In a place not far away nor a time long ago
The Beginning…
In the early 1970s, a young Benedictine priest, driving a beat-up pickup truck in the parking lot of a well-established Detroit parish, approached a young mother and asked if she would be interested in starting a youth group. With that question, the journey of Fr. Dan Homan, Mary Kay Cummings, and the story of Subiaco began. In 1972, Fr. Dan and Mary established a youth group at St. Scolastica, a parish run by Sylvestrine Benedictines on Detroit's northwest side. Following Vatican II, the idea of a Catholic youth group was new. There was a call for something different from the social-oriented societies popular before the Council. Catholic youth were attending public schools in more significant numbers. There was a need for parish high school programs that provided an opportunity for social gatherings and, more importantly, continuing catechesis and Christian formation. There were no books written yet about youth ministry and no tested programs. These early youth gatherings were put together with little more than the Gospel message, a desire to minister to young people, and a lot of prayer. At first, they met in each other’s houses, but as the group grew, they moved into the parish facilities. Small group discussions, games, trips to local amusement parks, prayer, and service projects formed the basic structure of these gatherings.
In the mid-1970s, Fr. Dan was called back to the monastery in Oxford, and plans soon began to create a retreat house for the growing youth ministry programs in the diocese. On the grounds of the monastery, which was a large horse farm before it was purchased by the Benedictines in 1959, was a building used as a dormitory for young monks or novices as they entered religious life.
This old horse barn was converted into a sizeable dorm-style living space for the young monks. You can still get a general sense of what this barn looked like by closely examining the current sleeping area. Fr. Dan presented the idea of a youth retreat house to the community and asked if they could renovate the novitiate into a retreat house.
Small dorm-style bedrooms, a kitchen, and a small gathering place were added. Fr. Dan and Mary not only facilitated the retreats, but they were also the cooks. So was born the tradition of mostaccioli because it could be quickly prepared. Hot dogs and lots of popcorn were also a staple in the beginning.
New Retreat House
In 1988, ground was broken to expand and renovate Subiaco Retreat House. When a friend of the monastery, Bill Wizinski, an experienced architect, heard of the plan, he generously offered his expertise. Moving into the retreat house, he participated in the programs so he could get a sense of what was needed to create a space for youth that was functional and comfortable. Bill could not stop at simply adding on a dome.
Bill designed a spectacular building that would meet young people's needs and habits, allowing flexibility to the program. At first, a simple hallway connecting the sleeping area to the gathering space in the dome was planned. This became our grand entrance and a bridge connecting the dorm to the living room.
A dining room and kitchen were built to serve 55 people. A large rec room was included in the basement of the dome. A fountain and glass house were installed in the area below the bridge. One of the most unique design elements is the nooks where youth gather and talk, like the loft filled with comfy couches and the raised steps in the rec room.
The old retreat house area was redesigned to sleep 40 students, with sturdy bunk beds and separate bathrooms for each room. This is not your typical youth summer camp accommodation.
Confirmation retreats were added to the program schedule. Our confirmation programs have quickly grown into one of the largest ministries at Subiaco. This five-hour Sunday or weekday program is geared toward 8th and 9th graders. Religious education directors and parents often call following a retreat and comment on how much of an effect the retreat had on their child or students.
With the opening of the monastery's new chapel in the summer of 2000, we can now accommodate up to 120 confirmation students. The chapel is a striking structure that takes advantage of the contour and height of the hills where St. Benedict Monastery is located. On a clear day, you can look south past the rolling hills of Oakland County and see the Detroit skyline on the horizon 40 miles away.
In August of 2011, Fr. Dan Homan passed away, much to everyone's surprise and great sadness. There will forever be a space here where this priest who dedicated himself to his faith and youth once stood. But it is with great hope that we continue the tradition Fr. Dan began here. He always said that it was not the facilitators or the programs that made this a special place but rather the work of the Holy Spirit filling the place and the hearts of all gathered with overflowing Grace.
In December of 2023, Subiaco's co-founder, Mary Cummings, also passed away. She will always be remembered for her dedication to youth and for encouraging those youth to engage in Christian service.
Through 2012-13, a larger dining area was built to accommodate the large groups attending. We continue to renovate and update the facilities as often as financially possible.
None of this would have been possible without the help and support of many good friends and benefactors. So many have been generous with their time and money, donating everything from pillows and blankets to plumbing improvement (hot showers are always nice), from rec room equipment to coffee makers. The staff and monks are forever grateful and know your generosity has helped many youths connect with their faith and community.
