Six Carmelite student friars in Timor-Leste recently renewed their vows. Brs Anacleto Guterres Da Costa, José Natalino Freitas, Frangelino Ximenes, Silvestre Alves, Narcizio Da Costa Villanova and Amandio Soares Salsinha renewed their vows to live as Carmelites in a ceremony led by Fr Aniçto Maia Da Costa, Provincial Delegate for Timor-Leste. The ceremony took place at the Carmelite Community, Hera. See more photos.

In this issue José, Matthew and Francisco learn about Blessed Titus Brandsma as a scholar, journalist and mystic. They visit Amersfoort Concentration Camp where Titus was imprisoned before being transferred to Dachau. On returning to Nijmegen they catch up with Fr Fernando, the Prior General.

Download this issue below.

pdf International Course Titus Brandsma 3

Last Sunday our Timorese Carmelites put on a concert in Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, Middle Park. The Church and Hall were part of the Open House project in Melbourne when historic and significant buildings are open to the public. A variety of events was arranged including organ concerts, guided tours and afternoon tea.

Brs Albino Dos Santos, Agostinho Dos Santos, Marcolino Gomes, Agedo Bento and Avelino Dos Santos performed 5 traditional and contemporary Timorese songs to great acclaim! Watch the video.

Follow our 3 brothers attending the International Course for Simply Professed as they journey to Megen, Oss and Boxmeer in this issue.

They have been looking at the early life of Blessed Titus Brandsma and visiting the Carmelite Institute in Boxmeer, Holland.

Download the latest newsletter below.

  pdf International Course Titus Brandsma 2

This month Pia Pagotto contributes her thoughts to our JPIC Newsletter, based on her own experiences, observing that community attitudes towards our First Nation people are gradually changing. Are we detecting a movement of compassionate understanding and acceptance to recognise their rightful place in our nation's history and its future? What can we do to walk with them?

JPIC No 78 August 2018 | Visit our JPIC page

Brs Marcolino Gomes, Agostinho Dos Santos and Avelino Dos Santos recently graduated in their English courses at the English Language School for Pastoral Ministry, Box Hill (VIC). Marco passed his International English Language Test and will begin his theological studies at the University of Divinity this semester. Agostinho and Avelinho both progressed to the next stage of their English language studies.

The Graduation Mass took place at the Passionist Community in Templestowe with Fr Kevin Hennessey, CP, presiding. Click here for more photos.

Today Carmelites throughout the world celebrate the Solemnity of the Old Testament Prophet, Elijah. In the Carmelite tradition Elijah is regarded as the spiritual father of and a source of inspiration for Carmelites.

From Elijah, Carmelites learn to be people who stand before God
with undivided heart, entirely dedicated to his service,
and aflame with a passionate love for God and others.

Timorese Carmelite, Br Donato De Jesus Marçal, was part of a group of Deacons ordained on 8 July.  Bishop Y. Kopong Kung (Bishop of Larantuka) ordained the 10 class-mates at the Carmelite Community in Wairklau, Flores. Donato completed his studies in Flores earlier this year. After a period of pastoral experience in Timor he will be ordained priest.

Our warm congratulations and best wishes go to Donato both for his Ordination as a Deacon and for his further preparation for Priesthood.

See more photos

Fr Fernando Millán Romeral, Carmelite Prior General, has issued a letter and video message to the Carmelite Family for the approaching Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 16 July.

Read the letter from the Prior General

Watch the video message

Peter Thomas, of the JPIC Team, shares his thoughts on JUSTICE ... "Justice is at the cutting edge of the Christian calling, a requirement without which love becomes pure sentimentality."

JPIC No 77 July 2018 | Visit our JPIC page

Deep wells … Living water is the theme of the Provincial Assembly of Carmelites to be held in Melbourne form 18-22 June this year. Taken from the story of Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well (John 4:1-42), the image of the deep well is an image of the Carmelite contemplative journey. As Jacob dug the well in the story to find water, we also need to dig deep within so that we might meet the living water which is Jesus Christ. During our days together we will work on a common vision for our Province, launch our Safeguarding Policies and begin our preparation for the Provincial Chapter next year. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Recently our English language students, Brs Marco, Avelino and Agostinho, took part in a Cultural Day organised by the English Language School for Pastoral Ministry. Wearing traditional dress, each cultural group made a presentation about their country of origin and various cultural traditions and practices.

Marco, Avelino and Agostinho wore the traditional Timorese woven cloths called tais and the gold disks and crowns common in Timorese culture.

View more photos here.

Just 2 months ago we reached 100k followers on Facebook. Since then another 10,874 people have joined our Facebook Family! And over 21k people in Timor-Leste are now following us. Through our Facebook page people regularly ask us to pray for their needs. We also have over 500 followers on Instagram and 314 people downloaded the latest issue of Carmel Contact through our social media sites. Just over 900 people visited our website in May. See the full size image of our 110k post here.

Find us on Facebook @carmelitesAET and click on ‘follow’ so you can see all our posts in your news feed.

Contemplating our Care for Creation. This month Anglican Priest, Rev. Linda Chapman, shares with us her reflections on Laudato Si'. “The ecological crisis is a spiritual crisis of humanity as we are living in a way that degrades our environment.This reflection explores a possible way of recovering a sense of our human vocation as creatures gifted with life.”

United Nations World Environment Day is on Tuesday 5 June.

JPIC No 76 JUNE 2018 | Visit our JPIC page

The Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians (24 May), not only celebrates Mary as patroness of Australia, but also as patroness of the Carmelites in Australia and Timor-Leste.

The first synod of Bishops in Australia in 1844 chose Mary as patron of the fledgling Church under the title of Our Lady, Help of Christians. It is an ancient title for Mary. St John Chrysostom was the first to use it in the year 345. Pope Pius VII instituted the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians in 1815 on the anniversary of his return to Rome after exile and captivity. He attributed his deliverance to Our Lady.

Wishing all our mothers a very happy Mothers' Day and remembering with love and gratitude those who are now with God.

God bless you all.

Three of our young Carmelites in Melbourne, Brs Agedo Bento, Martinho Da Cruz Lemos and Avelino Dos Santos, recently joined other members of the East Timorese community to raise funds for the Bairo Pite medical clinic in Dili. The clinic, founded in 1999, had been treating up to 300 patients a day before the funding crisis hit earlier this month. The crisis has caused the clinic to cancel its malnutrition. maternal care and inpatient services.

Agedo, Martinho and Avelino put on a program of Timorese music and songs as part of the fundraising effort. More photos.

Dozens of Bishops from across Australia gathered to celebrate Mass on 6 May, 2018 at St Patrick’s, Church Hill to mark the 200th anniversary of the preservation of the Blessed Sacrament in the home of Lay Carmelite, James Dempsey. \

Father Jeremiah O’Flynn arrived in Sydney as unofficial chaplain to the Catholic community at the end of 1817. When after six months no official papers for him had arrived, he was deported. Whether by accident or design, he left a consecrated host behind in a pyx in either the home of William Davis or James Dempsey (or possibly both), according to The Catholic Weekly.

Welcome to the latest issue of our newsletter.

The Gift of New Life - the difference is you!
Serving outback & Indigenous communities in FNQ
Coming together for Timor-Leste
A Gift of a Lifetime

CC No 106 April 2018

We offer you our May newsletter in a slightly different format! 

The symbols of Australia and Timor-Leste are used to illustrate the difficulties encountered by our neighbour Timor-Leste in developing its independence and the struggle for recognition of its sovereignty over maritime borders.

This is a story you can listen to or read.

JPIC No 75 May 2018