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 was shared by Amy Kulesa, the Director of the Sisters of Bon Secours Associates. Amy is a frequent retreat presenter at our Center too and will be with us for a special Advent weekend retreat in December. You can learn more about it by clicking here. Now, let's take a few quiet moments to read these words from Henri Nouwen about God's love. Knowing God’s heart means consistently, radically, and very concretely to announce and reveal that God…
Today's post is the continuation of last week's blog from retreat presenter Susan Boruff. Susan shares insights from scripture about meditation and then provides a video at the bottom that can walk you through a 12 minute meditation. We hope that you'll join us. Cultivating Silence By: Susan Boruff As we learned in last week's post, the Desert Mothers and Fathers sought God in the solitude and silence of the deserts in Syria and Egypt. They escaped the busyness and…
After over six months of precautions and pressures from the pandemic, many of us are seeking a calming peace. We hope that you'll be able to pause for this prayer and meditation from the Catholic Health Association today, providing renewed strength and hope. For Peace in Anxiety During the Coronavirus Pandemic Loving God, we come to you full of anxiety about what may happen in the coming days and weeks. Shower us with the peace Jesus promised to his disciples,…
Today's post is a prayer from Joyce Rupp, OSM. Do you know someone who is in need of physical, emotional or spiritual healing? Why not reach out to them with this beautiful prayer for healing? Just reading it may spark a bit of strength and faith that they need today. A Blessing for Healing May the ever-present love of family and friends sustain and support you, especially in those times when you feel alone and lonely. May you accept your…
Today's post is shared by one of our retreat presenters, Susan Boruff. At this point in the pandemic, many of us are becoming more busy again as activities resume. Are you craving times of silence? Let's learn more about how solitude can improve many areas of our life. Silence By: Susan Boruff “The key to action that knows and cares for the other is to know and care for ourselves. Spending time in solitude is never selfish. It is ultimately…
Today's post is a reflection from Fr. Michael Schleupner. Fr. Mike is a frequent presenter at our Center and we look forward hosting him next summer for one of our directed retreats. You can learn more about that retreat here. Let's take a few quiet moments to read Fr. Mike's words today. Dear Friends, I have often wondered about Jesus' words: "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." That is really challenging. Let's face it: we will never arrive at the point…
Today's post is shared by upcoming presenter Sr. Chris Koellhoffer, IHM. We are excited to be able to host her in 2022 for a Lenten retreat. Her blog 'Mining the Now: Uncovering the Sacred in the Dailiness of Life' features many inspiring reflections from nature like this. As the seasons are changing and we're noticing God's brushstrokes in the fall colors we thought you would enjoy reading this reflection about lessons from nature. The Expectations of Beauty Let’s hear it…
Our annual Women's Wellness retreat was held last weekend and although it was different with our face masks and social distancing, everyone really enjoyed their time together at the Center! Andrea Springer gave insightful and humorous presentations about the importance of being present and she shared how we can incorporate daily practices into our lives each day. Do you use meditation, purpose statements or prayerful practices like mandalas to remind you to be grateful for each moment, even during this…
Today's reflection honors the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Many of us have watched her public ceremonies this week, the first woman and first Jewish person to lay in state. We mourn this great loss, a legacy that will live on for many generations to come. Take a moment with us to read these traditional Jewish prayers with us. "… If I raise my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come? My help comes from ADONAI,…
The season is changing here at the Retreat & Conference Center. We have all appreciated the brisk mornings and cooler evenings as summer says goodbye. The fall leaves will display their glorious transformation very soon! It's a favorite season for all on our campus. Let's take a quiet moment in gratitude for the beauty of autumn. Golden Leaves We see signs of summer's passing in golden leaves, shortening days, misty mornings, autumn glow. We sense its passing in rain that…
