Pope Francis has proclaimed the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July each year – July 25 in 2021. The Day is marked near the feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. The Pope's message begins, “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20): this is the promise the Lord made to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. They are the words that he repeats to you today, dear grandfathers and grandmothers, dear elderly friends. “I am with you always” are also the words that I, as Bishop of Rome and an elderly person like yourselves, would like to address to you on this first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. The whole Church is close to you – to us – and cares about you, loves you and does not want to leave you alone!" Read more

Carmelites celebrate the memory of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary, today. Very early in the history of the Order feast days for both Joachim and Anne were added to the Carmelite Liturgical Calendar. Early Christian and Carmelite traditions saw in Anne one who helped form in Mary a heart open to God. Joachim is portrayed as a just man more interested in helping the poor than in amassing a fortune for himself.

Pope Francis has also made this day one of celebrating and praying for Grandparents and the Elderly. Read more

July 24, 2021 marked the 450th anniversary of the death of Blessed John Soreth. He was a reformer, spiritual writer and the founder of both the Carmelite Nuns and the Lay Carmelite Third Order. He was born near Caen in Normandy in 1394 and entered the Carmelite house there. Ordained priest around 1417, he became a doctor of theology in Paris in 1438 and then regent of studies there. He was Provincial of the French Province from 1440-1451 and Prior General of the Order from 1451 until his death. He was unflagging in his efforts at renewal, during what was an especially critical period for both the Church and the Order.

In 2020 the Carmelites began operating a new charity organisation called Carmel Impact. The charity continues the Carmelites previous work supporting individuals and communities in Timor-Leste, with a specific focus on education and youth. On 22 June, Fr Paul Cahill, Prior Provincial and Chair of the Board, officially launched Carmel Impact’s first annual report during an online webinar to mark the event. Mayra Walsh, the Community Development Coordinator, provided an overview of the program’s achievements in 2020, while Fr Agostinho Exposto gave an update about the Covid-19 situation and more recent activities in Timor. More story...Read the Report...Watch the video

With around 13 million people now in lockdown food has become a national obsession. At the beginning of a lockdown there is inevitably a rush on non-perishable food, fresh fruit and vegetables and, you guessed it, toilet paper. Fruit and vegetable prices are on the rise due to the effects of drought, bushfire and a reduced harvesting workforce. Food insecurity is becoming a big issue especially for those on low incomes. Food is very much at the heart of this Sunday's Gospel about Jesus feeding the 5,000. Once again, Jesus is deeply conscious of the human needs of others. Read more
Celebrating At Home 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time [PDF]
Celebrating At Home 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time [ePub]

On 16 July, the Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Brs José Natalino Freitas and Anacleto Guterres Da Costa renewed their Vows for another year. The ceremony took place during Mass in the Carmelite Community at Middle Park. Fr David Hofman (Formator) received their Vows on behalf of Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) who could not be present due to the Coronavirus lockdown in Melbourne. In renewing their Vows José and Anacleto have committed themselves to their Carmelite formation journey for another year. More story & photos.

With most of the country again under lockdown or other restrictions there has been much debate about the response of our leaders. In the first reading this Sunday, the prophet Jeremiah laments the poor leadership given by those to whom the flock of God has been entrusted. He looks forward to the day when God will raise up a true shepherd-king who will act with wisdom, honesty and integrity to look after the people. Again and again the scriptures propose the shepherd as the ideal leader. The Gospel today shows Jesus fulfilling Jeremiah's hope, acting with deep compassion for the disciples and for the crowds. Read more
Celebrating At Home 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time [PDF]
Celebrating At Home 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time [ePub]

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. From the earliest days of the Order's beginnings, Mary has held a special place in the lives of Carmelites. Mary embodies everything that we hope for - to enter into an intimate relationship with Christ, being totally open to God's will and having our lives transformed by the Word of God. Like Mary, we too want to listen so deeply to the Word of God that he becomes flesh in us. pdf Read the letter of the Prior General for the Feast.   Watch the video.

Happy feast day to all members of our Carmelite Family!

On this final day of our Novena for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel we pray in thanksgiving for God's love. We thank God for the ways in which his love sustains us and gives us courage and strength as we face the challenges of the pandemic. We also thank God for his love shown in all those who are helping to support and strengthen others at this time. We ask for an ever-deeper awareness of that love and an ever-greater ability to share it with one another.

 Pray the Novena Prayer. Visit our Novena of Prayer page. You can also join us on Facebook anytime during the day. You can download the prayer and intentions for each day.

Today we remember all those whose livelihoods have been affected by COVID-19. So many people have lost jobs, their homes and businesses because of COVID-19. They struggle with little income and often lose hope as well. We pray for them as they struggle to rebuild their lives and we pray for all those working to support them.

 Pray the Novena Prayer. Visit our Novena of Prayer page.

You can also join us on Facebook anytime during the day. You can download the prayer and intentions for each day.