The rain on Saturday could not keep the visitors --- or the smiles--- away on Community Day. Guests from the San Francisco Bay came to discover the hidden gem of the Peninsula known as the Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos.
The Centennial Celebration for the Retreat Center began with an open invitation for the public to tour the grounds, buildings, and trails. There were almost 140 guests who came to the Retreat Center for the first time. As they came to the O’Mara Conference room, they took a historic journey by way of the JRC Timeline created by the Retreat Center staff.
After receiving a JRC Centennial water bottle, a protein bar and a warm welcome from Conor Flannery, Chair of the Board of Directors, and Fr. Chi Ngo, S.J., Executive Director, visitors were guided by volunteer docents to view such sights as the Loyola Gardens including the replica of the cave where St. Ignatius wrote the Spiritual Exercises, the beautiful Rossi Chapel, the Stations of the Cross and Rosary Trail, and the Filice Room which was the chapel for the first Mass celebrated at the Retreat Center in 1925.
Hot coffee and pastries were waiting for these travelers as they came to the Gellert Rotunda along with the views of Silicon Valley. Fr. Kevin Leidich, S.J., completed their journey with a short history of the Rotunda, an explanation of Ignatian Spirituality and an invitation to consider a retreat.
Here are some comments from our visitors:
My husband and I enjoyed the tour, the stories about the JRC shared by Father John, and learning about the retreats the place offers. Beautiful place!
Many thanks to you all that organized such a lovely afternoon.
I didn’t know this beautiful place existed!
As we complete the final year of our first 100 years, and the Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos looks forward to the future, we want our supporters know how much they are appreciated. Because of you, we know that the Retreat Center will welcome thousands of visitors in the future.