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.
Access Your Inner Room with Centering Prayer
Top Rated
Access Your Inner Room with Centering Prayer
4.8671 reviews
53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
December 10 - 13, 2026
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Fr. Bill Sheehan is a priest and a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), and has a Masters Degree in Formative Spirituality from Duquesne University. Fr. Sheehan was present at the first Centering Prayer retreat offered by Fr. Thomas Keating, OCSO,at the Lama Foundation in 1993. Since that time, he has led many Centering Prayer workshops and retreats world-wide.
Details of this retreat
Discover the transformative power of centering prayer as you learn to access your sacred inner sanctuary. Join us to explore the practice of entering your "inner room," unlocking a deeper connection with the divine and finding profound peace within yourself.
Accessing our inner room and exploring its transformative effects is a profound spiritual practice rooted in Jesus' teachings.
How do we access our inner room?
What begins to happen when we enter or inner room?
Just prior to his death, Fr Thomas Keating encouraged us to return to the basics. Early on Fr Thomas placed a great emphasis on Matt. 6:6 “ Whenever you pray go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your dear ABBA in secret,” In focusing on this text Fr Thomas raises two very practical questions.
This retreat offers an opportunity to explore Fr. Thomas Keating's two practical questions about accessing and experiencing our inner room, while also providing time for centering prayer practice. Through this contemplative journey, participants will have the chance to deepen their understanding and experience of this powerful spiritual practice.
Thursday
3:00 pm check in
6:00 pm Supper
7:00 pm welcome and introductions
Friday and Saturday
7:30 am centering prayer
Breakfast
9:30 am centering prayer and conference
Lunch
1:30 pm spiritual direction…soul friending
3:00 pm centering prayer and conference
Supper
7:30 pm contemplative Eucharist (on Saturday the Sunday Liturgy will be celebrated)
Sunday
7:30 am centering prayer
Breakfast
9:30 centering prayer and conference
Lunch
Accessing our inner room and exploring its transformative effects is a profound spiritual practice rooted in Jesus' teachings.
How do we access our inner room?
What begins to happen when we enter or inner room?
Just prior to his death, Fr Thomas Keating encouraged us to return to the basics. Early on Fr Thomas placed a great emphasis on Matt. 6:6 “ Whenever you pray go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your dear ABBA in secret,” In focusing on this text Fr Thomas raises two very practical questions.
This retreat offers an opportunity to explore Fr. Thomas Keating's two practical questions about accessing and experiencing our inner room, while also providing time for centering prayer practice. Through this contemplative journey, participants will have the chance to deepen their understanding and experience of this powerful spiritual practice.
Thursday
3:00 pm check in
6:00 pm Supper
7:00 pm welcome and introductions
Friday and Saturday
7:30 am centering prayer
Breakfast
9:30 am centering prayer and conference
Lunch
1:30 pm spiritual direction…soul friending
3:00 pm centering prayer and conference
Supper
7:30 pm contemplative Eucharist (on Saturday the Sunday Liturgy will be celebrated)
Sunday
7:30 am centering prayer
Breakfast
9:30 centering prayer and conference
Lunch
Getting Here
Genesis Spiritual Center, 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
Accommodation
Program Price
Customer Reviews
Verified
1.0
Verified
Lenten Conversation with the Psalms
Due to the blizzard, I was unable to attend
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.
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
