Since the Order of the Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Friars are located throughout the country, each of our residences becomes our Friary. Our Mother of Good Counsel Friary is mine.

Although each of us has a ministry that we do outside of the Order with permission - such as my ministry of Intercessory Prayer, we each have a ministry within the Order. For example I take care of the prayer/mass request ministry on the Orders General Website.

We are a community of believers and a community living the Rule of St. Augustine.

But we are also a community spread out. How we live our lives within our own Friary will be as unique as we are.

For example, my Horarium expresses a more monastic life than perhaps a Friar that works more with outreach ministry. And although there are some things that are required of each of us, overall our Friary's Horarium are our own.

We are self-supporting, so when we pray may not always be the same as another Friar.

Our days are cycled around prayer, work, relaxation, and social times.

There needs to be a balance, otherwise we run the risk of "burn out".

May God bless you on your journey!!

Father, help each of us to realize that we are made to love, not hate. We are made to serve, not destroy. Help us to realize that true freedom comes not from doing what we want, but in doing what you want us to do. And help us to realize that our neighbors aren’t just the people we know in the next house, but the people we don’t know half way around the world. Only when we come to know that we are yours, will we find that happiness that our hearts are looking for. Amen.                   --  Friar Shane Nicholas, AIHM --