It's 20 years since the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. Mayra Walsh, Community Development Coordinator for the Carmelite of Australia & Timor-Leste, was present at the official Government celebrations.

pdf Read Mayra's observations and reflections (1.01 MB) .

Frs Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial), Bruce Clark and Carlito Da Silva are the representing the Carmelites of Australia & Timor-Leste at the General Chapter of the Order. The General Chapter will be held in Rome from 10-27 September. A General Chapter, involving representatives from every Province in the world, is held every 6 years and elects the international leadership team.

The theme for the Chapter is: You are my witnesses from one generation to the next: called to be faithful to our Carmelite Charism.

August and September are very significant for Timor-Leste this year as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of voting for independence and remembers the violence and unrest which followed. This edition of our JPIC newsletter takes a look back in time through the eyes of Fr Augusto Da Costa Galhos as Timor-Leste celebrates, remembers and grieves these momentous events in its history.

pdf Read this issue (1.10 MB)

Titus Brandsma was a Dutch Carmelite, scholar and writer who was killed in Dachau Concentration Camp because of his stance against Nazism.

Born in The Netherlands in 1881, Titus joined the Carmelite Order as a young man. Ordained priest in 1905, he obtained a doctorate in philosophy in Rome. Titus brought his deep prayer practice to his studies, his teaching and his writing.

More story & photos

Carmelites, Fr Maurice Barry and Fr Jerome Watt are celebrating their 60^th anniversary of Ordination this month. Fr Maurice was ordained on 12 July 1959 at Clonciffe College, Dublin and Fr Jerome on 26 July at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne.

Fr Maurice has worked in formation, been a teacher both in Ireland and Australia and worked in parishes and hospital ministry in Perth, Melbourne and Geelong.

Carmelites celebrate the memory of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary, today. Very early in the history of the Order feast days for both Joachim and Anne were added to the Carmelite Liturgical Calendar.

Early Christian and Carmelite traditions saw in Anne one who helped form in Mary a heart open to God. Joachim is portrayed as a just man more interested in helping the poor than in amassing a fortune for himself.

The tradition presents Joachim and Anne as ideal parents of Mary, preparing her for the part she was to play in our salvation. They are honoured in the Carmelite tradition as protectors of the Order.

Today the Carmelite family celebrates the feast of Blessed John Soreth (c.1395 – 1471), Prior General and reformer of the Carmelite Order. During his time as Prior General he was also responsible for the creation of Carmelite communities for women and the admission of lay associates as part of the Order.

He was elected Prior General at the General Chapter of Avignon in 1451. He encouraged reform throughout the Order and travelled constantly around Europe, visiting the various communities. Contemporary accounts record his sense of humour, his courage, a gentle temperament and even that he enjoyed playing an occasional game of football!

Today Carmelites throughout the world celebrate the Solemnity of the Old Testament Prophet, Elijah. In the Carmelite tradition Elijah is regarded as the spiritual father of and a source of inspiration for Carmelites.

From Elijah, Carmelites learn to be people who stand before God 
with undivided heart, entirely dedicated to his service, 
and aflame with a passionate love for God and others.

Fr Fernando Millán Romeral (Prior General) has given 3 talks about Mary in the Carmelite Tradition. The talks were given at Aylesford Priory in England on 13 & 14 July this year.

Click the links below to view the talks.

First Talk    |    Second Talk    |    Third Talk

A large crowd gathered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middle Park (VIC) for our annual Mothers’ Mass on 14 July. The Mass, in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is celebrated for all mothers, living and deceased.

Carmelite Friars, Nuns, Lay Carmelites, parishioners, friends and supporters gathered for the Mass celebrated by Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial). The names of nearly 4,000 mothers were included in the Mass.

More photos | Video

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our lady of Mount Carmel. From the earliest days of the Order's beginnings, Mary has held a special place in the lives of Carmelites.

Mary embodies everything that we hope for - to enter into an intimate relationship with Christ, being totally open to God's will and having our lives transformed by the Word of God. Like Mary, we too want to listen so deeply to the Word of God that he becomes flesh in us.

Happy feast day to all members of our Carmelite Family!

Fr Fernando Millán Romeral, Prior General, has written his final message to the Carmelite Family. Fr Fernando will finish his 12 year term as Prior General in September.  His message for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel reflects on leadership, the coming General Chapter in September and various celebrations and anniversaries for the Carmelite Family in the coming year. Fr Fernando has also recorded a short video message to the Carmelite Family.

Read the Prior General's Message |  Watch the video message

Brs Agostinho Dos Santos, José Natalino Freitas and Anacleto Guterres Da Costa recently completed their first semester English language studies at the English Language School for Pastoral Ministry.

We congratulate them and wish them well for the next phase of their studies.

The Christchurch tragedy is an event which we will never forget, least of all the people of New Zealand who were intimately scarred by such senseless violence in their normally peaceful country. In our newsletter this month we share with gratitude a very sensitive reflection from the Sisters at the OCD Monastery Christchurch, reminding us that the presence of our God shines in the midst of chaos and that we all have a part to play in healing broken wounds.

  pdf Read this issue (839 KB)

You are warmly invited to join us in celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Sunday 14 July at 10.30am at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (cnr Richardson & Wright Sts, Middle Park, Vic). You can also join with us in the Novena of Prayer on the 9 days before the Feast.

During the Novena of Prayer Carmelites offer their prayers for the members of the Carmelite Family and for those in need.

Download the Prayer for each day of the Novena

The Carmelite Centre and Carmelite Library hosted three days of spiritual workshops last week 23-25 May on ‘Ways of Seeing’. Over the days 46 people attended workshops of their choosing on topics such as calligraphy, art journaling, the body and spirituality, creative expression in spiritual practice, iconography, visual art as contemplation, poetry, mandala making, aboriginal art form, Christian faith as mode of seeing and chant and scripture. The library and meeting rooms were a buzz with energy and creativity with people actively participating in these opportunities.

Fr Paul Sireh received his Master of Theological Studies from Australian Catholic University recently. The Graduation ceremony was held at Rosehill Gardens, Sydney and Carmelites, Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) and Leo Richmond were among those present. Liturgy was the particular focus of Paul’s two-year course of studies – an important part of Paul’s ministry as chaplain to Whitefriars College, Donvale (VIC).

Congratulations, Paul! More photos here

These next few weeks are significant to Aboriginal people as they mark Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. We invite you to redirect your thoughts to the struggle of our First Nation Peoples, guided by this reflection from Peter Thomas of the JPIC Team.

Whether we are engaging in challenging conversations or unlearning or relearning what we know, our reconciliation journey requires all of us to walk together with courage.

  pdf Read this issue (679 KB)

Zumalai is situated in one of the most remote and mountainous parts of Timor-Leste. During the wet season roads become dangerously slippery, covered in thick mud, and sometimes impacted by landslides or floods.

To provide spiritual and pastoral support to over 13,000 people, many of them in remote and isolated villages, requires a sturdy all-terrain ute. Thanks to the Loyola Foundation and Mission Office of the Pure Heart of Mary Province (USA) the Carmelites now have a brand-new 4-wheel drive so they can continue to serve people near and far.

The Carmelite Family Retreat was recently held on the weekend 12-14 April 2019 at the beautiful seaside Retreat Centre ‘Santa Casa ‘ located at Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsular in Victoria. It was attended by 21 members of the Carmelite Family, including representatives from the Lay Carmelite community Melbourne and regular participants of the Carmelite Centre programs. The Retreat was led by Fr Matthew McPhee who was assisted by fellow Carmelite Friar Paul Sireh. Paul led us in some very meditative and creative liturgies.

The theme of this silent Retreat was ‘Vacare Deo’ – making room for God.