Congratulations to our new Deacons, Brothers Fausto Tilman De Arajuo and Carlito Da Costa Araujo, who were ordained to the diaconate in the Carmelite parish of the Holy Cross at Maulo'o-Paga, Flores, by the Archbishop of Ende, Vincentius Poto Kota on 14 June.
Two other Carmelites from the Indonesian Province were also ordained Deacons in the same ceremony.
Fausto and Carlito are expected to return to Timor Leste later this month.
Fifty members of the Carmelite Family in Australia will gather this week in Melbourne. Friars, Lay Carmelites, and representatives from The Carmelite Centre, Melbourne, the Carmelite Library, Whitefriars College, Port Melbourne/Middle Park Parish, Coorparoo Parish, Sancta Sophia Meditation Community, the Carmelite Development Office and the Provincial Office will gather at St Joseph's Hall, Port Melbourne, for the 2015 Provincial Assembly.
Over the first 2 days (2 & 3 June) we will listen to 5 people share their experience of Carmelite Life and Spirituality - Friar, Januario Pinto, Lay Carmelite, Chris Wade, former Whitefriars College student, Nicholas Soraghan, Port Melbourne/Middle Park parishioner Margaret Fagan and Carmelite Centre associate Nancy De Losa.
"We will have the opportunity to listen to these stories and what they may be saying to us in terms of the strength and vitality of various experiences of Carmelite life and what challenges they may hold for the future, said Fr Hugh Brown, Chair of the Commission for Ongoing Formation and the Promotion of Carmelite Life & Spirituality.
From the Carmelite Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission.
In this issue:
Pope Francis' new encyclical on the Environment is soon to be released and, with people of every nation, we also celebrate World Environment Day on 5th JUNE. Attached is the June e-newsletter for your prayerful reflection on these two events.
Brs. Avelino Dos Santos, Anacleto Guterres da Costa and Abrão De Jesus, 3 student friars from Timor Leste, recently attended the gathering of Carmelite student friars from the Asia-Australia-Oceania region in Manila, Philippines, together with Fr Roque Soares.
The Regional Student Gathering was organised by the Carmelites of the Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma, Phillipines. It took place from 27 April to 2 May 2015.
Fr Noel's family, the Carmelites of Australia and Timor Leste and the Whitefriars College community bid farewell to Fr Vincent Noel Kierce in a number of gatherings following his sudden death on 9 May.
Click on Read More for details and photos of the Memorial Mass and the Guard of Honour at Whitefriars College and Fr Noel's Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, Middle Park. Links to Fr Laurie Timms' homily at the Funeral Mass and to the Whitefriars College tribute page are also there.
Among the four women religious canonised by Pope Francis on 17 May was Discalced Carmelite nun, Sr Mary of Jesus Crucified. She is the first Carmelite nun from the Middle East.
Born in Galilee, Mary lived in Egypt, Lebanon, France and India and her short life came to an end in Bethlehem. She is a bridge between the Christians of the East and West.
Miriam Baouardy was born in Galilee on 5 January 1846 to Greek parents of the Melkite Rite.
The Whitefriars College community will gather at 7.30pm on Wednesday evening 13 May for a Mass of thanksgiving for Fr Noel's life and to celebrate his contribution to the life of the College for more than 40 years.
Fr Noel's Requiem Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, cnr Richardson and Wright Streets, Middle Park at 11.00am on Friday 15 May.
You are warmly welcome to attend both these celebrations.
With deep sadness the Carmelites of Australia and East Timor announce the death of Whitefriars College Chaplain, Fr Vincent Noel Kierce.
Fr Noel died peacefully in his sleep today. He was 79 years old and had been a Carmelite for 60 years and a priest for 54.
Born in Melbourne in 1935 Fr Noel joined the Carmelites in 1954 and was ordained a priest on 6 January 1961.
About 40 Carmelites gathered at Mount Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville NSW for a 3 day symposium on St Teresa of Avila.
Led by Professor Bernard McGinn the friars, nuns, lay and secular Carmelites (OCarm and OCD) journeyed into the richness of Teresa's spiritual teaching.
The sessions began with an insight into the term mysticism and an understanding of the cultural and religious context of 16th century Avila.
Professor McGinn then led us through excerpts of Teresa's Life, the Way of Perfection and the Interior Castle.
Finally, he spoke about Teresa’s perception that contemplation and action are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they are a blending of the 2 dimensions of Christian life: love of God and love of neighbour.
From the Carmelite Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission.
In this issue:
Injustices in politics, the Church & the world
Injustices and environmental concerns
Australia's low level of ambition in clean energy & climate policy
