Welcome to our first JPIC newsletter for 2021! As we come to mark Australia Day/Survival Day, it is a good time to ask ourselves some burning questions: Are we 'one and free' or is that something to work towards? This is a good day to listen to the experience and the aspirations of First Nations people and communities. There are good things about our country worth celebrating, but there is also unfinished business. We reflect on the next steps we need to take towards reconciliation. Margaret Day offers some thoughts on a way forward through the wisdom and challenge of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Sometimes meeting new people becomes a life-changing event. There is a strong sense of that in this Sunday's Gospel. Jesus calls four fishermen. There's no indication in the Gospel that they knew anything about Jesus. Yet, they drop everything and go off in pursuit of him, leaving behind thriving fishing businesses, employees and even family members. One can only wonder what it was that they found so powerfully compelling about Jesus. Read more
Celebrating At Home - 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time B [PDF]
Celebrating At Home - 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time B [ePub]
Though only a small crowd could be physically present for Sean’s funeral last week, many more, including Sean’s family in the US, were able to join via the livestream. You can see the livestream here. Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) paid tribute to Sean’s life and ministry in a moving homily which you can read
pdf
here
. You can also leave a tribute or light a candle in Sean's memory here.
You can support Sean’s legacy, the education and training of young Timorese Carmelites, for which he had a passion and for which he fundraised most enthusiastically and effectively here.
In a world known for its callous disregard for the poor and downtrodden, the example of Angelo Paoli is a refreshing breath of air. Angelo cared so well for his unfortunate brothers and sisters that he was known as ‘Father Charity’ or ‘Father of the Poor’. Fortunately, he did more than just act as one kind individual – he was an excellent motivator, who set many wheels of benevolence in motion at the dawn of the 18th century.
Born in 1642 in Tuscany, Angelo joined the Carmelites in 1660. More story
As we return to Ordinary Time the Church begins by helping us reflect on our call to be the people of Jesus. This Sunday could very well be called ‘Vocation Sunday’. Both the first reading and the Gospel are stories of call and response. The episode we read in the first reading is well described as ‘Samuel’s Call’. Three times he hears God calling but thinks it is Eli (a Temple priest) and goes to him. Eli finally understands that it is God calling Samuel and tells him that next time he hears the voice to say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening”. Read more
Celebrating at Home - 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time B 17 January 2021 PDF
Celebrating At Home - 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time 17 January 2021 EPUB
Br Sean’s funeral will be held at 10.30am on Thursday 14 January 2021. Unfortunately, COVID restrictions mean that only a very limited number of people can be present for Sean’s funeral, but you are warmly invited to join us via livestream. You can view the livestream, download the Mass book and also leave a tribute, light a candle or make a donation in Sean’s memory here. We celebrate and give thanks for Sean’s life and commend him to an eternal life of love with his God. May he rest in peace.
Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Pope Francis says, "This feast makes us rediscover the gift and the beauty of being a community of baptized, that is, of sinners — we all are sinners — saved by the grace of Christ, truly integrated, by the work of the Holy Spirit, in the filial relationship of Jesus with the Father, welcomed into the bosom of Mother Church, making possible a brotherhood that knows no barriers or borders." Read more
Feast Day: 9 January
Andrew was born into nobility, a member of the powerful Corsini family of Florence, and was one of 12 children. He joined the Carmelite community at the Carmine on the southern bank of the Arno sometime before the year 1338. This community was known for its sanctity and regular observance amidst a more tumultuous environment of religious life in the early Renaissance period. After completing his studies in Florence he was teacher of the younger students in the community. More story
Feast Day: 8 January
Peter Thomas was born into a poor peasant family in the southern Périgord region in France. His piety and skill as a teacher attracted the attention of the Carmelite prior of Bergérac, who invited him to join the Carmelite community there at age twenty-one. He taught in various houses of study until he was sent to University in Paris for advanced scholarship. While his studies were still in progress he was elected by the Order as its procurator general to the Papal Court at Avignon in 1345. More story
With deep sadness, the Carmelites of Australia & Timor-Leste announce the death last night (Wednesday 6 Jan) of Brother Sean Keefe, O.Carm. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Br Sean had been working at Whitefriars College, Donvale (VIC) as a teacher and chaplain since 2001 and heavily involved in fund-raising and support for Timor-Leste since 2004. His contribution to, and involvement in, the local community was recognised in 2011 when he was named 'Citizen of the Year' by Manningham Council. Sean's involvement both in the Manningham area and his service to the people and the Carmelites in Timor-Leste was recognised when he received the Order of Australia Medal in 2016. He will be greatly missed by the Carmelites, the Whitefriars College community, the people of Manningham (VIC) and Zumalai (Timor-Leste) and his many friends. May he rest in peace. Read more
