About us

Mission

The Fireplace fuels and sustains change-makers as we create inclusive communities that contribute to the flourishing of people and the planet. We are rooted in shared rhythms of meals, labor, and worship. A refuge for spiritual seekers, artists, and activists, the Fireplace is a community of compassion, creativity, and contemplation.

Values

Sustainability

We practice simple living and support climate-change activism that centers vulnerable communities.

Solidarity

We stand in solidarity with marginalized people and communities. We share our resources as we are able and work against systems of oppression. We promote justice and peace on the South Side of Chicago and beyond.

Creativity

We are a community of writers, craftspeople, artists, and more. We believe everyone can draw meaning from creation and expression, and we offer opportunities for creators to work and learn together.

Spirituality

Our community values prayer, contemplation, liturgy, and ritual. We gather in prayer as a community, using forms that draw on our Catholic roots. We use inclusive language and affirm the liturgical leadership of women and LGBTQIA+ people.

Joy

We celebrate life together! We cultivate a beautiful and joyous home to promote healing and social change.

Rest

The Fireplace is a place of healing and refuge. We promote slowing down as an antidote to burnout, and as a way of life.

Hospitality

We believe people need community to flourish, and that communal life can help people meet their material, emotional, and spiritual needs. We open our home to artists, activists, spiritual seekers, and people who need shelter.

Community

We cultivate community among our residents, friends, neighbors in Hyde Park and Kenwood, and the South Side of Chicago. We develop hyper-local community that shares life, practices mutual aid, and values service.

Inclusion

We are an LGBTQIA+ affirming and anti-racist home. We welcome immigrants and people of all immigration statuses. We strive to offer programming on a sliding scale to promote financial accessibility. With roots in the Catholic tradition, we welcome people of any religious affiliation – or none. We are an intergenerational community. We value accessibility and welcome people with disabilities.

Our influences

As a diverse community, we draw on many traditions. This incomplete list names some of the most important influences on our shared life.

The Franciscan tradition. Our founders are Third Order Franciscan Sisters, and our shared life incorporates Franciscan values like peace, joy, human dignity, and care for creation. We look to Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi, as well as more contemporary Franciscans like Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA.
The Catholic Worker movement. Influenced by the Catholic Worker movement, we pair a personalist obligation to the poor with resistance to oppressive systems.
Church reform. We look to the Second Vatican Council and organizations that work to cultivate a more inclusive Catholic Church.
L’Arche and disability justice. We affirm the value and dignity of all people. People with disabilities are important members of our community, and several community members have roots in disability justice work.
New monasticism. We draw on this ecumenical movement of Christians and interspiritual seekers, both married and single. New monasticism emphasizes intentional community life centered on contemplation and service.
Artist-activists. We are inspired by artists and creatives who use their talents for the common good.