A Cup of Christmas Tea: Stories, Poems, Songs & Traditions
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Program Cost: $65.00 (includes Lunch)
This program begins on Wednesday, but there is still space available. To register, call the office at 847-381-1261.
Summary
Fr. Michael brings his favorite stories, poems, songs and traditions surrounding this most beloved season of the year. This is a day to soften the heart and open your spirit to the soulful, creative celebration of the Word made flesh, the birth of our Savior.
Description
Check-in starts at 8:30 am with a continental breakfast including coffee, tea, juice, fruit and and pastries. The day will include a few talks, Mass, a delicious, freshly made lunch with salad, soup, an entry and dessert.
All activities are optional, but we do ask everyone to respect the quiet of the retreat house for everyone to have the opportunity to read, rest, and reflect in the quiet.
You will have time to explore our 80 acres and almost 60k square feet of interior space. Bellarmine has two libraries, a resource center, two chapels, and many other common areas. Outdoor spaces include various walking trails, several prayer gardens, a gazebo, stations of the cross, as well as a few patios and outdoor chairs and benches.
Retreat Experience Gallery
Bellarmine Main Entrance
Sacred Heart Chapel
Mary McKeon Library
St. Joseph Gazebo
Mother Teresa Garden
Eastern Africa Collection
Fireplace Lounge
Dining Room
Winter on the Grounds
Resource Center
Sacred Heart Statue at Sunset
Susie's Memorial Garden
Madonna Library
Lower Level Lounge
Retreat Leader
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ is a retreat leader, poet, story teller and spiritual director at the Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, IL. He holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama and a Doctor of Ministry from St Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL. He is the founder of Charis, a national Jesuit retreat ministry for young adults in their 20s and 30s. For 10 years he trained spiritual directors at Loyola University-Chicago.
A prolific writer and speaker, Fr. Michael has published books, poems, CDs, and DVDs on prayer, discernment, and the sacraments with America Media, Franciscan Media, Paulist Press, Liturgical Training Publications and Audible. His latest co-authored book, published by Loyola Press, is What’s Your Decision? An Ignatian Approach to Decision Making.
Fr Michael is also the President of Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry. His weekly video homilies can be seen online at www.HtoH.US. He has just completed writing and directing a 12-part video series entitled: Discern & Decide: Navigating Life’s Choice, An Ignatian Video Guide.