Elections are Coming

Provincial Council elections are approaching next Spring. We have asked all our canonical communities to nominate someone (deadline is June 1) With that in mind, we thought it might be good to hear some comments from current Provincial Councilors:

Amelia H. Wilken, ocds

"When I was asked to be on the Provincial Council, I did not know what it would involve. I was first aware of the Provincial Council when the new Constitutions were sent to all the communities for suggestions/corrections.

One day I received an email from Fr. John Michael asking if I would consider serving on the Provincial Council. My first reaction was that it is an honor to be asked! Then - reality set in. and I asked myself, "What will this involve?" I thought of our Blessed Mother, how she accepted what the Angel told her and trusted that I could do the same.

I'm not sure how to say this, but being human, we always want to see what benefit there is for me? I know serving the Province is a noble cause but that's not all! It's different going to Congresses and meeting everyone since it is just one time, but when making a visitation, you get to know them and be bonded with them. It is always a great feeling at visitation to be able to encourage, support and help communities grow in their Carmelite charism.

Another aspect is helping those people interested in Carmel but not close to a community who have to be an Isolate. One of my jobs on the Provincial Council has been to assign them to communities and it's great when they are happy with the outcome. I will not be telling the truth if I said all is dandy. Yes, there are bumps/trials along the way, but you are not alone because of the other members of the Provincial Council helping, but most of all, you learn to trust the Lord. This is very Carmel.

I recommend when asked to serve, please pray and accept the offer. Find out for yourself what God's plan is for you in Carmel.

Pascal Alfano, Jr., ocds
Who Me? A Provincial Council Member!!

God, in His overwhelming wisdom, reaches out to those not necessarily looked upon very highly by the world, and calls them to His service for the salvation of souls. We saw this in the selection of the apostles. After all, we are not serving on our own, but Christ is using us as His instruments. He is the one who is leading us. Trust in God is what is asked of us in fulfilling His command.

What do we look for in choosing someone to serve on the provincial council? First, we go to our room and pray to the Holy Spirit to inspire our minds and hearts. The person that may come to mind may be a member who has shown his or her love for the Carmelite life and has demonstrated this by their life of love for God and their relationship with their fellow members in their service to the secular order. We can recognize this in their lives by looking into their eyes and hearts and seeing the love, kindness, interest and brotherly affection they project.

What are the duties of a provincial council member? First, he or she must be open-minded, humble and not strong-willed. They must be someone who is people oriented. Whether they are employed, retired or homemakers, they must have the time, effort and ability to serve on the council. The first council has members who are full-time employees, retirees and part-time workers. The person must be able to use a personal computer due to the fact that most of the correspondence is done by email and on websites.

There is an annual meeting of all members, the secretary and the provincial delegate. This gathering lasts for about three to five days including traveling time. It is usually held in Little Rock at Marylake or in Dallas at the Mt. Carmel Center. These facilities are capable of housing and feeding the members. This period may also include a day of recollection. At no time is any financial expense expected of the council members. The cost is absorbed by the provincial fund. These meetings have produced results in drawing up the Provincial Statutes for our province and visitation rights granted to us by Fr. Ralph Reyes, Provincial of the order at that time. We have developed workshops in New Orleans and Dallas to prepare our members to function in accordance with our Constitutions, Statutes and the formation programs developed by the Provincial Council to be used by all chapters. A website was established to assist all in their many needs and questions about the secular order, how it functions and where books and information material may be acquired. The Provincial Council studies ways to improve on the duties, material and challenges of our chapters and study groups. Any chapter having problems should present them to the Provincial Council if the Local Council is unable to resolve them. Charity among our members must prevail.

Each member is asked to make four to six visitations of chapters or study groups per year. They have an option to present a conference to the group if asked to do so. What a joy it is to meet so many fellow Carmelites seculars in other cities and share in their love and commitment. The Provincial Council assigns all isolated members to chapters. It maintains a record of the status of all isolates. When study group members are prepared to make their promises, a discernment letter is submitted to the Local Council and then to the Provincial Council for approval. We also work with our study groups to help them make progress towards eventual canonical establishment.

The Provincial Council members have a great time being with each other, sharing ideas and experiences and just being down home brothers and sisters. What an honor it is to be nominated to the Provincial Council. God will bless you abundantly. The term of service for each council member is six years. The terms are staggered in such a way that every three years a batch of new comers will join with those who have at least three years of experience on the council.

The "Who Me" may be You. Remember always, not my will but God's will be done.