36 Friars, Lay Carmelites and representatives of our ministries in Australia and Timor-Leste gathered in Melbourne this week for a Provincial Assembly. 

Last weekend (16-17 December 2023) members of the Lay Carmelite Community in Adelaide gathered for a retreat.

Lay Carmelites in Australia and New Zealand will gather, either in person or via Zoom, from 18 – 21 May. The Assembly will provide an opportunity to focus on the past and the present, and look to the future.

Carmelites must not be afraid to encounter the new and emerging technologies of the millennial age. Rather, they should bring the gift of contemplation into dialogue with the signs of the times so that they can listen together to the Holy Spirit. The final message from the 4th International Congress of Carmelite Laity calls on older Carmelites to accompany young people with confidence and trust. The joy of the Gospel should be evident among those called to live in the presence of the Lord. We need to be optimistic, not afraid. More story & photos | pdf Read the Final Message (292 KB)

The theme for the 4^th Carmelite Laity Congress for the Asia, Australia and Oceania Region was Leave here, go east (1 Kings 17:3) - Carmelite Life in Millennial Challenges, held in Bali, Indonesia, from 13-16 February.

Taking up the theme of this Elijan challenge delegates were reminded of the need to look ahead; to be prepared for change, as we enter an era marked by high usage of digital technology for communication and media, bringing with it negative and positive impacts and at the same time new perspectives, behaviour and lifestyle in our societies. More story & photos

The Provincial Council has appointed Gabrielle Fogarty as the new Moderator of the Lay Carmelites and Vera Cleary as Secretary. Both attended the recent Provincial Chapter in June. Gabrielle has previous experience of being on the Lay Carmelite Council and is currently the Chair of our Provincial Commission for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation. Vera, a member of the Wollongong Lay Carmelites, also looks after the Lay Carmelite Resource Store. Two more members of the Lay Carmelite Council will be elected at the Lay Carmelite Assembly 6-9 October in Ormiston (QLD).

Dozens of Bishops from across Australia gathered to celebrate Mass on 6 May, 2018 at St Patrick’s, Church Hill to mark the 200th anniversary of the preservation of the Blessed Sacrament in the home of Lay Carmelite, James Dempsey. \

Father Jeremiah O’Flynn arrived in Sydney as unofficial chaplain to the Catholic community at the end of 1817. When after six months no official papers for him had arrived, he was deported. Whether by accident or design, he left a consecrated host behind in a pyx in either the home of William Davis or James Dempsey (or possibly both), according to The Catholic Weekly.

A new award from the Archdiocese of Sydney honours Lay Carmelite pioneer James Dempsey. Together with fellow Carmelite Tertiary, John Butler, Dempsey was virtually the centre of Catholic life from 1810-1820 when there were no priests in the fledgling colony.

The medal is awarded to recognise people who have made an outstanding contribution in the context of their local parish. It will be presented for the first time on Sunday 16 July, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney.

Welcome to the latest issue of The Vine - our newsletter for Lay Carmelites in Australia and New Zealand.

In this issue:
Being a Lay Carmelite
Books for Timor-Leste
Discalced Carmelite Appointed Bishop
The Word of God and Silence

 Download your copy

Welcome to the latest issue of The Vine - our newsletter for Lay Carmelites in Australia and New Zealand.

In this issue:
Lay Carmelite & Provincial News
Jubilee Year of Mercy
Journeying to Timor-Leste
Mary Longworth RIP

Download your copy here

The Lay Carmelites in Australia and New Zealand continue to flourish.

On the Gold Coast (QLD) a new Lay Carmelite community is forming under the guidance of Norm Harding, TOC and has been meeting for more than 12 months.

Over the last 12 months 10 people have been received into the Lay Carmelites, 5 more have made their first profession and 3 have made their final profession as Lay Carmelites.

Welcome to the September issue of The Vine - our Lay Carmelite newsletter for Australia and New Zealand.

In this issue

• Our Communities celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel
• Fr Fernando reflects on the Feast
• My Journey of Faith
• Celebrating the Feast of St Elijah
• East Timorese students say 'Thank You'
• In memory of Fr Frank Shortis RIP
• Sr Paula concludes her article on St Teresa of Avila
• Greetings from Britain

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Welcome to the latest issue of The Vine, our Lay Carmelite Newsletter for Australia and New Zealand.

In this issue:

• Peter White introduces the new-look issue of The Vine
• Fr Paul Gurr reflects on the need to be people of the future, not of the past
• Christine Wade talks about the 2015 Provincial Assembly
• Tribute to Fr Noel Kierce RIP
• News from our communities
• Getting to Know You: Fr Matthew McPhee
• St Teresa of Avila: Sr Paula continues her article about St Teresa
• International News & Notice Board

Click to download The Vine 26 2 June 2015

Five Australian Lay Carmelites and one Lay Carmelite from New Zealand travelled to Tagaytay City in the Philippines for the 2nd Lay Carmelite Regional Congress held between 18 and 22 March 2015.

Ann Baumber (Wollongong), Carmel Weston (Coorparoo), Paula Newcombe (Jamberoo), Angela Zakarias (National Secretary / Adelaide) and Christine Wade (Moderator/Jamberoo) represented Australia. It was a great joy to be accompanied by Gwenda Gopperth from the fledgling Lay Carmelite group in North Palmerston, New Zealand.

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.

 In this issue:

•    Fr Paul Gurr sees signs of growth among the Lay Carmelites
•    Christine Wade reflects on Advent and the work of LCNC
•    Part 1 of  Sr Paula’s reflection on St Teresa of Avila
•    Lay Carmelite celebrations in Rockhampton
•    Keith Belton reflects on his visit to Timor Leste for the Ordinations
•    50 years of Carmel on the Central Coast
The Vine 25.4 December 2014

You can read past issues of The Vine here.