Is there a Catholic Bruderhof? - Part 1

[@bert422]

Thank you Laura. I was scared that you may be judjemental of us Catholics since we have a bad reputation and many people have stereotypes about us. But you are so accepting, loving and caring. We are all united in our faith in Jesus. Much Love, Emilia

[@suzanneedmonds1566]

Eee sad to read your comment about Catholics having a bad reputation. I don't think it is people who are Catholic who have the bad reputation but more the ethics, morals and policies of the institution of the Catholic Church in a number of areas. Major historical examples are how sexual abuse of children was covered up, the treatment of Native American children in mission schools and the treatment of girls/women (mainly in Ireland I believe) in Catholic run homes/laundries for unmarried mothers.

[@Noone-rt6pw]

@@suzanneedmonds1566 How many convictions have you seen? Where law enforcement doesn't play games. Then look at how many priests there are. As one priest pointed out to me, less than 1/10th of 1%. Compared to society, that's pretty good. Where look at drugs and alcohol, those things are much higher, drastically for pedophilia, abuse, etc. Not attributed to drug per second, but alcohol relieves inhibitions. Then there's others sober as can be. Which I am not a sympathizer of freaks that do such, where they have their place, but for honest clean clergy, they need support. I should edit this, as there's a reality quotient. Most who are caught simply were caught, but there's others that never get caught. Say when you hear of someone arrested and taken to court, you hear first offence, which means, it's the first time they were caught and being held accountable. Whatever crime it is, they may have done hundreds of times or more and never got caught. Still, with church, there are those that jump on the bandwagon, especially when there's chance of money. Like small children, it wasn't uncommon to pop them on the butt to get their attention, nothing hard. Which now, some might call it sexual???? Where nothing sexual about it.

[@Noone-rt6pw]

Well you Catholics messed up in 1054, but that wasn't your fault. I'm Eastern Orthodox, 😂. 4 Bishops over 1. But now Russia is reclaiming the faith. 😂. I'm picking at you. Look up Bethlehem Farms in West Virginia. Jerusalem Farm I think is in Mo.???? Then Nazareth Farm. Also for homesteading, look up Catholic back to the land movement.

[@ruthlaurie-hopper3489]

Yes there have been terrible abuse within Catholic Church but catholics have also done good work across the world. I guess it is always a struggle between good and bad but we must be the good and raise the best of ourselves. There is good and bad within every part of human life.

[@candyclews4047]

@@ruthlaurie-hopper3489 As far as some of the bad, as you mention, Satan is always on the prowl and what better victims than Christians. There is an excellent book called 'Infiltration' by Dr Taylor Marshall that chronicles recent (1920s onwards) infiltration by Communists into the Catholic Church in order to destroy it from within. We are seeing the fruits now, especially with the horrific sex abuses (of children and young men in the seminaries) as well as the corruption of the Vatican Bank, not to mention a Marxist Pope. God Help us Catholics, literally.

[@malkalevanna1071]

I’m an Orthodox Jew moving to Brooklyn!!! Love learning about your life. It’s so interesting to see a glimpse into another religion

[@Noone-rt6pw]

There's Jewish homesteads. I think Orthodox too. Which there's probably Jewish communities too. The Fellowship for Intentional Communities or Federation of Intentional Communities should be able to share info.

[@jackienaiditch7965]

I'm a secular Jew, and also find it interesting learning about other religions. I've watched several videos about the Hasidic Jewish communities in NYC.

[@malkalevanna1071]

@@jackienaiditch7965 please don’t take those documentaries as speaking for all of the Hasidic world. I’m Hasidic (Chabad) and those documentaries only show the absolute extreme

[@jackienaiditch7965]

@@malkalevanna1071 The KZbin videos I'm referring to were made by Peter Santenello. Have you seen any of those? If so, do you think they are good representations of the Hasidic world?

[@isaweesaw]

@@malkalevanna1071 The first kibbutzim in Israel were based on this kind of homestead-style community. I suppose the growing Hasidic communities in NYC are becoming a commune in their own right? Especially places like New Square and Kiryas Joel

[@rrjohn5]

"Part ways and stay friends" ... THIS!! Yes!! As someone who has been excommunicated for being called to a different church assembly, I can say with confidence that Bruderhof is NOT a cult! It was music to my ears to hear you say that!❤ Love you much, sister Laura!

[@joetrester3139]

Thanks for the video, Laura. Well said! Most Catholic monasteries are built around three vows - poverty, chastity, and stability. Also many live by the Rule of St. Benedict. Communal living is hard. It requires a lot of humility and, clearly, as you so capably put it, an overwhelming desire to put Jesus at the center of your life. People interested in other kinds of communal living might also look at books and articles about New Monasticism. There you will find references to several current communities. Thanks, again, for all you do!

[@Noone-rt6pw]

There's Bethlehem Farm, Jerusalem Farm and Nazareth Farm which are Catholic.

[@mailill]

The Focolare Movement is the closest thing I know to a Catholic Bruderhof: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focolare_Movement When I was young I was once taken in and nursed to health by 4 Focolarinas who lived together in the city where I was studying, when I had a bad case of the Flu. I was in the middle of moving from one student house to another, but the people who had said they should help me move, didn't dare to because they didn't want to catch the bad Flu (understandable). The Focolare women came with a car and helped me move as well. They were not afraid of the Flu even though I was really ill. I have never forgotten their kindness.

[@luciafrau125]

So refreshing to hear someone say that they don't claim to be THE church 😍

[@Noone-rt6pw]

Well true devotion means quite a bit. Bruderhoff came from Hutterites, which came from Mennonites, who started from Menno Simmons who wuz a Catholic Priest that was converted to Anabaptist by interactions of Obe Phillips. Where there's a spiritual lineage, going back to the Waldenses, which was coined such by a wealthy fellow named Peter Waldo. Which there's sincerity, which probably is good.

[@gregcolby4512]

@@Noone-rt6pw I don't think the Bruderhof came from the Hutterites but did have an affiliations with them for some time

[@taraburke826]

You make the focus of our lives on Christ so clear! Thank you for your uplifting lessons.

[@zebbart]

Thank you for making this video! Since visiting the Bruderhof myself, my greatest desire has been to find or found a "Catholic Bruderhof." I'd be glad to make acquaintance with others who share that desire.

[@stephanietanniss]

where are you located?

[@isabellejenne6658]

I recently visited a Bruderhof too and have been thinking about Catholic community. Have you done anything since commenting this?

[@zebbart]

@@stephanietanniss I'm sorry I didn't see this comment until today. I am in northwestern Pennsylvania.

[@zebbart]

@@isabellejenne6658 my family has decided to get rooted in where we are, which is a loose and informal Catholic community in northwestern Pennsylvania centered around a prayer and retreat center. We have a strong homeschooling cooperative and other communal endeavors, but at this time I don't think there is much interest among the other families here for something more formal and intensive like the Bruderhof have. In time as the community grows maybe that will become a possibility.

[@jonu1487]

I loved this video. I've had that feeling of a Christian community and creating a community or joining with others for decades. I just don't see how we can be Christians without an extremely close community connection with all of our neighbors. Only going to church on Sunday or doing something good for others rarely really isn't going to cut it.

[@Noone-rt6pw]

You is right, close relationships need to be nurtured.

[@jitkamyskova5711]

Hi Laura! You are so articulate and you can talk about complex topic with such clarity. Thanks for explaining!

[@pizzanicretime]

It would be really cool if you got to interview casually other communities that live similarly to you, this way of life is so interesting to me and it’s definitely something I’ll be considering into the future.

[@Noone-rt6pw]

Look up the federation for Intentional Community. Old name something like fellowship of intentional community. There's a book, which some are not listed.. beware of cults though. I thing the fellowship looks at these things.

[@mmmmlllljohn]

You articulated, beautifully, how you follow Jesus and how community flows from, and with, Him in the Bruderhof - everything else is secondary. Not easy to do in our secular society, of course, and going to church once a week is only a starting point … I’m a senior now and it’s just good to know there are people and communities as God focused as those in your Bruderhof. May God bless you. ❤️🇨🇦

[@hesedagape6122]

There is a Roman Catholic Bruderhof-like community known as the Brothers and Sisters of Charity by Gospel singer, John Michael Talbot based on Franciscan values. Another is the Chemin Neuf based on Jesuit values. Anglicans used to have the Community of Jesus on Cape Cod but they have broken away and are independent now. They are based on Benedictine Rule. You can find them all on KZbin

[@krabelpaan]

Thank you, this is really useful. This video seems to spring from true Charity. Wish you the best, God bless you all, always. From Argentina.

[@S16E1]

I think the question about a catholic Bruderhof is born in people that wanted to live a monastic life but also want or already have children what makes it nearly impossible to enter a monastery. Such a „monastic-village“ would end their problem

[@auk7447]

It was exactly what I was thinking Stefan. We already have community living but it’s for people who are celibate. I suppose this may offer some protection to the family unit should children not wish to make the same commitment or become non Christian as they grow. Given most of us won’t be able or want to live in this way,the Bruderhof and monasteries can certainly be beacons of light as examples of Christian life. A recent midway example I’ve found for lay people (single and married and families) and ordained is the ‘our lady of walsingham community’ where consecrated sisters are the foundation from which a wider community develops.

[@suemoravec422]

Convents, monestaries are type of communities, the members of such place live toghether, work together and usually take vows of poverty the difference is the people are not married.

[@swampophelia2098]

Excellent video today Laura, kind regards to you and those dear to you

[@dariusrad8058]

well done, a perfect theological approach to the notion or concept of community - a brothers and sisters' community of faithful, nice.

[@lunamaharuni]

So beautifully said. I really wish I could leave my life and submerse myself into the bruderhof. I'm currently stuck in my life

[@suzannepeck5610]

Laura, you continue to be wise and inspirational.

[@michazieba7879]

Was there any activity you wanted to do (or someone from your family), but your community did not agree to it? Who decides about the activities in the community? Is the decision of the parents or the community more important?

[@Hope20249]

Great video Laura, thank you.

[@bekind2239]

Thank you for sharing. Jesus loves you and do I.

[@baxterbunch]

I would do anything to live in a community like yours

[@ruthlaurie-hopper3489]

Hi Laura. I went to stay at Beechgrove in Kent UK for a week. I was impressed by their way of living and am still in contact with Ruthie and wilym Fransham and currently attend zoom meeting with Jesse and Lenor and others discussing philosophy and principles of the sermon on the Mount. It makes sense to me. I am interested in returning for a longer period. But not sure how my cat Rose fits into this hahahah do I take her or rehome her but I'm fussy about where she goes. Just want to add bruderhof community are lovely kind and generous and seem to be true to the principles of jesus and God.

[@Listenerandlearner870]

There are many Catholic lay movements and communities.

[@safehaven2763]

What is your/Bruderhof take on the huge wealth amassed by religious organizations (catholic with billions for example) and pastors Kenneth Copeland, Joel Osteen, etc., and even the smaller denomination churches as well as privately owned churches who take the offerings but do not give back to the church or the poor?

[@geopence]

Love your channel and by now I’ve seen nearly all your episodes. There is genuine appeal to the life you’ve chosen and from the perspective of age I wonder what my own life would have been like if I’d made a similar choice. Though frankly at your age I didn’t even know such communal Christian life was an option. I am Catholic and while you do affirm that there are Catholic versions of your community, you never specify what and where they are. Could you kindly provide that info?

[@eribo4056]

Very true Laura what you express being the essence of Christian community life. A number of Catholics (and Protestants for the matter) certainly do have an strong inclination or calling towards such a type of community life with families. However there is little support for them and they lack the necessary experience and means. It would be interesting for them to be able to learn from the Bruderhof and then maybe start their own initiative with the help of Bruderhof. It must not be limited to Catholics and might as well be truly ecumenical (e.g. Arche of Lanza del Vasto in Europe). Is that an option?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

I'm sure if a group wanted to start we'd try and find a way to support

[@sorenlorenson8327]

There are a few communes in Queensland Australia that are still intact since the 70s and don't share a common religious belief .

[@bbeige54]

So BRUDERHOF is ecumenical towards others as long as Christ is placed first. Doctrine is secondary?

[@D.N..]

Very informative !

[@thomaspomeroy5678]

You mention vows. Is there a period of Temporary vows before making permanent vows?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Hi Thomas, You can read about membership at the Bruderhof here: www.bruderhof.com/en/our-faith/foundations/church-order/becoming-a-member

[@margaretknowles3060]

Oh Laura, missing vlog !!! My church has very limited congreation for 18 months, Online service is very good... Praying for response 🙏

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Just posted a vid!

[@Noone-rt6pw]

Fooseball I need to edit this, where Laura really got into foosball, I bet she'd make a wicked moonshine driver back when it was transported by fast cars. But being things are different now, it'd be good to see her fly an airplane. With Chris! You live longer if you got to do something you enjoy to forget concerns and worries! Like taking care of others and helping, they can consume someone and weigh on them. I've seen it quite a few times. Which doing something one really enjoys or finding something they really gots engrossed into allows the mind to recover even resilient, where things are not as big a deal.

[@hopehope9301]

Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you-although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 1 Corinthians 7:21

[@naticongored]

תודה

[@lynnebunning7273]

"His mercies is new every morning" touched me. If God can forgive us, then we must forgive others. Thank you for your prayers I asked you for. God has just answered my prayers. How can I make peace with my daughter if I don't forgive her or make peace with myself. "No option to quit" God doesn't quit on me, I am not going to quit on her. I will keep praying & through pray the answer will come., Thank you & God Bless you & yours.. Love from Australia. 🇦🇺🐨💖✝️💖. Could you please tell me what passage is that from.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Hi Lynn it's Lamentations 3:22-23. Prayers for you!

[@JaninePrimrose]

❤

[@exenrontexas]

There have been Catholic Communal living for centuries. Convents, monastaries, etc. Even before Jesus there were the Essenes.

[@Noone-rt6pw]

There's Bethlehem Farms, Jerusalem Farms, Nazareth Farms which are Catholic and you might like.

[@Noone-rt6pw]

Laura and Chris still need an introductory training flight in an airplane. Where an airport located near them about 35-40 minutes away can be contacted and payment or donations made. Who can see Laura as a new Patty Wagstaff flying a bi-wing going straight up, stalling, falling backwards, then tumbling over, where the nose goes down, where airspeed builds up, headed for the ground, then pulling up a few yards from the ground pulling up? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp_bqqt9ZrmAfbM😂 Where regular flying isn't like that. Going down runway, it's probably like a rough ride on a tractor, then pull back on steering wheel step on the gas (rudder), then up, up and away, where it's better than a Buick or cadillac. Shortly, it's up about 2000 feet, level off, then it's safe driving. If the engine died, no big deal, a plane is meant to fly, so it'll glide, where there's many places to safely land. They need your donations now. They're not getting any younger. Where it is not luxury, as a Cessna 152 probably could be for $10K, which is cheaper than a car. Even $20K. Then the air is much safer than any highways. No stop and go, then rather than winding, twisting roads, flight removes a lot of miles, so flying faster at around 110 seems slow in the air, but it gets there quicker as well as a more direct flight. Reducing travel fatigue. Travel fatigue can cause accidents. Which with them flying. You might save their life.😉

[@chilkathaida]

Hi from kansas says your new alaskan friend.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Hello 👋

[@Constantin9va]

This video is really good

[@canadadelendaest8687]

Look into the SSPX community around St. Mary's, Kansas though you should be fairly warned that SSPX, while not out of the church just yet, is not exactly licit either. It's complicated! I will also point out that the Eucharist is the center of the Catholic life. The True Body and True Blood, via transubstantiation is not negotiable. Look for this when looking at other faiths. PROTESTants are wrong on this account.

[@realtomtomeny]

Hi Laura! I love you and I love the Bruderhof. I spent a day or so at the St. Petersburg community last fall, actually on Halloween. A few members expressed directly to me that I would be incompatible with the Bruderhof since I am now a Latter Day Saint. I have been a member of numerous Jesus following traditions in my life, and was born to a Jewish mother. My perception was that the Bruderhof is welcoming to "everyone" except Latter Day Saints. Is that true?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Hi! Thanks for the comment! I hope we're welcoming to everyone but what they probably meant is that members need to have the some faith convictions

[@chilkathaida]

Laura How can i contact you,?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

laurairobertshaw at ccimail dot com

[@janesmith9024]

Very good. Also for those considering founding one do be aware of those that have gone wrong eg the FLDS united order held everything in common and still do and it has not gone too well int heir case under Warren Jeffs. Another group - Christian - is Gloriavale in New Zealand which some say is not always a positive situation. Catholic nuns particularly in enclosed orders make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and give up all their wealth etc when they join and live in common (although they do not have children so differ from those other groups). The Children of God - the Family were absolutely dreadful with their communal living - so avoid anything like that - there is a new progamme about them here in the UK comping out on Discover + "Children of the Cult". So by all means live as one but do when setting things up always avoid what has gone wrong in some of these other groups plenty of which were set up with good things in mind. My own sibling (Catholic) was in the Orange People group years ago in the 80s and I think they held everything in common too. Sadly holding things in common often seems to mean some leader takes all the money int he bad groups of this kind but not of course in the good ones.

[@Shannonloftus]

Is there a Bruderhof community in the uk? I'd love to visit one but America is too far to travel

[@jamiepoems]

Yeah there is

[@Noone-rt6pw]

Hmm, Can't see giving up "something" tradition. Well, I've always thought highly of Bruderhoff and Mennonite lineages. Still do. Where having a community can nurture living the faith. Then it should be safe to culture the nature we should have rather than defence skills learned in the world. Which one thing community can happen, is complacency, where unchecked behaviors and attitudes can exist that can not be dictated to change, but nurtured to change. I am not saying this about Bruderhoff, but, just things I acknowledge of myself, even others. I mean, it's like me and my friend Dott. Someone comes through wearing gold teeth, showing off their money. It's my roll to run em down and give anaesthesia, usually an axe handle is adequate. Then my friend Dott has these special pliers to remove the gold, where at around $2000an ounce, it does good supporting the community, then we make sure we give at least 10% to a local charity.

[@ullishw8098]

What the hell did I just read …

[@Noone-rt6pw]

@@ullishw8098 😂, Christian community and charity.

[@meletcl]

What...?

[@sandrathomson7288]

"personal opinions" not valued??? WOW

[@garyedwards3269]

Great video as usual Laura. The priority in community must be Christ centered in order to function properly. Jesus fed his sheep. Jesus healed his sheep. Jesus taught his sheep. Jesus saved his sheep. Jesus's work continuing is the highest ideal for humanity both personally and socially. Q: There came a time where Abraham & Lot had to part ways in order to keep the peace. Has the Bruderhof ever grown so large that the community divided itself in order to function better?

[@suzanneedmonds1566]

A very interesting question Gary, thank you for asking it. Look forward to Laura's reply.

[@teresasmith9333]

Jesus’ work was to do the Father’s will

[@paularoberts866]

Did she move? I haven't watched for awhile

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Thanks Gary! We stay connected between community locations but generally the locations don't grow to more than 300 people. That has happened kind of naturally. I've heard elsewhere that 150 is a good number.

[@garyedwards3269]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof ... Thanks Laura. There's so much to learn about community tech. I wish there was an 'Art of Community' book that I could read that would've explained everything to me when I was younger. Now, only when I'm old, do I finally get these answers.

[@hidinginsight1879]

I love your videos and consider you a welcome part of my little world. So, please, please, please don't be offended when I say that caffeine is an addictive drug way too many folks are obviously hooked on. Please reconsider the use of this food product. I want you to be healthy, happy and peaceful in your energies. God bless you, dear child of God!

[@safehaven2763]

Bruderhof are humans just like you, me, and everyone else...in the grand scheme of things, I dont think a cup of coffee is criminal

[@luciafrau125]

First