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 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 -…
In December, the Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours welcomed Simone Blanchard as the Director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC). Simone shares with us a beautiful reflection of finding her place within the legacy of Bon Secours. Please join us in welcoming Simone! The photo included is Simone and her lovely family. Sometimes, we must look back to see the way forward. On November 1, 2024 (All Saints Day) Sister Rose Marie Jasinksi, Congregation Leader…
Our Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center is a ministry of the Sisters of Bon Secours. Yesterday marked their Foundation Day, the day when the first sisters took their vows on January 24, 1824 at the St. Sulpice Church in Paris, France. We are forever grateful for these 12 brave pioneers who formed the community that went on to share their ministry across the world. As we mark this special day, let's learn a little more about their rich history…
Today we are sharing a prayer from Prayers for the People: Things We Didn't Know We Could Say to God, a compilation of prayers written by Rev. Terry J. Stokes. This book has prayers for nearly every one and every experience. It even shares Rev. Stokes' process for writing a prayer and provides a how-to for us to write our own! It's poignant but will also make you smile. Join us in today's prayer about winter... For the Winter O God…
