Sisters Vicky Segura, M.D. and Elaine Davia, N.P. of the Sisters of Bon Secours, USA, recently spent several months assisting in their Congregation’s healing ministry for people with HIV/AIDS, and their families, in Limpopo, South Africa. This is an international mission established by the Congregation of Sisters of Bon Secours. Sisters from Peru and Ireland arrived in South Africa three years ago to staff an antiretroviral health care clinic. They also work with the parish priest to assist in feeding Zimbabwean refugees and address many other needs that arise.

Sister Vicky worked as a physician in the antiretroviral clinic seeing and dispensing medications to thirty or more HIV/AIDS patients a day in the village of Senwamokgope. An important part of the care in the clinic was the counseling and education about the disease and the need for follow-up visits.

Sister Elaine utilized her skills as a … continue reading…

Sister Mary Magdalen Condry shares the simple truths she has learned in more than 60 years of religious life.

Simple Truth #1

Simple Truth #2

Simple Truth #3

Simple Truth #4

Simple Truth #5

Simple Truth #6

Simple Truth #7 – Scheduled to post on 10/30/2010.  Mark your calendar so that you don’t miss it!

Simple Truth #8 - Scheduled to post on 11/05/2010.  Mark your calendar so that you don’t miss it!

Simple Truth #9 - Scheduled to post on 11/10/2010.  Mark your calendar so that you don’t miss it!

Simple Truth #10 - Scheduled to post on 11/15/2010.  Mark your calendar so that you don’t miss it!

Today is bloggers Take  Action Day.  Bloggers are asked world-wide to join the United Nation’s efforts to bring clean safe water to the poorest populations of the world.  Join us in this effort to support world-wide efforts.  Join Sisters of Bon Secours in supporting these efforts by clicking the link below or on Petition and follow the prompts.

http://blogactionday.change.org/sign-petition

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Please enjoy this quote from Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (who, incidentally, hated being called “Teddy”):
It’s far better to dare mighty things…
than to take rank
with the poor spirits
who neither enjoy much or suffer much
because they live in the gray twilight
that knows not victory or defeat.

~Theodore Roosevelt
What “mighty things” are you afraid to try?  Everyone has the ability within them to overcome and excel, but sadly, many are afraid to take the chances.  Are you afraid of risk?  Why?

Let’s just say God has been talking to you lately, whether you are openly listening or not, He is calling to you.  Maybe you see an ill friend being taken care of by a gentle nurse and you wish you could give the same type of care and nurturing for those that are ill.  Perhaps something inside of you is tweaked when you see someone in need and stop to help them, no matter how small you think the deed is.  (READ HERE for an example of how a seemingly small deed did … continue reading…

SR. MARY ELLEN WAGNER, C.B.S.

Sr. Mary Ellen Wagner, C.B.S, a member of the Congregation of Bon Secours, died on September 12 in Marriottsville, Md.  at the age of 81 after a long struggle with cancer.

Sister Mary Ellen grew up in Cambridge, Ohio with her parents, three sisters and a brother.  While attending the College of Saint Teresa in Winona, Minnesota, she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and made her final profession in 1955.  She went on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in home economics education from the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota and her master’s degree in education from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan.   Following a lengthy teaching career she became a certified chaplain in 1976.   

In 1987 Sister Mary Ellen began the process of transfer to the Sisters of Bon Secours, completing it three years later with the renewal of her vows in the Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours in 1990.

Sr. Mary Ellen resided in Grosse Pointe, … continue reading…

 One of our Bon Secours ministries is asking for your help.  The following is a letter from the Executive Director of Bon Secours of Maryland Foundation. 

 Dear Friends of Bon Secours,

 On Friday, June 25, 40 young women ages 17 – 21 who are actively pursuing a GED and have demonstrated strong advancement academically will be given the opportunity to attend their prom at the Country Inn Suites in Annapolis.

 All of these young women are success stories. While every story is unique, the majority of these young women grew up in foster care, dropped out of school by their freshman year, and have at least one child under the age of 4.

But that’s just the beginning of the story. All of these young women participate in Bon Secours’ Family Support Center which provides GED preparation, parenting and life skills training, case management and counseling, financial planning workshops, and job readiness training. The goal of the Family Support Center is provide young families with the resources to become economically self sufficient and to put them on the path to achieving their career and life … continue reading…

Poll results of defining God’s will

Prayer for Vocations
Generous God,
You show us the way that leads to everlasting life.
Through baptism you have called us
to proclaim the Good News.

Bless and strengthen those
who have made a commitment
of service in the church.
Guide and give wisdom
to those discerning their vocation.

Enrich our Church with dedicated
married and single people,
with deacons, priests,
and with people in consecrated life.

Filled with your Holy Spirit we ask this blessing that
we, your people, may follow Jesus,
out Good Shepherd, now and always.  Amen.

© 2008 NCCV

www.nccv-vocations.org

Yesterday was the beginning of the Lenten season in the Catholic Church. Traditionally Lent is a time of preparation for baptism and being received into the Church at Easter.  Lent also calls us to live more fully the life we are meant to live all the time, which is to live in ‘joy’.

We are called to love God more deeply and to love our neighbor through service.  This calls for a conversion of heart at times.  How am I called to be the truest person God created me to be?  What stands in the way of that happening?  This is a good place to start.

A local parish priest said in his homily, instead of giving up chocolate, why not instead of cursing the person who cut you off in traffic, say “God bless you.”  Why not say that in many situations we find ourselves – what effect would that have on me over time?  The affects may be that I’m more patient, understanding, and peaceful.  Lent is a good itme to take stock of how we are called to goodness and love.

I made this … continue reading…