The House of Brigid invites recent college graduates to live as an intentional lay community for one year, dedicating themselves to the service of the Irish Catholic Church and to spiritual and personal formation. The founding community is based in the Diocese of Ferns at Clonard Church of the Annunciation, and is known by its Irish name, Teach Bhríde (pronounced “chalk breed”). A second community is located in Ireland’s capital city, Dublin, at Newman University Church.

The ministry of the House of Brigid communities includes a variety of liturgical and catechetical responsibilities. House Fellows organize parish programming, plan Masses, direct choirs, support the catechesis of school children and adults, prepare and offer retreats, and bring their ministry to the greater Irish Church through workshops. In addition, House of Brigid fellows are available to their parish colleagues for whatever work can be done in support of the parish. A fellow’s particular responsibilities may look different depending on their experience, skillset, and the needs of their community.

House of Brigid is committed to allowing its members a year of personal and spiritual growth. This is achieved by individual and communal prayer, spiritual direction, and experience of the Irish way of life.

Founded in 2009 as an initiative of the University of Notre Dame Folk Choir, our mission stems from a spirit of gratitude to the missionaries of Ireland who brought the Catholic faith to America, an effort to strengthen in today’s Irish Catholics the faith that sustained their ancestors, and a desire to give young Americans the opportunity to immerse themselves in Irish culture and Celtic spirituality.

 

General Community Expectations

  • House of Brigid fellows are expected to:
  • commit themselves wholeheartedly to the fulfillment of the Mission Statement
  • witness to their faith on a daily basis, modeling a ministry of presence
  • place their gifts and talents at the service of the House of Brigid community as well as the parish community
  • immerse themselves in Irish culture so as to become more effective ministers by learning as well as teaching
  • discern the needs of the parish community; adapt to meet changing needs with grace, creativity, and flexibility
  • participate in the liturgical, spiritual, and domestic life of the community as outlined in the volunteer handbook and set forth by the House Director and appropriate supervisory staff
  • cultivate relationships within the House of Brigid community as well as the parish community that embody the love and acceptance of Christ