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Date: 7/13/2023
WESTFIELD — It was Sarah Fontaine-Lipke’s first day on the job recently as the new executive director of Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center. She had “a million questions” about her future but knew exactly how she had gotten to this spiritual place.
“I was very active in my parish from a young age. Being involved with the church gave me a sense of belonging and purpose,” she said.
Genesis sits on 19 acres of impeccably groomed landscape in Westfield with a “compassionate curve pathway” winding through it all, with stops along the way to meditate.
“We live in a world where it is so difficult to disconnect, to spend time reflecting, relaxing and to hear that small voice inside you saying ‘slow down.’ We’re hoping to cultivate a place for rest, renewal and inspiration. We don’t live in a world that facilitates that. You really have to seek it out,” said Fontaine-Lipke.
Genesis features a chapel, conference center and private rooms. There is a robust calendar of events — everything from yoga, meditation and discussions about dreams to extended stays where visitors go on sabbatical, study, have spiritual discussions and sometimes simply stay silent.
“We’re a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, who are Catholic. That’s in our roots and foundation. It informs our values. [But] we welcome people of all faiths or no faiths — people who have an interest in rest and renewal,” she said.
Fontaine-Lipke lives in Longmeadow and is married with two young children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Holy Cross College in Worcester and a master’s degree in divinity from Boston College School of Theology. She had a long tenure at Holy Cross where she performed many roles. She organized and ran overnight retreats, has written and presented at many talks and provided individual pastoral counseling.
Like many spiritual organizations, Genesis is attracting guests from an aging population. She says courting a younger crowd is key to the center’s future.
“One of the things I think Genesis is struggling with is the population we currently serve is aging. We would very much like to engage a younger demographic. I’d like to start having events that attract these people,” she says.
In a recently released advisory, the U.S. surgeon general said “loneliness, isolation and lack of connection in our country” has become a “public health crisis.”
“As a country we are facing a real lack of places where you can go and hang out with different, or like-minded people. As you get older, it gets a lot harder to meet people and make friends,” Fontaine-Lipke added.
Beyond its own programming, Genesis hosts private functions such as business meetings and bridal showers, weddings and recovery sessions with groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. There is a fee for some who gather here, a requested donation from others.
Genesis is funded in part by the Sisters of Providence as well as fees, donations and fundraisers. The organization wants to be a spiritual home for the community, whether individuals come for a one-day event, to walk the grounds or have lunch in the shade of a tree. Admission is free. There is a cost to attend programs.
“We exist not for ourselves but for the sake of our community and the world. We’re really trying to provide a spiritual home for those who might not have one,” said Fontaine-Lipke.
Fontaine-Lipke may be the newest kid on the block, but she’s leading a staff that is also new to the organization. They see that not as a challenge, but an opportunity.
“We have a lot of excitement around renewing,” said Fontaine-Lipke. “We’re rebuilding and living out the church’s mission of serving God and our community.”