Retreats
-
Abbey retreats
-
Welcome
We welcome all people of good will to our retreat houses. To make a reservation email us at [email protected] or call and leave a message with the best times to reach you at 585-299-5092. Retreatants have the particular retreat house they are staying at exclusively to themselves. Houses are available for a Monday to Friday or a Friday to Sunday (or Monday) retreat. Meals are not provided for retreatants, however each retreat house has a fully equipped kitchen.
GuestmasterFr. John Vianney
585-299-5092
Assistant to Guestmaster
Joe Flynn
-
Retreat Pricing and Payment
Retreat costs for each of the particular houses are listed below. There is no charge for children under 18. College student groups of 7 or more from accredited institutions receive a collective 30% discount.To confirm your reservation after your dates are tentatively booked click the button below to place your deposit. A deposit of $90 is required for Nazareth House and $225 for Bethany or Bethlehem Houses. Deposits are transferrable to another date but not refundable and are applied to the overall cost of the retreat.
You can make the balance of your retreat payment by clicking on the button below or by cash, check, or credit card in the Abbey Store (open 10am-4pm Tuesday through Saturday) or by placing cash or a check payable to "Abbey of the Genesee" in the metal box hanging beneath the right side of the counter in the welcome center (the hardwood floor room between the church and the store).
-
-
-
This retreat house offers a breathtaking view of the Genesee Valley and has been extensively renovated. The first floor unit has a large fully equipped kitchen, dining room, living room, full bath room, and four bedrooms (with 8 beds total). The second floor unit has a fully equipped kitchen/living room, full bathroom, large bedroom (with 4 beds), and a little nook for reading which overlooks the Genesee Valley. The street address is 3174 River Road, Piffard, NY 14533 and is about a quarter mile north of the monastery entrance on the left. Entrance to the first floor unit is in the rear of the house (facing the garage) and entrance to the second floor unit is in the front of the house (facing River Road). The cost for Nazareth House is $180/person for a Fri-Sun retreat and $360/person for a Mon-Fri retreat except if there are more than 4 in your group (see below).
Retreat Costs for Nazareth House
-
Bethany House
Built around 200 years ago, this stunning cobblestone is surrounded by a spacious shaded yard and has just undergone a complete renovation. The house features a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, two spacious living rooms, sunroom, and bedroom with full bath on the first floor. The second floor has four bedrooms with full baths and a total of 12 beds along with a spare bedroom with 2 beds. The third floor has two bedrooms each with two beds, a kitchenette, and full bathroom. The street address is 3016 River Road, Piffard, NY 14533. The driveway is eight tenths of a mile north of the monastery entrance on the left. Bethany is available for groups of 4 or more adults only and is able to accommodate up to 19 people. The cost for Bethany House is $225/person for a Fri-Sat retreat and $450/person for a Mon-Fri retreat except if there are more than 7 people in the group (see below).
Retreat Costs for Bethany House
-
Bethlehem HouseBethlehem is available to groups of 4 or more adults. Bethlehem features a large fully equipped kitchen, dining room, and two living rooms. The first floor has one bedroom with a full bath, four bedrooms each with a half bath, and large women's and men's bathrooms designed for multiple guests. The second floor has 11 bedrooms and one half bath. The street address is 3099 River Road, Piffard, NY 14533 and is located about 1/2 mile north of the monastery entrance on the right. The cost for Bethlehem House is $225/person for a Fri-Sat retreat and $450/person for a Mon-Fri retreat except if there are more than 7 people in the group (see below).
Bethlehem will be closed in January and February of 2025 for an extensive interior renovation.
Retreat Costs for Bethlehem House
-
-
-
Check-In and Check-Out
Check-In is after 3pm on the day of your arrival (Monday or Friday). You will be given a code to open the smart lock at your retreat house. To unlock the door enter the code and then press the button beneath the keyhole . To lock the door (from the outside) just press the button beneath the keyhole (do not enter the code). For those leaving on Monday or Friday, check-out time is 9am and for those leaving on Sunday you're welcome to leave at your convenience or even stay into Monday with prior arrangements. These check-in and check-out times give our staff sufficient time to prepare for our incoming retreatants so we kindly request your promptness on the day of departure. Please lock the door when departing at the end of your retreat.
Accommodation GuidelinesBed linens, towels, and paper products are provided as well as hand soap in bathrooms and kitchen. You must bring your own toiletries.
- There are supermarkets (Wegman's, Walmart, Aldi) in the town of Geneseo about ten minutes away. Dollar General has a limited selection of groceries but is only about 4 minutes away. Each kitchen has a Keurig coffee maker.
Retreatants are not permitted to invite third parties into the retreat houses either as guests or to perform services (paid or unpaid).
Smoking and pets are not permitted.
Phone service and public internet are not available at the retreat houses. For an emergency dial 911.
Please leave the retreat house in good order when you leave and return furniture to it's original place if you move it.
Please report any damages or maintenance issues to [email protected].
For emergencies related to retreat house utilities (heat, electric, water) or a lockout dial 585-443-6655.
Except for the 2nd Floor of Bethlehem House, the retreat houses are not air conditioned, but fans are provided.
Minors must be accompanied by their own parent or legal guardian.
Please make sure all trash is bagged before placing it in the containers outside. We do not have the resources to recycle at the retreat houses at this time. Guests are encouraged to "pack out" recyclables if possible.
Please make sure to place your bed sheets, pillow case, and towels in the provided bin or outside your bedroom before you leave.
The Greenway Trail is a beautiful hiking trail along the Genesee River. You can access the trail from our property by following the long driveway across the street from the driveway to Nazareth House or by following the long driveway across the street from Bethany House.
-
-
-
Liturgy Schedule
You are invited to join in the community prayer in the Abbey Church. Our schedule is as follows:
3:30am Vigils
6:30am Lauds followed by Mass (On Sundays Lauds are at 6.30am but Mass is at 8am)
8:00am Terce (8:10am on Solemnities, no Terce in Church on Sundays or First Saturdays of the month)
12:00pm Sext (no Sext in Church on First Saturdays of the month)
2:00pm None (no None in Church on Sundays, Solemnities, or First Saturdays of the month)
5:30pm Vespers (followed by 10 minutes of Adoration for vocations)
7:30pm Compline
Priests are welcome to concelebrate Mass. We can provide a stole for you and ask that you bring a letter of suitability along with your own alb.An opportunity for confession is available from 2:30pm to 3:30pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the small conference room just inside the entrance to the church. Retreats are not directed, however if you are on retreat here and would like an appointment for spiritual direction you are welcome to make an appointment here:
-