All of us have been deeply shocked, not only by the needless death of George Floyd, but also by the ensuing violence which followed. Many have referred to a 'pandemic of racism' at the heart of discrimination, poverty and unequal human rights. The violent arrest of a 16 year old Aboriginal youth was also deeply disturbing. It brought home to me that terrible things don't only happen in far away places; they happen here, too.
Pope Francis said, "We cannot tolerate or close our eyes to any kind of racism or exclusion and claim to defend the sacredness of every human life ... Nothing is gained by violence and much is lost." Read more
We are celebrating World Environment Day today. Our latest newsletter features two articles reflecting on the critical issues of our time: caring for the environment and the global pandemic. Why not celebrate the day by spending a little time in nature and offering a prayer of gratitude, as well as spending time reading these articles to seek wisdom about where they are calling you to participate in making the world a better place.
Carmelites and friends in the England, Brazil, Timor-Leste and Australia came together online to form a virtual choir to record the song, ‘God Be With You’ as a prayer for all during these times. The words are in English and Tetum. The recording was organised by Niko De Jesus whose brother, Estevão, is one of our young Carmelites in Timor-Leste and includes Australian Carmelite, Matthew Tonini. Watch the video.
Today we celebrate Mary as Mother of the Church. It is a reminder of the special place Mary has in the community of believers. In the Gospel of John, Jesus entrusts Mary into John’s care. There is a sense of intimacy and companionship between Mary and John who stand for the new community of Jesus.
Luke also gives us the image of Mary gathered in prayer with the disciples as they await the coming of the Holy Spirit. Again, we are struck by the intimacy and closeness between Mary and this first group of believers. More story
Over 40 families have received food parcels from the Carmelites in Hera during this time of lockdown. The food parcels were distributed by the Carmelites at Fatuhada to their neighbours and some isolated people in need. Donors from Indonesia provided the funds to purchase rice, noodles, cooking oil and other daily essentials.
There have been 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Timor-Leste and no reported deaths so far. All 24 have recovered and a further 253 people are currently waiting for test results. More photos
At Pentecost we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the first group of Christian believers - the disciples. This gift of the Holy Spirit is the culmination of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It would be wrong to think that this gift happened only once, in one moment of history. In fact, the gifting of the Holy Spirit is a continuing event in the life of every believing person and, therefore, in every age of human history. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God with us. Read more | Visit our Celebrating At Home page
Celebrating At Home for Pentecost Sunday PDF
Celebrating At Home for Pentecost Sunday for iPhone & iPad
The Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians (24 May), not only celebrates Mary as patroness of Australia, but also as patroness of the Carmelites in Australia and Timor-Leste.
The first synod of Bishops in Australia in 1844 chose Mary as patron of the fledgling Church under the title of Our Lady, Help of Christians. It is an ancient title for Mary. St John Chrysostom was the first to use it in the year 345.
When the Carmelites in Australia formally became a Province in 1948, Our Lady, Help of Christians was chosen as the new Province’s patroness. Read more
St Therese of Lisieux once said that her vocation was to be 'love in the heart of the Church'. In this week's Gospel we hear Jesus commission the disciples to go out and make disciples of all the nations, to baptise them and to teach them his way. But the disciples are not left to do all that on their own. Jesus promises that he is with them always. The way in which Jesus will be with them is through the coming of the Holy Spirit which we celebrate next Sunday. Read more | Download Celebrating At Home using the links below.
Celebrating At Home for Ascension Sunday PDF
Celebrating At Home for Ascension Sunday for iPhone & iPad
Join us in a Novena of Creation prepared by the Carmelite NGO. Reflect and pray with us each day, from 16 to 24 May, on the connection of Scripture, Ecological Conversion and Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical.
You can write down each day your actions so you can continue your reflection on them in the future, and also share them with others.
pdf Download the Novena here | Join in prayer for the 5th Anniversary of Laudato Si at midday 24 May | pdf Download the prayer
For many over these last few weeks there have been feelings of isolation, loneliness and abandonment. All our routines have changed and we have lost our sense of the familiar and the secure. We are separated from those we love. was quite shocked to see the empty shelves in Woolies. I had never seen that before. I had taken it for granted that they would always be full. All of a sudden they weren’t. Read more | Go to our Celebrating At Home page
Celebrating At Home for Sixth Sunday of Easter PDF format
Celebrating At Home for Sixth Sunday of Easter iPhone & iPad
