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’.
In addition to serving as the Director of the Associates for the Sisters of Bon Secours, Amy Kulesa also leads some of our retreats at the Retreat & Conference Center. She oversees and often facilitates our weekly Centering Prayer sessions and this December she’ll be leading a Centering Prayer weekend retreat during the Advent season. You can click here to learn more about her. Let's read Amy's thoughts about the quarantine and what we all may be able to gain…
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious, other faith organizations and mayors across the United States are recognizing today as a day of prayer for the over 100,000 lives lost to the Coronavirus. On this National Day of Mourning and Lament we can remember those who have passed with moments of silence, lowering of flags, interfaith vigils, and civic memorials. Today at noon local time, all are encouraged to pause to remember those who have died. It will be appropriate for…
Sr. Bernie Claps is the Formation Director for the Sisters of Bon Secours and she also provides spiritual companionship and direction for many of the Retreat and Conference Center guests. Sr. Bernie shares this reflection as we prepare our hearts for Pentecost. Promise Fulfilled “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate who will never leave you.” John 14:16 This promise made by Jesus to His deciples and to us was that He would send us…
Today's reflection has been submitted by our Guest Services Manager, Rose Kurtz. She has been missing the hustle and bustle of the normally busy Welcome Center. Like many of us, Rose has been spending a lot of the extra quiet time organizing things. Let's read about something special that she found. Faith & Hope During this Pandemic, I find myself cleaning, organizing and setting free many things in my home. I am not sure who this is from, but I…
Today we are sharing a wonderful post from another blog by Ignatian Spirituality. As the pandemic weeks have continued to add up, far beyond what most of us realized that we would be enduring when this started, we thought these reminders would be helpful. You can care for yourself and your spiritual life by applying these spiritual strategies to your daily life. Please take a few moments to read this important blog. https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/seven-spiritual-strategies-for-a-time-of-pandemic/
Today's reflection is brought by Fr. Michael Schleupner. We're so grateful for all of his shared wisdom through our blog! Let's take a few moments to read his thoughts about something many of us are missing and something we've had to add to our daily lives. For the Common Good Closed churches and masks – my focus for today! The governors of Maryland and of many states have significantly limited the number of people allowed at worship services during this…
Today's post is another insightful reflection and meditation from retreat presenters Susan Boruff and Kathy Anderson. We're so grateful for all of their submissions for our blog during this pandemic and look forward to being able to host them at the Center again soon. Let's take a few quiet moments to read this reflection by Susan and then watch the video at the end by Kathy. God In All Things By: Susan Boruff “We were born to manifest the glory…
Linda Culp is the friendly face that you see in the bookstore at our Center. In addition to helping guests select books and gifts, she also enjoys working in her home art studio where she paints in watercolor, acrylic and oil. She says, "Art has always been an important part of my life. My love for art prompted me to take workshops over the years to learn different techniques. As a child, all I ever wanted for Christmas was a…
Today, we remember the brave men and women who have given their lives throughout the history of our country. We honor them and pay our respects to those who miss them. Let's take a few minutes in prayer to remember them today... Hear Our Prayer This Day In the quiet sanctuaries of our own hearts, let each of us name and call on the One whose power over us is great and gentle, firm and forgiving, holy and healing ...…
You may have seen this story on the news or via social media. Fr. Michael Joncas is using his songwriting gifts during the pandemic. He previously composed the popular song "On Eagle's Wings" and now offers his new composition, "Shelter Me". Click here to watch a short news story about Fr. Michael. Here is a video of "Shelter Me", a beautiful performance by Paul Weisenburger. Let's take a few moments to listen to the words and music of the song.…
