Directory of Groups

G1. Amarillo, TX - 5 Active Members
Study Group
Ms. Irene Robel

G2. Atlanta, GA- 26 Active Members
Community of St. Joseph Study Group
Ms. Karen J. Harris, President
FD : Mary Shusta
Cnclrs: Carol Lloyd & John Eanes.

G3. Covington, LA- 20 Active Members
Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit Study Group
Ms. Rosalie Quigley, President
FD: Lucille Brinz
Cnclrs: Ethel Ganucheau & Suzette McGoey.

G4. DeRidder, LA - 3 Active Members
St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes Group in Discernment
Ms. Danithza Kufoy, Facilitator
FD : Sue Fontenot.
Cnclr: Jeanette LaRosa.

G5. Georgetown, TX-18 Active Members Study Group
Ms. Lois Vasquez, President
FD: Dora Zavala
Cnclrs: Dolores Ascona & Paula Boyd.

G6. Houston — 2 Active Members
St Therese
Ms. Margaret Dufllho, Facilitator
FD: Georgina Torres
Margaret Yong

G8. Jackson, MS- 9 Active Members
St. Joseph & St. Therese of Lisieux
Ms. Dorothy Ashley, President
FD: Peggy Hamilton
Cnclrs: Edna Miller & Sondra Powell.

G9. Killeen, TX - 8 Active Members
Study Group
Angel Acosta, President
DF: Ms. Matilde Martinez
email contact: Sylvia Chester

G10. Knoxville, TN - 11 Active Members
The Holy Spirit
Mr. Mark S. Calvert, President
FD: Jan Hicks
Cnclrs: Ghislaine Miller & George Quinter

G11. Lawrenceville, GA- 18 Active Member
Study Group
Mr. Stephen Ramsey, President
DF: Mary Shusta
Cnclrs: Jan Nerone & Lucia Gesuelle.

G12. Lubbock, TX - 12 Active Members
St. Edith Stein Study Group
Ms. Florence Rivas, President
DF: Frank Schmidt
Cnclr: Mary Martinez

G13. Madison, AL - 5 Active Members
Study Group
Mr. Bobby Pearson, President
FD: Donna Lowe
Cnclr: Kay Satterfield.

G14. McAllen, TX - 22 Active Members
B. Miriam of Jesus Crucified Study Group
Ms. Lucia Dominguez, President
DF: JohnStevens
Cnclrs: Lynn Vincentnathan & Jesús Campos

G15. Mobile, AL - 12 Active Members
Holy Spirit Study Group
Mr. Paul Schubert, President
FD: Carol Busma-Payne
Cnclrs: Steve Orleans & Linda Savarese

G16. Savannah, GA
Study Group
Ingrid Close, Facilitator

G17. Shreveport, LA
Ms. Debbie Malarcher, Facilitator

G18. Thomasville, GA - 9 Active Members
St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross
Mr. John R. Puskar, President
FD : Sonia Busbee
Cnclr: Rosemarie Borj

G19. Topeka, KS -5 Active Members
St. Joseph and the Little Flower
Ms. Diana Scammon, President
FD: Deborah Newton
Cnclr: GeriPrather

G20. Vidalia, LA - 5 Active Members
Study Group
Ms. Kot Morris, President
DP: Beth Boggess
Cnclrs: Anna Calhoun & Roma Golden

G21. Waco, TX - 6 Active Members
San Juan Diego Study Group
Ms. Juanita Gonzales, President
FD: Opal Gonzales

Directory of Communities

C1. Alexandria, LA - 16 Active Members
Elijah and Blessed Mary Crucified
Ms. Cecile Jeanmard, President
DF: Joan Travis
Cnclrs: Debbie Diddier, MaryJo McCoy & Bill Travis.

C2. Austin, TX- 26 Active Members
St. Teresa Benedicta a Cruce
Ms. Pat Thompson, President
email: Elizabeth Korves korves@astro.as.utexas.edu
DF: Diana Borja

C3. Baton Rouge, LA- 36 Active Members
St. John of the Cross & St. Anthony
Mr. Paul Sandau, President
DF : Frances Locker
Cnclrs: Henrietta Albright & Barbara Kahn

C4. Birmingham, AL-18 Active Members
St. John of the Cross & St. Paul the Apostle
Ms. Thais Forrest, President
DF: JoAnn Reilly,
Cnclrs: Donna Hovey, Wilma Robertson & Teresa Russo

C5. Cedar Rapids, IA -15 Active Members
St. Teresa of Jesus
Ms. Martha Hanley, President
DF: Mercedes Reyhons,
Cnclrs: Cindy Larkin, Doug Menietti & Roxann Sorenson

C6. Conyers, GA -16 Active Members
Mary, Queen of Carmel
Ms. Annette Fauci, President
DF: Dona Warren
Cnclrs: Barbara Newberry, Chad Cooper & Vera Fricano

C7. Dallas, TX - 40 Active Members
Infant Jesus of Prague
Ms. Ann Dawson, President
DF: Betty Truicchi
Cnclrs: Jenny Aubert, Pat Darby & Susan Ortega.

C8. Gulf Coast, MS -10 Active Members
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Mr. David Courtenay Sr., President
DF: Beverly Courtenay
Cnclrs:. Corinne Bontemps, Carlotta Bergeron & Herbert Young

C9. Houston, TX - 21 Active Members
The Holy Trinity and St. Joseph
Ms. Becky McGinnis, President
DF: Carmelita Dizon.
Cnclrs: Natlie Ocansey, Jeannice Theriot & Althea Paras.

C10. Houston, TX - 24 Active Members
San Juan de la Cruz
Ms. Victoria M. Rivera, President
DF: Veronica Canek
Cnclrs: Maria Galindo, Jerry MacBeth & Anita Mendoza.

C11. Lafayette, LA - 78 Active Members
Mary, Mother of Grace
Ms. Anita Trahan, President
DF : Victoria Bordelon
Cnclrs: Mona Mayeux, Lucille Ficaro & Loretta Glod.

C12. Little Rock, AR - 23 Active Members
Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew
Veronica ( Ronnie) Poe, President
Patricia Cromwell, Secretary
DF : Mary Armstrong
Cnclrs: Ginger Crews, Susan Hooks & Suz-Annah Nelson.

C13. New Caney, TX - 24 Active Members
The Most Holy Trinity
Ms. Margaret Y. Nunez, President
DF : Georgina Torres
Cnclrs: Chris Wood, Geraldine Hvisdoz & Mary Velez

C14. New Iberia, LA - 39 Active Members
Mary, Beloved of the Trinity
Mr. Stephen Van Cleve, President
DF : Connie Van Cleve
Cnclrs: Peggy Tauzin, Merry Hymel & Terri Hebert.

C15. New Orleans, LA - 34 Active Members
Our Lady of Prompt Succor
Mr. Bruce Weaver, President
DF: Mary Bordelon
Cnclrs: Lucille Brinz, Pascal Alfano & Gloria Gagliano.

C16. Oklahoma City, OK - 30 Active Members
Mary of Mt Carmel & St. Teresa of Jesus
Dr. James Breazile, President
DF : Janet Midfelt
Cnclrs: Susie Spanier, Susan Staudt & Barbara Tinervia.

C17. St. Louis, MO- 48 Active Members
Carmel of St. Joseph
Ms. Rita Tueth, President
FD: Candy Kunzelman,
Cnclrs: Mary Werner, Suellen Nieva & Mary Knollmeyer.

C18. San Antonio, TX- 34 Active Members
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel & St. Therese
Ms. Gloria Guajardo, President
FD : Mary Giles
Cnclrs: Susan King, Lorraine Coleman & Maria Garcia.

C19. Sioux City, IA - 39 Active Members
St. Therese of the Child Jesus & St. Raphael Kalinoski of St. Joseph
Ms. Martha Burchard, President
FD: Molly Vacha
Cnclrs: Mary Kay Daniels, Collette Morrison & Shiuvaun Dougherty.

Flos Carmeli summer 2005

Provincial Delegate's Report

The Chapter of 05

As announced in the last newsletter, Fr. Gregory Ross was elected our new Father Provincial. He was installed on the first day of the provincial chapter, Monday evening, 16-May-05. After a congradulatory supper the chapter Fathers convened in the upper room of our old monastery in Oklahoma City to hear Father Ralph’s state of the province report and hand in to Fr. Gregory our nominees for provincial councillors. John Magdalene Suenram [right] was elected first councillor which makes him the Vicar Provincial. John is pastor of our basilica in San Antonio. Fr. Ralph [left] was elected 2nd councillor, and Raphael Kitz, [2nd right] our novice Master, 3rd. The 4th councillor is newly ordained Luis Joaquin Castaneda [not present] who will be returning from Rome this fall.

The first order of business was discussion of an interprovincial novitiate. It was an idea we thought the Washington province was ready to embrace. We sent our proposals to their chapter on Wednesday afternoon, and resumed a discussion of restructuring our province to meet our present personnel needs. On Thursday we began to formulate a vision statement, and began the triennial review of our Chapter Acts which will govern the life of the friars for the next three years. We began the second week of the chapter working on a policy to insure our provincial facilities and personnel guarantee a safe environment for children in light of the sexual abuse issues that have affected so many. On Tuesday 24-May-05, we examined our Ratio that governs the formation of our friars, chapter Directives and Policies.

On Wednesday the chapter welcomed the OCDS Provincial Council. Our five councillors with Anita Mendoza had arrived over the weekend and spent Monday and Tuesday working on our own formation statute. Shown here at the chapter are: [left to right] Nancy Thompson, Amelia Wilken, me, Pascal Alfano & Gerald Alford. After introducing our Councillors to the Fathers, I gave a brief statistical report: 19 canonical communities, 16 Study Groups, six groups in discernment. Forty one separate localities under our jurisdiction encompassing over 850 active members. Our president Elizabeth Korves gave the first presentation: an over-view of our Constitutions and Statutes and recent formation of the Council. Nancy then gave a presentation on the history of our legislation, and led a discussion on the changing role of Assistants, our Promises, and our relationship to Jesus’ beatitudes. After lunch, Gerald began explaining our new statutes. Amelia presented the formation program we have been working on: “something for the mind, something for the heart, and then something to do.” Pascal finished the statutes, and a lively discussion followed focused on how the friars can help the OCDS and how the OCDS can help the friars.

Thursday, the chapter welcomed the prioresses of the nuns under our jurisdiction: the Prioresses of Piedmont OK, Little Rock, New Caney TX, San Antonio, Sioux City and Covington LA each gave a presentation on their community. We were surprised to find that despite our different lifestyles, we faced the same issues of personnel shortage, vocation promotion, and collaboration. On Friday we approved the vision statement as a preface to our 2005 Acts, and the chapter adjourned. We had one week to recuperate from the chapter work, then the friars gathered in San Antonio for our annual provincial assembly.

Alabama

Scott Jones SDS, clothed Robbie Hayes, Kay Satterfield, Pauline Rizzo, and Bobby Pearson, in the large brown scapular on Sunday 10-Apr-05, admitting them into the formation program of Donna Lowe in Madison, Alabama. Mr. Pearson, pictured here, began this group in April a year ago. These four novices were approved at the Visitation of Provincial Councillor Pascal Alfano on 12-Mar-05 in Birmingham.

On 08-Jul-05, I appointed Fr. Thomas Perrin SDS, pastor of St John Evangelist in Lewisburg TN, Spiritual Asssistant to our Study Group in Madison, near Huntsville, Alabama. Father was a civil engineer who entered the Salvatorians (Society of the Divine Savior) in Milwaukee and took vows in 1992. He is willing to drive two and a half hours (to Madison and back) to attend to our Study Group there. “I look forward to serving the Carmelite community to the best of my ability.”

Texas

On 09-May-05, I appointed Jesus Campos councillor in McAllen to replace Ceci Davis who resigned that office due to family obligations.

I appointed Msgr. Bill Pickard Spiritual Assistant to our Group in Discernment that meets under the direction of our New Caney community at St Theresa’s church on Haskell in NW Houston. Monsignor is in residence at St Theresa’s , has been a priest for 51 years, and is devoted to the Little Flower.

On 08-Jul-05, I appointed Fr Marion Joseph Bui, OCD [right] Spiritual Assistant to our community in San Antonio. Marion is the first native born Vietnamese to be ordained a Discalced Carmelite priest in this country. We welcome him warmly to the OCDS ministry.

Louisiana

In Covington, Lynda Schwartz, Pam Giangrosso and Sandy Wall made their Definitive Promise at our nuns on Saturday, 14-May-05. Assistant Fr. Gregory Ross received their Promises. At the June meeting it was announced that Father Gregory’s election as Father Provincial would mean “he will be traveling a lot so he will not have time to meet with our Study Group.” On 08-Jul-05, Fr. Sam Anthony Morello, OCD was appointed Spiritual Assistant.

Bruce Weaver was re-elected president in New Orleans. Lucille Brinz was replaced as Director of Formation by Councillor Mary Bordeon. Lucille remains temporarily as Director of Formation in Covington. Mary attended the Councillors workshop in June. After that workshop Provincial Council president Elizabeth Korves made visitation of New Orleans on Sunday 26-Jun-05. Fr. Sam Anthony Morello OCD was appointed Spiritual Assistant to our New Orleans community as well as to the Covington Study Group across Lake Pontchartrain.

Georgia

I have been consulting with Ingrid Close about reviving our Study Group in Savannah. This group migrated to Hilton Head SC when Director of Formation Doris Hadden was unable to make the monthly trip to Savannah from her home in Hilton Head. Ingrid recently moved to Rincon Georgia from Eugene Oregon. With the encouragement of Joann Gartner [right] whom the bishop recently appointed prioress of our nuns in Savannah, Ingrid and I have been doing what we could to re-establish the former Study Group without detriment to the new group in Hilton Head. The former priest Assistant has indicated that he can no longer continue, and I am presently in negotiations with another religious priest in the area to see if he can take on the job. We are planning an OCDS Day of Reflection in Savannah for November 12 with the provincial delegate, and hope to get the group back together by then.

Councillors Workshop

I flew to New Orleans to attend the councillors workshop sponsored and presented by our new provincial council. They did a bang-up job. That means excellent. Elizabeth Korves, our president is shown in the photo leading a discussion on council issues. I was most gratified to see councillors there from Lafayette, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, New Iberia, Alexandria, Jackson, Knoxville, Conyers, DeRidder, Madison, Birmingham, Irondale, and Covington. Our Father Provincial, Gregory Ross attended the Saturday afternoon session. Two disappointments: those Study Groups who did not send a delegate, and the lack of “new” councillors. Many sent their president and formation director and we were so glad to have them for they too are councillors. But we had hoped to see more who were new to the job and may have needed direction on how to best fulfill their new role as an officer of the community that elected them. Two weeks later in July the workshop was presented in Dallas. Provincial Councillors Elizabeth Korves, Nancy Thompson, and Gerald Alford presented this workshop. Amelia Wilken and Pascal Alfano were the presenters in New Orleans. God bless all of you who came.

--Fr. John Michael, prov. delg. to OCDS of OK province

R.I.P.

MEMORIALS

"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see my glory.." John 17:24

DALLAS - Infant Jesus of Prague

Samantha Mitchell McCord of Jesus of Sherman. Texas, was born on August 4, 1920 and passed away May 26,2005. Samantha made her final promise on July 16, 1987. She became an Isolate in the early 90's and was a gentle soul.

Jean Wood of the Sacred Heart was born in Buffalo, NY on August 6, 1909, and passed away April 23, 2005, in Wills Point, TX. She graduated from Ursaline Academy in 1928, and from St. Paul School of Nursing in 1932. Having worked in various hospitals, she then joined the Army Corp of Nurses during World War II and served in England., France, and Belgium,. Upon returning to Dallas., she worked as a school nurse for many years. Jean never married but raised six of her nieces and nephews upon the death of her sister. Jean was a happy person down to earth and dedicated to her life as a Carmelite. She joyfully accepted her last years in a nursing home in Wills Point. She made her first promise in 1978.

Frances McLoughlin of the Child Jesus was born on the Feast of the Presentation, February 2, 1906, and passed away on the Feast of the Visitation, May 31, 2005. Frances was orphaned as a young adult and graduated from Barea College, Barea, KY and became a Librarian. She lived in South Bend, Indiana, before coming to Texas. She never married and was lifelong friend and roommate with Agnes Mahon, ocds. She gave her life in service to the Church. Frances had a delightful dry wit and a love for life, her friends, and her vocation as a Carmelite. Her Carmelite friends were with her during her last hours. She made her definitive promise on January 4, 1955.


LAFAYETTE-Mary, Mother of Grace

Gladys Chaisson, Monica Marie of Divine Mercy, was born on March 11, 1935, in Pine Island, LA and passed away April 11, 2005. Gladys made her definitive promise on May 21, 2000, and was a widow; however, she had seven grandchildren, 13 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. For many years, she worked as a school cafeteria worker. Because of severe asthma, emphysema and a heart condition, she was unable to attend the meetings, but kept in touch by visits from members and the monthly calendar sent to her. She always looked forward to hearing the news about the community. Her favorite way of evangelizing was by making and distributing rosaries to her family and friends. All the homebound of our community have been blessed with the gift of a rosary and her remembrance of them in her prayers. Gladys came near death several times, and credited the Lord for her recoveries and for deepening within her an awareness of the apostolate of suffering for family, friends and for her Carmelite community.

Ailine Cailier was also from the Lafayette community. Her memorial was in the last issue of Flos Carmeli.


ST.LOUIS - St. Joseph

Henrietta Richter, Therese Marie of Our Lady born April 1, 1914 and passed away January 21, 2005, Henrietta was a faithful member of pur community for many years. Her profession date was May 16, 1982, She was a volunteer with Sr. Paula Marie in the Monastery office. In later years, she was the sole caregiver of her brother during his illness, following in the "Little Way" of the one whose name she took in religion, Camilla Agee, of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Camilla was born October 29, 1899 and passed away February 7, 2005. She was professed in 1963 in New York and became a member of our community in 1983. Camilla did volunteer work in her parish gift shop for many years. She continued with our community until 1995, after which time she lived in a nursing home in St. Louis. She was an inspiration of faithfulness and determination to our Carmelite family and a gentle soul who was called Home at the age of 106.


NEW IBERIA - Mary Beloved of the Trinity

Freda Umpheries, Margaret Mary Augustine of the Lamb Crucified passed away October 3, 2004. When she was 40, she had to go to a nursing home because of crippling rheumatoid arthritis. It was there that she discovered the Carmelite spirit through a spiritual director. She completed her formation as an Isolate, completely bed bound; however, her prayer and study were very important to her. She attended her clothing at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church via ambulance on May 5, 2000 and made her first promise on December 15, 2002. Her apostolate, along with offering up personal sufferings, was sending greeting cards with words of encouragement and assurance of her prayers to priests, locally and worldwide. She accomplished this by asking for donations of greeting cards and stamps. Despite her physical limitations, she was a fantastic artist. Freda gave us an example of determined determination and inspired us all.

"Come blessed of my Father, says the Lord Jesus, and take possession of the kingdom prepared for you." Matt 25:34

FAQ on Isolates

What do we do with Isolates??

Recently the Provincial Council has been asked this question by a few communities.

First, we'd like to remind everyone that the Constitutions, Art. 56, requires that all isolates be associated with communities. Sec. II of our Provincial Statutes details this association further...requiring that there be MONTHLY contact between the isolate and the community/study group to which the isolate has been associated. The President of the community/study group is responsible for initiating contact. On-going contact may be delegated to another member of the community. It should be noted that on-going contact is the responsibility of both the isolate and the community/study group.

Q: What does the monthly contact with an isolate involve?

A: An isolate should probably be doing the monthly reading that is being discussed at the community meetings. Then whether in writing or via phone with the community member who is in touch with the isolate, thoughts, questions, insights from the reading may be shared. And if this happens to be in writing, with the isolate's permission, that can be shared in the larger group. One of the Provincial Councilors spent some time living in Chicago while remaining in touch with her local community (eventually returning after graduate school). Frequently her letters were shared at the community meeting and she always received notes and minutes of the minutes. Austin has sometimes taped presentations for members that are unable to attend that month so they don't miss out on the discussion and this might be something that can be done to help the isolate share in what the community is learning.

And we do strongly encourage all isolates to meet with the community in person at least once each year. It might be that the isolate attends retreat with the community or joins them for a day of recollection.

Q: What if the isolate is in formation?

A: Per Sec. II.3-4 of the Provincial Statutes, if an isolate is in need of formation prior to Definitive Promise, then the isolate will be assigned to an canonical community. The canonical community is responsible for providing initial formation to any isolates associated with it. How that formation is provided must be worked out between the isolate and the Local Council of the canonical community. Please note that Sec. II.4 requires that an isolate in initial formation must meet with the canonical community in person at least once a year. Exceptions to that requirement may be granted by the Provincial Council for extraordinary cases.

Isolates who have made their Definitive Promise should receive on-going formation from the canonical community OR study group to which they have been associated.

[Flos Carmeli summer 05 news, p 10]

Workshops

New Orleans

OCDS Council Workshop
[Flos Carmeli newsletter, p 11]

More than 30 OCDS council members from about 16 communities and study groups gathered for a workshop June 23-26, 2005, in New Orleans to learn more about new legislation now governing or under consideration for Carmelite Seculars in the Central Province.

Three members of the Provincial Council led five discussion sessions over three days on the proposed statutes governing formation, responsibilities of the local councils and community apostolates. The sessions were intended to provide information and prompt discussion of issues commonly faced by OCDS communities.

New formation guidelines for the province were unveiled for the first time and predictably prompted many questions and much discussion. The statutes mandate five goals in each of the three stages of initial formation --prayer, community, apostolate, study and the promise. Subsequent sections of the statutes expound on the minimum expectations to be realized for each of these goals at the various levels of formation. Continuing formation for definitively professed members should also emphasize the OCDS goals of prayer, community, apostolate and study. A list of primary and secondary sources were provided to aid in the achievement of these goals as well as a supplementary list of sources that directors of formation, in particular, may find useful. The guidelines appear as Section XXI of the provincial statutes and are the only portion of the statutes that await final approval. Serious consideration is being given to a Provincial Council web site on which some of the formation resources would be posted.

Workshop participants also were oriented in the various responsibilities of the local councils. These responsibilities include:

• Formation. While the formation director has the specific job of formation for the community, the council oversees the program and is responsible for its content.

• Develop leadership. While the council is the governing authority of the community, it is important to groom other members of the community to assume future leadership roles.

• Oversee attendance. Individual councils may develop their own attendance policies, but every community should have one.

• Evaluate candidates for formation. This involves discernment. Care must be taken to distinguish between a devotion to Carmel and a vocation to Carmel (goodwill is not enough). Consideration should be given to the quality of the daily commitment on the part of a candidate and how well the candidate fits into the community. Council members should get to know each person in formation. Isolate status should not be an easy out for those who don't belong in community. Council members must accept their responsibilities and have the courage to make good decisions. Related to the issue of evaluating candidates in formation is the issue of appropriately handling transfers of people from other communities and provinces.

• An assortment of other duties including conducting elections, keeping records and assigning jobs in the community.

Regarding the apostolate, every community should have one (Section VHI of the statutes). The key test in determining an appropriate apostolate is the answer to the question: How does this work share Carmelite spirituality?

Members of the Provincial Council attending the New Orleans session who introduced material and led discussions were Elizabeth Korves, Amelia Wilken and Pascal Alfano. Father John Michael Payne, provincial delegate to the Secular Order, also attended each session and celebrated daily masses. The sessions were held at St Mary's Dominican Conference Center located two blocks off historic St. Charles Avenue.

--report prepared by Paul Sandau, President, Baton Rouge Community

[Flos Carmeli newsletter, p 11-12]

Council Workshop
Mt. Carmel Center, Dallas, Texas
July 7-10, 2005

The workshop opened with a brief orientation and introductions. Representatives from Austin, Dallas, Georgetown, Houston (San Juan de la Cruz), Killeen, New Caney, San Antonio, Vidalia, and Waco were present. Provincial Council members presenting information were Elizabeth Korves, Nancy Thompson, and Gerald Alford.
The following are some "take home" concepts offered in the adult learning presentation:

• Formation is not school.

• Formation is building our relationship with God.

• We use both our heads and our hearts.

• We all learn from each other.

• The more involved we all are the more we will all learn.

• Some formation goals:
What is love? What is the Carmelite take on love? How do I love like a Carmelite? Remember St. Therese's comment: "I want to be love."

• Formation is for transformation.

• Create an inter-relationship where all talk; we don't memorize; constantly invite participation and build self esteem; search for challenging, open ended questions.

• Use everyday examples and search for insights.

• The Formator is not a teacher; let the students do the teaching.

• This learning is not linear; we read, read, and reread.

• Avoid overload and frustration; explain why the class moves so fast; it will be repeated time and again.

We TEND toward evangelical perfection. This is an ongoing process vs training. During the formation period the individual must decide --"is this the way for me to fulfill my Baptismal commitment? Am I willing to make a commitment to Community?" It is a process, a journey, a matter of developing self knowledge, and the Holy Spirit works through all of us during this journey. The goal is to discover God's will. It is a discernment between both the individual and the Council. The conclusion of this discernment is not up to the individual alone. The person must ask from day one, "How am I integrating this into my daily life: meditation, prayer, Mass, meetings, my Marian mission? Am I growing closer to God?" Here is a sign of a vocation: IT SHOULD BRING YOU PEACE.

The Local Council: The Council is for service to the truth and is the immediate authority of the community. As the council goes, so goes the community. The President presides but does not rule or dictate. Everyone on the council must be free to speak his mind so there is collaboration and co-responsibility. The root meaning of obedience is to listen attentively. The council must be discreet and confidentiality must be respected. For discernment to happen, there must be a safe place to speak one's mind. The council will meet frequently and when necessary. When two members cannot attend, the meeting should be rescheduled.

The Spiritual Assistant: is not the head of the Community. He is a person to go to for consultation in matters of Canon Law and usually is a Friar of the order. Due to the small number of friars this is not a realistic goal. When selecting a spiritual assistant be sure they understand their role. Allow a six month trial period to see if the relationship is feasible. When making a selection make sure the individual has a sense of the role of the laity in the church today. Select a wise person who knows how to be supportive in community dynamics and one who can answer cannon law questions.

The Provincial Council: One of their goals is making pastoral visits to chapters. Prior to each visit the visiting council member should be provided with six months worth of material attendance material, and a formation syllabus. During the visitation, the councilor will meet individually with council members and chapter members. A written report will follow.

Community Apostolate: The Carmelite apostolate is to share Carmelite spirituality. God initiates and we respond with our willingness to serve. The Church has called us to communicate our teachings on prayer. Let our Diocese's know we are here. You want OCDS to be known in the community as a "living flame of love." Be and become a practical support for our Church. We need support in vocations and the training of priests.

--submitted by: Betty Turicchi, Director of Formation, Dallas