5.0
Verified
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.
Exploring Presence: Tending the Presence We Offer – And the Presence We Are
Top Rated
Exploring Presence: Tending the Presence We Offer – And the Presence We Are
4.8671 reviews
53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
April 23 - 26, 2026
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Lucy Abbott Tucker has worked in adult formation and the preparation of people for the ministry of spiritual direction for the past thirty-six years. With an initial background in mathematics and education she moved from New York to Chicago in 1983 and studied at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership, Chicago. She went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Theology at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.
Lucy worked for many years at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago including the position of Executive Director and President of the Board of Directors. Lucy has been active in the work of Spiritual Directors International, serving on the first Coordinating Council and chairing the initial committee that prepared the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct endorsed by Spiritual Directors International. She also worked on the recent revisions of that document. She is a frequent presenter at the annual meetings of Spiritual Directors International.
In addition to her ministry as a spiritual director and supervisor, Lucy currently teaches at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and has worked in training programs preparing people for the ministry of spiritual direction in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Canada. Lucy has also published several articles on adult formation and the ministry of spiritual direction.
Lucy Abbott Tucker’s book, Spiritual Direction Supervision: Principles, Practices, and Storytelling, published by SDI Press, brings fresh energy and practical wisdom to the art of spiritual direction supervision.
Published Articles:
A Curriculum to Accompany the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct, Presence 24.7, 2018
Live Nearby, Visit Often: Focusing and the Spiritual Direction Process, Presence 7.3, 2001
Guidelines for Ethical Conduct: A Glance Backward, A Glimpse Ahead, Presence 16.2, 2010
Embracing the Wisdom of the Body, Feelings and Spiritual Direction, Sacred is the Call, 2005
Called and Trained: The mission of spiritual direction and the training of directors, Journal for Supervision and Training, 2006
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)
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
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
Verified
5.0
Verified
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.
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
Verified
Lenten Conversation with the Psalms
Due to the blizzard, I was unable to attend
5.0
Verified
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.
5.0
Verified
Wise woman Retreat
The best part of this retreat was connecting with the amazing women who shared this retreat with me. It is so affirming and healing to be in a group of mature women who listen with their hearts and all their wisdom and very little judgment. The Genesis Spiritual Center is very welcoming and accommodating and made you feel at home. The leader of the retreat set the stage and then allowed us to fly. I am so glad that I took the time to go.
Last Chance
