The Spirit calls us to be co-dreamers…to be co-creators.
by: Sister Elaine Davia, CBS

It is amazing what a garden teaches one about community life as a Sister of Bon Secours:

It takes a lot of preparation and tending to keep it healthy and fruitful;
And the need for creativity, to tend and care in organic ways that don’t pollute or contaminate;
It’s the variety of colors, shapes and sizes that make it so beautiful and successful;
And the plants need to be rotated to continue to produce healthy fruit;
Some of the most beautiful flowers have really thorny spines (ouch);
A healthy garden attracts LOTS of life and visitors;
Some of the visitors have a real sting…but essential for pollination and growth of fruit;
Some visitors are quiet and inconspicuous, but necessary for healthy soil (e.g. the worms);
Some of the regulars appear to do nothing but add beauty;
Some just wait till the right moment then ruin the veggie (e.g. stink bugs and eggplant fleas);
There are rare, special visitors (e.g. a praying mantis and a hummingbird);
And of … continue reading…

This summer the Sisters of Bon Secours will be hosting a short-term service project for young, single women, ages 18 to 35, who have a willingness to serve those in need. Project Good Help will be held in July. Volunteers will need to arrive in the evening on Thursday, the 21st and will finish up in the morning on Tuesday the 26th. The women will stay at the Sister’s headquarters in Marriottsville, MD and work in nearby Baltimore city at a community garden, a drop-in center for women, a family support/learning center and a senior housing center.  This will be an excellent opportunity to serve the less fortunate and make a difference in the community.  

During this service opportunity, the volunteers will be able to share their experience with sisters and apply it to their own lives.  Each day will also be bathed in prayer and reflection. 

Interested in learning more?  Click Here for more information about Project Good Help and to access our online PDF application.

 We are happy to share this news of our sisters in Peru.  Amabilia Arriaga Garcia, Joana Castillo Segura, and Yovani Martinez Carbajal took their temporary profession of vows on March 19 in Lima, Peru.  This step in the formation process was approved in January when Sisters Pat Eck and Rose Marie Jasinski, USA country leader, joined other leaders from Peru, France, and Ireland for congregation team meetings at the Sisters of Bon Secours Formation House in Peru.  After accepting the request for the three novices to take their temporary vows, the leaders were able to share the happy news with them in person. 

The three sisters started the formation process as candidates before becoming novices.  The candidacy phase involved the women living with a group of Sisters of Bon Secours while learning about the methods of prayer and discovering their talents and gifts.  After requesting to move to the novitiate phase, they spent two years studying the principles of … continue reading…

For several years during discernment and novitiate, Sr. Bernadette Claps has been quite a blessing to the Sisters of Bon Secours.  It is with a warm welcome and excited anticipation that we celebrated her First Vow Ceremony! 

Sr. Bernadette “Bernie” Claps first entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours in 2006. Her previous  experience in social work, counseling, pastoral care, and administration, as well as continued learning and spiritual growth within the congregation, has allowed her to serve the community in which the Sisters of Bon Secours are a presence by providing “Good Help to Those in Need®.”  

Drawn to the Sisters of Bon Secours charism of compassion, healing and liberation, Sr. Bernie has been able to use her professional skills in several ministries including the Women’s Resource Center of Bon Secours – a drop-in center for homeless and at-risk women, the dialysis unit at Bon Secours Baltimore Hospital and at Bon … continue reading…

“Simple Truths We Learn In Life”
by Sister Mary Magdalen
Truth #2:

Expand your knowledge and broaden your horizons.  Even if you think the education will be useless or pointless…you never know when you will need to call on it.

Article 2 in a three-part series:

Inviting people to use their gifts by becoming a religious sister – How God calls us to channel our passion – Introducing religious life as a viable life option.

Finding Your Passion

Do you sense something missing in life?  Is your work or life situation not meaningful enough despite your accomplishments and possessions?    Could it be that the difference you make when you are helping people in need feels more life-giving than your work week?  Do you feel more authentic when you give of yourself to help others?  PAY ATTENTION!  Perhaps you are being called to find purpose in life in another way, to do more with your life.  These thoughts are ways in which God invites us to be and do “more” by becoming a Catholic religious sister, nun, priest or brother. 

Introducing the idea of becoming a sister, brother or priest may seem extreme to some and may even scare someone away.  Being called was even startling for Mary.  St. Luke writes that she was “deeply troubled,” and asked questions – wouldn’t you?  This calling comes as … continue reading…

At the recent graduation of Bon Secours Memorial School of Nursing in Richmond, Sr. Pat Eck and Sr. Anne Marie Mack were honored to be named the first Professors Emeritus of the NEW Bon Secours College of Nursing.  The college will begin accepting applications for the upcoming fall semester.

Read more about Sr. Anne Marie Mack, CBS:
A Sisters Life
Sr. Anne Marie fights against Human Trafficking

Read more about Sr. Pat Eck, CBS:
Ministry in Peru
Press Release: Sr. Pat Eck Elected Congregation Leader
Bon Secours Health System – Chair of the Board
The Gift of Music
“The Emerging Role of Ethics”

The first in a series of vocation articles:

Finding your passion-Using your gifts-How do you recognize the gifts God gave you? How do you understand how to use them? What is your passion? Guidance to the many young people in college and university who are unsure of their current path in life and those already working in various professions who are looking for more meaning in their life.

Discovering Your Gifts

Living the word of God each day by using your spiritual gifts and passion for your faith is a challenging but remarkable way of life.  Letting God truly take over the reigns of your life is a process that ultimately enriches the well being of those whose lives you touch and brings joy to your soul and life.  Learning to ultimately trust God is liberating.

To begin the growth of God’s spirit within, you must first come to understand the passions and spiritual gifts God has given you.  Thus begins a period of reflection and inner searching through prayer, trust in God’s mercy and love for you, and a desire to … continue reading…

Vocation Rally held at Catholic Campus Ministry of Howard University and nuns and priests and accompany students to talk about religious life, how to discern a catholic vocation (one’s calling), prayer, and ministry.

I read a great article by Felicia Difato, in which she offered a slightly different look at Lent.  For instance, she points out that most of us tend to “give up” food or TV.  Sad, isn’t it?  Food and TV are what most Americans consider to be indulgences to be done without…and I can understand that.  But really, couldn’t you delve a bit deeper?  Besides, do you not just pick up the chocolate donut afterwards? 

Now, I am not knocking those who are really stuck to their chocolate donuts (you know who you are!)  But instead of giving up food, sweets, or television, consider giving up an indulgence that might actually change your life or the lives of those around you.  Have I peaked your interest?  Well, try one of Felicia’s 15 ideas:

Fast from anger and hatred.  Give your family that extra dose of love.
Fast from division.  Strive to be in unity with everyone.
Fast from judging others.  Before making any judgments, remember how Jesus overlooks our faults.
Fast from low self-esteem, pessimism, and negativity.  Be positive in your outlook on life.
Fast from discouragement.  … continue reading…