“Ecological Conversion” is a small book of 37 brief reflections written by Carmelite, Eduardo Agosta Scarel, and published by the Carmelite NGO at the UN. It offers some reflections to encourage us to take an active care for the environment, the earth, our common home.

“Ecological Conversion” is a small book of 37 brief reflections written by Carmelite, Eduardo Agosta Scarel, and published by the Carmelite NGO at the UN. It offers some reflections to encourage us to take an active care for the environment, the earth, our common home.

The reflections start from the contribution of science, some key texts of the Bible, and the “ecological” theology present in the teachings of the recent popes of the Church, from Paul VI to Francis.

Download free from the Apple Store | Download pdf PDF version

Recently Fr Carlito Da Costa Araújo spent a day exploring Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Sí with a group of young people in Timor-Leste.

About 50 young people gathered to hear Fr Carlito outline the encyclical and to work on positive strategies for implementing Laudato Sí. The course was held in the open air, in ‘nature’s classroom’ as Fr Carlito called it. More photos

The Whitefriars College community gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne, recently to begin the new school year with Mass and to welcome new College Principal, Mr Mark Murphy. Students, parents and staff formed the congregation of over 1,400.

Mass was celebrated by Carmelites, Paul Sireh (College Chaplain), Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) and Maurice Barry together with Fr Michael Gallacher (former College Student). More photos.

The theme for the 4^th Carmelite Laity Congress for the Asia, Australia and Oceania Region was Leave here, go east (1 Kings 17:3) - Carmelite Life in Millennial Challenges, held in Bali, Indonesia, from 13-16 February.

Taking up the theme of this Elijan challenge delegates were reminded of the need to look ahead; to be prepared for change, as we enter an era marked by high usage of digital technology for communication and media, bringing with it negative and positive impacts and at the same time new perspectives, behaviour and lifestyle in our societies. More story & photos

Today we begin our journey to the great feast of Easter.

Wearing ashes is a symbol of our willingness to change the direction of our hearts – away from all that limits God’s love and action in us.

Conversion (repentance) is about opening ourselves to a fresh experience of God’s healing love which makes us whole and restores us to our rightful place as beloved daughters and sons in the Kingdom of God. It’s about moving back into right relationship with God and neighbour. Read more

Enjoy the rich variety of retreats, seminars, reading groups and prayer on offer at the Carmelite Centre this year.

Lectio Divina, meditation, mindfulness, Carmelite Conversations, residential and one day retreats are just some of what’s on offer. As well, there are sessions on the spirituality of the Carmelite mystics, Briege McKenna, Spirituality in Islam, our new Spiritual Horizons program - and much more. 

pdf Download our 2020 program . Subscribe to the Carmelite Centre Newsletter by visiting the website and adding your email address at the end of the home page.

The relics of St Therese of Lisieux and her parents Zelie and Louis Martin visited the Carmelite Parish of Coorparoo (QLD) on their first stop in the Sunshine State.

‘Coorparoo relics organising committee chair John Clarke said the visit was a great opportunity to showcase the contemplation and hospitality the Carmelites were known for.

Mr Clarke saw about 300 people visit the relics at Coorparoo. “I think there were some people who absolutely loved St Therese, and really relate to the ordinariness her story exemplifies,” he said. More story & photos

It feels as if we Australians have been hit by so much destruction our vulnerability and frustrations can prevent us from valuing the treasure we have in our Christian and Carmelite way of life. As we make sense of the destruction we turn to the Divine Presence in prayer to find some consolation or a way forward. Great saints were and are women and men of courage steeped in the conviction that life is lived in each moment and each moment holds out the possibility for each of us to build a better world.

To begin 2020, we offer this reflection from Peter Thomas, member of the JPIC Team. pdf Read this issue

The relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux and her parents, Zélie and Louis, have arrived in Australia on tour until mid-May this year.

Among the many churches and religious houses they will visit are our 3 Carmelite parishes in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, Coorparoo, will be the first place the relics will visit in Brisbane on 6 February. Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, Wentworthville will welcome the relics on 4 March and Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, Middle Park on 18 April. More story

Last Sunday Fr Aniceto Maia Da Costa was formally welcomed as the new parish priest of Zumalai, Timor-Leste. Mass was celebrated by Fr Lúcio Norberto de Deus, Vicar General of Maliana Diocese. He was joined by Fr Carlito Da Costa Araújo (Provincial Delegate for Timor-Leste), Fr Manuel Almeida Da Costa (Parish Priest 2013-2020), Fr Pedro Amaral (Assistant Priest), Fr Nelinho Americo Soares and Fr Fausto Tilman De Araújo. During the Mass Fr Manuel was thanked for his years of leadership as Parish Priest. More photos

A second shrine to Our Lady has been built by the Timorese Catholic community in Australia and was blessed on 11 January this year. The new shrine, dedicated to Our Lady of Aitara, was built at Marian Valley at Canungra in the Gold Coast hinterland which hosts a collection of shrines and chapels. Bishop Ken Howell blessed the shrine and celebrated mass assisted by Carmelite Fr Januario Pinto. The title, Our Lady of Aitara, comes from an alleged apparition of Our Lady more than 100 years ago on Mount Aitara in Timor-Leste. Since then popular devotion to Our Lady of Aitara has grown and Timorese people see her as the mother “who supported us through war, strife, suffering, invasion and illnesses,’ according to Canossian Sister Odette Moreira. More photos

Late last year Fr Carlito Da Silva (pictured) celebrated 2 Thanksgiving Masses in Portadown and Dungannon, Northern Ireland, for the Timorese community. Both Masses were hosted by TAIS (Timorese Association Inclusive Support) group. Fr Carlito was visiting Ireland during the Christmas break from his Doctoral studies in Spirituality in Rome. Carlito is a member of the Carmelite Province of Australia & Timor-Leste. More photos

Carmelite, Fr Paul Sireh, chaplain to the Australian PNG Catholic Community, says that a new chapel dedicated to Blessed Peter To Rot will open on 17 January. PNG Cardinal John Ribat will fly from Port Moresby to lead the celebration at the chapel in Marian Valley, in the Gold Coast Hinterland, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Blessed Peter's beatification.

Blessed Peter was a martyr and lay catechist who was entrusted with a PNG parish during World War II when Japan occupied the region. He stood up for religious values in the face of oppression and held secret services under the imperial rule. More story

Today Fr Pat Harney celebrates the 68th anniversary of his ordination as a priest. Over the years, Pat has worked all over Australia and in New Zealand, in Carmelite and Diocesan parishes and hospitals. "I've been everywhere, man!" he loves to quote from the famous song, when asked about his many places of ministry. Pat is also the oldest Carmelite Friar in the world and in March will celebrate his 99th Birthday! Congratulations, Pat! More photos

Feast Day: 9 January

Andrew was born into nobility, a member of the powerful Corsini family of Florence, and was one of 12 children. He joined the Carmelite community at the Carmine on the southern bank of the Arno sometime before the year 1338. This community was known for its sanctity and regular observance amidst a more tumultuous environment of religious life in the early Renaissance period. After completing his studies in Florence he was teacher of the younger students in the community. More story

Feast Day: 8 January

Peter Thomas was born into a poor peasant family in the southern Périgord region in France. His piety and skill as a teacher attracted the attention of the Carmelite prior of Bergérac, who invited him to join the Carmelite community there at age twenty-one. He taught in various houses of study until he was sent to University in Paris for advanced scholarship. While his studies were still in progress he was elected by the Order as its procurator general to the Papal Court at Avignon in 1345. More story

Happy New Year from the Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste!
New Year's Day is also the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
May the New Year be filled with an ever deeper awareness of God's presence around us and in us.
May Mary accompany us with wisdom and love on our journey into God’s heart.

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In our parish at Coorparoo (QLD) our Timorese Carmelites have been getting the Church ready for Christmas. They have constructed a Christmas Crib in traditional Timorese style. Fr Janu and Brs Donato, José and Anacleto worked late into the night yesterday assembling the crib and adding a few contemporary features like Christmas lights. Well done, brothers! More photos

On 10 December our 6 Pre-Novices, André da Costa, Antonio Preito da Costa Soares, Honorio Pereira Bobo Lobato, Natasio de Jesus Maia, Ponciano Norberto de Deus and Virgilio de Jesus Brites, were received into the Novitiate at Hera, Timor-Leste. The Novitiate is a special year of spiritual development and learning more about the Carmelite Way under the guidance of Fr Bruce Clark (Novice Director). Our thoughts and prayers accompany these brothers on this next step in their journey. See more photos