Today Brother Sean Keefe celebrates 50 years of Carmelite life. Since he made his first profession of vows as a Carmelite in 1967, Br Sean's journey has taken him to many places and seen him do everything from looking after chooks to teaching and student welfare in Carmelite schools and community involvement.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Br Sean has been working at Whitefriars College as a teacher and chaplain since 2001 and heavily involved in fund-raising and support for Timor-Leste since 2004.

The Carmelite Centre Melbourne facilitates spiritual journeys, personal growth and community in the Carmelite tradition and has just launched its new website.

Details of the various offerings in meditation, prayer, Carmelite tradition, spiritual learning, retreats and prayer days, Lectio Divina and sacred scripture are available on the site. You can also download the program of events for this year.

Mr Anthony Kirley has been chosen to lead the Whitefriars College community as Principal from January next year.

Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) and Mr Peter Duffy (Chair, Whitefriars College Board) made the announcement of Mr Kirley’s appointment yesterday.

“We are confident that he will build upon the proud and distinctive legacy of Mr John Finn and the Carmelites who preceded him..."

The Carmelites in Timor-Leste have chosen Fr Carlito Do Costa Araújo as a member of the Timor-Leste Council. Fr Carlito replaces Fr Krisna who has now returned to his home province of Indonesia.

Other members of the Council are Fr Aniceto Maia Da Costa (Provincial Delegate for Timor-Leste) and Fr Bruce Clark (Novice Master & director of Formation). The election was held at a short Assembly of the Carmelites in Timor-Leste during the visit of Fr Paul Chaill (Prior Provincial).

Thirty five representatives of the Carmelite Family gathered in Fatima, Portugal, for the second Carmelite Justice Peace & Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Congress. The theme of the Congress was Carmel Engages with Laudato Si - Hearing both the Cry of the Poor and of the Earth. 

The Congress was opened by the Prior General, Fr Fernando Millan Romeral, facilitated by Fr Conrad Mutizamhepo, Chair of the International JPIC Commission, with the assistance of five JPIC Commissioners from various regions around the world. 

On Saturday 29 July Brothers Januario Pinto and Pedro Amaral were ordained priests by Bishop Basilio do Nascimento in their local parish church at Luro, Timor-Leste.

The celebrations began with a formal welcome of the Bishop and Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial). Motor cycle and horse riders, marchers and dancers led the procession from the road to the sports ground for the formalities.

Peter Thomas asks the question, 'Who is my Neighbour?' in the context of the refugee crisis. "Contemplative awareness fosters clarity in conscience where the Gospel as a principle of love embraces the importance and preciousness of all people."

It’s hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help, someone who is hungry or thirsty, toss out someone who is in need. Pope Francis

  Read this issue | Visit our JPIC page

Four of our young Carmelite students last night renewed their vows during Evening Prayer for the Solemnity of Elijah, the Prophet.

Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) received the renewal of Profession of Brs Albino Dos Santos, Marcolino Gomes, Agostinho Dos Santos and Avelino Dos Santos in the Carmelite Community at Middle Park (Vic).

We warmly congratulate these brothers on taking this further step on their Carmelite journey. More photos

On 20 July 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.

You can watch a short video of Martinho's Solemn Profession on 15 July at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middle Park (Vic).

The video has also been uploaded to the Carmelite Communications YouTube channel.

Watch the video now.

Brs Albino Dos Santos and Marcolino Gomes successfully completed their English language studies last Semester at the English Language School for Pastoral Ministry, Box Hill (Vic). Having completed 2 semesters of English studies, Br Albino will now begin his theological studies at the University of Divinity. Br Marco will study Advanced English this semester. They received their certificates at a special Graduation Mass.

Congratulations to Albino and Marco!

Sunday 16 July is the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. We join the whole Carmelite Family throughout the world in celebrating Mary, our mother and sister. The Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste send you our greetings, prayers and best wishes for our feast.

Mary lives among us, as mother and sister.
Along with us she waits and hopes,
suffers and rejoices.
Carmelite Constitutions

Br Martinho Da Cruz Lemos made his Solemn Profession of Vows (life commitment) in the Carmelite Order today during Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Middle Park (Vic). Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) was principal celebrant and received Martinho's profession of vows.

Among those attending the Mass were parishioners of the Carmelite Parish, fellow-students from the University of Divinity, members of the East Timorese community in Melbourne and fellow Carmelites.

Dear brothers and sisters of the Carmelite family,
The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is approaching and, like every year, I want to send you an affectionate greeting with my most sincere congratulations. I hope that the feast and all the celebrations of these days will be an occasion to honour Mary under this title so popular and so dear to all of us Carmelites.
May these celebrations touch our hearts, inspire our living of the charism, and transform our lives so that we become more and more faithful to the values of the Gospel.

Our Facebook page recently passed 50,000 followers! We have nearly 14,000 followers from Timor-Leste. 61% of our fans are male and most followers are between 18-24 years old. A number of our posts have gone viral, one reaching over 375,000 users. Our Facebook user interaction and reach reveals that there is a real thirst for people seeking spiritual inspiration and encouragement. Join us on social media @CarmelitesAET as we begin the Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel ahead of her feast day on 16 July. We will be sharing the novena on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram.

You are warmly invited to join us in celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Sunday 16 July at the National Shrine and to join with us in the Novena of Prayer on the 9 days before the feast.

Making a novena (from the Latin for nine) has a long tradition in the Church. Typically, it means nine successive days of prayer. Each year, on the nine days before the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (7-15 July) Carmelites offer their prayers for those in need.

  pdf Download the Novena Prayers

In July we join Indigenous First Nation Peoples to celebrate NAIDOC Week, reflecting on their gift to us.

It is essential to show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural traditions. For them, land is not a commodity but rather a gift from God and from their ancestors who rest there, a sacred space with which they need to interact if they are to maintain their identity and values. Laudato Si - Para 146

Read this issue | Visit our JPIC page

A new award from the Archdiocese of Sydney honours Lay Carmelite pioneer James Dempsey. Together with fellow Carmelite Tertiary, John Butler, Dempsey was virtually the centre of Catholic life from 1810-1820 when there were no priests in the fledgling colony.

The medal is awarded to recognise people who have made an outstanding contribution in the context of their local parish. It will be presented for the first time on Sunday 16 July, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney.

Br Matthew Tonini renewed his vows as a Carmelite during Evening Prayer in the Carmelite community, Middle Park (VIC) on Thursday 22 June. Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) received Matthew's vows.

Following the novitiate, Carmelites in formation take their religious vows initially for 3 years and renew them annually until their Solemn Profession (life commitment).

We congratulate Matthew on taking this further step on his Carmelite journey. See more photos

June 18 marks the second anniversary of the release of Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home. Leaders of all major religions stood shoulder to shoulder with Pope Francis as he announced his encyclical. One world leader stands alone in his ignorance regarding climate change, Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States.

Carmelites, Jane Remson and Eduardo Scarel, from the Carmelite NGO tackle Mr Trump on Climate Change and his withdrawal from the Paris Accord. pdf Read their statement.