Events and Retreats at Villa Maria

(pre-registration is necessary for all events held at the Villa Maria)
Call us today! (651) 345-4582

 

From Seeds to Harvest : Sustainability Workshops

First Saturday of each month, April - September*

10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.

Explore practical and fun ways to live more sustainably

through this 6-part series. Workshops will take

participants through the entire growing season from

planting seeds and building raised beds to harvesting

and preserving your crops.
The June 1st class will feature a book discussion on                                                     "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" by Michael Pollan.

Instructor: Charmaine Podein

Cost: $10 per class (plus the cost of materials,

which will vary by project)

*July meeting will be held on June 29.

 Reading the Spiritual Classics

 (and Best Sellers) Book Club

Thursday June 13,  7:00 to 8:30 pm

"Breakfast With Buddha" by Roland Merullo

When his sister tricks him into taking her guru on a trip to their childhood home, Otto Ringling, a confirmed skeptic, is not amused. Six days on the road with an enigmatic holy man who answers every question with a riddle is not what he'd planned. But in an effort to westernize his passenger--and amuse himself--he decides to show the monk some "American fun" along the way. Gradually, skepticism yields to amazement as he realizes that his companion might just be the real thing.

In Roland Merullo's masterful hands, Otto tells his story with all the wonder, bemusement, and wry humor of a man who unwittingly finds what he's missing in the most unexpected place.

Cost: Free and All are Welcome, please RSVP by calling 6561-345-4582

A Mindfulness Hour: An Introduction

Tuesday, April 16, 23, 30

7:00p.m.

This course will offer an opportunity to learn the beginnings of the

mindfulness teachings, even in discussing the oft-heard phrase “it is what

it is.” Mindfulness meditation will be introduced and practiced, along with

poetry and movement. Discussion will be facilitated in order to make sense

of the teachings. Please come with a serious interest in this topic.

A person attending this course will leave with suggestions on how to begin

to introduce mindfulness skills into their life.

Suggested Donation: $10 per class

Instructor: Betsy Witt

Family Fun Night: Kick-Off to Summer

Wednesday, May 22

6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

This is a fun night for you and your parent(s) or child/children. You can roam

the grounds or participate in planned fun activities. It is intended to be an

easy night out for the whole family - and a chance to have fun with others.

Bring your cousins!!

There will be a gathering activity with a picnic-style dinner. Bring your own or

purchase something from the Villa. After dinner there will be activities and/or

free time. Following these activities there will be a campfire. All activities will

take place at Woodhaven Lodge and the large athletic field in the camp area.

Because this is a family event, there is no alcohol allowed.

Cost: Donation or $10 per family (extra $ for purchase of sack lunch)

All games & activities are free.

We could use volunteers for this fun-filled evening!

Feel free to bring a lawn game, Frisbee's, hula-hoops, volleyball, etc and your

favorite portable chair. Some equipment will be provided by the Villa.

Come see your neighbors, as well as meet new friends, in a family-centered

atmosphere. Call to order sack lunches so we have a count. Thanks

Summer Solstice Celebration

Friday, June 21

7:00p.m.

Join us for an evening of fun as we welcome back SUMMER! We will

gather around the campfire, directly behind Marian Hall and just beyond the

labyrinth, to share stories, poetry, music and/or drumming.

This event is Free. Bring a favorite poem or reading to share. Bring a friend!

Family Fun Night: Freedom Parade

Wednesday, June 26

6:00 to 8:30 p.m. ...See above

Call to order sack lunches so we have a count. Thanks.

Follow Up...

The Drum Making Workshop with Scott Tower of Falcon Drums took place on Saturday April 27, 2013.  Class size was limited so we are planning on another workshop later in the fall of 2013.  Below are some photo's of the workshop. 

Villa Granola

Homemade Granola is a favorite at the Villa, we thought you all would enjoy the recipe to make it at home.

Granola:

9 cups of old fashioned oats

4 cups of coconut
1 1/2 cups slivered almonds
3/4 cup of honey
1 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of raisins
1/2 cup of craisins
1/2 cup of dates

Preheat oven to 375. Toss oats, coconut, and nuts together. Whisk honey and oil together in separate bowl, pour over oat mixture and stir until coated. Bake 35-45 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture turns golden. When is done toss in dried fruit.

Weddings at the Villa Maria Retreat & Conference Center

The Villa Maria Retreat & Conference Center offers unique and beautiful spaces for wedding ceremonies.

Our chapel in Marian Hall has intricate stained glass windows and a spacious area for your wedding party to stand with you on your special day. There is comfortable seating for up to 60 and a piano and sound system available for use.

Ursuline Hall is a unique octagon-shaped building with wide open space. It can be arranged specifically for your wedding group and guests, with seating for up to 100. This space also has a piano and sound system.

The grounds at the Villa are beautiful during any season. Our acres have areas with woods, flower gardens and meadows. The grounds at the Villa also provide the backdrop for outstanding outdoor wedding photos.

Please review our wedding policies and let us know if the Villa Maria would fit your needs for your special day. Site visits can be arranged by appointment.
• Weddings may be booked either for outside, in the chapel or Ursuline Hall.
• Wedding ceremony may be held between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
• Receptions may not be held at the Villa Maria.
• Chapel is available for wedding ceremonies of all faiths.
    - For Catholic weddings church policy must be followed.
• Couple may use outside vendors for flowers, food, photography, etc., but all vendors must
arrange site visits through Villa Maria staff.
• Fee for use of the Villa Maria for weddings is $900.
     - Includes location for rehearsal and groom’s dinner (meals extra).
     - Indoor or outdoor space for wedding.
     - Three guest rooms (one-night) in Marian Hall and one meeting room.
     - Ability to reserve block of rooms or cabins for guests.
     - The couple is responsible for the general picking up or cleaning of the ceremony 
       space, so a $200 refundable deposit is to be held for this purpose.

For more details and dozens of pictures of our lovely facility and campus, visit our homepage!

A few kind words from our guests

To better serve those who stay with us, we ask every guest to fill out a comment card. Here are some comments left in the month of August.

“Excellent! Thanks for a much-needed rest from the business of my life, in which I found myself and peace, so that I can continue in life refreshed! Thank you for meeting my gluten-free meal needs!”

“It has been wonderful here in every way.

Excellent dining. The food was all delicious and served in a pleasing way. The meeting space was perfect! Ursuline Hall could not be better for our purpose. The staff was friendly, helpful and unintrusive. The bedroom was very comfortable and had everything I needed.

Thank you!”

“Wonderful! Peaceful & healing. It was a blessing to me to stay here. Very nice lounge rooms. The labyrinths were very healing.

 (The staff was) warm, welcoming and friendly. They made me feel at home. I can’t thank them enough. (The room) was very nice and comfortable. I asked for a room without an air conditioner & was given a nice room with a good fan and breeze. Lovely for sleeping.

I stopped because a two-day personal retreat was just what I needed and I was graciously accommodated.”

"Wonderful as always! Ursuline Hall is great. (The staff was) very helpful and knowledgeable."

Everyone at the Villa Maria is pleased to continue to provide a comfortable place for retreat and renewal.