Sisters of Bon Secours » Sisters Blog http://bonsecoursvocations.org God's call to serve begins here Thu, 24 May 2012 18:20:23 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Sister Mary James celebrates 70 years! http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/sister-mary-james-celebrates-70-years/ http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/sister-mary-james-celebrates-70-years/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 18:20:23 +0000 dowling http://bonsecoursvocations.org/?p=6057

Sister Mary James Keating, CBS

Sr. Mary James Keating was born in Bethlehem, PA.  She worked as a bookkeeper for the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company before entering the community.  Her first contact with the Sisters of Bon Secours came when she told her parish priest that she wanted to become a nurse.

Sr. Mary James entered the Novitiate in 1942, and graduated from the Bon Secours School of Nursing in 1947.  She served the sick in Grosse Pointe, Mich,; Methuen, Mass., Darby and Rosemont, PA.; Wildwood, N.J.; and Richmond, Va.  She became a registered X-ray technician in 1958 and served in this capacity for many years.

Sr. Mary James ministered at the Osteopathic Medical College Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa., for 17 years.  She also did home nursing as well as visiting the sick and elderly until her retirement in 2003.  “By caring for the sick in their homes, I have been able to carry on the original charism of the Sisters of Bon Secours,” says Sr. Mary James.

]]> http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/sister-mary-james-celebrates-70-years/feed/ 0 Today We Celebrate Our Feast Day http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/today-we-celebrate-our-feast-day/ http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/today-we-celebrate-our-feast-day/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 12:00:51 +0000 murphyj http://bonsecoursvocations.org/?p=6094 “From the beginning, Mary, under the title of Our Lady Help of Christians, has been our principal patroness. Devotion to her remains a special mark of the Sisters of Bon Secours. In Mary we recognize the one who, by her virginal consecration, realized fully the perfection to which we are called.  Beloved of the Father, intimately united to His Son, led by the Holy Spirit, Mary gave herself entirely to the mystery of redemption. In our apostolic life, Mary is our example of generosity, compassion, and prompt help to those in need” (CBS Constitutions, #31).

Today we celebrate the Sisters of Bon Secours Feast Day

Mary, Our Lady Help of Christians, is our principal patroness.

“From the earliest days of our foundation, an important dimension of our prayer has been praying with the sick and the dying and their families, asking God to fill them with strength, courage, peace and healing. This form of prayer continues to be vital in our ministering to the sick.…our Bon Secours theology remains always an unfinished endeavor. Because it emerges from our faith experience within a changing world, we will never cease to be challenged to find a new theological word about our life and ministry” (A Theology for Bon Secours, #10 Reflection). 

As we celebrate our Feast Day today, May 24th, we join our prayers together for all to whom we minister: the sick, the dying, the immigrant, the homeless, the undocumented, asylum seekers, students and, of course, Mother Earth and all of creation. We pray, too, for all of our co-workers, associates, volunteers and each other. May our lives always reflect Mary’s compassion, humility and faithfulness. May we as Bon Secours continue to be “good help.”

–Sister Rose Marie Jasinski, USA Country Leader

]]> http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/today-we-celebrate-our-feast-day/feed/ 0 May 21, 2012 Bon Secours Headline News http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/may-21-2012-bon-secours-headline-news/ http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/may-21-2012-bon-secours-headline-news/#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 20:18:21 +0000 dowling http://bonsecoursvocations.org/?p=6083 Here’s this week BSN Headline News.  This week’s stories are Farm Bill, Nurses: Leading, and May Celebrations.

]]> http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/may-21-2012-bon-secours-headline-news/feed/ 0 FOCUS Publication – Spring 2012 Issue http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/focus-publication-spring-2012-issue/ http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/focus-publication-spring-2012-issue/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 17:52:20 +0000 dowling http://bonsecoursvocations.org/?p=6052 Click here to read the entire newsletter

In this issue:

Feature: Bon Secours’ Sponsored Ministries

Sisters in Ministry: Sister Anna Mae Crane, Sister Marie-Claude Dupuis, and Sister Bernie Claps

Jubilees: Sister Mary James Keating, Sister Justine Cyr, Sister Dorothy Brogan, and Sister Mary Shimo

Founders’ Day

Vocation Formation News

Living Our Mission: Tate Hemblen, Rose Kurtz, Robin Ratchford, and Vicki Wolbert

Associate News

Volunteer Ministry News

Retreat and Conference Center News

Health System News

Grants Awarded

In Memorium: A tribute to Sister Mary Magdalen Condry

Around the Congregation

]]> http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/focus-publication-spring-2012-issue/feed/ 0 May 14, 2012 http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/may-14-2012/ http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/may-14-2012/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 21:32:57 +0000 dowling http://bonsecoursvocations.org/?p=6047 Here’s this week BSN Headline News.  This week’s stories are Personal Health Assessment, Nurses: Advocating, and Energy Star.

]]> http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/may-14-2012/feed/ 0 The Sisters invite you to Lunch With Mary on June 16th http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/the-sisters-invite-you-to-lunch-with-mary-on-june-16th/ http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/the-sisters-invite-you-to-lunch-with-mary-on-june-16th/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 21:16:35 +0000 dowling http://bonsecoursvocations.org/?p=6040  

Sisters of Bon Secours

cordially invites single, Catholic women to attend a

Picnic Lunch

with

Mary and Sister Pat

on Saturday, June 16, 2012

from Noon until 2:00 p.m.

1525 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104

(near Baltimore)

PLEASE R.S.V.P. CBSVocations@bshsi.org

or 877-742-0277 (toll-free)

 

Spend a few hours at lunch with Mary, a lovely statue on the beautiful grounds of our Provincial House (near Baltimore, MD).  Sister Pat will be ordering pizza, having prayer time, and answering your questions about vocations.  

Plan to be nourished, physically AND spiritually, so bring your appetite! 

You are also invited to stay for the afternoon and visit our Labyrinth, Peace Garden, Bridge and Pond, or to have further discussion with Sister Pat!  

 Hope to see you on June 16th!

]]> http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/the-sisters-invite-you-to-lunch-with-mary-on-june-16th/feed/ 0 May 7, 2012 http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/may-7-2012/ http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/may-7-2012/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 19:11:00 +0000 dowling http://bonsecoursvocations.org/?p=6037 Here’s this week BSN Headline News.  This week’s stories are National Nurses Week, ConnectCare, and Practice GreenHealth Awards.

 

]]> http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/may-7-2012/feed/ 0 Between Heaven and Mirth by James Martin, SJ http://bonsecoursvocations.org/uncategorized/between-heaven-and-mirth-by-james-martin-sj/ http://bonsecoursvocations.org/uncategorized/between-heaven-and-mirth-by-james-martin-sj/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 03:17:34 +0000 dowling http://bonsecoursvocations.org/?p=6020 Fr. Martin, SJ, author of “Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life” writes that God wants us to be happy and that we are called to be joy-filled. Life can be serious for all us but without a sense of humor to see the absurdities in life, we are doomed to live mundane lives.

Fr. Martin writes that Jesus had a great sense of humor. We see his playfulness and humor in the Scriptures through stories such as the parables. The analogies he tells the disciples, the crowds, and others are pretty amazing. Picture a camel squeezing through the eye of a needle…. Now really, who would ever think of such an analogy? You have to chuckle … can’t you see this long necked creature morphing into a weird thin, rubbery figure like Roger Rabbit.

I went to Fr. Martin’s talk on humor and joy this past Autumn at St. Ignatius parish in downtown Baltimore. His talk was a preview of the book. He used humor to address some of today’s challenges. Yes there were lots of jokes and most of them were about Catholics. So, take a departure from the norm and pick up a copy of his book. This is a video of Fr. Martin previewing his book. Enjoy!

]]> http://bonsecoursvocations.org/uncategorized/between-heaven-and-mirth-by-james-martin-sj/feed/ 0 Today is National Day of Prayer http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/today-is-national-day-of-prayer/ http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/today-is-national-day-of-prayer/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 12:00:09 +0000 murphyj http://bonsecoursvocations.org/?p=6015 President Truman, signed and declared an annual, national day of prayer in 1952. In 1988, President Reagan amended and signed the law, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this special day in May.

Pray with the Sisters of Bon Secours.

Please pray with us on this National Day of Prayer.

Although we feel that prayer is important every day and we pray together as sisters each day, it is special to know that so many Americans will be joining us today, unified in prayer. This day transcends differences and brings our country together for the utmost guidance.

Please pray with us on this day. Whether you are able to join us in our Chapel for Mass today at 11 a.m. in Marriottsville, Md. or you are praying with us in spirit from across the country, we pray together for our nation, for those who serve our country and our fellow citizens.

For many, the Lord’s Prayer may come to mind today. Please pray with us:

Our Father, who art in heaven

hallowed be thy name

Thy Kingdom come,

Thy will be done

on Earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the Kingdom,

and the Power, and the Glory,

forever and ever.

Amen.

]]> http://bonsecoursvocations.org/blog/today-is-national-day-of-prayer/feed/ 0 49th World Day of Prayer for Vocation (April 29th) http://bonsecoursvocations.org/uncategorized/49th-world-day-of-prayer-for-vocation-april-29th/ http://bonsecoursvocations.org/uncategorized/49th-world-day-of-prayer-for-vocation-april-29th/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:08:33 +0000 dowling http://bonsecoursvocations.org/?p=5995 Pope Benedict XIV for the 49th World Day of Prayer for Vocations celebrated April 29, 2012, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, asks us to meditate on the theme: Vocations, the Gift of the Love of God. The Pope asks us to share his message especially to younger generations. He writes…  

Statue of Mary and Jesus overlook Sisters of Bon Secours provincialate

 God’s love is “limitless…, sustains us and calls us along the path of life, and is a free gift…. The call to religious life is born out of God’s love for us and our response is rooted in our love of God in Christ. The root of a consecrated life lived in joy is found in St. Peter’s reply to Jesus, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you” (Jn 21.15). From the love of God sprouts the love of neighbor and for those who have decided to set out on the path of vocation discernment towards …the consecrated life they are its distinguishing mark. The love of neighbor, and especially those who suffer, is the decisive impulse that leads … the consecrated person to be a builder of communion between people and a sower of hope. This relationship is vital and becomes a fundamental dimension of their affectivity.

To hear God’s call, Pope Benedict urges “…local Churches, groups within them, and religious communities to create the conditions to permit many young people to say “yes” in generous response to God’s loving call and to provide helpful guidance and direction along the way. Young people are encouraged to attend Eucharist; to share sacred Scripture, to pray both personal and in community so that it is possible to hear God’s call amid all the voices of daily life. These will be places where vocations are carefully discerned and their authenticity tested; places where young men and women are offered wise and strong spiritual direction.

Pope Benedict sends his Apostolic Blessing to all of us: and especially the young men and women who strive to listen with a docile heart to God’s voice and are ready to respond generously and faithfully.

The Sisters of Bon Secours join the Pope in praying for individuals discerning God’s call to consecrated life. We offer our guidance and direction to all who want to understand if their call is to religious life as consecrated women. Can we help you in your discernment? Contact us.

Link to Pope Benedict’s full message on World Day of Prayer for Vocations

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