The Carmelite way of prayer takes on a contemplative stance, which is an openness and trust in the love of God that is continually present and transforming our lives. Carmelites offer no single method or approach to prayer. They have learned that prayer is the Spirit’s work in us, like our breathing. God speaks us into life, and continually addresses us in our lives, so that we might have life to the full. Our effort in prayer, then, is one of listening and receiving. Carmelite saints and writers have been compelled to express their experience of prayer. Teresa of Avila described it as conversation with a friend, with one who loves us. Thérèse of Lisieux spoke of simply gazing at God. Lawrence of the Resurrection spoke of a continual turning of heart and mind to God in each moment. John of the Cross encouraged a silent attentiveness to where our heart is struggling and experiencing exhaustion. This ‘dark night’ experience that John describes is an experience of transforming love, which first deeply unsettles opening to a deeper experience of the presence of God. The challenge for Carmelites along with all Christians is to become regularly aware of this loving Presence, in good times and in bad, both as individuals and as a community. The way of Carmelite prayer is like breathing, bringing into each moment a love that inspires courage, healing, forgiveness, joy, peace and wonder. Adapted from: Climbing the Mountain, The Carmelite Journey, Johan Bergström-Allen, T.O.C.
Next time… more on Carmelite Community When the Parish Advisory Council met early in 2020 high on our agenda was the development of a strategic plan in consultation with the community so that the vibrancy and strength evident in the parish could be further developed and enriched. In our first meeting in February, a process for engaging the community and commencing the process was determined.
By mid-March, we had received specific directions from the Archdiocese related to restrictions brought about by COVID 19. Many of these continue at time of writing. When we reached our second meeting for the year, our focus turned to the impact of the newly announced COVID restrictions. That day we received the news that churches were to close indefinitely and our focus turned to ways in which we could remain connected to the community during this time. We quickly recognised that out focus needed to be on being church during this pandemic, with its consequent lockdowns and restrictions on gathering as a parish community. At the same time we have endeavoured to adopt a forward focus, learning from the ways we have been called to be community for one another and incorporating the best of these into a new normal for our parish community. Our most significant response to the quickly unfolding events necessitated by the pandemic was the development of an online newsletter which continues to be emailed weekly to over 800 parishioners and others. The early newsletter included links to prayer sites and masses online with reflections from Father Wayne which were well received. Some print copies of the newsletter were also distributed to those who were not able to access it otherwise. Face to face meetings of the Advisory Council ceased during April and May and were replaced with email conversations and resource sharing. Meetings recommenced in June prior to Masses beginning with limited numbers in July. The sacraments of first communion and confirmation were necessarily put on hold but we look forward to celebrating with families again in 2021. On 19 July, when some restrictions on gatherings were lifted, we held a Carmel Conversation session in which the community was challenged with the question of Where to from here? We borrowed from the Parish Mission Statement in exploring how we could own the life and work of the Parish as a fully involved, outward looking, ever-evolving community in extraordinary circumstances. Using the Carmelite tenets of Prayer, Community and Service, much valuable discussion and feedback was generated and discerned. Those unable to attend the event were invited to submit online. Carmel Care initiated a project in which a roster was developed of parishioners to regularly telephone those in the community who were isolated in some way. The St. Vincent de Paul team, with the assistance of Carmel Care, also began Mt. Carmel Place, a fortnightly drop in morning tea for those needing companionship. This has been a fine example of the Carmelite commitment to the isolated in our community. Carmel Care’s Meal Train emergency provision of meals continued throughout the year. In September we were able to celebrate together the ordination to the deaconate of Brother Matthew Tonini. Discussions in the latter months of the year focussed on the news that we were to welcome Father Martinho as our new parish priest, and to farewell Fathers Wayne and Janu. Using feedback from the parish gathering in July and conscious of our desire to develop a strategic direction for the parish, we determined that 2021 would be a Year of Prayer in our community. This focus began with a Taize style liturgy in Advent and will further evolve in 2021. We continue to discern and listen to your feedback in developing strategies to nourish and enrich the ways in which we offer opportunities for prayer, community, and service now and into a future which will inevitably be changed by our present circumstances. We are always interested to hear from you and will continue to keep you informed. Contact can be made by email to [email protected]
Carmelite spirituality journeys into the human heart. There, in the depths of our heart, are all the things we long for and desire, all our joys, pains and purpose, the very mystery of our lives. Over the centuries, the charism or gift that Carmelite spirituality fosters is often described as contemplation lived out in ways of prayer, fostering hospitality and solidarity in community and living acts of loving service with those in need. At the heart of Carmelite spirituality are three biblical figures: Elijah, the prophet of Mount Carmel, Mary, the mother of Jesus and woman of Mount Carmel, and Jesus, the beloved one of God. Like Elijah, Carmelites seek to live in the presence of the living God who is the way to freedom of heart. Like Mary, Carmelites foster a space and an openness of heart that we might truly hear others when they speak. Like Jesus, Carmelites strive to become the mind, heart and hands of the love of God that forgives, heals and brings about fullness of life. Over the 80 year history of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School, Coorparoo, students, teachers and families have been invited into sharing the Carmelite spirit that is fostered in practices of stillness and silence, prayer, listening, building a welcoming and inclusive community and reaching out to those in need. As we live in these ways, we discover the gift of living Carmelite spirituality, growing in ways that fill our hearts with the joy and peace of living well as a community in the presence of the God who shares love and life with us. Br Matthew Tonini, O.Carm.
Next time: Carmelite Prayer
These first Carmelites were seekers who stepped back and took the wide view of our shared life journey. They were on an intentional quest for meaning, purpose and ultimately for the God who is Love. On Mount Carmel – a holy place recorded in the Hebrew scriptures – they gathered as a praying community, pondering the Word of God in the Bible and seeking their simple way by following in the footsteps of Jesus. Carmelites today in 2021, like those first Carmelites, continue living a way of life that seeks to follow the way of Jesus through practices of prayer, community and service. Here at Mount Carmel, Coorparoo, a community of Carmelite brothers, has lived in the community since 1937 accompanying the community (school and parish) in travelling the life journey of meaning and Love. Br Matthew Tonini, O.Carm.
Next time: Carmelite Spirituality and Charism (1) Adapted from Desert Spring in the City, 2012. Leopold Glueckert, O.Carm. |
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