through Nature Sacred (formerly the TKF Foundation). Nature Sacred's mission is to create green spaces for all to enjoy and share the positive effects from spending time in nature. Our labyrinth is a fixture on our property with many guests building time for a labyrinth walk into their retreat schedule, or others coming here with the sole intention of journeying through the labyrinth. It is a blessing to so many and we are grateful…
Today is the International Day of Human Fraternity, a day recognizing the importance of embracing others of different races, cultures, religions, and castes. It began in early 2019 with Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayyeb drafting the "Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together" in response to growing discourse between people worldwide. The document sparked the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, which was comprised of international religious leaders, cultural leaders, and scholars, all…
Today, we honor the beginning of Black History Month by sharing a poem written long ago by Paul Laurence Dunbar and a brand new poem from the popular Amanda Gorman. Join us this month, as we honor African American poets each Friday. How do they inspire you? Please share with us in the comments. Sympathy I know what the caged bird feels, alas! When the sun is bright on the upland slopes; When the wind stirs soft through the springing…
Yesterday, all of the mininstries of the Sisters of Bon Secours came together for our annual employee recognition luncheon. This is time for us to come together in community and celebrate milestone anniversaries of our fellow employees. Please join us in celebrating Retreat and Conference Center employees that have reached milestone work anniversaries: Rose Kurtz, Manager of Guest Services - 15 years of service Kevin Cassidy, Director of Operations - 10 years of service William Green, Food Service Team -…
