I also did not know the Spiritual Leader would be a published New Testament Scholar whose daily sessions brought insights and understanding of the Passion, especially in the Gospel of John. Fr. Felix from Orange, CA helped us not get hung up in 'either or' but to accept 'both and' in so much of scripture. I did buy some of his CDs and I will share then when I return home.
The Holy Spirit Retreat Center is run by the Sisters of Social Services. The grounds are so beautiful and peaceful as you will be able to see some of it in my photos.
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| I parked in front of this fence and was welcomed by sweet smelling jasmine. |
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| The buildings are new and modern. |
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| Looking from the Chapel to the Dining Room |
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| My room was at the end of this row. These orange flowers were along all the rooms. |
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| This hedge of white roses lined the center walkway. They are full of buds and I was sure they would all bloom on Easter, but they didn't. |
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| I found white is very hard to photograph. |
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| The bell is christened "Pax" and was cast in 1889. |
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| The cook staff called us to meals using the mallet, not the clapper, with mandatory ear protection! |
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| This was my walk to classes. I could go down stairs, the wheelchair ramp or the path. |
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| It took several days to get a photo of the dew sparkling on the ornamental grasses. I think this would make a good jigsaw puzzle! |
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| I'm not sure what kind of sweet gum this is with the balls in a row rather than separate? |
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| Or what conifer this is? |
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| Close up of the orange flowers |
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| Close up of the bush in front of the Holy Spirit SSS sign |
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| Looking out of the chapel. We were introduced to the art of John August Swanson. His father is Swedish, his mother is Mexican and both are reflected in his art. |
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| Wow! |
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| I couldn't capture the beautiful curves of the front walls, the lights, hung at differing lengths on the ceiling or the stained glass on the sides. |
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| This Holy Spirit Dove is the tiny square between two giant walls. |
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| This dove was in the dining room. |
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| In the anteroom of the chapel. |
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| A Path to Creative Spirit Treasurers. I had no idea where this would lead me on my walking meditation. |
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| Behind our meeting room |
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| A pond! Kelly's Pond |
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| Complete with ducks sunning on the rocks. Sorry to disturb you! |
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| Paths and stairs to quiet places so perfect for meditation. |
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| And more |
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| And more. |
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| One had two benches and St. Francis |
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| And a row of Peace Lillies. |
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| A bank of Aloe that was not a tree. |
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| I haven't shown how plentiful the Bird of Paradise is all around So. Calif. |
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| Instead of going up, this quiet place went down. |
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| Isn't this a welcome place to sit and just "be"? |
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| I love this statue. |
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| American Indian Peace Circle |
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| A special planting of Orchids |
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| More seating and more choices of paths. |
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| Peace on Earth |
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| Back side more Languages |
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| What a clever idea to save the dripping water and use it! |
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| I saw a rubber ducky on the trail, didn't realize it was one of St. Francis' flock! |
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| Contrast of ancient with modern. |
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| What a surprise! What an Angel! |
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| Will add this to my power point presentation on trees. These can be the end of the garden walk OR the beginning. <smile> |
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| Wish I could have seen this in full bloom. |
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| This photo doesn't do justice to this beautiful plant. |
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| The top of the sacred garden. How tall the palms. From the additional parking lot. |
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| Easy to tell this is an orange blossom! |
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| Strange tree over the road on the way back to the Retreat Center. |
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| I found the flowers go to sleep at night. |
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| Holy Spirit Retreat Center from the back is still beautiful. |
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| Short path through these funny grasses. |
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| And up the stairs to the Office. |
I felt I was kept warm in a loving womb and was fed physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually this week. It was a beautiful experience.
What an incredible treasure and experience.
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