Well, the only one I know of is Ave Maria Florida. Do you know of any others?
There is still a mixed community of Catholics between Eureka Springs & Berryville, Arkansas. There are vowed Sisters there in a convent, a group of vowed monks who live in a separate location, but nearby, and a large group of lay persons - both families and singles, who live on the property, work the farm and in local charities. They are called the “Brothers and Sisters of Charity”. They were originally a group of Secular Franciscans, but now have formed their own Community under another name. They still follow primarily a Franciscan lifestyle. The founder is John Michael Talbot, who is a former “rock” star, who now makes Christian albums and occasionally performs at concerts for Catholic Christians. They may have a website on the internet under their current name “Brothers & Sisters of Charity”.
I hope you won’t mind another sincere question?
Do you mean like a charismatic covenant community? There are several that I know of: Alleluia Catholic Fellowship in Augusta, Georgia; Christian Community of God’s Delight in Dallas, Texas; City of the Lord Covenant Community in Tempe, Arizona; Comunidad AMA in Brownsville, Texas; Glory to God Covenant Community in Topeka, Kansas; People of God Community in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania; and Mount Zion Catholic Community in Montrose, Michigan.
See my answer above regarding the Community in northwest Arkansas. They started as a small Community of committed Catholics who wanted to be in a close association, form a secular community with both families and singles there. Some work in a town nearby, all assist with the farm. They have a number of farm products sold by local supermarkets and at Farmer’s Markets. They also make loaves of bread, rolls, and other bakery products to produce income for their Community. They have a Retreat Center as well, which has Retreats from spring through fall each year, and some of the members work in the Retreat Center. There are two Parishes nearby with 3 locations for Masses. Eventually, with the approval of the Bishop, they wrote a Rule, and some of the single women entered a Convent they founded. The Monks were founded previously. Many of those vowed members have transferred from either Franciscan communities, or others, or decided to join this Community and go through the usual procedures – discernment, postulancy, novitiate, then Vows. They were approved conditionally by St. John Paul II, and completed all the requirements to become a fully approved Community. There are a fairly large number of families with children, plus couples and chaste singles. The singles live separately from the families, but the entire group meets for Masses, special Holy Days, and other events. The Sisters work on the farm, as well as in local charities, or operate a small store selling produce, chickens and baked goods. They live in a separate building. I don’t know their requirements for joining the Community, but I’ve been told that some families come each year to try out the Community to see if it’s where they belong and are being called to join. Look for their name on the internet for more information. Some of them are Charismatic Catholics, some are not. They seem to get along well, and are involved in the local Parish as well. I have met several of them, and they occasionally visit in small groups in other nearby parishes, which is how I found out about them. They remain a smaller community, not a planned suburban area, such as in Florida. They are in a rural area, and have quite a bit of land in the area.
