Last September while at the Tea and Tour of Cranbrook House and Gardens, I sat at a table with a lady named Rita, who is the Development Director at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills, MI. She told me about their annual Advent Tea and invited me to attend.
I used to pass the retreat center, which sits on 39 wooded acres, several times a week, but knew nothing about it. At yesterday's tea I learned it's a Catholic facility, but is also used by other religious and educational groups.
I used to pass the retreat center, which sits on 39 wooded acres, several times a week, but knew nothing about it. At yesterday's tea I learned it's a Catholic facility, but is also used by other religious and educational groups.
The grounds are beautiful.
While driving back to the retreat center we saw a deer looking curiously at us. ;-)
~ The Retreat Center ~
At 1:00 p.m. we gathered in a large room where Mary shared how God taught her the virtue of generosity.
Then the Director of Women's Programs at Manresa gave a devotional about God's Invitation: Our Response.
Manresa had just been gifted with a huge collection of china teacups, and the teacup below was the one I used.
Lori and I were privileged to sit with two lovely young women - L: Jennifer and R: Charlotte. They met at a women's retreat at Manresa and became friends. I love seeing young women who like tea, but even more, young women who dedicate themselves to following Christ.
~ Manresa was beautifully decorated for Christmas ~
I especially liked the five-step spiritual exercise to take at the end of every day. It's good to review things that occur over 24-hours, and give God praise for His blessings, and seek His help in the areas that hindered our relationship with Him.
At 2:00 p.m. we went into the beautiful dining room for the tea. The buffet table was filled with a variety of delicious treats, and we selected a tea bag of our choice. Pump pots were filled with hot water.
[Above photo courtesy of Manresa photographer]
~ Lori and Me ~
Manresa had just been gifted with a huge collection of china teacups, and the teacup below was the one I used.
Lori and I were privileged to sit with two lovely young women - L: Jennifer and R: Charlotte. They met at a women's retreat at Manresa and became friends. I love seeing young women who like tea, but even more, young women who dedicate themselves to following Christ.
~ The tea was very well attended. ~
~ Manresa was beautifully decorated for Christmas ~
~ Beautiful Christmas tree in the library ~
~ Chapel ~
Thank you so much for telling me about your Advent Tea, Rita. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas Season.
What a wonderful tea and facility. I am so glad you shared this with us as there is a similar type facility here in the Rockrimmon area of Colorado Springs called St. Francis.
ReplyDeleteThat would have been a marvelous event to attend. Wonderful! The facilities are lovely and the tea looks wonderful! Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
ReplyDeleteRuth
It looks like a wonderful tea, one I would enjoy. How special to have tea time at this beautiful retreat center.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you could join us, Phyllis. Glad you saw Manresa dressed in her finest.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a lovely and inspiring way to celebrate the Christmas season!
ReplyDelete