Geologist Peter Clarke reflects on the destructive use of fossil fuels for energy, and the challenge of Laudato Si to turn to a more renewable and sustainable future.
We know that technology, based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels - especially coal, but also oil and to a lesser degree, gas, - needs to be progressively replaced without delay. Laudato Si - Care for Our Common Home - Para 165.
Welcome to the latest issue of our newsletter.
Prayer & the gift of new life
Old age is a vocation
The gift of education for children in Timor-Leste
Thank you for giving life
Our young Carmelites bring new life
In this issue Br Agedo Bento, OCarm reflects on the care of the eldely in the culture of Timor-Leste.
We must reawaken our collective sense of gratitude, appreciation and hospitality, helping the elderly know they are a living part of their communities and source of wisdom for the younger generations.
Pope Francis, March 2015
The statue of the Prophet Elijah in front of our house in Hera, Timor-Leste, was given a makeover by our Carmelite students during the summer holidays. Fresh coats of paint and a water feature surrounding the statue were added with stunning effect.
The project was the brainchild of Fr Carlito Da Costa Araujo and Br Frangelino Ximenes, who also supervised the work. Fish have since been added to the water feature.
“In the great traditions of Australian war remembrance we remember all those Australian youngsters who died in the World Wars and since. What is often forgotten, however, is the toll on the Timorese people in World War II on behalf of Australians.”
Sr Susan Connelly reflects on the cost to Timorese people of serving Australian security interests, past and present. Story courtesy of Eureka Street.
Today Carmelite communities around Australia are celebrating ANZAC Day, commemorating the anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in 1915, and in memory of all those Australians who served and died in war and on operational service.
The qualities of courage, mateship and sacrifice, so obvious among the Australian soldiers at Gallipoli, continue to inspire and shape our national identity.
In this issue, Peter Thomas reflects on the lives of 'active contemplatives' like Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King and Tich Nhat Hanh and their work for peace.
“When victims of violence are able to resist the temptation to retaliate, they become the most credible promoters of nonviolent peacemaking ... To be true a follower of Jesus today also includes embracing his teaching about nonviolence.” Pope Francis.
Congratulations to Januario Pinto and Matthew Tonini who graduated as Bachelors of Theology at St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne on 24 March.
Among those attending the Graduation Ceremony were Jina and Terry Mulligan and Alison and Flavio Tonini. Also present were Brs Agedo Bento, Martinho Da Cruz Lemos and Albino Dos Santos.
Januario and Matthew are now studying for their Masters degree in Theological Studies at the University of Divinity, Melbourne.
Fr Denis Andrew OCarm (Parish Priest), Lyn Bryant (Parish Secretary) and Fr Martinho Da Costa OCarm (Assistant Priest) feature in 2 articles in the March edition of Catholic Outlook (Diocese of Parramatta, NSW).
You can read the articles by clicking the links below:
The Carmelite Sisters are building a new convent in Hera about 500 metres from our own Carmelite community there.
On Monday 6 March Fr Bruce Clark blessed the land on which the new convent will be built. A ground-breaking ceremony was held and a time capsule with the plans for the building and a Scapular were buried.
Sisters Mai and Remi, together with a number of sisters in formation were present at the ceremony, together with a number of our own student friars. Click here for more photos.
