Agape at a Glance
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A Song Over the Land: Finding Our Prophetic Voice
(A compilation of reflections offered by Agape co-founder, Suzanne Belote Shanley during the weekend Lenten Zoom Retreat sponsored by Mary’s House co-founders, Jim and Shelley Douglas, March 19-21.) The opening theme of this weekend’s retreat, “The Earth is Weeping” defines our collective pilgrimage together, close to 200 of us on
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Felipe Witchger Visits Agape
Felipe Witchger is a long-time friend of Agape who participated in the first group of graduate students ten years ago, who comprised what they called themselves, The Creatively Maladjusteds. Felipe’s wife, Casey, went to Notre Dame, where they met. Casey was here for an internship sometime in her junior year.
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More Workday Photos!
About 35 people joined Agape members for a memorable day with cords of wood work put up from our Agape trees as they sacrificed themselves for us. Skip Schiel captures in a series of photos: We loved having the Just Faith Community for the 12th (or so) year
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Visit with Bobby and Jim
This past Friday, June 19th, Agape was thrilled to welcome both Bobby Karle SJ, newly ordained Jesuit, and Jim Robinson, long-time member of Agape’s Mission Council (Advisory Board) for their weekend visit. They arrived mid-afternoon with bright smiles and open arms filled with joy and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
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A Wonderful Work Day in the Books!
Last Saturday, June 12th, Agape Community hosted our first large Work Day since the beginning of the Pandemic. Support was strong as friends gathered from various places to help prepare the garden for the summer season as well as collect and split wood for this coming winter. Despite the threat
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“Escaping the Final Pandemic” by Dean Hammer
Escaping the Final Pandemic By Dean Hammer ’78 M.A.R. The spiritual “Let My People Go” rises from deep inside of me during these days preceding the celebration of Passover. Moses follows God’s instruction to confront Pharaoh’s domination of the Israelites. Moses’ chutzpah and prophetic imagination galvanize a liberation movement. Pharaoh
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Katya’s Family Visits Agape for the First Time
Our intern, Katya’s family visited Agape this past week. Brayton gave them a tour of St. Francis, St. Brigid House, and the garden before we enjoyed a nice lunch together where we learned about the Portuguese Island of Madeira, where Katya’s family on her mother’s side, is from. The visit
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A Blessed Visit and Reflection
Sr. Melina Pellerin SSJ and Just Faith member, Cheryl Moynahan, visited Agape together for a rousing conversation on race matters in Springfield, MA. Sr. Melinda also shared the following reflection: Joseph, the father, the disenfranchised, the refugee, the dreamer. In my living room, above my flat screen television is
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Loving Life on the Margins: The Story of the Agape Community.
The book describes the community’s rich background of gospel-based nonviolence, interfaith perspective, and action on such issues as the death penalty, war, racism and environmental degradation.
Founded in 1982, The Agape Community is a lay Catholic residential community located on 32-acres of woodlands in Central Massachusetts.
The Agape vision is an alternative vision of peace with the Earth and its inhabitants through deeply sustainable practices, public witness, and advocacy for a world that is carbon threatened.
Ecumenical and interfaith in outreach and practice, we focus on daily prayer, evangelical simplicity, and nonviolent witness in the world.Members of the community engage in actions against war, peace vigils, and non-cooperation with institutional and eco-violence. We attempt to bring an integrated vision of peace, social justice, and eco-theology to our gospel based nonviolent practice.