A foundation of this type, with the Brothers living outside of a traditional monastery and amongst the people of God in the suburbs, has been a hope in Australia since the mid 1980's and has been actively planned since 1997.

To have Brothers "living amongst God's people" has been a three-year decision. Much discussion has taken place at province, council, committee, and community level. Investigations were made, advice was solicited, permission was sought from the local Church, and the Holy Spirit was called upon to guide and strengthen the efforts being made.

The move to Bradbury meant a very real sacrifice had to be made: closing the monastery at Liverpool (this monastery was on the school campus). Two of the Brothers who made up the original Bradbury community of 2000, were two of the five Brothers who made up the 1999 Liverpool community. Patrician Brothers Liverpool had been established in 1954 and to enable the Bradbury venture to take place this forty-six year relationship was to come to an end. Brother Matthew Mahoney remained Principal at Liverpool until the end of 2000.

The rationale of this community is not to live outside the regime of normal monastic life, but to act as a very visible and active sign of God's kingdom amongst the people.The three Brothers who lived in this community supported themselves through their apostolates of Catholic Education Officer, a school Pastoral Care minister, and REC at one of the local Catholic secondary schools. But in Bradbury they strived to be a real support to the spiritual and community dimensions of their local church parish.
 

The Brothers, local priests, and some friends, gathered to ask God's blessing.	Cutting the cake as the  Bradbury venture begins.