Living Water Community is a Catholic Lay
Ecclesial Community which began in Port of Spain, Trinidad in 1975. It was founded by
Rhonda Maingot
(left) and
Rose Jackman when they responded to a
call from God to "light a fire of love" in the hearts of God's people.
Over the years, many have joined
them. At the core of the Community are those who have chosen a
consecrated life of simple poverty, loving celibacy and obedience to the
Church. Priests and lay men and women share these 'households' and are
committed to a life of holiness.
In 1980, 150 persons made covenant with the Community and
today there are over 500
covenanted members in the Community,
with "tributaries" also in San Fernando and
Saba, N.A., and
Barbados, who come together to
share prayer, worship, and to receive instruction with a view to growing in the spiritual
life. Out of this prayer experience comes a
desire to serve. This is facilitated by in-depth teachings in Catholic Spirituality.
The hub of Living Water Community is the 'Centre' which has
been the Community's home since 1981 when we took a giant step in faith and bought a
building with no money... and then renovated it to accommodate our needs! In the
interim our needs have grown and so has the structure of the building, expanding to
include the property next door with another floor added.
The passage from Isaiah 55 which says,
"Come to
the water all who are thirsty" certainly is lived out at our Centre, as large
numbers of people stream through its doors each day since the administrative functions of
the Community are conducted from this location, along with pastoral ministries such as
counselling and spiritual direction, seminars and retreats, prayer meetings for youth,
children and adults.
Our
television and video
production studio -
Trinity Communications Network
- is located here, as well as our
Food Bank
(ministering to the poor) and our
book store,
coffee shop and
catering service. To
top it all off, on the ground floor is a small chapel for quiet prayer and adoration of
the
Blessed Sacrament, and a large hall where the
Community meets and where Mass is celebrated each day.
The Community extends to San Fernando, as the southern
branch known as Nazareth House, comprising about 80 members. Nazareth House keeps
the 'living water' flowing with its ministry to the poor, prayer meetings, retreats,
prayer and counselling and its own "patio cafe".
Our Community has a vibrant ministry to
the poor in Trinidad - the physically poor and the spiritually poor. In a world where
the illiterate, hungry, homeless and destitute spill on to our streets every day, we see
the need for basic care, nourishment and self-development programmes managed in an
efficient, cost-effective manner. All of this is made possible through the generosity of
those who support us by Deeds of Covenant, Donations, Charitable Foundations, Legacies,
Fundraising and, of course, our many satisfied customers who visit our Bookstore and
Coffee Shop.
Every day we are making our dreams a reality, for Frederick
Street is more than a facility to many of us, it is the heart of Living Water and it is
the staff of dedicated volunteers that make it a home away from home.
If you would like to help our
ministry to the poor in Trinidad & Tobago, your donation may be sent to our
Centre at 109 Frederick Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad, WI or you can
give a donation online.
We thank you for your generous contribution.
For further information, please contact us at: Tel: (868)
623-4677 or
868) 625-6730; Fax: (868) 623-5348; E-mail:
lwc@wow.net |
