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Presence, Prayer, and Writing from the Heart: A Contemplative Writing Retreat

Location icon
53 Mill St, Westfield, MA 01085, USA
Date
October 2 - 4, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

We are never closer to our Creator than when we are creating. In writing, we engage in God’s infinite creative impulse to birth the new, the unexpected. Silence and stillness can assist that process by opening a portal to inner depths where we connect to ourselves, to others, to God, and all of creation. Come find your stories, the ones that need to be voiced.

All of us have myriad stories to tell, but some of us are compelled to share them through writing. Our stories can take many forms—memoir, essay, poem, blog posts, or journal entries—but the most compelling are the ones written from the heart, those that touch and move us and sometimes transform both the writer and reader. Writing from the heart demands attentiveness, honesty, courage, and a commitment to engage with a creative process that pulls us into the unknown, where we are often surprised at what surfaces. It’s a journey of discovery. And what can help are presence and prayer.

This contemplative writing retreat will braid Centering Prayer sessions, brief talks, writing prompts, and story sharing. There will also be time to walk the grounds, read, and rest.

Come listen to the still small voice and find the stories that need to be voiced.

Getting Here

Location icon Genesis Spiritual Center, 53 Mill St, Westfield, MA 01085, USA

Accommodation

Program Price

Customer Reviews

4.89 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Taste of Italy
Truly an amazing evening with delicious food, creative ambiance, and delightful entertainment. Congratulations, Genesis, on launching this new experience of bringing people together for friendship and sheer delight. Looking forward to the next Table of Grace.

5.0
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Biospiritual Focusing retreat at Genesis
I recently attended a five day Biospiritual Focusing retreat at Genesis. The program was excellent. The coordinators experience and wisdom were extremely helpful. I also appreciated their caring and responsiveness to anything I needed.
The staff at the retreat house created a caring, welcoming environment in every way. The food was excellent, and much appreciated. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful. It was a very positive experience, and am looking forward to my next retreat there.

5.0
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BioSpiritual Focusing Retreat 8/26
I received so many gifts of new knowledge and experiences from all 4 instructors and many participants. As always I enjoyed all of the outdoor spaces, especially the labyrinth. I truly appreciate the space that was freely available in the chapel, carriage house and friendship hall for myself and others to offer optional groups.

5.0
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Italy at Genesis
It was a wonderful evening. Not only was the food delicious, but the teamwork of the staff was admirable and the camaraderie of the guests made for an enjoyable evening. The ambiance was elegant!

5.0
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Table of Grace
Last Thursday evening I attended a Table of Grace Italian dinner with three friends. It was an amazing experience with sumptuous Italian food and beautiful hospitality. The four of us had been part of a Jubilee Year 2025 pilgrimage in Italy last August 2025 with our parish. The food and atmosphere at Genesis was ‘the real thing’!

Looking forward to the next themed event there at Genesis.

Thank you!

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