The Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste are excited to share a new collection of inspirational social media images for this Jubilee Year — a sacred time of hope, renewal and grace. Inspired by Pope Francis’ call to “hope that does not disappoint” (Spes Non Confundit – Romans 5:5), these bold, uplifting quotes bring the heart of the Jubilee message into our daily lives and digital spaces.

Given during Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, these words begin what is called The Farewell Discourse in John’s Gospel (13:31-17:26). They are Jesus’ last words to his disciples before his death.

It’s a great blessing to have an abundance of vocations, at least until you run out of room for any more!

"In the heart of suffering, we find the gentle whisper of God’s presence." As Carmelites, we are called to a life of prayer, contemplation, and compassion, walking alongside those who suffer, as Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, did at the foot of the Cross.

As if to balance the rejection Jesus experienced in last week’s Gospel, this week’s episode tells two stories of people who welcome his message.

Firstly, an enthusiastic crowd has gathered on the shore of the lake, eagerly pressing forward to hear Jesus’ teaching. Jesus seems to be in danger of being crushed or at least being pushed into the sea! He takes the unusual step of teaching from Simon’s boat.

Today’s Gospel tells us the story of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. During the presentation, two holy people, Simeon and Anna, witness to Jesus as the “light of the nations”. So, it is the Church’s custom to celebrate this feast with the blessing and lighting of candles - a reference to the Christmas theme of light. The candles can serve as a reminder that Christ, our Light, is always present with us.

Homecomings can turn out to be very mixed events. Initial warmth and welcome can turn, surprisingly quickly, to doubt, antagonism and rejection.

In the Gospels for this Sunday and next, Luke tells the story of Jesus’ visit to his hometown of Nazareth.

Join Us in the Year of Jubilee 2025!

The Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste are excited to embrace the call of Pope Francis as we celebrate the Year of Jubilee 2025, a time for renewal, hope, and unity in faith. This extraordinary year, guided by the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”, reminds us of the enduring power of Christ's love in a world yearning for peace.

On this World Mission Day, 20 October 2024, the Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste are inspired by Pope Francis’ message, “Go and invite everyone to the banquet” (Mt 22:9).

Pope Francis has calls today, 7 October, a day of prayer and fasting for peace.

On the 9 days before the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (16 July), we pray for the following intentions for all those in need throughout the world. The novena can be prayed at any time of the year for these intentions or for your own asking Our Lady of Mount Carmel to intercede and pray with us. The prayers and intentions can be downloaded pdf here.

Traditionally, the prophets in the Bible had a pretty tough time. Many experienced rejection and persecution and even death. The first reading tells part of the story of Ezekiel’s call to be a prophet.

Today’s Gospel opens with the chaotic scene of a huge crowd gathered around the house where Jesus is. It’s such a busy scene that Jesus and the disciples have no time even to have a meal.

This spectacle provokes both the relatives of Jesus and some scribes from Jerusalem into action. The relatives think Jesus is mad; the scribes think he is possessed.

Happy International Women’s Day!

We give thanks for all women who have nurtured and nourished the world in so many different ways across the centuries. We pray for all those who experience discrimination, fear and violence. Inspired by the example of Carmelite women may we work for justice, peace, healing and equality for the women of the world.

Another attempt to trap Jesus is contained in the Gospel this Sunday. Opinions and arguments about which was the greatest commandment were common among the Pharisees and questions about it were frequently asked of rabbis. Clearly, those who asked this question of Jesus were trying to disconcert or ‘wrong foot’ Jesus in an attempt to discredit him with his reply.

What is on display in this story from Matthew’s Gospel is not Jesus’ clever reply, but the image of God he presents.

The parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville, have been blessed with Carmelite friars since they were appointed by Cardinal Gilroy to care for the parish in 1956.

Today, without even knowing it, the parishioners find they are living the Carmelite charisms of contemplation, community and service.

On 14 June Brs Frangelino Ximenes, Julião Dos Santos, David Soares, Estevão De Deus Gomes and Francisco Xavier Martins will make their profession of Solemn Vows (life-long commitment) in the Carmelites. The Profession Mass will be held in our community at Hera with Fr Bruce Clark (Prior Provincial) presiding.

We are less than 70 days away from World Youth Day, the largest gathering of Catholic young people. “Mary arose and went with haste” (Lk 1:39) is the theme. This year’s celebration will be held in Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal from August 1-6, 2023.

The 15th of May marks the first anniversary of the canonisation of our brother Titus Brandsma, canonised along with nine other holy men and holy women, by Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square in 2022. The memory of that celebration and the days that surrounded it still live in the minds and hearts of thousands of people all around the world. It was particularly moving for all of us who had the blessing of being in Rome when the event was taking place.