Programs

Yoga Foundations: A Gentle Practice for Body, Breath & Being

With Angelica Lopez

Open Dates
Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

This gentle class invites you to explore mindful movement, breathwork, and simple meditation, all grounded in the heart of yoga philosophy. Each week stands on its own, offering accessible movement (with options for both chair and mat), breathing practices, and reflections on the deeper purpose and roots of yoga. Come as you are—whether it's your […]

Heart Centered Meditation

Open Dates
Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

Step into the stillness of daily centering prayer and discover a sacred rhythm of peace, presence, and transformation within a loving community. Join a loving, conscious, healing community for prayer and meditation — two virtual DAILY one-hour sessions at 7:00am and 7:00pm. Each gathering is a gentle invitation to begin or close the day in […]

Private Retreat

Flexible Dates
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Are you seeking a sanctuary where time slows down, inner peace awakens, and your spirit finds renewed clarity? At Genesis, we invite you to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and renewal, where the beauty of stillness can awaken your spirit. Step away from life's relentless pace and immerse yourself in a personal retreat […]

Becoming A BioSpiritual Focusing Companion

With Mike Smoolca and Nancy Benben

September 23, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life Center and The Spiritual Life Center (Hartford)

Experienced BioSpiritual Focusing practitioners and teachers, Mike Smoolca and Nancy Benben are offering a comprehensive 6-session program focused on developing BioSpiritual Focusing companions. This is aimed at all those wishing to learn the dynamics of effective and confident companioning. The 2-hour sessions will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and will be held over […]

Inner Light: Yoga Retreat

With Sally Barber

September 26 - 28, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

Light, your light, is the focus of this weekend yoga retreat. Yoga is the perfect way - and now is the perfect time – to increase your inner light. With yoga practices that move the body and focus the mind, you release tensions, overcome negative thoughts, and reduce anxiety. You feel heathier, calmer, lighter. With […]

BioSpiritual Focusing: Day of Presence

With Donna O'Connor

September 27, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

Imagine a space where science meets spirituality, where your body becomes a conduit for divine wisdom, and where every breath draws you closer to the essence of your being. Embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening through the practice of BioSpiritual Focusing. “When you seek me, you will find me. Seek me […]

Praying with Hearts and Hands: Prayer Shawl Ministry

With Connie Bartelson and Janet Young

October 3 - 5, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Center

Wrap yourself in a tapestry of compassion and divine love, where every stitch carries a heartfelt prayer and every thread weaves comfort for those walking through life's most challenging journeys. Join us for a warm and welcoming gathering as we come together to knit and crochet with purpose. This unique program combines the art of […]

Blessing of the Animals

With Joseph Krans, OFS

October 4, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Join hearts and paws on October 4th at 10:00 AM at Genesis Spiritual Life Center for the Blessing of the Animals, a celebration of the cherished connection between humans and their animal companions, coinciding with the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, known for his profound love for all […]

Embracing the Journey: A Women's Retreat on the Spiritual and Psychological Dimensions of Aging

With Betty Hill Crowson

October 9 - 12, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embracing the Journey: A Women's Retreat on the Spiritual and Psychological Dimensions of Aging Embark on a transformative three-day retreat that invites you to embrace the profound journey of aging with grace and wisdom. Join other women as we journey into a deeper identity of and compassion for ourselves as we embrace the realities of […]

Tending Soul

With Liz Walz, MA

October 17 - 19, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Dreams whisper divine secrets, beckoning us to listen—will you heed their call? Without a vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 In Biblical scripture, for people to receive dreams and visions is common. In fact, the absence of dreams or visions is sorely noted. Life in modernity tells a different story; dreams are often ignored or […]

Unleash Your Inner Artist: An Exploration of Art Journaling

With Peg Considine BFA, M.Ed.

October 31 - November 2, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Imagine a sanctuary where blank pages become portals to your deepest self, where art becomes a language of the soul, and creativity flows as freely as your breath. This isn't just an art retreat—it's a journey of self-discovery that will awaken the artist you've always known lived inside you. Whether you're a seasoned creator or […]

Love's Soft Stillness: Hadewijch and Meister Eckhart as Mystical Companions - Virtual Program

With Mark Burrows

November 6, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Across the arc of the high Middle Ages, a powerful vernacular “school” of mysticism emerged. Associated with the brilliant 13th century Flemish Beguine Hadewijch and, half a century later, the German Dominican Meister Eckhart, these voices charted new mystical paths for those daring to venture on “a wayless way” (Eckhart). We’ll weave a conversation with […]

Sacred Soul: An Online Evening Retreat

With Cami Twilling

November 13, 2025

What if rediscovering your own sacredness could transform not only your life, but also the way you see the entire living Earth? Join Cami Twilling, Director of Earth & Soul, for a virtual evening retreat as we draw from the wisdom of John Philip Newell’s writings on Pelagius from Sacred Earth Sacred Soul. We will […]

Christianity in Crisis: The Journey Towards Individuation of a Religious Tradition

With Br. Don Bisson, FMS

November 14 - 16, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

We are in a major transition. Are you ready to explore the future of Christianity and discover how you can be part of its transformation? Brother Don Bisson, FMS, presents a thought-provoking examination of Christianity's current challenges and its potential for renewal. This conference delves into the complex landscape of modern Christianity, addressing: The rise […]

Come to the Table: A Day on the Holy Spirit

With Michelle Suhocki and Valenda Liptak

November 15, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Discover how the Holy Spirit empowers your daily life: join us for a transformative day of insight, reflection, and practical application. This enriching event offers a deep dive into the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life. Participants will explore how the Holy Spirit functions as our divine Helper, actively working in the world […]

Journey to Wholeness: Forgiveness as a Spiritual Practice

With Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI

November 20 - 23, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Discover the profound freedom and healing that forgiveness offers as you set out on a sacred journey to renew your spirit, deepen your faith, and transform your life. Forgiveness as a Spiritual Practice invites participants to explore the transformative power of forgiveness within their spiritual journey. Through reflection, silence, and centering prayer, this program provides […]

A Simply Centered Advent: Mandalas, Candles and Prayer - Virtual Retreat

With Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner

December 1 - 22, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Begin your Advent journey this year with creative prayer, calming candlelight, and contemplative coloring. The beauty of Advent can easily become lost amidst the busy-ness of the season. If we are not careful and intentional, the sacred invitation to “wait with bated breath” quickly becomes the cultural compulsion to “shop with stressed-out spirit.”  Are you […]

Celebrate the Advent O’s - Guided Advent Retreat

With Nancy Sheridan, SASV

December 5 - 7, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step into a transformative experience this Advent with our Annual Guided Retreat. Immerse yourself in a sanctuary of peace and reflection, where you can pause amidst the holiday hustle and reconnect with your inner self. Advent 2025 Celebrating 15 Years - Celebrate the Advent O’s: Come Wisdom, Come Dayspring; Come Emmanuel Our gathering includes guided […]

Present to Presence: A Centering Prayer Retreat

With Anne Simpkinson

December 12 - 14, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Are you yearning for a profound spiritual experience that transcends the noise and chaos of everyday life? Discover a transformative journey into the depths of silence and divine connection, where you'll learn to open yourself to God's presence through the contemplative practice of Centering Prayer. A practice that promises healing, inner peace, and spiritual awakening. […]

Mindful Transitions: A Contemplative Year End Retreat

With Joseph Krans, OFS

December 30, 2025 - January 2, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

As we prepare to welcome a new year, we invite you to participate in a transformative program that honors the journey of 2025 while igniting hope for what lies ahead. Take a moment to pause, reflect on the experiences that have shaped you over the past twelve months, and look forward with anticipation to 2026. […]

BioSpiritual Focusing: Day of Presence

With Donna O'Connor

January 10, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Imagine a space where science meets spirituality, where your body becomes a conduit for divine wisdom, and where every breath draws you closer to the essence of your being. Embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening through the practice of BioSpiritual Focusing. “When you seek me, you will find me. Seek me […]

Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love - Virtual Study Group

With Joseph Krans, OFS

January 15 - February 12, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Imagine a world where everyone feels deeply known, unconditionally accepted, and powerfully connected—where love becomes the lens through which we see each other, healing divides and transforming lives. Cherished Belonging by Gregory Boyle invites us on such a compassionate journey, guiding us to rediscover our shared humanity in times of division and pain. Over five weeks, […]

Closing Circles, Opening Horizons: A Reflective Journey from 2025 to 2026

With Eileen Epperson

January 16 - 18, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

As we stand on the threshold of 2026, we have an opportunity to pause and reflect on our experience of 2025. You are warmly invited to join a group of people like you who are also committed to living in the driver’s seat of their life. What were the lessons in 2025, the milestones achieved, […]

Enneagram for the Inward Journey

With Nancy Benben

January 23 - 25, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

“The purpose of the Enneagram is not self-improvement, which would be our ego’s goal. Rather, it is the transformation of consciousness so that we can realize our essence, our True Self…The primary goal of any spiritual tool is union with God/Truth, and then we get united with ourselves in the process!” - Fr. Richard Rohr […]

Upgrading the Heart: Living Beyond the Egoic Operating System

With Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI

January 30 - February 1, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Within each of us lie two distinct “operating systems” that shape how we move through the world. Cynthia Bourgeault describes these as the Egoic Operating System—rooted in self-preservation, fear, and separation—and the Operating System of the Heart, which perceives life through connection, compassion, and wholeness. Join Fr. Bill Sheehan for this weekend program, where we […]

GENESIS: Sacred Story of Birth and Rebirth - A Virtual Retreat

With Diarmuid O'Murchu, MSC

February 6 - 8, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

What if life’s deepest mysteries are always inviting us to be born anew? This retreat invites participants to enter a sacred space of reflection and renewal with Fr. Diarmuid O’Murchu, international author and spiritual guide, who has graced Genesis with his wisdom since the early 1990s. Across the weekend, we will open ourselves to two […]

Becoming the Wise Woman: Embracing the Sacred Path of the Elder

With Janice Olson

February 13 - 15, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Aging is not an ending—it’s an awakening. When the world expects you to shrink, what if you rose up wiser, bolder, and radiant with hidden power? This retreat is a call to every woman standing at the threshold of elderhood: lay down old stories of loss and invisibility, and embrace the sacred adventure of becoming […]

BioSpiritual Focusing 10 Week Book Study and Practicum Copy

With Mike Smoolca and Peri Boyle

February 18 - April 22, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Envision a space where science and spiritual insight meet, transforming your body into a channel for sacred knowledge.  Join us for a transformative journey of self-discovery with our BioSpiritual Focusing 10-week book study and practicum. Delve into the profound insights of Fr. Peter A. Campbell and Fr. Edwin M. McMahon's groundbreaking work, Rediscovering the Lost Body-Connection […]

The Wisdom of St. Francis of Assisi

With Simon de Voil and David Wallace

February 20 - 22, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step into a world where radical simplicity and profound joy illuminate the path—what happens when ancient wisdom meets modern longing for meaning? Join Simon de Voil and David Wallace for a transformative 5-part journey into the spiritual depth and beauty of the Franciscan tradition. Through conversation, reflection, and song, we’ll explore the timeless wisdom of […]

Living with Real Presence: Eucharist as an Approach to Life - Virtual Study Group

With Joseph Krans, OFS

February 26 - March 26, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

“If we do not become the real presence of Christ… if, when we leave the church, we don’t see Christ in others and seek to be Christ for others… then we do not truly understand the real presence of Christ.” With these challenging and inspiring words at heart, this 5-week study invites us to reflect […]

Heartwork for Daily Life: An Invitation to Journey with Christian Mystics

With Mark Burrows

March 27 - 29, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

There is a river running through the heart of Christianity, deep and ancient—yet many have never tasted its waters. The tradition of Christian mysticism is an ancient and varied source of inspiration and provocation. Yet it has not always received the recognition it deserves. Those we call “mystics” were often at the margins of the church […]

Ecological Stations of the Cross: A Journey of Environmental Reflection

With Joseph Krans, OFS

March 31, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embark on a transformative journey that intertwines ancient spiritual wisdom with urgent environmental consciousness. Join us for a profound and thought-provoking 90-minute experience that blends spiritual tradition with environmental awareness. Our Ecological Stations of the Cross program offers a unique opportunity to reflect on humanity's impact on the Earth and our role in both environmental […]

By His Cross and Resurrection: A Triduum Retreat

With Fr. Michael Broderick and Joseph Krans, OFS

April 2 - 5, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Imagine stepping away from the noise and chaos of everyday life into a profound spiritual sanctuary. You are invited to walk alongside Jesus during His most intimate and pivotal moments, to witness His passion, share in His suffering, and ultimately celebrate the hope of resurrection. Experience these holy days not just as distant historical events, […]

Nature Immersion: The Forest as Companion - Relationships, Reciprocity, and Justice in the Outdoors

With Jeanette Banashak and Simon de Voil

April 28 - May 3, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step into the forest as if entering a sacred conversation—one that listens as much as it speaks. This retreat invites you into a deep communion with the natural world and one another—through forest bathing (shinrin yoku), community practices, outdoor spiritual rituals, and nature-inspired creativity. Together, we’ll immerse ourselves in nature, as we wander at a […]

Present to Presence: A Centering Prayer Retreat

With Anne Simpkinson

May 22 - 24, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Are you yearning for a profound spiritual experience that transcends the noise and chaos of everyday life? Discover a transformative journey into the depths of silence and divine connection, where you'll learn to open yourself to God's presence through the contemplative practice of Centering Prayer. A practice that promises healing, inner peace, and spiritual awakening. […]

Thresholds of Hope: A Spiritual Practice Retreat

With Cami Twilling

May 29 - 31, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step across the threshold into a weekend of renewal, where prayer, movement, and the ancient wisdom of Celtic spirituality awaken hope and courage for uncertain times. Here, amidst sacred listening, discover the strength Earth and Spirit offer—inviting you to live and act with deeper compassion. Join us for an experiential weekend led by Cami Twilling, […]

Silent Directed Retreat - 6 Day - Nurturing Your Spirit

With Nancy Sheridan, SASV

June 16 - 22, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive silent-directed retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. During a silent-directed retreat, each participant meets daily with an experienced spiritual director who serves as a spiritual companion throughout the […]

Silent Directed Retreat - 6 Day - Nurturing Your Spirit

With Nicki Verploegen, Ph.D.

June 16 - 22, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive silent-directed retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. During a silent-directed retreat, each participant meets daily with an experienced spiritual director who serves as a spiritual companion throughout the […]

Silent Directed Retreat - 6 Day - Nurturing Your Spirit

With Nancy Sheridan, SASV

July 28 - August 3, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive silent-directed retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. During a silent-directed retreat, each participant meets daily with an experienced spiritual director who serves as a spiritual companion throughout the […]

Silent Directed Retreat - 6 Day - Nurturing Your Spirit

With Nicki Verploegen, Ph.D.

July 28 - August 3, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive silent-directed retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. During a silent-directed retreat, each participant meets daily with an experienced spiritual director who serves as a spiritual companion throughout the […]

Guided BioSpiritual Focusing Weeklong Retreat

With Donna O'Connor, Mike Smoolca and Dawn Turgeon

August 13 - 18, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Unlock the hidden wisdom of your body and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery with BioSpiritual Focusing. This silent guided retreat offers a unique opportunity to delve deep into your inner world, connecting with the sacred story woven into the very fabric of your being. Through a powerful blend of group learning, one-on-one sessions, […]

Honoring Our Common Home: Reflecting on Laudato Si’ and Embracing Laudate Deum - Virtual Study Group

With Joseph Krans, OFS

September 10 - October 1, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

"The fate of our planet is not sealed—it’s a call to conscience, action, and hope." "Honoring Our Common Home: Reflecting on Laudato Si’ and Embracing Laudate Deum" invites participants on a transformative 5-week journey through Pope Francis’ compelling teachings on the ecological and spiritual crises shaping our world’s future. Beginning with Laudato Si’, we confront urgent […]

The Jonah Silent Retreat

With Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner

September 17 - 20, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the practice of sacred silence (guided by Jonah) as we explore creative, prayerful, and playful ways to nurture a life of faith that is both deeply contemplative & socially active. Each morning we gather for brief reflections on the story of Jonah and prayer practices inspired by his story. Each […]

BioSpiritual Focusing: Day of Presence

With Donna O'Connor

September 19, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Imagine a space where science meets spirituality, where your body becomes a conduit for divine wisdom, and where every breath draws you closer to the essence of your being. Embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening through the practice of BioSpiritual Focusing. “When you seek me, you will find me. Seek me […]

Sacred Story, Modern Myth: Praying with Pop Culture

With Eric Clayton

September 25 - 27, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Discover a faith alive in every story—where God speaks not just in quiet prayers, but through the media that move us. This program invites participants to experience God’s presence not only in their personal journeys but also in the stories that animate our culture—movies, songs, books, and comics—echoing Ignatius’ invitation to “find God in all […]

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

With Anne A. Simpkinson

October 2 - 4, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

The heart's deepest truths often emerge when pen meets presence and prayer. What if your writing became a sacred conversation—one where surprise and transformation await just beyond certainty? Step boldly into the unknown, and let your words become a living dialogue with life’s mystery, dedicated to discovery and wonder. “… Creativity … is less about […]

Blessing of the Animals

With Joseph Krans, OFS

October 3, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Join hearts and paws on October 3rd at 10:00 AM at Genesis Spiritual Life Center for the Blessing of the Animals, a celebration of the cherished connection between humans and their animal companions, coinciding with the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, known for his profound love for all […]

Restoring Sacred Conversation with Earth

With Victoria Loorz

October 9 - 11, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

The wisdom and guidance we need for this time of tragic ecological and political collapse will not be found in the dominant ways of thinking. Over fifty years ago, Thomas Berry urged us to turn and face these challenges by pointing to the root cause of the problem, "We are talking only to ourselves. We are not talking […]

Access Your Inner Room with Centering Prayer

With Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI

October 29 - November 1, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

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 […]

Sacred Shift: How Faith is Evolving in the 21st Century - A Virtual Retreat

With Diarmuid O'Murchu, MSC

November 6 - 8, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Is religion truly dying—or is it being reborn in new and unexpected ways? While popular culture often insists that faith is in decline, we are also witnessing a widespread search for new forms of spiritual connection—practices that honor our inner wellbeing, nurture community, and recognize the sacredness of the natural world. What are the elements […]

Finding Wholeness in the Midst of Everything with Julian of Norwich

With Mark Burrows

November 20 - 22, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

We all long to be gladdened by what Julian of Norwich imagined as the inner music of love in our lives. She knew that the melodies that shape us—some in the major key, some in a jarring, discordant minor—are part of a larger symphony, if we learn to listen deeply enough. Julian described this as […]