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 Jen Murphy, Manager of Retreats & Events at the Center. Let's read about how she's lifting her spirits right now. Breaking the Rules to Find the Light I am what you would call a Christmas enthusiast. I love everything Christmas...the special church services, songs, movies, pageants and the decorations. I enjoy finding the perfect gifts for family members, driving around looking at lights, the smell of Christmas cookies in the oven and the many special…
Today's post comes from retreat presenter, Susan Boruff. Let's read about her lessons from scripture that encourage us to examine our hearts with compassion. Love in Action “Whatever arises, love that.” Matt Kahn Give yourself permission to spend some time with God. You might want to light a candle to remind you that God is in you and around you, the light of the world and the Light within us-Christ in you. St. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:7 that…
Today's post is based on a recent homily that Fr. Michael Schleupner gave at Mass for the Sisters of Bon Secours. Let's prayerfully read this lesson from scripture and remember to welcome all of God's children into our hearts. Including Others for Spiritual Wholeness Readings: Philippians 1:1-11, Luke 14:1-6 This morning I want to point out two details in the gospel. And I think each detail has some lesson for us. First, today we see the fourth time in Luke’s…
Today, we pause for a quiet prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit into our hearts. Will you take a few moments in silence...light a candle...breathe deeply in and out and pray with us? Come, Holy Spirit, and fill my heart with Your gifts. Let my love be true and my charity be generous. Help me in all my needs, and grant me knowledge to do what is right. Advise me in my doubts, strengthen me in my weakness, protect me…
Oftentimes when we're catching up with friends or family members, we hear that their hearts are heavy with all that is going on in the world. Sometimes it's difficult to find words of comfort when the pandemic is so stressful for everyone. Today, we offer this poetic prayer, a blessing, that you can share with others. May it offer care and comfort to those with whom you share it. What is a blessing but a rain of grace falling…
Today's blog features Fr. Michael Schleupner's continuation of the Pope Francis series. Although many of us cannot gather in our churches right now, we hope that you feel the community of believers around you and maybe you can even reach out to members of your community today. Pope Francis - 2 Dear Friends, Pope Francis emphasizes faith as a “personal encounter with Jesus Christ.” He is also very clear that this encounter is made possible through the faith community,…
Today we pause for peace and calm. Let's take a quiet moment to "walk" around the grounds of the Center, admiring the colors around us. Will you pray with us? Prayer for Peace and Calm Dear Lord and Father of humankind, Forgive our foolish ways; Reclothe us in our rightful mind, In purer lives Thy service find, In deeper reverence, praise. Drop Thy still dews of quietness, Till all our strivings cease; Take from our souls the strain and stress,…
Entering November, we reflect on the many changes that occur this month, even when the pandemic persists. Let us pause to acknowledge what is coming, to focus on the gratitude of the season and to welcome the healing of our mind, body and spirit that God can provide. A Prayer for November November. The changing of the seasons. The coming of winter. The calendar year ending. The church year beginning. We remember the saints as November begins. We give thanks…
Today, on All Saints' Day, we recognize the many saints we've learned about through scripture and writings from history. We also honor those whom we've personally lost over the last year. 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…
As election day approaches, many of us are overwhelmed by the tension amongst voters. We offer today's prayer as a way to give our election fears and anxiety over to God. May we focus on the gratitude for the opportunity to vote, a common ground that we can all find comfort in. Let us pray... Prayer for the Election Year of a President God of mercy, our nation is in a time of great transition. With all of the injustice…
