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Escape to a Summer Sanctuary- A Weekend Silent Directed Retreat

Location icon
53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
Date
August 21 - 23, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

As summer begins to slip by, are you longing for some rest, solitude and connection to the Holy? Allow yourself time for a sacred pause. Come to savor the prayerful surroundings, silence, and spiritual companionship for a weekend. Arrive on Friday afternoon at 3:00, enjoy dinner and conversation at 6:00, and begin the retreat at 7:00 with a communal prayer service. You will meet with your spiritual director to discuss how you can make the most of this time and to decide on a time to meet on Saturday. Saturday will include an optional communal prayer service at 7:00. On Sunday communal breakfast will be at 8:00. Departure from your room will be at 10:00. Anyone who wishes may remain on the grounds of Genesis as your schedule allows.

Getting Here

Location icon Genesis Spiritual Center, 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA

Accommodation

Program Price - Single Occupancy

Customer Reviews

4.86 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Nourishing, Beautiful Retreat
The Divine Feminine Retreat with Shannon K. Evans was truly wonderful. It was a nourishing blend of quiet, contemplative time to reflect, and intimate, interactive time within the small, supportive community of our group. Our group is hoping that Shannon will return to lead us in another retreat; I would sign up right away for that and eagerly look forward to attending. Additionally, I had never been to Genesis before, and absolutely have it on my radar now for other programs and as a healing sanctuary.

5.0
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A Prayerful Evening with the Psalms
I enjoyed the presentation and the sharing. However, I would have preferred to have at least three evenings on this topic for the Lenten Season.

5.0
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Be With an Open Heart
I spent time with JoAnn Bourquard a few years ago when I was on a day-long retreat at Genesis Spiritual Center. We meditated together and I opened my heart to her for spiritual guidance. She deeply listened, attentive and present with me, as I shared some difficult challenges I was having in my life. I clearly remember her gently and kindly responding with a phrase, "you have your work cut out for you". I have accepted that gift from her, without even being entirely certain what she meant, as part of my daily spiritual practice since then.
This most recent Zoom experience with her, dedicated to reflecting on this season of Lent and what it means for each of us who were there on the screen, was also a gift. Guided by JoAnn, we had opportunities to pray, meditate, and share aloud about our daily spiritual practice, whatever it is. All experiences validated and accepted. No judgement if we weren't Catholic or even Christian. I am a Buddhist practitioner and I felt completely welcomed. I offered to share with the group a poem I had written for Lent and read it tearfully. God and the Universe are indeed good to me when I open my heart to them. Blessings, Jennifer D.

1.0
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Lenten Conversation with the Psalms
Due to the blizzard, I was unable to attend

5.0
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The Wisdom of St. Francis
Simon and David led us on a beautiful experience of St. Francis and St. Clare. The music, sharing, dialogue and discussion all helped to create a strong bond between participants. Genesis is a place of peace, hope and healing, and I could feel it the moment I arrived. Thank you to the staff for their hospitality and kindness.

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