Lay Carmelites in Australia and New Zealand will gather, either in person or via Zoom, from 18 – 21 May. The Assembly will provide an opportunity to focus on the past and the present, and look to the future and will involve presentations and group discussion.

Under the Past, the Assembly will look at Carmelite origins in the Holy Land and the story of Lay Carmelite James Dempsey in early Sydney town. In the Present, the focus will be on Carmelite ministry in Timor Leste and the ministry of the Carmelite Centre and Carmelite Library. As well there will be a presentation by Rosie Bradshaw and Veronica Errington on Lay Carmelites in Britain today. Looking to the Future, the Assembly will engage with the work of the recent Plenary Council and Indigenous Liturgy. In the final session will be the election of two Lay Carmelites who, together with Gabrielle Fogarty (Moderator) and Margaret Stolke (Secretary), will form the Lay Carmelite Council for the next three years.

Pictured is the Travelling Pilgrim Icon British Province written by Rosie Bradshaw, moderator of the Lay Carmelites in Britain.