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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260705T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260705T170000
DTSTAMP:20260427T152446
CREATED:20260407T151532Z
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UID:12550-1783267200-1783270800@bonsecoursrcc.org
SUMMARY:Celebrate America Concert
DESCRIPTION:Witness Tree Reunion Presents: An American Folk Journey   \nTravel through 250 years of American folk song with father and daughter folk duo Witness Tree Reunion. The program will highlight American folk\, folk-rock\, and bluegrass favorites from the American Revolution to the 21st century\, featuring songs by Paul Simon\, Woodie Guthrie\, James Taylor\, Joan Baez\, and more. \nMusicians Matt and Maddy Miskie\, a father and daughter folk duo hailing from Central Pennsylvania and Central Maryland\, bring a spirit of nostalgia\, connection\, and fun to their live performances through thoughtfully crafted programs. “Witness Trees” of many kinds exist all around the world. Some are living witnesses to a specific historical event. Some are denizens\, designated as special meeting places\, and still others may be specific to family. Thus\, Witness Tree Reunion performances take audiences on an evocative musical journey to special places in time. Join us as we commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with a musical celebration! \nThis is a free event\, but a free-will offering will be taken. Donations collected the day of the event will be shared between the performers and the ministries of the Sisters of Bon Secours. (Donations made via the registration form below will NOT be included as part of the free-will offering.) The concert will last about an hour. \nRegistration is required for this free event. Space is limited! \nMatt Miskie has been on the road sharing stories and songs for the better part of 45 years. His entertaining songs and stories have delighted audiences of all ages. He is a life-long advocate for the environment\, preservation of wild places\, social justice\, and arts in education. \n As a crossover singer\, Maddy Miskie-Jaeger draws from multiple vocal disciplines and musical genres to present heartfelt concert and recital programs centered around meaningful topics and themes. Her passion for continuous learning and teaching about the human instrument (mind\, body\, voice and spirit) led her to found Windsong Voice and Yoga\, her private studio based in Central Maryland where she offers 1:1 instruction in voice and yoga. It is also her great pleasure to serve the community by offering public yoga and myofascial release classes and workshops at The Yoga Center of Columbia. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and Continuing Education Provider through Yoga Alliance (YACEP). She is a proud member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing\, Yoga Alliance\, and the Business Women’s Network of Howard County\, and a proud alumna of The Eastman School of Music and the University of Maryland.
URL:https://bonsecoursrcc.org/event/celebrate-america-concert-2/
LOCATION:Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center\, 1525 Marriottsville Road\, Marriottsville\, MD\, 21104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concerts,Just Added
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260706T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260710T130000
DTSTAMP:20260427T152446
CREATED:20250924T194730Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260305T165518Z
UID:3837-1783353600-1783688400@bonsecoursrcc.org
SUMMARY:Living the Legacy of Bon Secours: Service as a Spiritual Practice (formerly called Bon Secours Charism Retreat)
DESCRIPTION:Where wisdom meets service\, and service becomes prayer. \nThere are seasons in life when something changes — retirement\, a shift in career\, a move\, an empty nest\, or simply the growing sense that you are being invited into a new chapter. Such moments can bring freedom\, but also deeper questions: Who am I now? Where is my purpose? How can my gifts still matter? \nRooted in the Bon Secours charism of healing\, compassion\, and liberation\, this retreat offers space to pause\, reflect\, and discern. Inspired by the spirit of the Sisters of Bon Secours\, participants will explore how service becomes a way of living with presence and intention. Together we will consider how healing begins with attentive presence\, how compassion deepens through listening\, and how liberation emerges when we release former roles and discover new meaning. We’ll embrace life’s transitions as a “rewirement” — a sacred reorientation of heart and mind toward purpose\, service\, and grace. \nThroughout the retreat\, participants will experience: \n\nGuided prayer and spiritual reflection\nSmall-group conversation and shared stories\nQuiet personal discernment time\nOpportunities to learn about and engage in hands-on service work within Bon Secours ministries\n\nCheck-in begins at 4pm. There will be a brief welcome session at 5:30pm\, followed by dinner at 6pm. The retreat begins after dinner at 7pm on Monday and concludes after lunch on Friday. Details have not yet been finalized\, but the retreat may include trips off campus to service sites. Transportation will be provided. Registrants will be required to complete additional paperwork and waivers to participate.
URL:https://bonsecoursrcc.org/event/bon-secours-charism-retreat/
LOCATION:MD
CATEGORIES:Just Added,Overnight
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260712T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T113000
DTSTAMP:20260427T152446
CREATED:20250811T135111Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260404T225343Z
UID:11574-1783872000-1784374200@bonsecoursrcc.org
SUMMARY:Silent Directed Retreat - July 2026
DESCRIPTION:An individually directed retreat focuses on the way God is active in the individual’s life\, and each retreat follows a uniquely personal path. Retreatants meet with a spiritual director once a day to reflect on God’s presence and movement in their life as revealed in prayer\, the events and relationships in their life\, and the response to God that is being made. The spiritual director may make suggestions (prayer forms\, Scripture\, reading materials\, etc.) to support and deepen the retreatant’s awareness of and response to God. Aside from the introductory session and daily spiritual direction meetings\, retreatants are on their own to experience a week of quiet\, peace\, and personal reflection in the Retreat Center and around our beautiful grounds. Mass will be available throughout the week. \nThis is a silent retreat. Check-in begins at 4pm\, and the retreat will begin with an orientation session at 5pm. Silence will begin after dinner. The retreat ends before lunch on Saturday. \nPlease indicate your preference for a spiritual director in the “Special Needs” part of the online registration form. \nJoanne Cahoon\, D.Min. holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies\, master’s degree in Religion/Pastoral Ministry\, graduate certificates in spiritual direction and in spirituality studies\, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago\, where her specialization was spirituality and practical theology. Along the way\, Joanne has taught in elementary\, secondary\, undergraduate\, and graduate school settings. She has also served as youth minister\, high school campus minister\, consultant\, writer\, national trainer\, diocesan staff member\, staff member of a graduate school\, spiritual director\, facilitator of retreats\, and professional coach. Joanne has welcomed and worked with many individuals and groups\, serving them as they listen for God’s invitations in their personal and corporate lives. She finds it a privilege to be involved in spiritual and human formation — bringing deep listening\, presence\, creativity\, and a commitment to her own ongoing formation to her work. \nAmy Sorensen Kulesa\, M.Div.\, MSW is a spiritual director\, retreat leader and certified Introspective Breathwork™ facilitator. She earned a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University. She is a graduate of Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality\, Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute\, and One Breath Institute. Immersed in both the Bon Secours and Franciscan charisms\, Amy enjoys facilitating retreats in which participants have the opportunity to discern the narrative of their own lives within the larger story of God’s abundant healing\, grace\, and mercy. \nSr. Jo-Ann Flora\, a native Philadelphian\, is a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and resides in the Washington\, DC area. She serves as a spiritual director\, meeting individuals in person and virtually\, and a retreat director. Originally trained by the Jesuits as a director of the Spiritual Exercises\, she has engaged in retreat ministry since 1980 in many spirituality centers\, parishes\, and schools. She is also a certified Music Imagery (MI) facilitator and Focusing facilitator. She served as Coordinator of Notre Dame de Namur Associates in the mid-Atlantic region for fifteen years. She holds a master’s degree from Georgetown University and a doctoral degree from the University of California. \nSr. Jean Marie Holup\, SS.C.M.\, a Sister of Saints Cyril and Methodius\, has previously ministered as the Director of St. Cyril Spiritual Center in Danville\, PA  for the past 20 years. Before that time Jean was on staff at Bon Secours Spiritual Center in Marriottsville\, MD from 1996 -1999. She is the proud recipient of a master’s degree in Christian Spirituality in 1995 from Creighton University\, Omaha\, NE\, and did her practicum at the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth in Wernersville\, PA. Jean has the privilege of being a spiritual director involved in retreat work on the East Coast\, in several Mid-Western States\, and in Nova Scotia\, Canada. She has been giving retreats at Mercy Center in CT\, and Gonzaga Eastern Point Jesuit retreat house in Gloucester\, MA. An experienced spiritual director\, she has witnessed the profound insights discovered through the working of the Holy Spirit during each person’s spiritual journey. Jean is currently the Director of Formation for her Congregation. She enjoys singing\, dream work\, creating sacred life patterns with collage\, and taking walks in nature.  \nFr. Michael Schleupner’s schedule of directees is full. Please choose one of our other excellent directors. Fr. Michael Schleupner\, JCL was ordained in 1972 and has been a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore for fifty-three years. For the past eight years\, he has devoted himself to a ministry of spirituality. This includes spiritual direction\, some retreats or retreat days\, sacramental assistance at a parish\, and a weekly electronic spirituality column called Inbox Inspirations which one can receive at no cost (fathermikeinbox@gmail.com). Fr. Michael’s Sunday homilies are also available at www.fathermikeschleupner.blogspot.com. His weekend Mass schedule is on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FatherMikeSchleupner). Fr. Michael offers spiritual direction at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Parkton\, at the Caritas Counseling Center in Lutherville\, and at the Saint Luke Institute in Silver Spring. He is a graduate of the Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute. In recent years\, he has also done studies in spirituality and secularism.
URL:https://bonsecoursrcc.org/event/silent-directed-retreat-july-2026/
LOCATION:MD
CATEGORIES:Just Added,Overnight,Silent
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260717T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260719T113000
DTSTAMP:20260427T152446
CREATED:20250925T112207Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T112207Z
UID:11871-1784304000-1784460600@bonsecoursrcc.org
SUMMARY:May Stillness Be Your Companion
DESCRIPTION:Given the busyness of our work\, summer activities\, and more\, you are invited to come and allow holy stillness to become the invited guest at your table. We will let Psalm 46 inform our contemplative time of silence\, along with experiences of lectio divina\, journaling\, and how to be a companion to stillness. The contemplative practices will invite us to define and welcome stillness as a rhythm of life. How can we encounter stillness for the rest of the calendar year? Let the gift of being in community embrace the attributes of stillness. Guided by Sandra Dorsainvil. \nCheck-in begins at 4pm. There will be a brief welcome session at 5:30pm\, followed by dinner at 6pm. The retreat begins after dinner at 7pm on Friday and concludes before lunch on Sunday. Mass will be available Sunday morning for those who wish to attend. \nRev. Sandra Dorsainvil is an ordained minister with the American Baptist Churches\, USA. She serves as a ministry coach and women’s group retreat facilitator with the Center for Career Development & Ministry. Rev. Sandra offers ministry coaching accompaniment to clergy and BIPOC women through her private consulting agency\, CONNECT-SD\, LLC. Her bilingual abilities in English and French and experiences living in Africa\, Europe\, and North America offer a unique cross-cultural approach to clients and organizations. She has graduate degrees in pastoral ministry from Boston College and in rehabilitation counseling and psychology from Boston University. She is an ICF coach certified. She has completed Level 1 of Group Spiritual Direction and the Transforming Community program at The Shalem Institute. Rev. Sandra brings over 35 years of human services\, including mental health and disability advocacy\, group retreat facilitation\, and pastorate\, national\, and international ministry engagements. Rev. Sandra is a published author of several books in English and in Spanish. The ministry of deep listening and presence is a core element in her work\, and she makes sure participants in her retreats and one-on-one coaching sessions are seen\, heard\, and covered in prayers.
URL:https://bonsecoursrcc.org/event/may-stillness-be-your-companion/
LOCATION:MD
CATEGORIES:Just Added,Overnight
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260717T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260719T160000
DTSTAMP:20260427T152446
CREATED:20260210T154552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T153002Z
UID:12252-1784304000-1784476800@bonsecoursrcc.org
SUMMARY:Bon Secours Studio Weekend
DESCRIPTION:Studio space + pool = perfect summer weekend. Join fellow artists and makers of all types for a “séjour artistique” — a retreat-stay focused on art. You’ll have your own workstation in a community space from 4pm Friday through 4pm Sunday. That’s 48 hours of Bon Secours hospitality…so you have nothing to do but create. Work outside too on one of the picnic tables or a bench by the pond. Optional sessions on helpful topics will be offered such as Color 101 and Visual Prayer. The weekend closes with an invitation to share your work. Open to all experience levels and all media except oil-based paints. \nCheck-in begins at 4pm. There will be a brief welcome session at 5:30pm\, followed by dinner at 6pm. Mass will be available Sunday morning for those who wish to attend. The retreat concludes at 4pm Sunday. Guided by Tara Mulder. \nTara Mulder realized she was an artist while painting a still life at the age of 15. Recreating the weathered wood grain of an old sled had such a joyful rightness about it that she knew an artist was who God made her to be. Fast forward through several years as a high school art teacher and a variety of creative day jobs\, and Tara is still creating art with a sense of joyful rightness using a mosaic technique she developed. Her work\, both faith-themed and non-objective\, has been featured in juried and solo shows. For more about Tara and her current body of work\, visit TMulder.studio.
URL:https://bonsecoursrcc.org/event/bon-secours-studio-weekend-july/
LOCATION:MD
CATEGORIES:Just Added,Overnight
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T153000
DTSTAMP:20260427T152446
CREATED:20250925T112322Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T112322Z
UID:11875-1784381400-1784388600@bonsecoursrcc.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Caregiver's Support Group - July
DESCRIPTION:Soul Care of Self for Caregivers: A Bi-Monthly Spiritual Support Group on Zoom \nScheduled for varying Saturdays every other calendar month (January\, March\, May\, July\, September\, November)\, this two-hour online program is an invitation for caregivers of all types to converge and engage in a safe\, sacred community and with various spiritual practices around a topic relevant to the caregiver experience. Each session will include time for a spiritual practice (including body prayer\, silence\, mantras\, etc.)\, personal reflection\, and group sharing. \nThe underlying focus for each gathering will be on creating meaning for each one’s respective journey while uncovering blessings and cultivating what each participant needs the most at that station in their caregiving. The topics explored will flow from what is expressed by participants during scheduled sessions and feedback. Various resources and materials for further consideration\, connection\, and support will be provided during and in between sessions. \nParticipants are not required to register for all bi-monthly sessions but are encouraged to attend as many as desire and availability allow. When registering for this virtual program\, please provide the email address to which we should send the Zoom Meeting link. If you don’t receive the Zoom Meeting information by the day before the session\, please contact the Welcome Center at 410-442-3120. \nGordon Creamer\, MA\, creator of the Mission Bridge\, currently serves as Program Director at Well for the Journey\, a spiritual wellness center in Lutherville\, MD. As a creative and contemplative builder\, he has held leadership roles in healthcare programming and operations since 2001 at various assisted living\, skilled nursing\, and hospice communities. He earned a Master of Arts in Spiritual & Pastoral Care from Loyola University and a Master of Arts in Theology from the Ecumenical Institute of St. Mary’s Seminary & University. Currently\, he is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry Program at the Ecumenical Institute. Gordon has facilitated numerous retreats and workshops that focus on creating opportunities for participants to explore and enhance their spirituality and well-being through various media and formats. He also participates as a peer group leader in the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation’s Transforming Community Program. His passions include uplifting the journey of adults\, individuals with memory impairment\, and members of the LGBTQ+ community\, as well as fostering support groups and programs for caregivers and those who are grieving losses. Trained as a spiritual director/companion\, end-of-life doula\, and Reiki practitioner\, Gordon welcomes all in discovering the spiritual life as a means of healing\, expanding\, and flourishing. For more information\, visit TheMissionBridge.com.  \n 
URL:https://bonsecoursrcc.org/event/virtual-caregivers-support-group-july-2/
LOCATION:MD
CATEGORIES:Just Added,Virtual
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260723T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260723T160000
DTSTAMP:20260427T152446
CREATED:20250925T112946Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T112946Z
UID:11877-1784799000-1784822400@bonsecoursrcc.org
SUMMARY:Creator and the Cosmos — DAY Retreat Option
DESCRIPTION:It seems that the dawning of each new day brings with it another discovery of the immensity and complexity of our cosmos. With each finding\, the awesomeness of our creator becomes ever clearer. In the words of the title song by Rich Mullins\, “Our God is an Awesome God!” During this day of meditation\, we will have the opportunity to engage with our creator and the cosmos through visio divina and audio divina. Similar to lectio divina\, which focuses on scripture\, visio divina focuses on sacred seeing. It is an ancient form of prayer involving meditating through sight. It invites one to engage with an image in a way that will move our minds and hearts to the presence of God. In addition\, there will be recordings of sounds from space so we may enter into audio divina. These forms of prayer will encourage us to sharpen our senses of seeing and hearing as a way to connect with the divine\, deepening our awareness of God and God’s love. The day will include communal prayer\, meditation\, visio divina\, and audio divina\, as well as free time to journal\, walk with nature\, or simply rest in the presence of our God. Lunch is included. Guided by Donna Bilek. \nThere is also an overnight option for this retreat. If you would like to stay overnight as part of the Creator and the Cosmos Retreat\, please see details below for “Creator and the Cosmos — Overnight Option” and register for your preferred option. \nDonna Bilek\, a 2018 graduate of the Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute\, is a spiritual director and companion with over fifteen years’ experience. As an Associate with the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND)\, she serves on the Ongoing Personal Development in Community Committee for the SSNDs\, presenting reflections and prayer on various topics\, including grief and loss. Donna teaches and guides prayer at “earthwalk Center for Wholeness\,” which she founded in 2005. For thirteen years\, Donna taught Spirituality\, Biblical Studies\, and Death and Dying at Notre Dame of Maryland University. She has a master’s degree in Theology from St. Mary’s Seminary & University.
URL:https://bonsecoursrcc.org/event/creator-and-the-cosmos-day-retreat-option/
LOCATION:MD
CATEGORIES:Daytime,Just Added,Nature
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260723T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260724T113000
DTSTAMP:20260427T152446
CREATED:20250925T113307Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T113307Z
UID:11880-1784799000-1784892600@bonsecoursrcc.org
SUMMARY:Creator and the Cosmos — OVERNIGHT Option
DESCRIPTION:It seems that the dawning of each new day brings with it another discovery of the immensity and complexity of our cosmos. With each finding\, the awesomeness of our creator becomes ever clearer. In the words of the title song by Rich Mullins\, “Our God is an Awesome God!” During this day of meditation\, we will have the opportunity to engage with our creator and the cosmos through visio divina and audio divina. Similar to lectio divina\, which focuses on scripture\, visio divina focuses on sacred seeing. It is an ancient form of prayer involving meditating through sight. It invites one to engage with an image in a way that will move our minds and hearts to the presence of God. In addition\, there will be recordings of sounds from space so we may enter into audio divina. These forms of prayer will encourage us to sharpen our senses of seeing and hearing as a way to connect with the divine\, deepening our awareness of God and God’s love. The day will include communal prayer\, meditation\, visio divina\, and audio divina\, as well as free time to journal\, walk with nature\, or simply rest in the presence of our God. Lunch is included. Guided by Donna Bilek. \nThe main part of this retreat will take place on Thursday from 9:30am-4pm\, with lunch included. The overnight option also includes lodging\, dinner on Thursday\, and breakfast on Friday. There will be optional stargazing on Thursday night and morning meditation and prayer on Friday. The retreat ends before lunch on Friday. Check-out is at 11am. \nThere is also a day-only option for this retreat on July 23 from 9:30am-4pm. Please see details for “Creator and the Cosmos — Day Retreat Option” above and register for your preferred option. \nDonna Bilek\, a 2018 graduate of the Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute\, is a spiritual director and companion with over fifteen years’ experience. As an Associate with the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND)\, she serves on the Ongoing Personal Development in Community Committee for the SSNDs\, presenting reflections and prayer on various topics\, including grief and loss. Donna teaches and guides prayer at “earthwalk Center for Wholeness\,” which she founded in 2005. For thirteen years\, Donna taught Spirituality\, Biblical Studies\, and Death and Dying at Notre Dame of Maryland University. She has a master’s degree in Theology from St. Mary’s Seminary & University.
URL:https://bonsecoursrcc.org/event/creator-and-the-cosmos-overnight-option/
LOCATION:MD
CATEGORIES:Daytime,Just Added,Nature
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260725T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260801T130000
DTSTAMP:20260427T152446
CREATED:20250723T053244Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T144226Z
UID:11546-1784995200-1785589200@bonsecoursrcc.org
SUMMARY:8-Day Ignatian Silent Directed Retreat
DESCRIPTION:New in 2026: The 8-Day Ignatian Silent Directed Retreat will be the only group in-house at the Retreat Center during these dates! \nThe Ignatian Directed Retreat will be privileged time for you to deepen your relationship with God. You will be assigned a trained spiritual director with whom you will meet briefly each day to discern the movements of God in your life as revealed through your prayer. \nThe “direction” of directed retreats is that of discovering and exploring your own journey in faith and life and what path better helps you go in the direction you seek and Jesus invites. Embedded in the tradition of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola\, your retreat is made with a retreat director who supports\, listens\, and has made the journey before. For those who are able\, daily walks with Ignatian teachings will also be available. Aside from these daily conversations and the time you set aside for your own personal prayer\, your retreat time is unstructured. Mass will be available throughout the week. \nThis is a silent retreat. Check-in begins at 4pm\, and the retreat will begin with an orientation session at 5pm. The retreat will end after lunch on Saturday. \nPlease indicate your preference for a spiritual director in the “Special Needs” part of the online registration form. \nJoy Aker\, MA is a spiritual director\, labyrinth facilitator\, and a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She has a master’s degree in Spirituality from St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore. She was also trained in Ignatian Spirituality and the Ignatian Exercises at Ignatius Jesuit Center in Guelph\, Ontario. Her focus is on helping others to develop a holistic spirituality which looks to wholeness in body\, mind\, and spirit. Joy also has a great interest in assisting others as they deepen their relationship with God through individual spiritual direction and group retreats.   \nNancy Bickel has served as a hospice nurse and as a nurse in psychiatry. She has a master’s in Pastoral Care and Spirituality\, has studied Ignatian Spirituality\, and is a certified spiritual director. She has been serving as a spiritual director since 2004. Nancy is a member of the Secular Carmelite Order and is a wife\, mother to three daughters\, and grandmother to three teenagers. She enjoys living on a small farm in Maryland. \nFr. Patrick Bergquist\, M.Div. spent nearly 20 years as a missionary along the Yukon River in Northern Alaska\, but now explores a wilderness far less chartered — that of the human spirit and soul. A diocesan priest of Fairbanks\, he holds a Master of Divinity degree from St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore and Certificates in Spiritual Direction from the Heychia School in Tucson\, Arizona and the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University in Chicago\, where he specialized in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Additionally\, he earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Literary Arts from the University of Alaska Anchorage. He’s a poet\, a spiritual memoirist\, and the author of The Long Dark Winter’s Night: Reflections of a Priest in a Time of Pain and Privilege\, as well as various articles in publications such as Spiritual Life and American Magazine. \nPaul Gallagher\, D.Min. is a longtime faith formation leader in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is currently the Director of Faith Formation at Sacred Heart Parish in Glyndon. He received his doctorate at Catholic University of America\, focusing on the positive effects Ignatian Spirituality can have on a person’s health and well-being. His blog\, makingallthingsnew.com\, has been viewed by thousands of people all over the world. Through his retreats\, blog posts\, and spiritual direction\, he looks to help people transform their lives by integrating Ignatian practices into their daily routines. Paul used the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius to get his own health back on track and looks forward to helping you with your transformation. \nElaine Ireland\, MA is a spiritual director\, retreat leader\, and writer with over 20 years in Christian ministry. She has a Master of Arts in Spiritual and Pastoral Care from Loyola University and has led numerous people through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Everyday Life\, as well as companioning others on their spiritual journeys. She writes weekly scripture reflections; for the past 17 years\, she has written Come and See in ordinary time and Provisions for the Journey during Advent and Lent\, both of which can be found on a Dominican website called Preacher (PreacherExchange.com/comeandsee.htm). She is passionate about world and indigenous faith practices\, inspirational poetry and music\, and how we are to live Christ’s calling in the 21st century. \nDee Papania\, D.Min. began her career in professional ministry over 23 years ago and continues to serve at St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Church in Woodstock\, Maryland. Previously filling roles as Pastoral Associate\, Director of Faith Formation\, Director of the Center for Ignatian Spirituality\, and coordinator for the parish’s Retreat Directors Team\, in September 2018 she was appointed Parish Life Director by Archbishop Lori. Her academic accomplishments include a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies\, master’s degrees in Theology and Church Management\, and a Doctor of Ministry degree. She is a trained Spiritual Director in the tradition of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. She has completed formation through the Jesuit/Lay Collaborative (now called the Office of Ignatian Spirituality) and has taught in the Archdiocesan Equip for Ministry Program.  \nThe Reverend Stephen Wade is a friend of Bon Secours of nearly twenty-five years\, as well a retired parish priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. During Steve’s tenure as Rector of Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill in Alexandria (1995 to 2006)\, a special interest in Ignatian spirituality arose out of the daily responsibilities of parish ministry. One outcome from that early Ignatian interest was to join Martha Campbell at Bon Secours to form a retreat team focused entirely on Ignatian prayer. Connections from that team led Steve to engage with staff at Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation (Bethesda\, MD)\, the Loyola House/Ignatian Jesuit Center (Guelph\, Ontario)\, and Loyola Retreat House (Faulkner\, MD). From that first Bon Secours team\, Marilyn Merikangus introduced Steve to the Ignatian Retreat Team at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown\, where he continues to serve. On retiring from parish ministry in 2006\, Steve accepted an invitation from Bishop Peter Lee of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia to help form\, and then to lead\, a program on “Discernment for Leadership — Lay and Ordained” in the Episcopal Diocese. A native of St. Louis\, Steve has served parishes in the Dioceses of New York\, Connecticut\, Massachusetts\, Chicago\, and Virginia. He trained in the work of spiritual direction and retreat leadership at the Weston School of Theology (Cambridge\, MA) and Loyola House/Ignatian Jesuit Center (Guelph\, Ontario). Steve completed a 30-day retreat with Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises at the Eastern Point Retreat House (Gloucester\, MA) in 1999. He looks forward to returning to Bon Secours for the Ignatian Directed Retreat in July 2026. \nCathy Whitaker\, MS\, MSN\, RN\, is a student of Ignatian Spirituality and a trained Spiritual Director with strong listening and collaboration skills\, relevant experience\, and a deep sense of compassion. She is committed to accompanying individuals as they develop and deepen their relationship with the Lord. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Gwynedd Mercy University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Villanova University\, in addition to a Masters of Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University. Her interests include traveling\, gardening\, cooking\, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
URL:https://bonsecoursrcc.org/event/8-day-ignatian-directed-retreat-2026/
LOCATION:MD
CATEGORIES:Just Added,Overnight,Silent
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