- February 1, 2019 Community
by Jenny Beatrice, Director of Communications
The Fiat Community, begun by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, is an intentional living community for women discerning their next step in life.
The unique experience of living in a discernment house gives women, ages 18-35, the opportunity to be around sisters and find the support they need to continue discerning God’s call through faith sharing, intentional community living and service opportunities.
The members share monthly rent and household costs, as well as household chores, meal preparation and prayer. The Sisters of St. Joseph offer the women spiritual direction and ongoing formation experiences.
Currently, four women live in the Fiat House, located in the former convent of St. Andrew’s Church in south St. Louis. Meet these women and learn about why they chose Fiat and what inspires them.
KARLEY BECK
Age: 22
Hometown: Ozark, Missouri
Education: Graduates in May with a bachelor’s in social work from Fontbonne University
Occupation: Behavioral
Health Tech
Lived at Fiat for: Two years
Favorite Book: The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks
Favorite Movie: V for Vendetta
Favorite Quote: “Permanence, perseverance, and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: it is this that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.” —Thomas Carlyle
What do you like best about living at Fiat? I love my community members! Even though we may not always see eye to eye, they make living at Fiat meaningful for me.
How has living at Fiat transformed you? It has helped me realize how closed off I can be as a person and that I need to be connected to others. It brings me a sense of belonging to something greater than myself.
JENNA SPURLOCK
Age: 24
Hometown: Springfield, Illinois
Education: Bachelor’s in social work from Missouri
State University
Lived at Fiat for: Five months
Favorite Book: Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
Favorite Movie: A River Runs Through It
Favorite Quote: “I am a little pencil in the hand of a loving God who is writing the world a love letter.”
Hobbies: Making pottery, hiking, going on adventures.
Why Fiat? I wanted to learn how to live with and love people when I didn't choose the people I lived with. I wanted to learn to love people and accept their love even when it isn’t perfect or pretty. I wanted to live here to grow as a person. I wanted to learn to see beauty in the differences of others and not in spite of them.
What do you like best about living at Fiat? People meet me where I am. They give me the gift of listening, their own presence of God in them, and they will the best for me so that I can become the best person that I can be.
OLIVIA WALTER
Age: 27
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Education: Master’s in social work from
St. Louis University
Occupation: Daily life coordinator at L’arche St. Louis
Lived at Fiat for: 2.5 years
Favorite Book: Breathing Space by Heidi Neumark
Favorite Movie: Muppets Christmas Carol
Hobbies: Puzzles, hiking, and soccer
Why Fiat? I believe building authentic relationships is important, especially in a profession where there is a lot of hardship and pain. Community allows me to connect with others and to practice discerning God’s presence in both the difficult moments and the joyful moments. Community gives me a lot of sustenance.
What do you like best about living at Fiat? Fiat has been a welcoming space where asking difficult questions is encouraged. I am able to live and learn alongside others as I seek what gives my life meaning. At the same time, community reminds me that I am called to look outside of myself and build loving and just relationships with others.
ISABEL HOTOP
Age: 21
Hometown: Perryville, Missouri
Education: Pursuing a master's in speech-language pathology from Fontbonne University
Lived at Fiat for: Five months
Favorite Book: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Favorite Movie: The Sound of Music
Favorite Quote: “The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
Hobbies: Coaching softball, working out, and thrift shopping.
Why Fiat? I wanted to challenge myself by learning to live and grow with people in an intentional way. I wanted to be in a supportive and positive environment that would ground me in life and encourage me in my faith journey.
What do you like best about living at Fiat? I love the sisterhood that has been created among non-family members!
What’s one way living at Fiat transformed you? It has transformed me by teaching me to meet people where they are and also how to rely on others.
Interested in learning more? Fiat house is currently welcoming more young women interested in living in a discernment community. Contact: [email protected]