Ongoing Programs
Holy Family offers a wide range of programs that meet on a regular basis and are available throughout the year. Many of these programs are offered at no cost and do not require registration.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Christian Contemplative Prayer Group
JustFaith Group
Labyrinth
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Monastery Dining Room. Directions: Drive around the far right side of the building and park in Lot C. When approaching the building (large black sign - Monastery Building), use the Monastery elevator entrance #5 and take the elevator to the basement level. Holy Family also offers Recovery Retreat Weekends, learn more about our Matt Talbot Recovery Retreats.
Christian Contemplative Prayer Group
Our Christian Contemplative Prayer group focuses on Welcoming Prayer, Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. Please join us on the First and Third Thursdays in the Holy Family Retreat Center Anam Cara Room at 7:00 PM to share in these beautiful forms of Christian Contemplative prayer. Our evenings include Welcoming Prayer, Video Teaching and Dialogue, Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer. Please contact Mike Smoolca by email at msmoolca@hotmail.com or by calling 860-798-8992 for more information and to be added to our email list.
We welcome Guests and Beginners to join and deepen their prayer practice with us. For newcomers, an orientation starting at 6:30 PM on the nights we meet can be arranged in advance by contacting Mike Smoolca. In addition to the orientation, we provide beginners with initial material on Welcoming Prayer, Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina and other resources. A free-will offering is accepted. To access the Anam Cara room enter through entrance #5, the monastery elevator, and go to the second floor, turn right and proceed to the end of the hall.
JustFaith Group
Formed in January 2015, the JustFaith group at Holy Family started with 15 individuals on a 27-week journey of study and discussion based on the JustFaith Ministries nationwide program, which is designed to gain an understanding of the root causes of many of our broken social systems in the US and abroad. Topics included poverty, racism, immigration and refugees, homelessness and more.
Since completing the program, the group has opened its arms to the broader faith community at Holy Family and volunteers in areas of poverty, racism, immigration, women’s mental health and prison reform. In addition to a variety of volunteer opportunities, the JustFaith group also hosts a variety of events throughout the year to raise public awareness about these issues. Learn more about the opportunities and events hosted by the Holy Family JustFaith group.
Labyrinth
We welcome you to walk the labyrinth daily from sunrise to sunset. No appointment necessary. Learn more about the labyrinth's history and how it can support your spiritual journey.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry was started right here in Connecticut and has spread to churches and groups around the world. Come and experience this meditative and prayerful practice. We knit or crochet prayer shawls woven with our blessings and prayers for those in need. Donations of unused skeins of yarn for our "community stash” are welcome. Enter through the front of the Retreat Center, entrance #4, and follow the signs, or through the Center Building, entrance #1, under the maroon awning and take the elevator to the second floor. For additional information, contact Beth Malley at bethmalley92@gmail.com. Meetings are the second Saturday of each month (except for July and August) in the Second Floor Classroom, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Beginners and experienced knitters welcomed!