Living in Intentional Community

Living in Wexford through The House of Brigid requires four very different people, from very different backgrounds, different life experiences and different work ethics, to live and work together for the greater glory of God. Katherine, Kelli, Erick and I all studied different majors and minors (music education, global studies, environmental studies, theology, philosophy, religious studies) from different universities and colleges. We all come from different corners of the U.S. (California, Florida, Texas and Indiana). We all have different experiences that created us to be who we are today. We all had different forms of employment until House of Brigid. We all have completely different hobbies. Did you know that Kelli can whip out any type of percussion and play it like a pro? She can also do a headstand. Katherine can create multiple, beautiful, detailed paintings in a morning, especially if it’s of our blessed mama Mary. She also took a class in college to learn how to lesson plan, for fun. Do you have any question about Marvel? Erick can answer it. He can also make you delish rice and beans. Want to know how to plant a tree properly? I’ll teach you. Want to know the difference between coffee roasts, grinding, and brewing methods? Let me show you. Why in the world would four vastly different Americans be living together in Wexford, Ireland? Because we all have a common denominator, we are young Catholics who love our faith, love learning about our faith, love sharing our faith and chose to be a part of The House of Brigid.

With four different people living together (and working!) it is inevitable that we will all not agree on everything. Conflict happens. Challenges arise. Living in community is hard. But at the end of the day we all choose to be here. We remember that we are here out of the choice of love. We are brothers and sisters in Christ and He is calling us higher. It is a choice every day to love and learn and grow. By living in intentional community I am learning so much about myself. I am learning that when I live with three introverted introverts I need to seek energy for my extroverted self outside of the community, and I also need to give my community the space that they need from me so they can also recharge. I am learning that if I do not have prayer time and physical activity in my day then I am less likely to be so quick to love others. I am reminded that we all broken people in need of love. I am learning so much. It is so important to forgive, communicate, move on and try again. By living in intentional community, in this house we where we are all rooted in our common faith, we are given the push to do so.

Community life is really difficult, I won’t lie, but I have grown as a friend, co-worker and housemate this year and it is because of my beautiful, generous, caring community members who have helped me to do so. I am so thankful for all of the times this year that we have prayed together, danced together, sung One Direction at the kitchen table, learned about one another’s history and culture, drunk wine and talked about our feelings, and stayed on our toes volunteering one day to the next at the parish. Katherine, Kelli, Erick, thanks for sharing this year with me. You are wonderful human beings and I thank God that I am able to share this year with you.

Peace,

Jenny

Here are some photos of the Wexford community.