A festive, reflective atmosphere greeted the hundreds of people who visited the Sacred Hearts Seminary and Retreat Center on Sunday afternoon.

Nestled on 118 acres on Great Neck, the center hosts a variety of different groups – from poets to those in recovery – throughout the year. Many of those guests returned Sunday. They toured the center during its annual Christmas open house. 

“We’ve been doing this for many, many years,” said Sister Claire Bouchard, the center’s administrator. “It’s an opportunity to get everyone together to share in the spirit, joy and hospitality of the season.”

She said many guests return with friends and family. All together, roughly 300 people arrive each year for the open house. The center served as a seminary until the 1960s, when it became a novitiate for incoming members of the fathers of the Sacred Hearts. In the 1980s, the property became a retreat center and has continued to operate as one ever since.

The first floor of the center’s main building featured tastefully decorated Christmas trees. On display in several rooms were the center’s treasured Nativity scenes. The mangers, many which are handmade, are from around the world.

Bouchard noted many were donated by a local couple who traveled the world collected them wherever they could. In total, there were more than 100 Nativity scenes on display. Bouchard credited center staff for taking the time to set up the decorations, noting the open house wouldn’t be possible without them.

For more information on the center, call 508-295-0100.