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.
