16 young Carmelites in Timor-Leste recently renewed their vows to follow the Carmelite Way for another year. Brs Antonio Junias da Gloria, João Batista Caunan, Lucas dos Santos Martins, Samuel Lopes, Bonifacio Bragança Lopes, Caetano Soares da Silva, Celestino Soares, Elias Soares Sin, Fernando Gusmão, Jacob dos Reis de Carvalho, João Fernando Cabal, Paulo Martins de Araújo, Estavão de Deus Gomes, Julião Dos Santos and David Soares made their vows during Mass celebrated by Fr Carlito da Costa Araújo, Provincial Delegate for Timor-Leste. Br Francisco Xavirius Vieira Martins renewed his vows in a separate ceremony in Hatolia parish. Congratulations, Brothers! More photos

The Carmelites of Australia & Timor-Leste were due to meet in Melbourne last July. Due to COVID lockdowns and travel restrictions it was decided that the Assembly should be held in 2 sessions, one in Timor-Leste and one in Australia. Last week almost 40 Carmelites gathered in Hera, Dili, from 15-17 September. Next week, Carmelites in Australia will gather on Zoom from 28-30 September. More story

On the 9 days before the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (16 July), we pray for the needs of our Carmelite Family in Australia and Timor-Leste. Last year, in the midst of COVID-19, we included the people of the world in our novena of prayer. The novena can be prayed at any time of the year for the intentions below or for your own intentions asking Our Lady of Mount Carmel to intercede and pray with us. The prayers and intentions can be downloaded pdf here.

The Gospel this Sunday shows us that the sheep (us) are at the centre of the life of Jesus and the Father! Jesus gives his all for them. He is a true shepherd prepared to lay down his life for his sheep. He is not like the hired man who runs away when danger appears. He knows his sheep and one day will gather them all into one flock. Read more

Celebrating At Home Fourth Sunday of Easter [PDF]
Celebrating At Home Fourth Sunday of Easter [ePub]

The Carmelites of Australia & Timor-Leste joyfully announce that Br Matthew Tonini will be ordained Priest and Br Agedo Bento will be ordained Deacon on Saturday 17 April at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middle Park (Vic). Archbishop Peter Comensoli will ordain them during Mass at 6.00pm. Br Matthew will celebrate his Mass of Thanksgiving in the same Church the next day at 10.30am. More story

On the last day of her visit to Melbourne, Timor-Leste Ambassador Inês Maria de Almeida and her delegation met with Carmelites, Timorese Carmelite and Salesian Brothers, students and members of the Timorese community at the Carmelite Community, Middle Park (VIC). The Ambassador also met with a young Timorese seasonal worker who was hospitalised soon after he arrived in March 2019. Fr Hugh Brown, the Carmelites and Timor-Leste Association have been caring for the worker since his discharge from hospital earlier this year. Ambassador Inês expressed her gratitude for the immense generosity of Fr Hugh, the parish of Port Melbourne/Middle Park and the Carmelites in caring for seasonal workers in need of pastoral care. See photos

Fr Fernando Millán Romeral, Carmelite Prior General, has issued a letter and video message to the Carmelite Family for the approaching Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 16 July.

Read the letter from the Prior General

Watch the video message

Fr Fernando Millián (Prior General of the Carmelites) has written a special message to the whole Order as we approach the Novena and Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

In his letter, Fr Fernando looks at what 3 great Carmelite figures says about Mary: St Mary Magdalen de'Pazzi, Blessed Baptist of Mantua and Blessed Titus Brandsma.

Click here to read & download Fr Fernando's message.

For the third time in recent weeks, Pope Francis has appointed a Carmelite as Bishop. Fr Henricus Pidyarto Gunawan has been appointed Bishop of Malang (Indonesia). Congratulations, Henricus!

Fr Henricus made his profession in the Order on 15 January 1976 and was ordained priest on 7 February 1982. Since 2012 he has been president of the “Philosophical and Theological Higher Institute ‘Widya Sasana’”. A noted theologian and Biblical expert, Fr Henricus succeeds Bishop Herman Joseph Creed Pandoyoputro (also a Carmelite) who has been Bishop of Malang since 1989.

Fifty members of the Carmelite Family in Australia will gather this week in Melbourne. Friars, Lay Carmelites, and representatives from The Carmelite Centre, Melbourne, the Carmelite Library, Whitefriars College, Port Melbourne/Middle Park Parish, Coorparoo Parish, Sancta Sophia Meditation Community, the Carmelite Development Office and the Provincial Office will gather at St Joseph's Hall, Port Melbourne, for the 2015 Provincial Assembly.

Over the first 2 days (2 & 3 June) we will listen to 5 people share their experience of Carmelite Life and Spirituality - Friar, Januario Pinto, Lay Carmelite, Chris Wade, former Whitefriars College student, Nicholas Soraghan, Port Melbourne/Middle Park parishioner Margaret Fagan and Carmelite Centre associate Nancy De Losa.

"We will have the opportunity to listen to these stories and what they may be saying to us in terms of the strength and vitality of various experiences of Carmelite life and what challenges they may hold for the future, said Fr Hugh Brown, Chair of the Commission for Ongoing Formation and the Promotion of Carmelite Life & Spirituality.

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).