Book review of Between Heaven and Mirth by James Martin, SJ. Fr.. Martin shows the need for joy and humor in our spiritual lives.

Pope Benedict XIV shares message on the 49th World Day of Prayer for Vocations (April 29th)

On Friday, April 20th, Sisters, co-workers, and friends celebrated Earth Day at the Spiritual Center in Marriottsville, Maryland. We enjoyed listening to scholar and educator Laura Anderko, RN, PhD, and nurse consultant Brenda Afzal, MS, RN. Dr. Anderko shared her knowledge of epidemiology, public health and environmental health and Ms. Afzal shared how she recently led an initiative to devlop a national environmental health nursing organization. Attendees participated in a thought-provoking question and answer period about climate change and other environmental issues. 

Earth Day Prayer
Maheo, Lord

Whose breath gives life to the world—send your spirit.

Great Spirit,

We look to the Four Winds:

To the East  where Father Sun rises to bring us light for our path.

To the West where he sets giving us darkness to search.

To the South from which Brother Wind sends warmth for Spring and Summer.

To the North from which he sends cold for Fall and Winter.

We send these words to you, hear our prayer, Maheo,

That as we think on light and darkness, and the movement of seasons,

We remember the times we live with and without you in the seasons of life.

Let us love … continue reading…

The following is an excerpt from a letter from Sister Fran Gorsuch, CBS.  She wants us to spread the word about prayer for those being rescued from human trafficking situations by UNANIMA, one of the ministries of the Sisters of Bon Secours:
Dear Sisters and All,

The prayers for April from UNANIMA are for our indigenous sisters and brothers. We know so many stories of oppression, abuse of land, water and air and of the people themselves – let us pray in solidarity with those throughout the world who minister among the “first peoples” of every country!

In gratitude,

Fran
 To view the prayers, click below:

UNANIMA Prayer for Anniversary Year 2012 – ENGLISH

UNANIMA Prayer for Anniversary Year 2012 – FRENCH

UNANIMA Prayer for Anniversary Year 2012 – SPANISH

Sister Patricia Eck, CBS, Congregation Leader, recently traveled to South Africa and Tanzania to visit the ministries that some of our other Sisters of Bon Secours are working in there. 

Sr. Pat shared her thoughts about the journey: “My trip to South Africa and Tanzania was marvelous. Sr. Rose Marie  joined me for the South Africa portion and Sr. Marie for Tanzania. We were blessed to see the ministries of our sisters. Their lives are very simple and focused on those they serve. The Clinic is changing with the requirements of the funders, it will continue to be an important ministry for us. The ministry of the sisters in the parish and township continues to grow. It was good to just be with the sisters. We also had a fun trip to the Kruger National Park in South Africa. It was exciting to see some of the BIG animals. Sr. Esther’s work at the University in Tanzania is pretty amazing. She is loved and respected by faculty and students. It is difficult to describe the breadth of the … continue reading…

This week’s stories are Good Choices, Flu Vaccine, and A Visit to the Whitehouse.

World Youth Day 2011 is 24 days from now. Over a million young people from around the globe will gather as pilgrims in Madrid to celebrate their faith with Pope Benedict. Stop by the Vocation Expo in Parque de Retiro and say hello to Sisters of Bon Secours from 3 of the 7 countries they are in (USA, Peru and South Africa).

Here are the words to WYD 2011 hymn:
Your hands, they hold us when we have been wounded,
Your eyes, they purify the way we see things,
Your lips, they speak to us words of forgiveness,
Your feet, they guide our steps to find life´s fullness
Oh, Christ, you are our brother,
Oh, Christ, you are our friend, you are our Lord,
¡Make us firm in the faith, make us firm in the faith!

celebrates jubilee”] MARRIOTTSVILLE, Md. Sr. Mary Regina Flatley, CBS, a past president of the Congregation, celebrates 60 years with the Sisters of Bon Secours. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Sr. Mary Regina attended Notre Dame High School in Moylan, Pa. After graduation, she entered the Congregation of Bon Secours and attended Bon Secours School of Nursing. She received her B.S.N. from Villanova and her master’s degree in education with a focus on counseling from the University of Delaware. Sr. Mary Regina also received a certificate in spirituality/spiritual direction from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Ca.

Sr. Mary Regina has worked as a staff and head nurse at Bon Secours Baltimore Hospital and St. Francis Country House in Darby, Pa. She also was a clinical director in the Bon Secours School of Nursing and served as vice president of mission and associate director at Bon Secours Hospital in Baltimore.

A past president of … continue reading…

This week’s stories are Most Beautiful Hospital in the US, Integrity, and Open Enrollment.

This week’s stories are Nurse Leaders, Justice, and Open Enrollment.