Carmelite Conversations
A Longing Heart - Our desire for God
There are seasons in every human life.
Some pass quickly.
Others seem to linger.
Some arrive unexpectedly
— moments of longing, restlessness,
or quiet searching.
Have you ever felt that desire for something more?
A deeper meaning… a fuller life… a sense that something is missing?
The Carmelite tradition recognises this longing as essential to who we are.
- We are made to seek.
- We are made to desire.
- We are made for God.
Wednesday 8 April 2026
7.00pm – 8.30pm (Melbourne Time)
[You are welcome to join from other time zones, for example:
Perth: 5.00pm • Singapore/Malaysia: 5.00pm • Philippines: 6.00pm • Timor-Leste: 6.00pm • Japan/Korea: 6.00pm • India/Sri Lanka: 2.30pm–3.00pm • United Arab Emirates: 1.00pm • South Africa: 11.00am • United Kingdom: 10.00am • Rome/Europe: 11.00am]
Together, we will explore:
- The restlessness at the centre of the human heart
- The deeper meaning behind our desires
- How longing leads us toward God
- The invitation to a life of prayer and transformation
“Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” — St Augustine
Schedule: Each of the five seasons of the heart will be presented twice. One presentation will be presented in the morning online and the same presentation will be repeated a month later, but in the evening.
Format: the morning presentation will be online only. The evening presentation will be online and in-person.
Carmelite Conversations throughout 2026 will explore the “Seasons of the Heart” as a way of facilitating spiritual journeys. Based on the writings of Fr Jack Welch OCarm, we will focus on the following seasons of the heart:
- A longing heart – a desire for God
- An enslaved heart – the worship of false gods
- A listening heart – contemplative prayer
- A troubled heart – the tragic life
- A pure heart – the transformation of desire.
Each session integrates a presentation of the core ideas and some time for contemplative reflection and conversation.
The Carmelite Centre
214 Richardson Street
Middle Park VIC 3206