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l i v i n g o u r m i s s i o n

Our Mission

Living
When Jim and Joanna had the opportunity
to observe the periodic Congregation of
Bon Secours international assemblies, their
growing awareness of the Bon Secours mission
was greatly heightened.

Jim and Joanna recently experienced the
s
Bon Secours “good help” themselves when they
both came down with COVID-19 shortly after
returning from an overseas vacation. Being isolated
and unable to leave the house when there was very
little food in the pantry was a problem. No sooner
had they notified Sr. Elaine Davia that they
Jim Devine, retired electronics engineer from the National would be unable to help at the Chapel for a while, than
Security Agency, and his wife Joanna, a retired research a knock came at the door of their house and Kevin Cassidy
scientist from the National Institutes of Health, relocated delivered a large array of delicious meals. It was an
from Tucson, Arizona, to Marriottsville in 2016. extraordinary demonstration of Christian kindness
They were delighted to discover that the Bon Secours which saved the day for them.
Chapel was only a few minutes from their home.
After attending daily Mass for only a few weeks, they ‘‘ Having the opportunity to come to the
were approached by the sacristan, who was moving peaceful surroundings of the Bon Secours
from the area, and asked if they would like to train as Retreat and Conference Center and receive the
Eucharist on a daily basis has deepened our
sacristans, lectors and Eucharistic ministers. Jim and faith. Observing the sisters going about their
Joanna have been volunteering in that capacity at duties with grace and humor has deepened
Bon Secours ever since. Jim has always felt as if the our appreciation for the role that women are
Holy Spirit had tapped them for the job. playing in today’s Church, and it has heightened

our interest in the current synodal activities that
The charism of the Sisters of Bon Secours became Pope Francis has initiated. It has also raised
evident almost immediately after they assumed their our consciousness of how much help is needed
duties. The kindness, mercy and genuine feelings of love to alleviate the suffering of many people, both
shown forth in every interaction with the sisters, and locally and around the world. We consider it
their range of efforts, not only locally but internationally, a great blessing to be able to help and be a
was very impressive. part of the Bon Secours family.”

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