Habemus Papam!  “We have a Pope!”

At 2:36 pm  Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentinean Jesuit became the 266th bishop of Rome and Pope Francis 1 to the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.  He is the first pope to choose the name Francis .  He is also the first pope from South America and the first Jesuit to serve as pope. 

On the second day of the conclave and on the fifth ballot, the cardinal electors chose 76 year old Cardinal Bergoglio.  His first words were:  “Good evening.  You know the task of the conclave was to give Rome a bishop. ”My brothers went to the end of the earth to get him.”

After asking the crowd to pray the Our Father, Ave Maria and Glory Be with him, he then said, ”Now, let’s start working together, walking together in the church of Rome, which is the first among churches. This is part of the governance of love, of trust.”

“Let us pray for each other, let us pray for the entire world because there is great brotherhood in the world,” Pope Francis continued.   ”I hope the path … continue reading…

On Tuesday, March 12, 2013, after celebrating a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, 113 eligible Cardinals will meet behind locked doors in the Sistine Chapel to begin Conclave to elect a new Pope.  Conclave literally means with key otherwise behind locked doors.

During the last week the Cardinals have gathered in General Congregation which is a way to say they are meeting to get to know each other and to talk about what the new Pope will need to attend to after his election.  This gives the Cardinals clues for developing a possible slate of candidates.

Cardinals swear an oath of secrecy that they will not divulge what happens at Conclave, though we may learn through general terms what happened.

After being asked if they understand the gravity of what they will undertake and calling upon the Holy Spirit, the Cardinals will decide if they will cast their first vote on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 13.  If they do, ballots are distributed which say:  I elect as Supreme Pontiff and the name is written on the ballot by the Cardinal.  … continue reading…

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Sister Mary James Keating, September 14, 1918-January 17, 2013. Sr. Mary James was 94-years-old and died of natural causes. Sr. Mary James was “a symbol of Good Help-The meaning of Bon Secours.” Our community celebrated her life and ministry as we said goodbye at her viewing and wake service on Tuesday and then at her Mass of Resurrection yesterday.

“She was a symbol of Good Help–the meaning of Bon Secours.”

Born Florence Keating in Bethlehem, Pa., Sr. Mary James entered the Congregation of Bon Secours in 1942, having come in contact with The Sisters of Bon Secours when she decided she wanted to be a nurse. She professed her final vows in 1951.  A bookkeeper by profession before entering the Congregation, she attended the Bon Secours School of Nursing and received her RN diploma in 1947. Her first nursing assignment was at Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe Michigan, and over … continue reading…

November is Native American Heritage month

Continued prayer for Victims of shooting in Aurora, Coloradao

Memorial Day prayer

“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).

“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 … continue reading…

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.

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 … continue reading…