The Holy Family campus has been a fixture in West Hartford for more than 60 years, but even many in town have no idea what’s beyond those stone columns on Tunxis Road.
By Ronni Newton
Aerial view of the Holy Family campus at 303 Tunxis Rd., West Hartford, CT. Courtesy photo.
Most of the activities on the grounds of the Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford are spiritually-oriented, but the four entities that share space on the property definitely don’t want to be mysterious about what happens on their idyllic 48-acre campus.
“We have people who live across the street from us who probably don’t know what we do over here, and the many wonderful programs that we offer,” said Kathy Colello of the Holy Family Retreat Center.
“Holy Family” has grown and evolved into four distinct entities over the past few years. Their missions are complementary, yet each has a different focus. But all share the goal of wanting the public to know more about their programs.
All four entities – Holy Family Retreat Center, Copper Beech Institute, Golden Thread Gallery, and Spiritual Life Center – are holding a joint Open House, “A Taste of Holy Family,” on Sept. 21. The event is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m., and open to the public free of charge with no reservation required.
“So many wonderful things are taking place on the Holy Family campus – from life-changing programs to yoga and meditation classes to exciting art exhibits – but not everyone knows about them,” Fr. David Cinquegrani, director of Holy Family Retreat Center, said in a news release. “This open house is a fun way for us to educate the community about the four outstanding organizations housed here and the incredibly diverse selection of programs and activities they offer.”
The four organizations housed on the Holy Family campus at 303 Tunxis Rd., West Hartford, are:
Four entities with distinct yet complementary missions share space on the Holy Family campus. Courtesy photo.
- The Holy Family Retreat Center “where individuals of all religious faiths and backgrounds can quiet their minds, nourish their spirits, and explore their connection to God through peace-filled day, evening, and weekend retreats and programs.” According to the website, the retreat center is also a place for those in recovery from addiction and an active supporter of youth ministry.
- The Copper Beech Institute, “where seekers can experience the transformative power of mindfulness and meditation practice to awaken to the fullness of their potential.” The Copper Beech Institute, named for three copper beech trees located on the campus, is beginning its inaugural season, and according to a release, it offers “day retreats, weekend retreats, professional training workshops, and extended learning opportunities. Copper Beech Institute has also partnered with the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Center for Mindfulness to offer an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course three times a year.”
- The Golden Thread Gallery, “for inspirational art exhibits and talks by professional and emerging artists of various backgrounds, cultures and religions.” The Golden Thread Gallery has just launched its second season with the exhibit “Surface &Depth.”
- The Spiritual Life Center, “a non-denominational community committed to promoting peace, justice and care of creation by offering programs of spiritual mentoring to individuals, groups, and organizations.”
Sunday’s Open House will include a tour as well as refreshments, music, and mini-retreat experiences. Guests are also invited to walk the campus’ stone labrynth.
The Copper Beach Institute’s program for the Open House is called The Great Letting Go: An Autumn Open House Retreat and includes “a guided mindfulness meditation and an outdoor yoga class.”
At 4 p.m. the Open House will feature a presentation about the “practical application of mindfulness in everyday life” entitled “Mindfulness, Dung Beetles, and the Lesson of the Trees.” It will be presented by the Copper Beech Institute’s founder and executive director, Dr. Brandon Nappi.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to visit our tranquil 48-acre campus, which is home to four independent nonprofit organizations: the Copper Beech Institute, the Golden Thread Gallery, the Spiritual Life Center, and Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center,” said Dr. Nappi in a release. “Together these four entities collaborate to create a welcoming and peaceful environment for growth and renewal.”
For more information about the Holy Family campus and its programs, visit www.holyfamilyretreat.
