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The Bread of Life Retreat Residence
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The mission of the Apostolate for the Eucharistic Life is to Bring Lives to the Eucharist and the Eucharist to Lives. Providing a place of rest, prayer and reflection for individuals and families is a vital part of our ministry.
The Bread of Life Retreat Residence is a 10,000 square foot ranch home located in Ann Arbor Township, MI. Situated among 400 wooded acres, and housing a Blessed Sacrament Chapel, it is an ideal place for retreats and spiritual reflection. The Residence is conveniently located close to major expressways, airport, a Catholic church with perpetual adoration, and a Catholic bookstore.
The Residence's main level has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths capable of sleeping 12 overnight guests in community. Also located on the main level is the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, communal kitchen, library and main presentation room. The private quarters in the lower level has its own entrance and parking area with 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining area and family room. The lower level can sleep 2 to 4 people.
In addition to overnight guests we can also accommodate up to 25 individuals for day group retreats. Day group retreats are held on the main level and have access to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Library, Main presentation room, communal kitchen and 2 half bathrooms.
Please contact us with any unique needs you may have and we will make every effort to accommodate your request.
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Front view of Residence
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Main level Bedroom
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Main level communal kitchen
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Main level dining area
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View of Grounds
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Blessed Sacrament Chapel
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Main presentation room
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Library
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Garden Veranda
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View of Grounds
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Private Retreat Living Area
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Private Retreat Bedroom
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Private Retreat Kitchen
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Bread of Life reaches out to families
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By Heather Schultz
The Catholic Times
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ANN ARBOR - The Bread of Life Retreat Residence in Ann Arbor Township offers Church leaders - priests, religious, and parish staffs - a quiet place to come closer to Jesus in order to deepen their prayer lives.
It offers the same to parents - the leaders of the domestic church.
"St. Bernard said we should be like reservoirs, which are 'first filled and then, without emptying (themselves), pour out (their) overflow,' " said Linda Tedrick, who hosts retreats at the residence with her husband, Robert. "In order to lead people to Christ, Church leaders - and that includes parents - must themselves share a close union with Jesus."
The Apostolate for the Eucharistic Life, a Catholic lay ministry, operates the Bread of Life Retreat Residence.The apostolate was formed in 1999 in response to a report that stated over half of Catholics did not believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Its mission is to "bring lives to the Eucharist and the Eucharist to lives." The Tedricks, Tim and Michelle DiLaura and Steve and Marti Willacker are the apostolate's current
board members.
Tom Monaghan provided the apostolate with the residence, a 10,000 - square - foot home on 400 acres with ponds and a stream, after
learning about the apostolate through Tim DiLaura. At that time, DiLaura was producing a 15 - minute radio program about the real presence. The
apostolate, which operates solely on donations, is responsible for both paying for the home's utilities and maintaining its upkeep.
Bishop Carl Mengeling granted the apostolate his episcopal commendation and gave permission for the Blessed Sacrament to be kept reposed
in the home's chapel. He celebrated Mass at the residence when it officially opened in 2004.
This retreat residence is especially good for those in the Livingston and Washtenaw region of the Diocese of Lansing, since Ann Arbor's next closest retreat center is 50 minutes away, said Tedrick. After operating as a retreat residence for three years, it took a giant leap forward in
2007 after a weeklong, 50 - volunteer renovation effort that opened both the lower and upper levels of the home to retreatants. The upstairs now can
comfortably house a family of 12.
That change allowed the apostolate to expand its mission to include families and to begin offering self - directed or directed retreats for individuals, couples and families. "The best thing we can do for young people," Tedrick said, "is to help their families."
Tedrick speaks from experience. She has a certificate in theological studies from Siena Heights University, has worked many years in youth
ministry and served as director of family life ministry at St. Mary Parish in Pinckney from 2002 - 05. During that time, Tedrick said she realized part of the reason families struggle so much today is they "don’t realize they are to bring Jesus to life in their family - their own little domestic church."
She said many parents "didn’t really know their own faith," but that "they were hungry to learn more and to become more holy."
Facilitated family retreats at Bread of Life may last one or two weekend nights and consist of four short lessons led by the Tedricks; morning, noon and evening prayers; meals provided and served by the Tedricks and lots of uninterrupted family time - time to do things such as play
games, go fishing and sit with the reposed Eucharist.
"We start everything with prayer with the Blessed Sacrament," Tedrick said. "It helps families feel confident with prayer. We also take
rosary walks outdoors and enjoy God's beauty."
The effects are evident to Tedrick.
"I see a huge change in families from the time they arrive to the time they leave," she said. "They are more at peace. They are more loving to each other. A lot of teens get dragged in there, but in one hour, they don't want to leave. Every family who comes says it was a struggle to get here. But they leave very appreciative, joyful and inspired. If they're persistent and they get here, they're so glad they took the time.
"Nobody ever wants to leave. The one regret is from people who stay only one night - they wish they would have stayed longer."
Bread of Life also offers self - directed retreats to families and individuals. Parents have even stayed at the residence while guiding First Communion or Confirmation retreats for their children. Tedrick also has led day - group retreats for parish staffs.
Bread of Life also offers some special events. On Feb. 7, the fourth annual Fireside Chat will focus on the topic of "Understanding the Eucharist Better." This event allows couples to gather at any of the residence's three fireplaces to listen to Catholic speakers and to enjoy fellowship. The
apostolate also hosts Catholic Family Retreat Day on the first Saturday in August to give families the chance to share in the celebration of an outdoor
Mass, a rosary walk, the sacrament of reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, fellowship and Christian music. In June, the apostolate plans again to offer evening retreats for married couples in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
"In order to feed our families and congregations, we must have a strong Eucharistic devotion and prayer life," said Tedrick. "Jesus is telling us, 'Just bring them to Me. I'll do the rest."
For more information about the Bread of Life Retreat Residence or the Apostolate for the Eucharistic Life, visit www.eucharisticlife.org, or call Linda Tedrick at (734) 332-9733.
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