Blog

Valentine's Day may look a little different this year. At the Center, we are really missing our annual celebration where married couples are invited to gather for a special dinner, message and vow renewal. Yet, love can still be celebrated. Even a pandemic cannot prevent us from sharing love with others. Thanks to technology, we can easily reach out to distant loved ones too. We can still serve and share God's love to those in ... Continue reading...

Today's post is another wise reflection from Fr. Michael Schleupner. The theme of this week is the baptism of Jesus and his post shares the significance of this moment from scripture. Let's take a moment to learn and to reflect on our baptism or the possibility of baptism if we haven't been baptized. Jesus' Baptism/Our Baptism The baptism of Jesus is an important moment in his life. It marks the beginning of his public ministry. He has ... Continue reading...

Christmas Day is only a few days away! How are you preparing your heart for the birth of Jesus? Today's reflection is a continuation from last Friday by Tara Mulder, our Guest Services Coordinator. Let's read this follow-up about her creative process for this year's Christmas cards, an inspiring post about the perfect love of our Savior. With Every Christmas Card I Write, Part 2 Back in September of this strange and difficult year, I starting researching ... Continue reading...

Today's post comes from Tara Mulder. Tara is one of the friendly faces you may have seen in our Welcome Center. She serves as the Guest Services Coordinator and assists with conference group and retreat reservations. Tara is also a very talented artist. She'll be sharing a follow-up 2020 Christmas card post next week. Let's read about her creative process and Scripture insights used with her Christmas cards. With Every Christmas Card I Write, Part 1 For ... Continue reading...

During the pandemic, when we are bombarded with news of climbing COVID rates, it's difficult not to feel afraid. When we leave our homes, we even have to wear a visible sign of this caution - our face masks. It's easy to become overwhelmed with anxiety this year. So, today we thought it would be good to go back to the basics of our faith. Please take a few quiet moments and prayerfully read some ... Continue reading...

Fr. Michael Schleuper offers another reflection in his series about Pope Francis. Are you familiar with Laudato Si? Fr. Michael shares his thoughts on this letter and and easy way for us to apply these insights to our daily lives. Pope Francis - 4 Dear Friends, In 2015, Pope Francis wrote an encyclical on the earth, our environment – the first encyclical ever written on this topic. (By the way, an encyclical is a long letter that popes ... Continue reading...

Today's post is based on a recent homily that Fr. Michael Schleupner gave at Mass for the Sisters of Bon Secours. Let's prayerfully read this lesson from scripture and remember to welcome all of God's children into our hearts. Including Others for Spiritual Wholeness Readings:   Philippians 1:1-11, Luke 14:1-6 This morning I want to point out two details in the gospel. And I think each detail has some lesson for us. First, today we see the fourth time in ... Continue reading...

Today's post is shared by one of our retreat presenters, Susan Boruff. At this point in the pandemic, many of us are becoming more busy again as activities resume. Are you craving times of silence? Let's learn more about how solitude can improve many areas of our life. Silence By: Susan Boruff “The key to action that knows and cares for the other is to know and care for ourselves. Spending time in solitude is never selfish. It ... Continue reading...

Today's post features an older blog from Dr. Angela Bisignano. Her website shared this blog several years ago and during tough times like this, we could all use more laughter in our lives, right? Let's read her advice about the spiritual benefits of laughter! The Spiritual Side of Laughter by Dr. Angela Bisignano Think of how you feel when you see someone laughing. I know it makes me feel good. Laughter has an infectious quality. I feel less ... Continue reading...

The pandemic has certainly tested everyone and some may feel inadequate in various areas of their lives. The good news is that we can lean on God and Fr. James Martin explains how our weaknesses can be a gift. Let's take a quiet moment to reflect on this quote from him.   “The beginning of sanctity is loving yourself as a creation of God. And that means all of yourself, even the parts that you wish weren’t ... Continue reading...