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 reflection is the third in a series by Fr. Michael Schleupner. Let's take a few moments to learn about his thoughts on prayer and then you can practice these methods after. Spirituality – Part 3 Dear Friends, Last week I reflected on faith as the first core element of spirituality. Today my attention turns to prayer as the next core element. Fundamentally, prayer is our consciously or intentionally being with God. Some kind of personal prayer needs to be…
As most of us still mourn the loss of being together in community for worship, this prayer provides a wonderful vision of uniting across the world. Please take a moment to recognize God's presence and pray for peace and unity with us... United in Your Love Almighty God, who are mother and father to us all, Look upon your planet Earth divided. Help us to know that we are all your children, That all nations belong to one great family,…
Today's reflection is another great post by author Mary DeTurris Poust. Although we have officially entered the summer season, this is a wonderful spring reflection with spiritual insights that can be applied to any season. Let's take a quiet moment to read... Falling for spring in a season of fear by Mary DeTurris Poust on May 6, 2020 For my entire life, whenever someone asked me to name my favorite season, I would say, without any hesitation, “fall!” There was…
Many of us have heavy hearts during this time of great uncertainty. Let's take a moment to lift up this prayer together. May you feel God's presence today and always. Overcoming Life's Hardships O Lord, we call upon You in our time of sorrow, that You give us the strength and will to bear our heavy burdens, until we can again feel the warmth and love of Your divine compassion. Be mindful of us and have mercy on us while…
Fr. Michael Schleupner offers today's spiritual post. Let's take a quiet moment to reflect on these wise words... Our Fears About twenty-five years ago, I had an injury to my neck and my doctor sent me for an MRI. I was afraid and dreading this – having to lie down motionless in that narrow, enclosed tube. As soon as I got in there, I felt a bit claustrophobic and I quickly decided to do two things: keep my eyes closed…
Today's post is by an upcoming presenter, spiritual author Mary DeTurris Poust. We're so excited to host her next summer for a weekend retreat. More details will be posted on our website soon. Mary shares a recent blog with us here... Spiritual truth is always right on time by Mary DeTurris Poust on June 13, 2020 For the past two months, I’ve been receiving emails and private messages from folks who read Rejoice and Be Glad, my book of daily…
God of justice, In your wisdom you create all people in your image, without exception. Through your goodness, open our eyes to see the dignity, beauty, and worth of every human being. Open our minds to understand that all your children are brothers and sisters in the same human family. Open our hearts to repent of racist attitudes, behaviors, and speech which demean others. Open our ears to hear the cries of those wounded by racial discrimination, and their passionate…
Prayer for Conscience and Courage Loving God, lead us beyond ourselves to care and protect, to nourish and shape, to challenge and energize both the life and the world You have given us. God of light and God of darkness, God of conscience and God of courage lead us through this time of spiritual confusion and public uncertainty. Lead us beyond fear, apathy and defensiveness to new hope in You and to hearts full of faith. Give us the conscience…
We are so grateful for all of Fr. Michael Schleupner's contributions to our blog. Fr. Michael will be with us for our August Directed Retreat and we look forward to seeing him! Many of us are missing our time at church and receiving communion. While we wait for the day when those doors open again, let's contemplate what it will mean to us. Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ The food that Jesus gave us at the Last…
Today's post is a beautiful reflection compiled by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Spend a few moments today with scripture, song and poetry as we invite the Spirit in. 'It’s Where You Need to Be’ Reflection for Week of June 15, 2020 Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it. ~ Jeremiah 6: 16 As we listen to the cries of the world surrounding us each day,…
