Brs. Avelino Dos Santos, Anacleto Guterres da Costa and Abrão De Jesus, 3 student friars from Timor Leste, recently attended the gathering of Carmelite student friars from the Asia-Australia-Oceania region in Manila, Philippines, together with Fr Roque Soares.

The Regional Student Gathering was organised by the Carmelites of the Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma, Phillipines. It took place from 27 April to 2 May 2015.

Fr Noel's family, the Carmelites of Australia and Timor Leste and the Whitefriars College community bid farewell to Fr Vincent Noel Kierce in a number of gatherings following his sudden death on 9 May.

Click on Read More for details and photos of the Memorial Mass and the Guard of Honour at Whitefriars College and Fr Noel's Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, Middle Park. Links to Fr Laurie Timms' homily at the Funeral Mass and to the Whitefriars College tribute page are also there.

About 40 Carmelites gathered at Mount Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville NSW for a 3 day symposium on St Teresa of Avila.

Led by Professor Bernard McGinn the friars, nuns, lay and secular Carmelites (OCarm and OCD) journeyed into the richness of Teresa's spiritual teaching.

The sessions began with an insight into the term mysticism and an understanding of the cultural and religious context of 16th century Avila.

Professor McGinn then led us through excerpts of Teresa's Life, the Way of Perfection and the Interior Castle.

Finally, he spoke about Teresa’s perception that contemplation and action are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they are a blending of the 2 dimensions of Christian life: love of God and love of neighbour.

POPE Francis is expected to canonise Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St Therese of Lisieux, during the world Synod of Bishops on the family in October.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, leading a conference on Friday 27 February on the role of saints in the life of the church, announced that ‘thanks be to God, in October two spouses, parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux, will be canonised.’

 From the Carmelite Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission.

In this issue:

• Equality for women is justice for all
• Prayers for Women across the world
• Women's Spirituality
• JPIC days this month

JPIC March 2015

Fr Roque Soares Da Cruz celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday 8 February in the grounds of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Letefoho.

Fr Roque was ordained priest with Fr Carlito Da Silva in Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili on 30 January.

Rockhampton Lay Carmelite, Paul Anderson, was found dead in his home on 22 February. Paul was the founding member of the Lay Carmelite community in Rockhampton in 1986. The community now has 9 members.

Tropical Cyclone Marcia tore down more than 1400 power poles and blacked out most areas in Rockhampton. Paul had severe respiratory problems and was very dependent on air-conditioning. Because the power had failed he was not able to survive the very humid conditions.

Paul was a most sincere, prayerful, contemplative and humble man. His fatherly care for and attention to the others in the community will long outlast his death.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Paul's family, friends and Lay Carmelite community. May he rest in peace.

The new boarding house for High School students was blessed and opened in Zumalai by Fr Bruce Clark (Regional Prior) on Tuesday 20 January 2015.

Fr Bruce was assisted by Fr Manuel Almeida da Costa (Parish Priest) with Brother Antonio Olavio Exposto being the Master of Ceremonies.  The new Boarding House was dedicated to Blessed Titus Brandsma and a images of him and of Our Lady of Mount Carmel were also blessed.

Following his Ordination with Fr Roque Soares Da Cruz in Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili, on 30 January, Fr Carlito Da Silva celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving at the Chapel of Saint Michael Archangel, in Besilau, Aileu.

Fr Carlito and Fr Roque arrived at the Chapel wearing the traditional dress of their villages and escorted by a large procession of villagers, Carmelites, family and friends.

Five Pre-Novices were formally welcomed into the 2nd year of the Pre-Novitiate on Sunday 18 January during Evening Prayer in the Blessed Titus Brandsma community Fatuhada, Dili.

The Fatuhada community was joined by the Hera community for the occasion. Fr Bruce Clark (Regional Prior) led the prayer assisted by Fr Paskalis Patut (Director of the Pre-Novitiate) and Brother Carlito da Silva (assistant formator for the Pre-Novices).

The Carmelite Centre Melbourne has released the program of events celebrating the 5th Centenary of the birth of St Teresa of Jesus.

We are especially pleased to welcome Professor Bernard McGinn, renowned author, theologian and scholar of mysticism, who will give a public lecture and a workshop in Melbourne on 29 April and 1 May.

Other events include a Symposium on St Teresa, a retreat, and a talk by Professor Anne Hunt from Australian Catholic University.

Fr Roque Soares Da Cruz and Fr Carlito Da Silva were ordained priests in Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili, on Friday 30 January this year.

Fr Denis Andrew (Prior Provincial of Australia Timor Leste), Fr Bruce Clark (Regional Prior) and Fr Wayne Stanhope (Director of Formation) concelebrated the Ordination Mass together with East Timorese Carmelite, Religious and Diocesan Priests.

In 2013 Pope Francis declared that a Year of Consecrated Life (YCL) be celebrated throughout the world. Pope Francis has dedicated this year to the promotion of consecrated life and asked the Church's religious sisters, brothers and priests to "wake up the world" with their testimony of faith and joy.

The Communications Centre for the whole Carmelite Order has released a video to mark the occasion.

In this issue:

• Power & Leadership in the Church and in the World
• The Prophet Elijah & the misuse of Power
• JPIC Calendar for February
• Prayers & Reflections

  JPIC February 2015
 

Our Deacons, Roque Soares da Cruz and Carlito da Silva, will be ordained priests on Friday 30 January in Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili, Timor Leste.

Bishop Norberto do Amaral, Bishop of Maliana Diocese, will preside at the Ordination due to the illness of the Bishop of Dili, Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva.

pdf Your Invitation to the Ordination

Carmelite Communications now has its own YouTube channel.

The new YouTube channel provides a place for videos about Carmelite news, events and spirituality. Snapshots from various presentations at The Carmelite Centre Melbourne will also be added as they become available.

The channel currently has two videos about the 2014 Carmelite Way Pilgrimage and a day in the life of the Carmelites in Formation at Hera, Timor Leste.

In 1956 three Carmelites from Australia, Fr William Morganti, Fr Robert Dowd and Br George Parsons travelled to Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe) to work with the Irish Carmelites in their mission for the next 7 years.

Our Zimbabwean connection has recently been renewed when Fr Jim Des Lauriers was asked to be Chaplain to the Zimbabwean community in Victoria.

Thanks to our young Carmelites in Hera, Fiona Matthews (Whitefriars College) and Sue Stuckey you can get a glimpse of life in the Carmelite community at Hera in a new video.

Sue also visited Timor Leste recently helping our students continue their study of English.

Sabino, 20, is in Year 12 at high school in Zumalai. He lives in the Carmelite boarding house – here he has a place to live and study, food to eat, school books and uniform. Sabino wants to study English and computer skills when he finishes high school.

"The Carmelites teach us to pay attention to our studies and show us we need to be grateful for this experience by praying to God and sharing in daily prayer with the Carmelites' he says. He doesn't want to fail.

Sabino is very aware that as the oldest male in his family (his father died in 2009) he must study hard so he can get a good job to look after his mother, 10 brothers and sisters.

 Then there's Gloria, who showed courage and initiative in asking The Carmelites for help.

Gloria, 19, comes from Zumalai and after completing a 12 month course in English received a scholarship from The Carmelites so she can study in Dili University. Gloria dreams of becoming a teacher, teaching English in the parish primary school and to youth in Zumalai.

An education will enable Gloria to be employed and earn an income to support her family. At the same time, Gloria will make a valuable contribution to her students and other young people by helping them learn English which will increase their chances of future employment.

As Sr Rosemary says, "It's amazing to see the transformation of these young people - to see them striving to become something, to change the circumstances of their families, their communities and their own selves."

Our Mission Partners provide courage, hope and dreams for the next generation.

Lucinda is too ill to look after Louis, her 18 month old son. She has asked the Carmelites to find a family who will care for him. She hopes her son never experiences poverty. In order to grow up well, Louis will need lots of love, nutritious food, safe drinking water, vaccines to help build up his immune system and an education so he can eventually find work. For the next 18 years Louis will depend on caring people like you to help him grow up and break free from poverty.

It's a big commitment we are making to Louis, Gloria and Sabino. Without the inspiration of St Therese we wouldn't have the courage to ask. Without the courage of St Therese we wouldn't have the confidence to believe that together we can help them.

Over 30 caring Mission Partners believe in our mission in East Timor. They help us, through monthly gifts, to provide the practical means to transform lives and rebuild hope.

Why not join them?

Contact us for more information: (03) 9690 8822 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Carmelites work with communities in Australia and Timor-Leste (East Timor) helping people to transform their lives.

Community speaks of trust and relationships with one another, and the Carmelites' commitment to strengthen and support all those who are part of our family within Australia and Timor-Leste.

Prayer speaks to the heart of what is Carmelite: our relationship with God. Through liturgy and prayer Carmelites are committed to supporting and sustaining you on your spiritual journey.

Service speaks to the Carmelite attitude of responding positively to the needs of the people we serve; empowering and accompanying them in their experiences and in their faith.

WHO ARE WE

Carmelites have a tradition spanning eight centuries originating in the 1190's in the Holy Land with the first Carmelites arriving in Australia in 1802.

Since arriving in Australia The Carmelites have been actively involved with Australian communities through parish ministry, schools, spirituality and retreat centres, and library offering pastoral and spiritual companionship to people.

Since 2001 The Carmelites have been supporting the people of Timor-Leste both spiritually and through assisting in the reconstruction of their communities. Through the friendships that have been established we aim to empower the Timorese people to rebuild their own communities and help them recover from the hurt of their painful past.

THE CARMELITES IN TIMOR-LESTE

Timor-Leste is the poorest country in the Asia Pacific region and a very close neighbour to Australia. The Timorese people have lived through traumatic experiences and our help is needed to assist them on the journey from despair to living richer fuller lives.


Our mission in Timor-Leste is to:

• Educate young men to become Carmelites and work within their communities

• Educate students, through offering scholarships and traineeships

• Train young people in skills to gain employment in industries

• Refurbish essential buildings eg; schools, youth centres

• Provide training and equipment to assist in agricultural programs

• Provide safe drinking water

• Offer Sacramental Programs for communities

• Provide pastoral and spiritual companionship for life's journey

You can help with our mission by becoming involved and helping us to give others the opportunity for a better life.

THE CARMELITES IN AUSTRALIA

In Australia Carmelites work in a variety of areas serving communities and offering their prayer and companionship

Our Ministries involve

• Running a Catholic College for boys

• Administering parishes around Australia

• Supporting lay men and women to live a reflective life

• Providing pastoral support to those suffering in our communities

• Working as chaplains in hospitals and schools to support people at their most vulnerable

• Providing a theological resource in The Carmelite Library for academics and those seeking a deeper meaning in life

• Offering courses through The Carmelite Centre which supports people in their life journey

• Spirituality and retreat centre for spiritual healing which offer a place for reflection and pastoral care

• Offering a reflective place at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel where people can share together through companionship and prayer

HOW THE CARMELITES CAN SUPPORT YOU

At times each one of us is challenged by the pain and hurt that our life journey brings. It is at times like this that The Carmelites offer companionship, hope and a place to share faith which can help give great strength during these difficult times.

The Carmelites offer their prayer and companionship through five special Masses celebrated throughout the year at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Each of these Masses provide opportunities for people to come together in prayer to give thanks, to pray for healing and to remember loved ones.

Carmelite Mass Celebrations

• Mothers– for all mothers living and deceased (July)

• Remembrance – for deceased relatives and friends (November)

• Christmas – for all your needs and intentions (December)

Each of these masses is open to all either by attendance or by responding with personal intentions.

Carmelite Prayer Cards

When family and friends become ill, lose their job, have a relationship break-down or suddenly find themselves alone, it is comforting to know that they have the support of their family, friends and – people like The Carmelites.

The Carmelites provide beautiful reflective prayer cards which can be sent on these occasions to assure those you care for of The Carmelites' prayers and your love and support for them. Because these cards are exclusive to The Carmelites each person who receives one will receive a beautiful unique gift and card.

We have prayer cards for

• Healing and Peace for those who are sick

• A gift of Prayer for any occasion

• Spiritual support for those going through physical or emotional struggles

• Sympathy and Mass for those recently deceased

• Special Occasion for birthdays, anniversaries and special days

  pdf Carmelite Prayer Card Order Form (952 KB)

GET INVOLVED

The Carmelites undertake many activities which support and serve the community both in Australia and East Timor. We invite you to become involved and help us to raise awareness and funds to support these services.

Become a member of The Carmelites and receive

• Our newsletter ‘Carmel Contact' FREE

which features articles of reflection and meditation as well as updates on the life and work of The Carmelites in Australia and East Timor .

• Invitations to participate in the Masses at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

• Mass cards to forward to family and friends

• Invitations to attend special gatherings and major events

Purchase goods which help us raise money for Timor-Leste

• Timorese organic coffee

• Tias [traditional woven cloth]

• Recycle bags

• Occasional cards

• Christmas cards

If you would like to join us, purchase goods or find out more, please contact:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Carmelite Province Centre
75 Wright Street
Middle Park Vic 3206
Telephone: 03 9690 8822