The Carmelites of Australia and East Timor are mourning the loss of Fr Jim De Laurier who died peacefully in the early hours of yesterday morning. Fr Jim was in his 81st year and had been a Carmelite for 61 years and a priest for 55.

Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1934 Fr Jim entered the North American Province of Carmelites in 1953. He made his first profession of vows on 8 September 1954. He made his Solemn Profession on 15 September 1958 at Mount Carmel in Williamstown, MA and was ordained to the priesthood on 28 May 28 1960 in Chicago, Illinois.

Following his ordination he was a missionary in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) for 10 years before returning to the US. He served as Prior Provincial of the North American Province from 1985-1991.

In 1999 Fr Jim decided to move to Australia to be near his brother Steve and his family, Jim's only living relatives.

20 young Carmelites from Australia and Timor Leste renewed their vows on Sunday 12 July. Fr Bruce Clark (Regional Prior) celebrated the Mass at the Carmelite Sisters Retreat House in Maurbara, south of Dili. The Mass followed a day of reflection on Living Carmelite Life led by Fr Wayne Stanhope (Director of Formation) who also received the Vows.

There are now 8 Solemnly Professed students, 18 students who have made their First Profession, 8 Novices and 12 Pre-Novices in formation.

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Monthly newsletter of the Carmelite Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission.

In this issue:

Rolling Stone magazine publishes Pope's 10 most radical lines
Laudato Si' & the model of Communion - Paul Gurr
Migrant & Refugee Sunday - 30 August
What can I do to care for our planet?
JPIC Calendar & prayers for September

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JPIC No 45 September 2015

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Middle Park VIC was filled to capacity for the Funeral Mass for Fr Frank Shortis, OCarm on Friday 31 July 2015.

Fr Denis Andrew (Prior Provincial) was the principal celebrant of the mass which was concelebrated by 16 priests. Archbishop Denis Hart presided at the Mass in appreciation for Frank's contribution to Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Fr Paul Cahill gave the homily.

Family members, Carmelites and representatives from Whitefriars College and Geogeghan College (now Penola College) placed symbols around the coffin recalling Fr Frank's Baptism, Carmelite Life, Pastoral Ministry and contribution to Education. Whitefriars College students formed a guard of honour and were pall bearers at the conclusion of the Mass.

On Saturday 18 July 5 young East Timorese Carmelites made their Solemn Profession (life commitment) in the Carmelite Order. Brs Donato De Jesus Marcal, Agostinho Exposto, Pedro Amaral, Januario Pinto and Carlito Da Silva made their commitment during Mass in the groups of the Carmelite Community at Hera.

Fr Denis Andrew (Prior Provincial) received the Vows and Fr Bruce Clark (Regional Prior) celebrated the Mass in Tetun language.

About 2,000 people attended the ceremony held in the grounds of the Carmelite Community at Hera, near Dili.

Monthly newsletter of the Carmelite Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission.

In this issue:
A reflection on Laudato Si' by Peter White
One Creation by Peter Thomas
News from the Carmelite NGO
JPIC Calendar for August
Migrant & Refugee Sunday
A Prayer for the World by Rabbi Harold Kushner

JPIC No 44 August 2015