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Exploring Presence: Tending the Presence We Offer – And the Presence We Are

Location icon
53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
Date
April 23 - 26, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Presence is a sacred art, one that shapes not only how we accompany others, but how we awaken to ourselves. As spiritual directors and companions, we offer our presence to our directees and strive to provide a safe space for their true essence to emerge and flourish. In that striving, we also need to ponder whether we offer the same gift to ourselves.  Join us as we explore the different facets of presence and how the quality of our presence impacts us, our directees, and those around us.

This retreat will be led by spiritual companion, author, and educator, Lucy Abbott Tucker. It will include morning and afternoon sessions and will provide a rich environment of learning, sharing, and reflection. Commuter and overnight options are available.
A retreat for Spiritual Directors/Companions
Co-sponsored by
Spiritual Life Center & Genesis Spiritual Life Center
Retreat Schedule
Thursday, April 23
3:00-5:00 Room Check-in (for 3-night stays)
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Evening Program/chat

Friday, April 24
8:00 Breakfast for Overnight Guests
9:00 Morning Program
12:00 Lunch
1:30 Afternoon Program
4:00 End of Day 1 Program
4:00-6:00 Room Check-in (for 2-night stays)
6:00 Dinner (overnight guests)

Saturday, April 25
8:00 Breakfast for Overnight Guests
9:00 Morning Program
1:30 Afternoon Program
4:00 End of Day 2 Program
6:00 Dinner (overnight guests)

Sunday, April 26
8:00 Breakfast
10:00 Room Check-out (2 & 3-night stays)

 

Getting Here

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

Accommodation

3-Night - Single Occupancy - Apr 23-26
3-Night - Double Occupancy - Apr 23-26 (Requires Two People)
2-Night - Single Occupancy - Apr 24-26
2-Night - Double Occupancy - Apr 24-26 (Requires Two People)
2-Day Commuter with Lunch (Friday & Saturday)
1-Day Commuter with Lunch (Friday)
1-Day Commuter with Lunch (Saturday)

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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