John Michael Talbot's Hermitage suffers fire

A stone carving of the Virgin Mary is all that stands after a fire destroyed Charity Chapel April 28 at Little Portion Hermitage near Berryville, Ark. The Brothers and Sisters of Charity also lost their common center in the fire. Damages were estimated to be at least $500,000. (CNS/courtesy of Little Portion Hermitage)

The chapel and community center of Little Portion Hermitage, home of the Catholic monastic lay community founded by singer John Michael Talbot, burned to the ground late Monday/early Tuesday. Nobody was injured, thanks be to God, but the damage is estimated at more than half a million dollars. According to Catholic News Service, "The common center housed the hermitage's library, kitchen, archives and offices. Also destroyed was Talbot's lighting and sound equipment; he was scheduled to leave May 2 for a monthlong tour of Canada. "

In light of it all, I was impressed with Talbot's attitude:

I shared (with the community) that God is stripping us back to what is really essential to our way of life and that we will rebuild with greater efficiency, but in stone.