Some of our young Carmelite students in Timor are learning photography. The course is being taught by Mr Isidoro dos Santos Correia over 4 Saturdays covering the basics of camera use, lighting and composition. Isidoro recently graduated from Swinburne University (VIC) with a masters degree in communications and is offering the course free to our students. Good photography skills are vital for recording the activities of the Carmelites in Timor and for involving our friends and supporters in our work. The students are: Brs Agostinho Dos Santos, Estevão Mendonça De Jesus, Estevão De Deus Gomes, Narcisizio Da Costa Vilanova, Alipio Godinho, Lukas Dos Santos Martins, Paulo Martins De Araújo, Gaudensio Do Rosario and Elias Soares Sin. More photos
On Wednesday 10 September Pope Francis gathered the 3 dioceses in Timor-Leste into a new 'ecclesiastical province' with Dili now becoming an Archdiocese and the dioceses of Baucau and Maliana being suffragan dioceses. The bishop of Dili, Virgílio do Carmo da Silva was also made an archbishop.
The Diocese of Díli has an area of 4,775 sq km, covering 5 districts in the central part of East Timor. Out of a total of population of over 667,000, Catholics number more than 630,000 (94.4%), who are spread across 30 parishes. They are served by 149 priests, 132 men religious and 432 women religious.
You can view highlights from the Opening Mass of the General Chapter and listen to some points from Fr Fernando's homily by clicking here.
You can see more photos of the first day of the Chapter here.
You can follow the General Chapter on our Facebook page.
You are warmly invited to join the Carmelite Family in prayer for the General Chapter. Here is the official General Chapter prayer:
Lord, you have chosen and called each one of us to Carmel
to be witnesses of your love to every generation.
Send your holy spirit to guide us towards the future,
just as you did in the first days of our spring on Mount Carmel.
It's 20 years since the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. Mayra Walsh, Community Development Coordinator for the Carmelite of Australia & Timor-Leste, was present at the official Government celebrations.
Frs Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial), Bruce Clark and Carlito Da Silva are the representing the Carmelites of Australia & Timor-Leste at the General Chapter of the Order. The General Chapter will be held in Rome from 10-27 September. A General Chapter, involving representatives from every Province in the world, is held every 6 years and elects the international leadership team.
The theme for the Chapter is: You are my witnesses from one generation to the next: called to be faithful to our Carmelite Charism.
August and September are very significant for Timor-Leste this year as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of voting for independence and remembers the violence and unrest which followed. This edition of our JPIC newsletter takes a look back in time through the eyes of Fr Augusto Da Costa Galhos as Timor-Leste celebrates, remembers and grieves these momentous events in its history.
Carmelites, Fr Maurice Barry and Fr Jerome Watt are celebrating their 60th anniversary of Ordination this month. Fr Maurice was ordained on 12 July 1959 at Clonciffe College, Dublin and Fr Jerome on 26 July at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne.
Fr Maurice has worked in formation, been a teacher both in Ireland and Australia and worked in parishes and hospital ministry in Perth, Melbourne and Geelong.
Today the Carmelite family celebrates the feast of Blessed John Soreth (c.1395 – 1471), Prior General and reformer of the Carmelite Order. During his time as Prior General he was also responsible for the creation of Carmelite communities for women and the admission of lay associates as part of the Order.
He was elected Prior General at the General Chapter of Avignon in 1451. He encouraged reform throughout the Order and travelled constantly around Europe, visiting the various communities. Contemporary accounts record his sense of humour, his courage, a gentle temperament and even that he enjoyed playing an occasional game of football!
Fr Fernando Millán Romeral (Prior General) has given 3 talks about Mary in the Carmelite Tradition. The talks were given at Aylesford Priory in England on 13 & 14 July this year.
Click the links below to view the talks.
