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.

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 (2.76 MB) .

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.

To commemorate the first anniversary of the Canonisation of St Titus Brandsma, we have created a new St Titus Brandsma Desktop Wallpaper that can be downloaded for free in 1920x1080 at:
https://carmelites.org.au/desktop-wallpaper

The final of the three Great Gospels of Lent is ours today - a Gospel story of life and freedom. Like the gospels of the last two Sundays, the dramatic story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead is a story of love, faith and belief.

There are three different groups of believers in the story: those who believe that Jesus could have prevented Lazarus’ death (Jesus is already known to be a healer); those who came to believe in him because they see Lazarus rise, and those, like Martha, who believe in Jesus even though Lazarus died.

In this Gospel Jesus proclaims himself ‘the resurrection and the life’. We see him deeply moved by the death of his friend. We find him in earnest prayer with God. We see him full of strength as he commands Lazarus to come out of the tomb.

  pdf Celebrating At Home 5th Sunday in Lent [PDF] (5.57 MB)
default Celebrating At Home 5th Sunday in Lent [ePub] (4.25 MB)

In this Sunday’s Gospel we accompany the man who was born blind on his journey into the light. The first thing we read in the full version of this Gospel is that Jesus announces that the man is sinless – he has been born blind so that God’s glory can be seen at work in him. Then Jesus gives the blind man sight. Notice that the man didn’t ask to be healed – this is Jesus’ initiative, taking the first step and reaching out in love. That’s how Jesus approaches us, too.

pdf Celebrating At Home 4th Sunday in Lent [PDF] (1017 KB)
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A conference on Titus Brandsma will take place at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands on October 3-6, 2023. The program brings together scholars from various parts of the world who will present on the multi-faceted life and work of Brandsma. The number of participants is limited to 30, providing an opportunity for all to become involved in the discussions.

The Gospels of the next three Sunday make clear that the Way from temptation to transfiguration is in and through Jesus Christ who is Living Water, Light and Life for the would-be disciple. They are three great stories from John about responding in faith...

pdf Celebrating At Home 3rd Sunday in Lent [PDF] (5.48 MB)
default Celebrating At Home 3rd Sunday in Lent [ePub] (5.41 MB)

During Mass on Sunday 4 December at St Elias Community in Hera, Timor-Leste, 6 young Carmelites received the ministry of Lector (Brs Calisto, Pedro, Zebedeu, Aleixo, Donanciano & Gaudencio) and 4 received the ministry of Acolyte (Brs Samuel, Joao Caunan, Jonias and Lucas).

Fr Bruce Clark was the principal celebrant and the homily was given by Fr Carlito da Costa Araujo. Fr Roque S. Da Cruz also concelebrated and Br Narcizio Vilanova Da Costa was the deacon.

On Sunday 4 November the Carmelite Family gathered at St Elias Community in Hera for a Mass of Thanksgiving for Fr Bruce Clark. Fr Bruce is returning to Australia to take up his role as newly elected Prior Provincial after living in Timor-Leste for the last 10 years. During that time, he has served as Novice Master, Prior, Director of Formation and the Provincial’s representative in Timor-Leste. A large crowd of Friars, sisters and members of the Carmelite Family gathered to mark the occasion and express their gratitude for Fr Bruce’s presence and ministry in Timor-Leste.

"Thank You Fr. Bruce Clark, may the Lord Bless you always in your task as a Prior Provincial. We Pray always for you!" - Carmelite Community in Timor-Leste

Every three years the Carmelites are called to a Chapter where all positions are relinquished and new or renewed appointments are made. And so it is that the Australia & Timor Leste Province has concluded its Chapter and our Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Commission becomes open to a new team.

After 13 years on this team I will no longer be serving in this ministry acknowledging that it is time for a change, but grateful that the passion is still burning for God’s work in helping to make the world a better place. It has been enlivening and a privilege to bring before you the need for all of us to live out our faith in justice and in peace, as demonstrated with the vision and inspiring words of Pope Francis’, captured so beautifully in ‘Let us Dream’. 

pdf JPIC Newsletter No. 121 December 2022 (1.83 MB)

Dear Carmelites and Friends of Carmel,

With less than a year to go to the World Youth Day, excitement is increasing, and we are beginning to feel that we have to get moving to get organised. There is a great expectation that there will be an enormous attendance at this next World Youth Day.

When we hear the name Portugal we often think of Fatima and of the many beautiful events Carmelites have had there over the years. This time Portugal means Lisbon, a beautiful city in which there have been Carmelite communities since 1387. The Carmelites in Portugal are getting ready to welcome the participants at the Carmelite Day that will take place on the 2nd August 2023, the day before the main event.

On 15 October we commemorate the feast day of one of the most remarkable women to have ever walked the earth, a Spanish contemplative nun who lived and died well over four centuries ago but whose words and deeds continue to impact us, especially those who have chosen to heed the silent call of Carmel.

Today the Carmelite family celebrates the memorial of Blessed John Soreth (c.1395 – 1471), Prior General and reformer of the Carmelite Order. During his time as Prior General he was also responsible for the creation of Carmelite communities for women and the admission of lay associates as part of the Order.

This Gospel begs us ask ourselves if we are truly people who remember Jesus and allow his Spirit to shape our words, thoughts and actions so that he may remain present to us and to those around us.

pdf Celebrating At Home Sixth Sunday of Easter [PDF] (3.05 MB)
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