Newsletter of the JPIC Commission of the Carmelites in Australia & Timor Leste.
In this issue:
An encounter with Aboriginal Culture & the NT Intervention
Interesting Websites
Carmelite Tradition
Simple actions you can take
Prayerful Reflection
Prevention of Violence Against Women
JPIC Calendar for this month
In this issue we commemorate the lives of 3 Carmelites who have died this year: Fr Noel Kierce, Fr Frank Shortis and Fr Jim De Laurier.
We also share the stories of 2 young Carmelites, Br Agedo Bento and Br Martinho Da Cruz Lemos, and their work with homeless people and refugees.
Many people around Australia support the work of the Carmelites. You can read more about what's happening in our parishes at Coorparoo QLD, Wentworthville NSW and Port Melbourne/Middle Park, VIC, and at Whitefriars College, Donvale VIC.
With Christmas fast approaching, don't forget to order your special Carmelite Christmas Cards & Gifts. All proceeds help our work in both Australia and East Timor.
You, your family and friends are warmly invited to join us for this year’s Mass of Remembrance at 6.00pm on Saturday 14 November at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, cnr Richardson and Wright Streets, Middle Park, Vic.
In this special mass we remember, give thanks and pray for those who are now in God’s care. We draw strength from each other as we gently continue the journey of entrusting our loved ones into God’s care.
You can pdf send us the names of those you would like remembered in this special Mass.
Br Agustinho Exposto was ordained Deacon on Monday 28 September at the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte Carmelo (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) in Zumalai, Timor-Leste.
Early in the morning a large crowd began to gather as Agustinho's parents, relatives and friends processed towards the church for the 9.00am ceremony. By the time the Mass was to begin over 1,000 people had joined the procession.
Surrounded by family, friends and parishioners Agustinho was brought into the Church and presented to Bishop Norberto do Armaral, Bishop of Maliana Diocese, for ordination as a Deacon.
Fr Bruce Clark (Regional Prior), Br Antonio Olivio (Prior of Zumalai), Fr Manuel Almeida da Costa (Parish Priest) were also present for the ceremony together with Carmelite Deacons, Brs Fausto and Carlito.
Since July Augustinho has been ministering in Zumalai, a large rural parish with 21 villages. He will continue to minister as a Deacon in Zumalai parish for teh rest of this year.
Welcome to the monthly newsletter of the Carmelite Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission.
In this issue:
- Melbourne Parishioner, Peter Thomas, highlights the richness of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Social Justice Statement for 2015-2016. This document challenges each of us and our politicians on the harsh treatment and government policy imposed on those fleeing across the seas to Australia seeking freedom and safety from war and persecution, quoting the witness and compassionate stance of Pope Francis as a model.
- The Carmelite Tradition and support for the world wide refugee crisis
- Social Justice Calendar events for October
- International Day of the Girl Child - 11th October
- Prayer for Reflection
At the conclusion of the 2015 Regional Assembly Fr Denis Andrew (Prior Provincial) was honoured in a special ceremony.
Clothed in traditional tais Fr Denis was honoured as the ‘grandfather’ of the Carmelites in Timor-Leste. In Timor culture grandfathers hold a special place of honour, leadership and oversight of the family.
In his speech, Fr Martinho Da Costa noted that Fr Denis had attended 6 Regional Assemblies in his role as Provincial. With his term due to expire in April next year, this would be the last Assembly he would attend as Provincial.
Fr Bruce Clark (Regional Prior) presented Fr Denis with a gift to mark the occasion.
In reply, Fr Denis said how much he had enjoyed being present at the Assemblies and the strength, energy and enthusiasm he had experienced among the Carmelites in Timor. Though he would not attend another Assembly, he was looking forward to returning to Timor to celebrate the First Professions in December.
Click the 'Read more' link for more photos.
Welcome to the September issue of The Vine - our Lay Carmelite newsletter for Australia and New Zealand.
In this issue
- Our Communities celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel
- Fr Fernando reflects on the Feast
- My Journey of Faith
- Celebrating the Feast of St Elijah
- East Timorese students say 'Thank You'
- In memory of Fr Frank Shortis RIP
- Sr Paula concludes her article on St Teresa of Avila
- Greetings from Britain
Br Agustinho Exposto will be ordained Deacon on Monday 28 September at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, Zumalai.
Agustinho has been gaining pastoral experience in the large rural parish of Zumalai since he made his Solemn Profession (life-long commitment) in the Carmelites on 18 July this year. Together with Brs Fausto and Carlito, Agustinho will be the 3rd Carmelite deacon to be ordained this year. All 3 are expected to be ordained priests within the next 12 months.
He will continue to minister in the parish as a Deacon following his Ordination.
Before making his Solemn Profession, Agustinho spent 3 months in Melbourne studying English at Australian Catholic University before returning to Timor Leste to prepare for his Solemn Profession.
Our congratulations, thoughts and prayers are with him as he takes this important step on his Carmelite journey.
The large, rural parish of Zumalai is to finally get a new Church, a gift from the government of Timor-Leste.
Carmelite Parish Priest, Fr Manuel Almeida Da Costa, announced that work had begun on digging the foundations of the new Church on 1 August. The Church will cost US$1.2 million and is expected to be completed in June 2016.
A new Church is a long-held dream for the people of Zumalai. It was one of the first things metnioned by village leaders in their initial meeting with Fr Wayne Stanhope and Fr David Hofman in August 2001 when the Australian Carmelites took responsibility for Timor-Leste.
The Timor-Leste Region of the Province gathered in Assembly from 2-4 September at São Elias community in Hera.
The Assembly was attended by all Solemnly and Simply Professed Carmelites in the Region together with Fr Denis Andrew (Prior Provincial) and Fr David Hofman (Secretary, Preparatory Commission 2016 Provincial Chapter).
The Assembly was facilitated by Australia Marist Brother, Tony Clark.
In his opening address Fr Denis Andrew drew attention to the rapidly changing membership of the Province.
