I am one of those then teenage boys who lived at Pope Pius XII Scholl in Chester, Orange County New York from 1968-1972. Many of us came from two Catholic institutions in Rockland County New York. They were Saint Agness School for Boys in Sparkill, New York. And Saint Dominick's mixed School in Blaue Ville, New York. They played an integral part of our upbringing and embracing a Christian ethic that stood with us all of our lives. I will always have fond memories of those institutions. Now that I am a 70-year-old man. Those institutions helped to me make the man I am today. A grandfather of 4 adult grandchildren and two very successful Children. I wouldn't have it any other way. Thank goodness the Bruderhof and their Christian teachings and living has kept the spirit of God still dwelling and prospering in the Holler that once housed Pope Pius the XII School. God be praised. Amen.
I've been to Bellvale so many times! Sending love to anyone who remembers me! Bellvale will always feel like home! I stayed in one building before it was converted! You've definitely improved it! I have great pics of my little kids playing with Daniel Barth on the old rock turtle. I have a pic of my daughter aged 2 with a HUGE glad jar filled with tadpoles at a community family fun day! Some of my children's fondest childhood memories were made in the community! Love to the Mercers, Kurtz (all, any, both), Sean and Naomi, Sarah and Clem. There are so many loved ones in the Bruderhof. My last trip was three years ago (or so) to Plait Clove. But my heart will always be home in Bellvale.
Thank you for this wonderful guided tour! I really felt invited and welcome. Lovely to see the coloured trees from above. I admire your way of life, knowing I couldn’t give up my very little but existing vanities, making my own choices for my private life. Stay happy and healthy, love, Monika from Germany❣️
It brought tears to my eyes to discover your communities a few months ago. I am now 58 and have believed in living in community since I first became a Christian at 18.
Beautiful video. Thanks lots for sharing. My soul longs so much to be in a similar if not the same way of life: AWAY from the bombardment of worldly distractions that get in the way of getting close to God. You guys are living the way it should. Sending greetings from the UK.
I spent two years in a Benedictine monastery. This is the same as all the other Anabaptists. Quite beautiful. Simple is good. Less is more. God bless him for living a pure Christian life without all the trappings
What a beautiful place to live, Shannon! (No wonder we call it God’s country …) You are all an inspiration to Christians in the secular world. May God bless you all. 🇨🇦❤️
Thanks for the tour Shannon. I'm hoping to visit the Bruderhof Community someday. These videos are the next best thing. I like the way you coined the phrase "do community" as an action verb describing how the Bruderhof membership comes together and meets. One of the aspects of the Bruderhof that impresses me is the ability to just sign out a car whenever necessary to complete a mission. It's like James Bond and MI-6. Whenever 007 needs a reliable vehicle for a mission, he just grabs a nice car from the motorpool and takes off for queen and country. It's brilliant. The farming part is VERY INTERESTING...and not just the scientific part. Raising cattle and crops to meet the needs of an entire community is honorable, satisfying work. At the end of each day you've accomplished direct results that move the entire community forwards. Even the cats seem to enjoy the farm business. Logically, today's Bruderhof should be America's hopefilled tomorrow. Thanks for 'doing community' for the rest of us.
I was expecting some spanish from Shannon 😝 im going to visit you guys in the uk , as soon as covid restrictions are lifted. cant wait , love you guys ☀
I'd love to live in a community like this part-time as a break from the rest of the world. I'm not sure I could do it permanently. There is something refreshing about it though.
Sounds like this is non denominational. Correct? Do people go to their own services on Sundays or does one have a more Protestant service everyone is expected to attend? Catholics would want the seven sacraments available. Other faiths would have requirements as well, so these people would not fit in at a Bruderhof?
