In our parish at Coorparoo (QLD) our Timorese Carmelites have been getting the Church ready for Christmas. They have constructed a Christmas Crib in traditional Timorese style. Fr Janu and Brs Donato, José and Anacleto worked late into the night yesterday assembling the crib and adding a few contemporary features like Christmas lights. Well done, brothers! More photos

On 10 December our 6 Pre-Novices, André da Costa, Antonio Preito da Costa Soares, Honorio Pereira Bobo Lobato, Natasio de Jesus Maia, Ponciano Norberto de Deus and Virgilio de Jesus Brites, were received into the Novitiate at Hera, Timor-Leste. The Novitiate is a special year of spiritual development and learning more about the Carmelite Way under the guidance of Fr Bruce Clark (Novice Director). Our thoughts and prayers accompany these brothers on this next step in their journey. See more photos

On Friday 6 December, Januario Maria Soares, Calisto Pereira Rodriguês, Pedro Rodriguês Ximenes, Zebedeu de Jesus Vidigal, Donanciano Batistuta da Costa Alin, Aleixo Cole de Deus and Gaudênçio do Rosario made their First Vows as Carmelites. A large gathering of Carmelite religious (male and female) and laity, along with other priests and religious, family and friends were present for the morning Mass and Profession ceremony and afterwards enjoyed lunch, music, dancing and other entertainment until late into the afternoon. Many thanks to all who worked extraordinarily hard to ensure the success of the celebrations. Congratulations to Januario, Calisto, Pedro, Zebeseu, Donanciano, Aleixo and Gaudênçio! See more photos

Three young Carmelites graduated from the English Language Studies Program yesterday. Fr Pedro Amaral graduated from the General English Studies program and will now return to Timor to be Assistant Priest in Zumalai Parish. Brs José Natalino Freitas and Anacleto Guterres Da Costa graduated from the English for Academic Purposes program and will begin their Bachelor of Theology studies at the University of Divinity, Melbourne next year. José and Anacleto provided much of the music for the Graduation Ceremony. Congratulations Pedro, José and Anacleto! See more photos

Saint John of the Cross was born at Fontiveros in Spain about 1542. He entered the Carmelites and with the permission of his superiors began to live a stricter life. Later he was persuaded by St Teresa to begin, together with some others, a reform within the Carmelite friars which cost him much hard work and many trials. He died in Ubeda in 1591, outstanding in holiness and wisdom, to which his many spiritual writings give eloquent witness. His writings were first published in 1618. After his death the reform he introduced within the friars eventually separated from the Carmelite Order to become the Order of Discalced Carmelite Friars. John was canonised in 1726 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926. Quotes from John of the Cross

Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva (Archbishop of Dili) recently celebrated Mass in our community at Hera to mark the end of the Inter-congregation Religious Courses for 2019. About 250 people were present including pre-Novices and Novices of various religious communities in Dili who participated in the courses during the year. Superiors, lecturers and formators were also present.

Archbishop Virgilio was welcomed to Hera by Fr Carlito Da Cost Araújo, the Provincial Delegate for Timor-Leste, in a traditional welcome ceremony. Our Carmelite students formed the choir. Lunch and also some performances by the students followed Mass as well as the traditional tebe-tebe and Dahur dances until 4.00 pm. More photos

During this season of Advent, as we await the birth of the Christ-child, the Prince of Peace, we remember that we must not be armchair Christians waiting passively. This is a time of active hope; hope that the living Christ, who lives in and among us, will strengthen those who are down-trodden, those who are oppressed.

In solidarity with the people of West Papua, who have been waiting fifty-seven years amidst violence and occupation, we pray with them this Advent for a long lasting Peace and return to their own self-determination and sovereignty. pdf Read this issue of our JPIC Newsletter.

We recently invited our donors in Victoria to join us for a Thank You High Tea. About 70 donors came along and were joined by Carmelites and staff. Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) opened the event with prayer.

Mayra Walsh, our Community Development Coordinator, shared with us some stories about the positive impact our programs are making in communities in Timor-Leste. Because of donors’ support, we are able to help our schools in Zumalai and Raimea by providing them with teaching resources to use in their classrooms. And we are supporting 19 volunteer teachers in our schools by providing them with a small monthly allowance. More story

The great Advent journey begins. Once again we are struck by God’s astounding graciousness in sharing his life with us in the person of Jesus. “The Advent readings form a rich tapestry of images centered on the truth that God has come among us. In Advent we do not pretend that we are waiting for Jesus to be born in a stable. That happened once in history and it will not happen again. We remember that birth as we remember our own birthdays. The God who came among us is still among us. Advent’s invitation is to become aware of the all-pervading presence of the risen Jesus as Emmanuel – God among us.” (Break Open the Word. The Liturgical Commission, Brisbane, 2010).

On 8-10 November 32 pilgrims, led by Paul Sireh OCarm and Denis Andrew OCarm, braved the cold and wet Melbourne weather to walk along the Yarra Valley Rail Trail for the tenth Annual Carmelite Way pilgrimage. In spite of the weather forecast for very wet days we managed to stay fairly dry and in fact it was wonderful walking weather. Like previous years we are very grateful for the contribution of Sacred Heart Bethlehem community and Whitefriars College for the use of buses and the reliable bus drivers, Rob and David who have generously served us for some years now. The weekend cannot happen without the contribution of buses and drivers. More story & photos