The Gospel today is a joyful, ecstatic outburst of feeling by Jesus. Matthew’s community must have been deeply troubled by the fact that the ‘learned and clever’ religious leaders of their day did not accept the message of Jesus. Surely they, of all people, should have been able to recognise the truth. But in this passage, Matthew explains that it is not from a position of knowledge or power that one recognises who Jesus is. Rather, it is from an attitude of openness and simplicity, such as we often find in children.
Read the reflection for this Sunday's Gospel
Brs Albino Dos Santos, Marcolino Gomes and Matthew Tonini will make their Solemn Profession (life-long commitment) as Carmelites on 16 July, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The ceremony will be held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middle Park. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to invite you to join with us in person, but we will have video and photos available shortly after the ceremony.
Read more about Albino, Marco & Matthew.
We celebrated Fr Ken's funeral last Monday in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Middle Park (Vic). Due to COVID-19 restrictions it was a small crowd who gathered in the Church, but many more joined us via livestream. Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) was the celebrant along with Fr Hugh Brown (Parish Priest) and Fr David Hofman (Prior, Middle Park). Sr Kathleen Murphy prepared the eulogy and Fr Paul gave the homily.
You can watch the video of the Mass and download Sr Kath's eulogy and Fr Paul's homily here.
Br Donato has been living with our community at Coorparoo (QLD) for the past year and will shortly return to Timor for his Ordination as a priest. While Donato has been here in Australia he has been studying English and exercising his ministry as a deacon in Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish. Parishioner Madeleine Sayer caught up with Donato last week for a chat. Read the interview.
Today’s Gospel passage highlights both the cost and rewards of true discipleship. The disciples’ relationship with Jesus must be the centre of their lives and the context for all other relationships including our family members.
Hospitality and welcome are concrete expressions of discipleship because the disciple is one who witnesses to the compassion and mercy of God with open hearts and concrete good actions. This is to be the 'new normal' for Jesus' disciples. Read the reflection for this Sunday's Gospel.
Many are wondering about how our experience of COVID-19 is changing us and what sort of society we are becoming as a result. What will the ‘new normal’ look like? There is a sense of that in the Gospel reading this Sunday. Jesus is establishing a ‘new normal’ for his disciples in their relationships with him and with others. A new way of relating to others that goes beyond mere social custom and obligation - a call into genuine relationships with one another. Read more & download Lectio Divina for this Sunday.
Celebrating At Home for 13 Sunday in Ordinary Time PDF
Celebrating At Home for 13 Sunday in Ordinary Time iPhone & iPad
Since the death of George Floyd our screens have been filled with marches and protests against racism. Lest we in Australia thought it was all about people in America, protests here have drawn attention to the experience of racism in our own country. While some were critical of those who marched, others seemed to understand that sometimes you just have to speak out, no matter what the circumstances. Read more. Click here for Lectio Divina for this Sunday.
Celebrating At Home 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time PDF
Celebrating At Home 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time iPhone & iPad
On 17 June Fr Paul Sireh became an Australian Citizen. Due to COVID-19 the Citizenship Ceremony was held via Zoom. Fr Paul, originally from Manus Island near Papua New Guinea, joined the Carmelites in Australia in 2000. Since his ordination in 2005 Paul has served in the Carmelite parishes of Wentworthville (NSW) and Coorparoo (QLD) before taking up his present ministry as Chaplain at Whitefriars College, Donvale (VIC). Congratulations, Paul! More photos.
Requiem Mass for Fr Ken will be celebrated on Monday 22 June at 10am. Those interested in attending personally should register their interest by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone to (03) 9699 1922 by 10am on Wednesday 17 June. Those who can be accommodated within the 50 people allowed will be notified by the evening of Thursday 18 June.
The Mass will be live streamed at: http://tobin.5stream.com/webcast/53941. For further details and to leave a message or light a candle visit: https://tobinbrothers.com.au/tribute/details/16413/Kenneth-Petersen-O-CARM/obituary.html
The Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste are mourning the loss today of Fr Ken Petersen who died peacefully in the early hours of this morning. Fr Ken was 81 and had been a Carmelite for 58 years and a priest for almost 52.
Ken served the Province and the People of God in the parishes of Coorparoo (QLD), Hilton (WA) and Middle Park (VIC), in formation ministry, Lay Carmelite National Chaplain and as Prior Provincial before establishing the Sancta Sophia Meditation Community at Warburton (VIC) with Sr Kathleen Murphy OP in 1996. Read more
