Holyfamilyspecialeventsbrochure

Special Events at Holy FamilyA P L A C E O F P E A C E , R E S T & T R A N S F O R M AT I O N

Holy Family welcomes some 19,000 men, women, and youth each year to experience peace, spiritual growth, and

transformation. For over 60 years, our retreats have provided people with an opportunity to quiet their minds, nourish their spirits,

and explore their relationship with God. Situated on 48 idyllic acres, Holy Family is also a respite for those in recovery from

alcoholism and addiction, providing a supportive place to begin or deepen sobriety. Holy Family’s youth ministry welcomes more

than two thousand teens each year to cultivate the inner courage and strength that will be necessary on life’s journey. Holy Family is

also the home of three dynamic non-profit organizations: the Copper Beech Institute for mindfulness practice, the Golden Thread

Gallery, and the Spiritual Life Center. Within this oasis, our guests will find dynamic teaching, inspiring music, generous hospitality,

and a spirit of exploration and dialogue, along with the universal spirit of welcome to all people.

Beauty

Plan Your Event at Holy FamilyKnown throughout the Northeast for its tranquil setting and

gracious hospitality, Holy Family has long been a favored

destination for those seeking a peaceful site in which to hold a

special event. Comfortable and immaculate quarters, creative

meals, walking trails, open lawns, and landscaped gardens all

contribute to a relaxing stay. Whether you are creating a

dynamic retreat, planning a transformational educational

experience, or hosting a memorable celebration, learn why

countless secular and religious groups have chosen Holy

Family as the place to host their event.

surrounds you“More than ever in this busy world,

we need places of quiet to remember

who we are and what is important.”

~ Dr. Brandon Nappi, Associate Retreat Director

Room to explore...outside the wallsThe tranquil campus at Holy Family helps to support any event.

You and your guests can watch deer grazing on our back lawn or

enjoy the sun setting over the labyrinth. Once here, our guests can

take a breath and reflect on what is most important in their lives.

• Labyrinth

• 48 Wooded Acres

• Walking Trails

• Outdoor Dining Patio

• Perennial Gardens

• Art Gallery

• Monastery Patio and Fish Pond

• Stations of the Cross

• Playing Fields

• Firepit

A place of peace

“Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening

our circle of compassion to embrace all living

creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.”

~ Albert Einstein

The Labyrinth is an ancient symbol of wholeness and a metaphor for life’s

journey. While labyrinths date back more than 4,000 years, the

shape of Holy Family’s labyrinth dates to the Middle Ages when

pilgrims, unable to travel to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, convened

instead at labyrinths formed of stone in the floor of Gothic

cathedrals. Within the safety of the cathedral, pilgrims would

walk the labyrinth, symbolic of their life’s journey to God.

Metaphor for Life Too often in life, we walk only to get somewhere or

accomplish something. In the labyrinth, we walk not to get

there, but to be here. The labyrinth invites us to truly be

present to each step of life’s journey, which is full of twists and

turns. Unexpected events can take us in directions that may

surprise and even stress us. At the center of the labyrinth is a

circular sculpture created by stonemason Dan Sieracki. The

circle is a symbol of eternity and the fullness of life to which

each of us is called. This empty circle at the labyrinth’s center

invites those who walk to empty themselves of anxiety,

prejudice, and judgments so that we might be aware of the

deep peace that is available to us at each step of the journey.

“The beauty is in the walking —

we are betrayed by destinations.”

~ Gwyn Thomas

Accommodations • 210 beds

• 150 single rooms

• 10 rooms with private bathroom

• 4 suites

Technology• DVD and CD players

• Complimentary Wireless Internet Access

• LCD Projectors

• Overhead Projection

• Desktop computers and printers

• Wireless Microphones

• Large Screen Television

Meeting Spaces• Fully accessible facility with elevators and rampsconnecting all spaces

• Main Conference Room — over 200 people

• Monastery Conference Room — 100 people

• 2 Classrooms — 50 people each

• Newly Renovated Main Dining Room with OutdoorPatio — 250 sitting, 300 for stand-up reception

• Monastery Dining Room — 50 people

• Anam Cara Room — 25 people

• Common Room — 25 people

• 3 Discussion Rooms — 6 people each

• Golden Thread Gallery exhibiting 6 showseach year — up to 50 people

• Beautifully Appointed Main Chapel — 250 people

• Public Chapel — 50 people

[ ] While secluded within a tranquil oasis of 48 wooded acres,Holy Family is a stone’s throw from Blue Back Square andWest Hartford Center, which provide a unique shopping,dining and entertainment destination.

Located minutes from I-84 in West Hartford,

it’s a 30 minute drive to Bradley International

Airport, and a 15 minute commute to Union

Station, Hartford’s train and bus station.

Exquisite DiningExecutive Chef, Joe EthierJoe Ethier is a master of healthy

and fresh home-cooking

reminiscent of the comforting

meals you had as a child visiting

your grandmother’s house on

Sunday. Joe has been

instrumental in creating the

dynamic and exciting West

Hartford food scene for over

twenty years. Before coming to Holy Family, Joe was the

Executive Chef at Mezzanotti in Hartford and has brought his

love of Mediterranean cuisine to The Blacksmith’s Tavern,

Apricots, and The Union Oyster Company in Mystic.

Cuisine at Holy FamilyAt Holy Family soups are made from scratch each week and

cookies are baked fresh each day. Over 75% of our produce is

organic and we strive to source our meat and poultry from local

Connecticut farmers whenever possible. Joe’s traditional menus

always incorporate vegetarian and vegan options and often

include a vast salad bar. Joe takes pride in accommodating

people’s allergies and unique dietary needs.

“I have been coming on retreat for over 10 years, and Joe’s

cooking is incredible...I always leave feeling nourished in

spirit and body. The food is plentiful, healthy, and clearly a

labor of love. You can taste the care in every homemade

soup and each chocolate dipped strawberry!”

~ Susan N.

A special venue for A special venue for A special venue for A special venue for

your special occasion your special occasion your special occasion your special occasionThe comfortable and spacious facilities,

supported by friendly and helpful staff,

will ensure a successful event, whether

it’s for a group of 25 or 250.

• Conferences

• Corporate Retreats

• Wedding Receptions

• Memorial and Funeral Receptions

• Birthday and Anniversary Parties

• Family Reunions

• Workshops and Trainings

• Music Recitals

• Galas and Fundraisers

Celebrating LifeHoly Family has become renowned throughout the region as

the venue to plan a unique event. Whether you are planning a

wedding, private party, or hosting a memorial reception for a

loved one, Holy Family’s newly renovated dining room,

attentive staff, and peaceful environment make it an ideal

location for any occasion.

Throughout history, the arts have had the power to foster change, challenge

complacency, and inspire compassion and justice in the world. The Golden

Thread Galley at Holy Family is a newly renovated space with gorgeous high

ceilings, beautiful natural light, and professional exhibit space. As an

independent non-profit organization, The Golden Thread Gallery works in

concert with Holy Family to provide professional and emerging artists from

any background the opportunity to explore the human and spiritual

experience of life. The Golden Thread represents the invisible, underlying

connection that weaves together the spirit of humanity through the arts.

Our spacious and contemporary gallery is the perfect canvas for your special event. The Golden Thread Gallery is availablefor parties, fundraisers, workshops, weddings, non-profit use, concerts, performances, and meetings.

Coming in the Autumn of 2014, Holy Family will launch the Copper

Beech Institute, a new independent non-profit organization dedicated to

exploring the transformative power of mindfulness and meditation

practice to awaken us to the fullness of our potential. Named after the

two magnificent Copper Beech trees that thrive at Holy Family, the

Copper Beech Institute will foster meaningful engagement with the most

challenging issues of our day. By cultivating the connection between

contemplation and compassionate action through retreats, healing arts

therapies, and extended learning opportunities, the Copper Beech

Institute at Holy Family will work to ensure personal well-being, the

health of the earth, and the peace of the entire human family.

For more information about scheduling a mindfulness and meditation

training during your event, visit CopperBeechInstitute.org.

Creativity and ContemplationSpiritual Life Center is a community of

contemplative deep listeners. Our ears are

trained on the work of the soul. We listen

for the movement of God in our own lives

and in the lives of others. We hear and hold

the sacred stories of individuals,

communities and creation itself. What we offer to the world is sustenance, healing,

and transformation. We welcome you to join us for spiritually enriching

programming, spiritual direction and companionship, and training for Spiritual

Direction. To learn more about our services or to schedule individual Spiritual

Direction or facilitated group discussions, visit www.spiritlifectr.org.

“Waking up this morning, I smile.

Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.

I vow to live fully in each moment and to look

at all beings with eyes of compassion.”

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

For more information on planning

your event at Holy Family, please

contact our Director of Special Events

at 860-521-0440, ext. 199

or visit www.HolyFamilyRetreat.org

303 Tunxis Road • West Hartford, CT 06107-3119 • 860.521.0440

www.holyfamilyretreat.org

“Our faculty members look forward to our annual curriculum planning retreat in large part because

of the retreat location and staff. Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center offers us the conference space

and technology we require but also offers us so much more...space for reflection, quiet study and small

group discussions, comfortable accommodations, good food, and exemplary hospitality. The only

improvement we could request is the ability to hold our retreat more than once a year!”