The 2020 edition of the Carmelite Liturgical Guide is now available. 

The Guide integrates the Carmelite Liturgical Calendar with the liturgical calendars of Australia and Timor-Leste to provide a guide to the Seasons, Solemnities, Feasts, Memorials and Carmelite celebrations for every day of the year.

  pdf Download the Guide here (774 KB)

Three young Carmelites graduated from the English Language Studies Program yesterday. Fr Pedro Amaral graduated from the General English Studies program and will now return to Timor to be Assistant Priest in Zumalai Parish. Brs José Natalino Freitas and Anacleto Guterres Da Costa graduated from the English for Academic Purposes program and will begin their Bachelor of Theology studies at the University of Divinity, Melbourne next year. José and Anacleto provided much of the music for the Graduation Ceremony. Congratulations Pedro, José and Anacleto! See more photos

Saint John of the Cross was born at Fontiveros in Spain about 1542. He entered the Carmelites and with the permission of his superiors began to live a stricter life. Later he was persuaded by St Teresa to begin, together with some others, a reform within the Carmelite friars which cost him much hard work and many trials. He died in Ubeda in 1591, outstanding in holiness and wisdom, to which his many spiritual writings give eloquent witness. His writings were first published in 1618. After his death the reform he introduced within the friars eventually separated from the Carmelite Order to become the Order of Discalced Carmelite Friars. John was canonised in 1726 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926. Quotes from John of the Cross

Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva (Archbishop of Dili) recently celebrated Mass in our community at Hera to mark the end of the Inter-congregation Religious Courses for 2019. About 250 people were present including pre-Novices and Novices of various religious communities in Dili who participated in the courses during the year. Superiors, lecturers and formators were also present.

Archbishop Virgilio was welcomed to Hera by Fr Carlito Da Cost Araújo, the Provincial Delegate for Timor-Leste, in a traditional welcome ceremony. Our Carmelite students formed the choir. Lunch and also some performances by the students followed Mass as well as the traditional tebe-tebe and Dahur dances until 4.00 pm. More photos

During this season of Advent, as we await the birth of the Christ-child, the Prince of Peace, we remember that we must not be armchair Christians waiting passively. This is a time of active hope; hope that the living Christ, who lives in and among us, will strengthen those who are down-trodden, those who are oppressed.

In solidarity with the people of West Papua, who have been waiting fifty-seven years amidst violence and occupation, we pray with them this Advent for a long lasting Peace and return to their own self-determination and sovereignty. pdf Read this issue of our JPIC Newsletter. (1.39 MB)

We recently invited our donors in Victoria to join us for a Thank You High Tea. About 70 donors came along and were joined by Carmelites and staff. Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) opened the event with prayer.

Mayra Walsh, our Community Development Coordinator, shared with us some stories about the positive impact our programs are making in communities in Timor-Leste. Because of donors’ support, we are able to help our schools in Zumalai and Raimea by providing them with teaching resources to use in their classrooms. And we are supporting 19 volunteer teachers in our schools by providing them with a small monthly allowance. More story

The great Advent journey begins. Once again we are struck by God’s astounding graciousness in sharing his life with us in the person of Jesus. “The Advent readings form a rich tapestry of images centered on the truth that God has come among us. In Advent we do not pretend that we are waiting for Jesus to be born in a stable. That happened once in history and it will not happen again. We remember that birth as we remember our own birthdays. The God who came among us is still among us. Advent’s invitation is to become aware of the all-pervading presence of the risen Jesus as Emmanuel – God among us.” (Break Open the Word. The Liturgical Commission, Brisbane, 2010).

On 8-10 November 32 pilgrims, led by Paul Sireh OCarm and Denis Andrew OCarm, braved the cold and wet Melbourne weather to walk along the Yarra Valley Rail Trail for the tenth Annual Carmelite Way pilgrimage. In spite of the weather forecast for very wet days we managed to stay fairly dry and in fact it was wonderful walking weather. Like previous years we are very grateful for the contribution of Sacred Heart Bethlehem community and Whitefriars College for the use of buses and the reliable bus drivers, Rob and David who have generously served us for some years now. The weekend cannot happen without the contribution of buses and drivers. More story & photos

It wasn’t quite Gardening Australia, but on Saturday morning the Middle Park (VIC) Carmelites gathered to re-pot our orchids which had become very overgrown. Under the direction of Belinda Ahearn, our Province Executive Assistant, we separated the orchids into ‘families’ of four and re-planted them in about 30 smaller pots with fresh soil. We hope when they flower next year we will be able to sell some to help the Carmelites in Timor-Leste. More photos

This issue of Carmel Contact is filled with stories about the difference our donors make to the lives of people in Timor-Leste. You can read about safeguarding children in our Schools in Zumalai, Br Anacleto’s personal story, Fr Agusto reflects on 20 years of Timor-Leste’s independence, celebrating our loyal donors, the first retreat for our Scholarship Students, the new teaching resources you provided to our schools, how to order your Carmelite Christmas Cards, and much more.

pdf Read this issue (1.34 MB)

Today, Carmelites remember with love and thanksgiving all those people who have handed on to us the heritage of Carmelite life and spirituality. We remember especially those we have known and who have deeply enriched our own living of Carmelite life. These brothers and sisters of ours may not have been famous spiritual writers nor renowned for extraordinary experiences of prayer, but they made their mark on the Order and on each of us through their own efforts to live in allegiance to Jesus Christ in service to the Order and to the Church.

May God welcome them fully into the Divine embrace.

Today Carmelites celebrate the memory of all those who lived faithfully their calling as members of our family. They lived in the spirit of Mary and Elijah and sought the face of the living God in Scripture and in their hearts. They shared their experience of God in teaching, writing, apostolic ministry and love.

We continue to draw inspiration from the many ways they lived in the ‘footsteps of Jesus Christ’.

On this day in 1991 more than 250 mainly young people were shot as they sought refuge in the Santa Cruz Cemetery, Dili. The pro-Independence demonstrators had begun a peaceful march from a local Church to the Cemetery. Pursued by Indonesian soldiers as they approached the Cemetery many sought refuge within its walls. An estimated 200 Indonesian soldiers opened fire on hundreds of unarmed civilians.

We remember and pray for the victims, their families and friends.

Today we remember all those Australian service men and women who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom.  We remember those who mourn them and those who were left to battle on alone. 

We remember those who returned home scarred in body, mind or spirit and those who loved and supported them. We remember courage, dedication, sacrifice, mateship and service.

We pray that the world may never again see the massive violence and loss of life experienced in world war.

On the feast of Carmelite Saint Nuno Alvares Peirera, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Community, Coorparoo (QLD) gathered to bless and name the newest multipurpose learning space at their primary school. The building was named Nuno, in honour of St Nuno a Portuguese national hero and Carmelite saint, canonised in 2008. It is the first building in Australia named in honour of Saint Nuno and will provide a modern flexible learning space for grade 5 and 6 students of Our Lady of Mount Carmel school.

More story & photos.

St Elizabeth of the Trinity was born on 18 July 1880. As a young child she earned a reputation as an incessant chatterbox and vivacious crawler. She was strong-willed and determined. As she grew up she became known for her generous and loveable nature. She was an excellent musician whose concerts won critical acclaim. At the same time her awareness of God began to grow. In the midst of a busy social life she managed to find time to help with troubled youth and seemed to radiate the presence of God wherever she went. She entered the Carmelite Convent at Dijon in 1901. She was given the name 'Elizabeth of the Trinity'. Here she grew in the Carmelite attributes of reflective prayer, living in the present moment, loving God wholeheartedly and serving others with simplicity. Much like St Therese of Lisieux, Elizabeth's way was one of simple conversation with God and a deep, abiding awareness of God's presence within. Read the full story.

Our JPIC Newsletter this month is the Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) publication JUST NOW highlighting the Aboriginal struggle to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart.  As one Indigenous leader from Northern New South Wales commented:  ”I see the involvement and groundswell from our mob, that actually change is going to happen."  Each of us is encouraged to keep ourselves informed; to walk with our First Nation people to a better future and self-determination. 

pdf Read the Newsletter (7.11 MB)

The Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste have joined the National Redress Scheme. The Scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

We are committed to safeguarding all people in our care, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults. We have policies and procedures which are mandatory for all Carmelites, our employees and volunteers who work with us. Read more about: Our Commitment to Safeguarding, Our Safeguarding Policies & the Redress Scheme.

During the Synod on the Amazon the Carmelite church of St Mary in Traspontina, near the Vatican, has been a focal point of daily prayer and pilgrimage. A display featuring various aspects of Amazonian faith and life is present in the chapels of the Church. Included in the display were several carved wooden statues of a pregnant Amazonian woman. Two men filmed themselves entering the church on 21 October, taking the statues from the chapels and throwing them into the Tiber River a short distance away. More story.

Mr Mark Murphy has been chosen to lead the Whitefriars College Community as Principal from the beginning of 2020. Mr Murphy, currently principal at Marcellin College, Bulleen (VIC), has been involved in Catholic Education for 33 years and attended Whitefriars as a student, graduating in 1982.

“It is evident that Mark will bring a wonderful breadth of knowledge, experience and energy to the position and will ensure that the College continues to provide our students with positive, challenging and rewarding school experiences,” said Fr Paul Cahill (Carmelite Provincial) and Mr Peter Duffy (Chair, Whitefriars College Board) in their letter announcing the appointment. pdf Read the announcement. (101 KB)