The Carmelites of Australia and East Timor are mourning the loss of Fr Jim De Laurier who died peacefully in the early hours of yesterday morning. Fr Jim was in his 81st year and had been a Carmelite for 61 years and a priest for 55.
Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1934 Fr Jim entered the North American Province of Carmelites in 1953. He made his first profession of vows on 8 September 1954. He made his Solemn Profession on 15 September 1958 at Mount Carmel in Williamstown, MA and was ordained to the priesthood on 28 May 28 1960 in Chicago, Illinois.
Following his ordination he was a missionary in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) for 10 years before returning to the US. He served as Prior Provincial of the North American Province from 1985-1991.
In 1999 Fr Jim decided to move to Australia to be near his brother Steve and his family, Jim's only living relatives.
20 young Carmelites from Australia and Timor Leste renewed their vows on Sunday 12 July. Fr Bruce Clark (Regional Prior) celebrated the Mass at the Carmelite Sisters Retreat House in Maurbara, south of Dili. The Mass followed a day of reflection on Living Carmelite Life led by Fr Wayne Stanhope (Director of Formation) who also received the Vows.
There are now 8 Solemnly Professed students, 18 students who have made their First Profession, 8 Novices and 12 Pre-Novices in formation.
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Monthly newsletter of the Carmelite Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission.
In this issue:
Rolling Stone magazine publishes Pope's 10 most radical lines
Laudato Si' & the model of Communion - Paul Gurr
Migrant & Refugee Sunday - 30 August
What can I do to care for our planet?
JPIC Calendar & prayers for September
Click the linnk to download:
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Middle Park VIC was filled to capacity for the Funeral Mass for Fr Frank Shortis, OCarm on Friday 31 July 2015.
Fr Denis Andrew (Prior Provincial) was the principal celebrant of the mass which was concelebrated by 16 priests. Archbishop Denis Hart presided at the Mass in appreciation for Frank's contribution to Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Fr Paul Cahill gave the homily.
Family members, Carmelites and representatives from Whitefriars College and Geogeghan College (now Penola College) placed symbols around the coffin recalling Fr Frank's Baptism, Carmelite Life, Pastoral Ministry and contribution to Education. Whitefriars College students formed a guard of honour and were pall bearers at the conclusion of the Mass.
On Saturday 18 July 5 young East Timorese Carmelites made their Solemn Profession (life commitment) in the Carmelite Order. Brs Donato De Jesus Marcal, Agostinho Exposto, Pedro Amaral, Januario Pinto and Carlito Da Silva made their commitment during Mass in the groups of the Carmelite Community at Hera.
Fr Denis Andrew (Prior Provincial) received the Vows and Fr Bruce Clark (Regional Prior) celebrated the Mass in Tetun language.
About 2,000 people attended the ceremony held in the grounds of the Carmelite Community at Hera, near Dili.
Monthly newsletter of the Carmelite Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission.
In this issue:
A reflection on Laudato Si' by Peter White
One Creation by Peter Thomas
News from the Carmelite NGO
JPIC Calendar for August
Migrant & Refugee Sunday
A Prayer for the World by Rabbi Harold Kushner
The Carmelites of Australia and East Timor are mourning the loss today of Fr Frank Shortis who died peacefully in the early hours of this morning. Fr Frank was 89 years old and had been a Carmelite for 69 years and a priest for 62.
He was founding principal of Whitefriars College, Donvale in 1961 and Geogeghan College, Broadmeadows in 1972. Frank also served as Prior Provincial from 1979-86 and 1997-2001 and as parish priest at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Hilton (WA), assistant priest at St Joseph's, Port Melbourne and Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Coorparoo (QLD).
He was a remarkable educator, wise counsellor and faithful friend whose wisdom and gentleness will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
He was born on 10 July 1926 at Kyabram VIC, son of Thomas Shortis and Catherine O'Rourke.
Today is the Solemnity of the Prophet Elijah. Carmelites look to Elijah as an inspiration for their way of life.
The first Carmelites settled on Mount Carmel in Palestine near the spring of Elijah. It was on Mount Carmel where Elijah challenged the people to stop hobbling first on one foot and then on the other but to choose who is God in Israel - Yahweh or Baal. According to the story, which can be found in the First Book of Kings, chapter 18, Elijah's sacrifice was consumed by fire from heaven which proved to the people that Yahweh was the true God.
Elijah made himself available for God's work and was sent into various situations to proclaim God's word. On Mt Horeb God became present to Elijah, not with the signs usual in the Old Testament of fire, earthquake and mighty wind, but in the sound of a gentle breeze.
From Elijah, Carmelites learn to listen for the voice of God in the unexpected and in silence. We seek to allow the Word of God to shape our minds and hearts and to become channels of God’s tender love for all.
Today is the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, the Carmelites' principal feast day.
The first hermits on Mount Carmel built a church in the middle of their cells which was the centre of their lives where they gathered each day to pray and celebrate Mass together.
They named their church in honour of Our Lady, taking her as their patroness, promising her their faithful service and expecting her protection and favour.
That's why Carmelite friars are officially known as the "Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel".
“Carmelites see in Mary the perfect image of all that we want and hope to be as the brothers and sisters of her Son.” (Carmelite Constitutions)
Read the Prior General's letter for the feast day here.
On Saturday 18 July 5 young Timorese Carmelites will make their solemn Profession (life commitment) in the Order.
Among them is Br Januario Pinto who has been completing his ministerial studies in Australia for the past two and a half years.
Also making their Solemn Profession are: Br Donato de Jesus Marçal, Br Agostinho Exposto (who recently completed a 3 month English course in Melbourne), Br Carlito da Silva and Br Pedro Amaral.
The Solemn Professions will take place during Mass at the São Elias Carmelite Community in Hera, Timor Leste.
You can downlaod a copy of the invitation pdf here .
