Pope Francis has released his long-awaited encyclical on climate change and the care of the earth, Laudato Si (Praise be to You).

The document “will emphasize that the option for stewardship of the environment goes hand in hand with the option for the poor,” said Carmelite, Eduardo Scarel, a climate scientist who teaches at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina and the National University of La Plata in Buenos Aires.

“I think the pope wants us to become aware of this,” said Scarel, who was involved in preparatory consultations about the encyclical. “He is aiming at a change of heart. What will save us is not technology or science. What will save us is the ethical transformation of our society.” (Source: Crux)

You can download the encyclical using the link below.

pdf Laudato Si Encyclical of Pope Francis June 2015 (423 KB)

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

Congratulations to our new Deacons, Brothers Fausto Tilman De Arajuo and Carlito Da Costa Araujo, who were ordained to the diaconate in the Carmelite parish of the Holy Cross at Maulo'o-Paga, Flores, by the Archbishop of Ende, Vincentius Poto Kota on 14 June.

Two other Carmelites from the Indonesian Province were also ordained Deacons in the same ceremony.

Fausto and Carlito are expected to return to Timor Leste later this month.

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.

The 2nd issue for 2015 of the international E-Bulletin for Lay Carmelites is now available.

• Celebrating the 5th Centenary of Teresa of Jesus
• A young man explains why he became a Lay Carmelite
• 17 seminarians in Manila become Lay Carmelites
• Atlanta Convocation of Lay Carmelites
• 2nd International Lay Carmelite Gathering in Asia-Australia-Oceania Region

pdf LC Bulletin No 2 2015 (1.47 MB)  

From the Carmelite Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission.

In this issue:

Pope Francis' new encyclical on the Environment is soon to be released and, with people of every nation, we also celebrate World Environment Day on 5th JUNE. Attached is the June e-newsletter for your prayerful reflection on these two events.

JPIC No 42 June 2015