Srs. Pat Dowling and Fran Gorsuch attended Baltimore’s Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) conference January 21-23 to connect with young women and share the mission of the Sisters of Bon Secours.  The conference, also sponsored by the Sisters of Bon Secours, was held in four U.S. cities and attracted thousands of young adults.  College students were invited to learn more about answering God’s call and encouraged to discover all of the gifts and talents God has provided.  This year students from sixteen colleges and universities attended the Baltimore conference. 

Students at the conference were able to hear renowned speakers in the Catholic community speak about important topics including finding fulfillment in life and how to incorporate faith into their busy lives.  In addition, students attended a special pre-screening of Emilio Estevez’s new film “The Way” about hardships, everlasting bonds, and what it means to be a citizen of the … continue reading…

The Catholic Church celebrates today as World Day of Consecrated Life.  Pope Benedict in his homily today entitled: “A Life Dedicated to Listening and to Proclaiming His Word”  said: (Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-31648?l=english

Dear brothers and sisters, be assiduous listeners of the Word, because every wisdom of life is born of the Word of the Lord! Be scrutinizers of the Word, through Lectio Divina, because consecrated life “is born from listening to the Word of God and accepting the Gospel as its norm of life. To live following the chaste, poor and obedient Christ is in this way a living “exegesis” of the Word of God. The Holy Spirit, in the strength of which the Bible was written, is the same who illumines the Word of God to men and women founders with new light. From it flows every charism and every rule is an expression of it, giving origin to itineraries of Christian life marked by evangelical radicalism” (post sydinol   apostolic exhortation “Verbum Domini,” No. 83). 

In … continue reading…

In life, we are all walking at different speeds, but we are on the same journey to God, like a walk through a labyrinth.

Where does your path begin?  Perhaps with a delicate voice in your ear urging you forward.  A voice that cannot be heard by those around you.  You, yourself may even deny hearing the words, but the denial proves futile, as the words linger just under the surface.

Maybe your path begins with the mounting fears of life, as you seek the solace of something greater to relieve your worries.

Maybe someone in your life has danced along their path and emits the radiant light of God’s love – encouraging you to follow suit.

Are you 23?  33?  43?  Maybe younger…maybe older.  It is never too early or too late in life to begin your journey.

Do not submit to your fear…embrace it.  Quell your reluctance with the promised grace of our Lord.  Replace your confusion and uncertainty with the faith that God holds your journey in His hands.  Just take the first step!

Once inside your labyrinth, realize that the twists and … continue reading…

September 11 Remembrance Prayer

As I stumble through the house, looking for a book to pack, I wonder how many people go on vacation ill-prepared for the journey.  How many return physically, mentally, or spiritually exhausted?

Travel always seems to take a physical toll on a person…especially long trips.  Even a vacation can leave your energy zapped by the time you come home.  But when meetings are involved, it seems the fatigue can mount.  Most people make special accommodations to relieve the physical and mental stresses of travel, but I don’t think very many people prepare for a spiritual renewal.

Whether I am packing for an overnight retreat or a 3-week-long trip overseas, I always pack the essentials: clothing, my camera, snacks, toiletries and stuff like that.  Without putting much real thought into it, I inventory my mental list of “miscellaneous” things to pack, such as whether I will need sunscreen and a swimsuit, or certain meeting manuals.  Will I need business attire or casual wear?  Extra shoes? 

It is at this time when I decide which form of nourishment I will be packing.  And when I say nourishment, … continue reading…

Do you hear all the noise around you? With our world of constant technological interruptions it isn’t very often that life is quiet. Our computers, blackberries, iPods, televisions and cell phones seem to push their way into any moment of silence. Often it seems they are competing against each other for our attention, even as we may be trying to discern our personal call to vocation. You may be studying vocation resources online when you receive an email or your cell phone rings, interrupting your thought once again. Although these convenient resources can be invaluable in your search into religious life, it is important to value the importance of silence too. How can we listen to what God is trying to tell us unless we filter out all the noise and prayerfully, quietly listen? So, take a moment today and turn the power off and turn your heart and mind on—onto God’s voice of direction and guidance.

These steps may help you hear God’s calling in your quiet time of prayer:… continue reading…

 The Solemnity of Easter

With Christians throughout the world, we celebrate the solemnity of Easter,  the feast of Christ’s resurrection from the dead: liberation from sin, hope for the world.

Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first,  and he saw and believed. – John 20:8

 Reflection:

The Resurrection of our Lord is the central mystery of Christian faith. It is also the central hope of daily human existence.

With the Resurrection we can be certain that suffering and death is not the final word on the human condition.

This is the deepest source of Christian hope. And it is the wellspring of true Christian joy.

On Easter Sunday God’s Word bursts forth in a joyful hymn of praise as the Church resounds with Alleluias.

Our Lenten observance now finds its fullest meaning.

As the message of Easter resounds in our minds and hearts, the truth of Jesus’ Resurrection finds echo in our lives…. continue reading…

Explanation of the Stations of the Cross. Link to a video to follow in the foot steps of Jesus by way of the cross during Holy Week. A meditative mini-pilgrimage for Good Friday. Stations of the Cross photographed at Sisters of Bon Secours Provincial House in Marriottsville, MD, USA.

The Annunciation:  one of the 12 great feasts of the Catholic Church.  Exactly nine months to the day, before the Feast of the Nativity (Christmas), we celebrate the annunciation Gabriel makes to Mary.  This day celebrates the day Christ enters the world, and when Mary says, ”yes” to God.

Luke 1:26-38
“The angel said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you.’ ”

Sue Donovan Carrying the Cross
Sue Donovan (in the glasses and white hat), communication specialist, and long-time friend of Bon Secours spent 10 days in the Holy Land following in the foot steps of Jesus.  We’re happy for Sue that she had this wonderful opportunity.  Here is Sue’s description of the photo:

Here is a picture of me carrying the cross as we prayed the stations along the Via Dolorosa.   Each pilgrim was given a chance to participate.  We all walked throughout the market place carrying the cross to each Station of the Cross spaced throughout the Via Dolorosa, passing the stalls of the many merchants who market their wares within the walls of the Old City in Jerusalem.

Words can not express the gratitude I feel for being able to be present to this experience and to have visited all the places where Jesus traveled throughout the … continue reading…