Welcome to 2019 and blessings to you in the many joys and challenges ahead.
IF we are to make our nation into a cohesive and diverse one, we must honour our Aboriginal brothers and sisters as our first nation peoples. IF we are to make a nation rather than a mere economy we have to absorb Indigenous history, learn from Indigenous people, walk in collaboration with them and recognise their rights. We are grateful to Glen Loughrey, Vicar at St Oswald’s Anglican Church, Glen Iris in Melbourne, for this reflection as he shares what it means to be an indigenous man as our nation marks Australia Day on 26 January.
New Year's Day is also the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. It's the most important feast of Mary in the Church's calendar. A week after celebrating the birth of Jesus, we honour Mary as Mother of God and mother of all believers.
We wish you a very happy New Year. May it be filled with an ever deeper awareness of God's presence around us and in us. May Mary accompany us with wisdom and love throughout this new year. May it bring each of us much happiness and great peace.
Brothers Avelino Dos Santos and Agostinho Dos Santos graduated from their English courses on Friday 14 December. Avelino has completed his English studies at the English Language School for Pastoral Ministry, Box Hill (VIC). He will now begin his Bachelor of Theology studies at the University of Divinity. Agostinho will begin his final semester of English for Academic Purposes at ELSPM.
We congratulate both brothers on the successful completion of their English language study. See photos of the Graduation.
Five young Carmelites recently made their first profession of vows as Carmelites. Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) received the vows during mass in Hera, Timor-Leste on 7 December.
Brothers Samuel Lopes, João Batista Caunan, Alipio Godinho, Antonio Junias Da Gloria and Lucas Dos Santos Martins made their vows in the presence of other Carmelites, family and friends.
We warmly congratulate these young brothers and welcome their commitment to the next stage of their Carmelite journey! See photos of the ceremony.
On Monday 10 December Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) formally received Januario Maria Soares, Calisto Pereira Rodrigues, Pedro Rodrigues Ximenes, Aleixo Coli De Deus, Zebedeu de Jesus Vidigal, Donanciano Batistuta da Costa Alin, and Gaudencio do Rosario into the Novitiate at Hera, Timor-Leste. For the past 2 years these young men have been preparing to become novices in our community at Fatuhada in Dili. During the ceremony they received the Carmelite habit and were entrusted to the care of Fr Bruce Clark, Novice Director. We warmly welcome these brothers as they begin the Novitiate – a special year of learning more about the Carmelite journey of transformation. See photos of the ceremony.
Led by Fr Paul Sireh OCarm a group of 30, including 11 new pilgrims, walked the Ninth Annual 45 km pilgrimage in the beautiful Yarra Valley. The pilgrimage, organized by The Carmelite Centre Melbourne, took place over 3 days along the rail trail from Lilydale to the Carmelite Sancta Sophia Meditation Community in Warburton.
Following a commissioning liturgy led by Fr Hugh Brown OCarm and Fr Paul Sireh OCarm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Middle Park on Sunday 4 November, the group began the walk on Friday 9 November in Lilydale.
At our recent Donors' Mass and High Tea our young Carmelites said a big 'Thank You' in words and song to our donors who support them in their studies. Over 60 people attended the Mass and High Tea at St Joseph's Church and Hall in Port Melbourne. Frs Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) and Paul Sireh celebrated the Mass. Our young Timorese Carmelites studying in Australia sang during the Mass. At High Tea, they sang a special song of thanksgiving for the generosity of our donors. Br Matthew Tonini, on behalf of all the students, thanked the donors and spoke about what their contributions made possible.
The 2019 edition of the Carmelite Liturgical Guide is now available.
The Guide integrates the Carmelite Liturgical Calendar with the liturgical calendars of Australia and Timor-Leste to provide a guide to the Seasons, Solemnities, Feasts, Memorials and Carmelite celebrations for every day of the year.
Download the Guide
Today Carmelites are joining with other religious across Australia to acknowledge survivors of abuse within the Catholic Church and all those who have been hurt by that abuse. Underpinning this, is a clear promise for a better, safer future.
A special liturgy for this National Day of Sorrow and Promise is being held in the Whitefriars College Chapel, Donvale. Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial of the Carmelites in Australia & Timor-Leste) is the celebrant. Other local communities of Carmelites are also commemorating this special day. pdf You can download the liturgy here .
Welcome to the latest issue of our newsletter.
The Carmelites continue to grow
It takes a whole community to make a difference
New Church for the people of Zumalai
Deepening our ties with Timor-Leste
