The Invitation:  If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.                    Matthew 19:21

We have each been called into existence by the love of God. This same love of God took human flesh and lived among us in His Son, Jesus Christ. All the baptized, therefore, are the recipients of a unique and mysterious invitation from God.....to freely respond to God’s unlimited love by following Jesus as a disciple.

For many, discipleship finds meaningful expression through marriage and family life, the single state, or a career. Others feel themselves called (invited) to a way of life that is uniquely different and in which communal activity complements and enables ministry to happen. This calling does not automatically make such a disciple “holier than thou.” It simply means that the man has been invited by God’s mysterious grace to a way of life specifically communal, religious and apostolically orientated.

Individually and communally, we are far from perfect. We have made mistakes like the rest of humanity. Sometimes, we have been lost and have needed the loving embrace of the Shepherd Lord and the acceptance, forgiveness and understanding of family, friends and society. Our lived experience, as a pilgrim community, allows us to accept our own and others’ woundedness and brokenness as part and parcel of the Good Shepherd vocation.

As brothers, we commit ourselves to one another in a community which is continually formed and reformed by Gospel values. This commitment invites us to hold all things in common in a simple lifestyle, and to support and encourage one another in good times as in bad, in joy as in sorrow.

In every local community, there are a wide variety of personalities and individual giftedness. These do not divide us, but rather work to enrich and enliven our service to each other, those with whom we work and the whole Church. Above all, what unites and nourishes the members of a community is the love of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Challenged to live “Charity Unlimited ... Never Stop Loving”, we try to be available, hospitable, flexible, adaptable, and respectful of life. We open our arms and homes to those who would share friendship with us.

Our willing and joyous sharing in the life of the community sustains and gives vitality to our Christian discipleship so that we may also “go and do the same,” like the Good Shepherd.

As persons living the consecrated life, community allows us to:
SUPPORT one another in ministry
STRENGTHEN one another in faith
CHALLENGE one another to use talents to the glory of God
ENCOURAGE one another during difficult times
SHARE prayers for ourselves as a family