Pro-Death Catholics and the Racist Death Penalty

by Suzanne Belote Shanley Today is the second day of Advent, and I have just completed reading two women friends’ mystical writing, one a poet, Denise Levertov, another a mystic, environmentalist woman priest of the Episcopal Church, Margaret Bullit-Jonas. Denise’s poetry matches the 6 a.m amazement as I look out

St. Francis Day 2020 Recap

On October 3, 2020, Agape Community celebrated our 31st annual (and first ever virtual) St. Francis Day. The event was titled “Becoming Anti-Racist to Build Beloved Community During COVID-19 and the 2020 Election.” It consisted of a morning session, an afternoon small group discussion, and an open mic. During the

Are You Willing to Become an Anti-Racist? by Edgar Hayes

by Edgar Hayes While walking down the streets of NYC, I witnessed with ease how other peoples’ conscious or subconscious thoughts played out before me.   I cannot recall when I became of age or when I became aware of my “place” in society.  I thought I was obscure, invisible, undetected,

We Demand Change Now. An interview with Julie Bradey

In this interview with Brayton Shanley, Julie Bradley shares her unique experience as a bi-racial daughter of a white mother and a black father, who grew up with her four siblings in various housing developments and projects in the Boston area. Julie and her family have been a part of

COVID-19, Environmental Racism, and the Legacy of Dr. James Cone

by Jim Robinson Throughout the spring and summer of 2020, the radical evil of systemic racism and the death-dealing impact of COVID-19 have occupied the center of our collective consciousness. After the brutal and callous murder of George Floyd by Minnesota police on May 25, 2020, masked protesters have come

Francis Day 2019 – Youth Leadership, Elder Wisdom: Creating a Nonviolent Future

Videos and Photos

Loving Life on the Margins • the story of the Agape community

40 years of Community, Resistance, Nonviolence and Sustainability. Read "Loving Life on the Margins: The Story of the Agape Community" available now! Order online from our website or download an order form to purchase by mail. The book covers the life of its co-founders, Suzanne and Brayton...

Easter Vigil

Easter Vigil at Agape was our first in-person Holy Saturday since 2020.  We were blessed to have Fr. Fred Enman SJ of Matthew 25 in Worcester as our celebrant and a few old friends, including the Kirks, the Leggs, and pleased that we could support Fr. Tom McMurray of Nativity

A PROPOSAL: MINISTRY OF VISITATION AT AGAPE

Dear friends of Agape, These are dark and concerning days as the world witnesses the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the deep political and cultural divides we are witnessing in our own land. It becomes so apparent that we must hold onto and nurture plac es of peace like

Out of My Comfort Zone by Andrew Cowles, Holy Cross Rural Immersion

Spring break is typically a time for students to let loose, drink on the beach, and make memories that, without photo evidence, may not be remembered at all. My friends who chose this route for spring break all seemed to have a blast, but man, did they look terrible when

An Agape Response to Worcester Bishop’s Threats Over Black Lives Matter Flag at Nativity School

At a Catholic School in Worcester, Red Flags By Yvonne Abraham Globe Columnist,Updated April 2, 2022, 2:58 p.m. There is so much to legitimately worry about in this world, real issues of life and death, race and gender, hope and fear. And then one throwback with a miter cap and

Stations of the Cross on April 15 and Easter Vigil on April 16

We want to extend a special invitation to attend two longstanding annual events coming up in April. Please join  with various peace and religious communities on Good Friday, April 15th in a vigil to share individual reflections on the sufferings of Christ as we see the sufferings of the world crucified

Putin’s Sword is Our Sword by Brayton Shanley

Putin’s Sword is Our Sword by Brayton Shanley Russian President Vladimir Putin is behaving like an unhinged dictator hell bent on occupying and decimating Ukraine.  He apparently needs to satisfy his vanity and his lust for power in re-establishing a Soviet Empire. Is this why the Russian people love him

Corner Square dedicated to Allah Mathematics Allah, Julie’s brother and Agape beloved

  Allah’s son, Kolanji with Julie and Julie’s oldest son, Frankie A moving tribute was paid to Allah Mathematics Allah on March 17th in Roxbury’s Dudley Square. This is where Allah’s barbershop, Everything is Real, became a sanctuary and community hub, a learning center and a place of teaching and

Questioning the lack of media coverage on Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis

Life at Agape includes a steady stream of inspiring resources. A good example is Clare Daly’s short address to a session of the European Parliament that was sent to Suzanne this morning from Charlie McCarthy, one of Agape’s co-founders. Injustice doesn’t take long to describe. In less than 90 seconds,

Holy Cross Rural Immersion 2022: Experiencing and Exploring Sustainable Living

A wonderful group of Holy Cross students participated in Agape’s rural immersion program from March 5 to the 11th. They chose to use their spring break to learn about sustainable living and engaged with enthusiasm in the work it requires. This included splitting, hauling and stacking wood, preparing compost for

Agape’s Vision and Values Integrated Into Daily Life

“We live in the urgencies of the 21st century. At Agape we seek to create and preserve a morally coherent life in fidelity to our faith and to the calling of people of all faiths. While grounded in the practice of our Catholic Christianity, we experience an affinity and connectedness