During the recent Chapter meeting the Carmelites established a new ministry in Timor-Leste. The Carmelite Retreat and Youth Training Centre will offer retreats and programs in spirituality as well as training courses in English language, IT, Safeguarding, Care for the Environment, Fraud and Corruption Control, Children’s’ Rights and Press Freedom & Social Justice.

A team of people has been investigating the proposal for the last 6 months exploring what courses may be offered and how. The Team includes Carmelites: Agostinho Exposto, Carlito Da Costa Araújo, Fausto Tilman De Araújo and Carlito Da Silva, as well as Mayra Walsh (Carmelite Community Development Coordinator), Dulce Da Cunha and Luis Pereira.

Retreats and spiritual direction will be available in Tetum, English, Portuguese and Indonesian languages for individuals, groups and families.

Plans for a new building to house the retreat and training centre are being refined. The new building will have accommodation for 20 people as well as meeting rooms, classrooms and a chapel.

It is hoped that the new ministry will begin in 2024.

Artist impressions of the new Retreat & Youth Training Centre below.