On Sunday 3 November, the first Sunday of Advent, 19 young Carmelites renewed their vows in St Elias community, Hera, Timor-Leste.

Another attempt to trap Jesus is contained in the Gospel this Sunday. Opinions and arguments about which was the greatest commandment were common among the Pharisees and questions about it were frequently asked of rabbis. Clearly, those who asked this question of Jesus were trying to disconcert or ‘wrong foot’ Jesus in an attempt to discredit him with his reply.

What is on display in this story from Matthew’s Gospel is not Jesus’ clever reply, but the image of God he presents.

Carmelites were present at the Ignite Conference in Brisbane, a youth and young adult festival held over 3 days, 21-24 September.

Following his Ordination on 2 September, Fr Narcizio Da Costa Vilanova returned to his hometown of Ossu to celebrate Mass on 9 & 10 September.

Our Deacons, Brs Narcizio Da Costa Vilanova and Amandio Soares Salsinha, will

In the presence of a large crowd of Carmelites, parishioners, family and friends, Br Anacleto made his Solemn Profession of Vows (life-long commitment) as a Carmelite on 16 July.

Every person dreams of a life filled with opportunities, hope and the possibility of a new beginning.

On 14 June Brs Frangelino Isaias Ximenes, Julião Dos Santos, David Soares, Estevão De Deus Gomes and Francisco Xavier Martins make their profession of Solemn Vows (life-long commitment) in the Carmelites in a ceremony attended by some 2,000 people.

On 14 June Brs Frangelino Ximenes, Julião Dos Santos, David Soares, Estevão De Deus Gomes and Francisco Xavier Martins will make their profession of Solemn Vows (life-long commitment) in the Carmelites. The Profession Mass will be held in our community at Hera with Fr Bruce Clark (Prior Provincial) presiding.

We are less than 70 days away from World Youth Day, the largest gathering of Catholic young people. “Mary arose and went with haste” (Lk 1:39) is the theme. This year’s celebration will be held in Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal from August 1-6, 2023.

The 15th of May marks the first anniversary of the canonisation of our brother Titus Brandsma, canonised along with nine other holy men and holy women, by Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square in 2022. The memory of that celebration and the days that surrounded it still live in the minds and hearts of thousands of people all around the world. It was particularly moving for all of us who had the blessing of being in Rome when the event was taking place.

To commemorate the first anniversary of the Canonisation of St Titus Brandsma, we have created a new St Titus Brandsma Desktop Wallpaper that can be downloaded for free in 1920x1080 at:
https://carmelites.org.au/desktop-wallpaper

The final of the three Great Gospels of Lent is ours today - a Gospel story of life and freedom. Like the gospels of the last two Sundays, the dramatic story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead is a story of love, faith and belief.

There are three different groups of believers in the story: those who believe that Jesus could have prevented Lazarus’ death (Jesus is already known to be a healer); those who came to believe in him because they see Lazarus rise, and those, like Martha, who believe in Jesus even though Lazarus died.

In this Gospel Jesus proclaims himself ‘the resurrection and the life’. We see him deeply moved by the death of his friend. We find him in earnest prayer with God. We see him full of strength as he commands Lazarus to come out of the tomb.

  pdf Celebrating At Home 5th Sunday in Lent [PDF]
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In this Sunday’s Gospel we accompany the man who was born blind on his journey into the light. The first thing we read in the full version of this Gospel is that Jesus announces that the man is sinless – he has been born blind so that God’s glory can be seen at work in him. Then Jesus gives the blind man sight. Notice that the man didn’t ask to be healed – this is Jesus’ initiative, taking the first step and reaching out in love. That’s how Jesus approaches us, too.

pdf Celebrating At Home 4th Sunday in Lent [PDF]
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A conference on Titus Brandsma will take place at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands on October 3-6, 2023. The program brings together scholars from various parts of the world who will present on the multi-faceted life and work of Brandsma. The number of participants is limited to 30, providing an opportunity for all to become involved in the discussions.

On January 8 Carmelites celebrate the Feast of St Peter Thomas.

Congratulations to five of our brothers who graduated from the Institute of Philosophy of Saint Francis de Sales (Salesian Institute), Comoro Dili, Timor Leste, on 16 December.

Fr Wayne Stanhope has taken up a new ministry in Pastoral Supervision in the Diocese of Wollongong. Pastoral Supervision is a service offered to those involved in ministry to reflect on their practice in order to gain a broader perspective and discover possibilities for personal and professional growth. Wayne recently completed a graduate diploma in pastoral supervision and will provide a sacramental presence for the Benedictine nuns and the local people at Jamberoo Abbey, NSW.

During Mass on Sunday 4 December at St Elias Community in Hera, Timor-Leste, 6 young Carmelites received the ministry of Lector (Brs Calisto, Pedro, Zebedeu, Aleixo, Donanciano & Gaudencio) and 4 received the ministry of Acolyte (Brs Samuel, Joao Caunan, Jonias and Lucas).

Fr Bruce Clark was the principal celebrant and the homily was given by Fr Carlito da Costa Araujo. Fr Roque S. Da Cruz also concelebrated and Br Narcizio Vilanova Da Costa was the deacon.