PD Report

Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, Prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Cause of the Saints, has announced that the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, Louis Martin and Azelia Guérin may be beatified this year. Their cause was submitted to the Holy See andf their heroic virtues were proclaimed on 26-Mar-94. Cardinal Saraiva implied that the miracle needed to proclaim them blessed has been approved by his congregation and will be announced at the next Consistory.

We look forward to our first meeting of the new provincial council on May 30 in San Antonio.

Joining our two left-overs, Elizabeth Korves and Nancy Thompson, are [from left to right] : Henrietta Albright from Baton Rouge, Dorothy Mansen from our Dallas community, and Gloria Guajardo from San Antonio.

Daniel DiNardo, our first Southern Cardinal, returned to Sioux City last month, to tell his former priests there, “This is where I learned to be a bishop.” DiNardo will speak at our OCDS Congress in Houston in September. We await the pope’s visit to the U.S.A. and look forward to what he will say to us in April. For those attuned to reading blogs on the internet, you may go to http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com for some fine pictures of the papal visit to Washington DC and New York.

Alabama

On April 2^nd I appointed Jan Nerone [left] president of our Lawrenceville Study Group. Jan has served as councillor since March 2004. Lucia Gesuelle & Patty Palmquist were appointed Councillors; Lucia has served in this office as long as Jan. Patty has served as secretary since June 2006. These appointments were made after their Visitator allowed them to hold a “provinsional election.” Results of that straw vote were given to the Visitator, who made her recommendations to the Provincial Council. Once the provincial council approved, the appointments were made. Special gratitude to Anita DeRouen who has so capably served this Group as president since Stephen Ramsay moved in May 2006.

On January 26, I appointed Lenora Everett councillor in Savannah to replace Moscelyne Maggione who recently resigned. Moscelyne [right] has served on the council since the group rturned to Savannah from Hilton Head. She has been a gracious hostess and valued member.

On April 2^nd , I appointed Fr. Christian A. Alimaji, MSP Assistant to Savannah. Fr. Desmond Ohankwere, MSP [left] was elected Regional Superior of the Missionary Society of St. Paul and will be moving to Houston. Fr. Desmond has served as Assistant since July 2005. We wish him well in his new assignment and welcome Fr. Christian who is the new pastor of St. Benedict Church where Fr. Desmond has been.

Gerald Alford made visitation of Baton Rouge on Sund., 09-Feb-08. standing: Gerald Alford (visitator), Paul Sandau (pres), Henrietta Albright (coun), Frances Locker (Form), Clarence Landry (sec’ty); seated: Councillors Barbara Kahn and Ethlyn White

On 12-Mar-08, I appointed Fr. Kingsley Nonis Assistant to our Teresa de los Andes Study Group in DeRidder. Former Assistant Daniel Torres, pastor of St Joseph church in DeRidder has served our Carmelites for the past year. "Father Danny” was moved to St. Henry's Church in Lake Charles. Fr. Nonis, the new pastor of St Joseph, is from Srilanka. He was a brother Marist before he became a priest, so he is familiar with religious orders.

Mississippi

On Easter Wednesday 26-Mar-08, our Provincial council restored to our Jackson community all their canonical privileges. They may now hold their first elections since the appointment of officers years ago and regain their full five member council. This group has shown great maturity in their discernment process, and has attracted many new vocations to our order in the state of Mississippi.

Missouri

At their April meeting, our St. Louis community elected Sharon Schulte [right] president, replacing Rita Tueth who, many of you met at our National Congress. Rita has served as president last triennium. Sharon served as Director of Formation from 1999-2005.

David Travers, Anne Beach, and Kathleen Moss were elected councillors. Patricia Daniels was elected formation director by the new council.

Oklahoma

On January 19, 2008, the Oklahoma City community’s retreat was presented by Fr. Thomas Dubay SM, who also served as celebrant at the Mass that day. Theresa Husmann, Elizabeth Petersen, Monique Tannen and Dee Schneider were clothed with the OCDS scapular. William Urell, Faye Norton, Betty Sharp, Zofia Schmit, and Avril D'Cruz made their First Promise and Barbara Tinervia made her Definitive Promise. Deacon Jim Breazile OCDS, President of the community administered the rituals for these actions.

[Left to right:] Barbara Tinervia, William Urell, Faye Norton, Betty Sharp, Zofia Schmit & Avril D’Cruz. The community at their March meeting elected Susan Staudt president. Corliss Elsworth, Marie Lopez & Katherine Payne were elected Councillors, and the new council elected Patti Robinson Director of Formation. Congratulations to all.

Texas

On Jan 20^th, I received the profession of Father Bart Tolleson [photo left] during the celebration of his first Mass in Dallas. Bart was ordained in Helena Montana, but completed his formation for First Promise with our Dallas community. I received special permission from Fr. Partrick Segrue OCD, provincial delgate to OCDS of our California\Arizone province to profess Father Bart.

Shirley Moresi was been a member of our Dallas community for over forty years. Shirley was professed on 05-Dec-65, and died on 20-Jan-08. Shirley lost her husband about 8 years ago and is survived by her son David and two daughters.

On Jan 24^th I appointed Fr. George Gonzalez OCDS Spiritual Assistant to our newly erected Miriam of Jesus Crucified Community in McAllen. Monsignor Louis Brum has been serving this Study Group for the last six months. We are most grateful to him for his kind attention to our order. Father George’s appointment is for one year. As I will resign as your provincial delegate at our provincial chapter in May, no long term appointments will be made during these last months.

Two of our Houston members are approaching their golden jubilee. Rebecca Segura, the infirmarian of our original Houston community, has submitted the following article on them. Congratulations Gladys and Gene for your perseverance in our vocation.

Your Provincial Delegate,

Fr. John Michael Payne OCD

Infirmarian's report

We wish to recognize the following two members for their faithful service to community. Gladys Snoga who has been in our community since her profession in 1959 and to Eugene Janquart who has been with us since his clothing in 1959 and profession in 1960.

In 1959, a group of 10 individuals under the guidance of Fr. Felix DePrado came together at St. Christopher to form a Secular Carmelite community. Four years later, the community of The Holy Trinity and St. Joseph was canonically erected by Fr. Pascal Pierini OCD who died 27-Apr-07 in San Jose CA.

Today, of the founding members that originally formed this group, we have two who are still active members in an advisory capacity. They are Gladys Snoga and Eugene Janquart. These two were looking for a life of contemplation by following the way of perfection through Carmel. At that time you both, Gladys and Eugene, answered the call of service to the community and to one another.

Thank you, Gladys, for your 49 years of service to our community, from Director of Formation (Novice Master in those days) to Treasurer, in the beginning years. Thank you accepting the position of Librarian, Infirmarian, Councilor, and being in charge of the seminarian fund for the community in your later years.

Gladys was in a Carmelite convent for two years (1955-56), then left to pursue a secular vocation in Carmel. She was clothed in the Discalced Carmelite nuns’ novice habit in Dallas in 1954. She made her profession as a Carmelite Secular on August 19, 1959 in our Houston community. The knowledge and training she acquired during her years in the convent helped to expand the office of Director of Formation during our community’s beginning years. Gladys is a retired nurse.

In Gladys we see the strength of Carmel at work in how she was able to take on any task given to you. In you Gladys, we see the example of the worker of the community. As always, you did an excellent job through your determination and drive to do a job well. It is this gift that helps you, even now, during your retirement years. We see how age may have slowed you down but it does not knock you out. It is the strength of Carmel that helps you to move forward to your new adventure by giving you a way of life. A motto for you - Make Life an Adventure.

Thank you, Eugene, for your 48 years of service to our community. You answered the call of service, be it President, Formation Director, Councilor, and advisor not just once or twice but several times. Your advice, reflections, and communications have been a great service and a building block to this community. Your willingness to share your experiences on the road to perfection has been the life and breath of this community. You are its heart.

Eugene is as sharp as ever. There definitely is no grass growing on his feet. He knew [when I came to take his picture] that something was afoot. He asked if the photograph was for the Houston Chronicle. I promised him that it was not, but did not tell him it was for the Flos Carmeli.

It is through you both, through your service to our community, that we have grown from a seedling of ten members in 1959 to the group we have today: 23 active members in different stages in Carmel. You two are our treasure.

This year, Gladys celebrated her 80^th birthday and has recently moved to a retirement facility in San Antonio in order to be close to her family. Come this June, Eugene will be celebrating his 86th birthday.

Though age with its complications have slowed both of our seniors down a bit, they continue to be with us in community, if not physically, then spiritually. We have been so blessed and thankful to have them with us.

Rebecca Segura, Houston infirmarian

PC Report

REPORT FROM THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

April 2008

As we write this, Easter is just around the corner so we wish everyone in the province a wonderful Easter season. Alleluia! Jesus is Risen!

Communities around the province are holding elections and we pray that those go well. Several of our study groups have requested and been granted permission to hold provisional elections. These are considered provisional because according to the Statutes, the councils of study groups are appointed by the Provincial Delegate. So when one of our study groups holds elections, the ballots are sent to the visitator for counting and then Fr John Michael appoints the council based on the results. We see the ability to hold elections in our study groups as one sign of their growth and movement in the direction of eventual canonical status.

This year, we circle back around and find ourselves making visitations of communities visited three years ago. It is our aim to visit every community at least once every three years. Our study groups are usually visited more often as we work closely with them to develop as a community. Elizabeth visited one of our oldest communities, the Houston – Holy Trinity community at the end of January. Gerald visited Baton Rouge in February where we hope Henrietta Albright, one of our new Provincial Councilors, paid close attention to the process for when she starts making visitations. Pascal visited Jackson at the beginning of March. Part of that visit included some discernment on the part of the community as to whether it was ready to have its canonical privileges reinstated. This has now been approved by the Provincial Council so congratulations to Jackson!

FINALLY, we managed to get Gerald to Topeka for a visitation. We were beginning to think it would take a miracle of God. But then as punishment, upon his return, he was picked for jury duty for a murder trial.

The Houston folks are working hard getting ready for our Congress in September. Remember to sign up and join us!

These next few months will see us turning our attention to handing things off to the new Provincial Council members at the beginning of June. Amelia and Pascal will be handing on our records of the isolates in our province. Nancy and Elizabeth are working putting together materials for a full day of orientation with the new councilors. We hope to be able to have our new Provincial Delegate also join us for that orientation. Elizabeth will be meeting with Father Provincial, Gregory Ross in late April to pass along recommendations from the Provincial Council regarding who should be appointed as our new Provincial Delegate.

Finally, we ask that you do hold all our communities and our friars and nuns in prayer as everyone holds elections this spring. The friars will be holding their Provincial Chapter in San Antonio on May 26-June 6. The OCDS Provincial Council with its new members will have their annual meeting over the weekend of May 31 and meet with the chapter friars on Tuesday, June 3rd.

Provincial Council:
Pascal Alfano, Gerald Alford, Elizabeth Korves, Nancy Thompson, and Amelia Wilken

What should be included in community meeting minutes?
• Date, time meeting convened, place of the meeting
• List of who was in attendance and who was absent
• Brief description (short paragraph) of any talk given
as well as the name of who gave the talk
• Short summary of business part of the meeting
o Any announcements made
o Treasurer's Report
• Current account balance
• Any major financial actions taken in the last month (payments over $50)
o Approval of minutes from last meeting
o Infirmarian's report
o Other reports - i.e. liturgist, librarian, hospitality
• Any assignments for next month, i.e., readings for each formation level, readings for community reading
• Time meeting adjourned

What should be included in the minutes of Council meetings?
• Date, time meeting convened, place of the meeting
• List of who was in attendance and who was absent
• Brief summary of business discussed
• Record of any votes taken - if vote was not unanimous, then there should be some short report of what concerns were raised
• Time meeting ended

It is important to remember that Council meetings often deal with confidential matters, so the minutes need to remain confidential. However, it is also good if the council (through the secretary) provides a brief summary of any non-confidential business to the community. This could be done in the form of the minutes with the confidential parts removed or as a summary report at the next community meeting following the council meeting. Council records are maintained by the secretary.

ads

Carmel Seculars – Bringing Light to the World

15th Regional OCDS Congress
September 11 through September 14, 2008
Houston, Texas

Make plans now to attend the 15th Regional O.C.D.S. Congress, planned for Thursday, Sept. 14, through Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Omni Houston Hotel at Westside, 13210 Katy Freeway in Houston. Registration fee for the congress is $245 per person if the registration is received by May 31. After that date, the fee is $275. The fee includes all meals served at the congress. A registration form follows.

Hotel reservations should be made directly
with the hotel by calling 281 558-8338 or online at http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/HoustonWestside/MeetingFacilities/OrderofCarmelitesDiscalcedSecular9.aspx.

It is necessary to specify identification with the Order of Carmelites Discalced Secular in order to receive the group rate of $94 per night per room (for single, double, triple or quad). It is recommended that reservations be made as soon as possible (and by Aug. 28 to obtain the group rate) in order to arrange for the desired accommodation.

For more information, see the congress Web site, http://www.ocdscongresshouston.com/ , or contact Jeannice Theriot at jeannice.theriot@gmail.com or at 1450 W. Grand Parkway S., Suite G-154, Katy, TX 77494.

Current schedule of congress events

Following is an abbreviated list of scheduled events. See following pages for information about congress speakers.

Thur., Sept. 11 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Registration
5 p.m. Mass and Evening Prayer (Fr John Michael)
6:30 p.m. Reception
7:30 p.m. Keynote address (Fr John Michael Payne)

Frid., Sept. 12
9 a.m. Conference (Dr. Leonard Doohan)
11 a.m. Mass (Cardinal Daniel DiNardo)
1:30 p.m. Conference (Fr Johannes Gorantla)
3:30 p.m. Workshops (Drs. Nancy Thompson, Leonard Doohan)
8 p.m. Conference (Fr Bonaventure Sauer)

Sat., Sept. 13
9 a.m. Conference (Deacon John Pelletier)
11 a.m. Mass (Fr Johannes Gorantla)
1 p.m. Workshops (Elda Maria Estrada, Dr. Susan Muto)
2:45 p.m. Tour of new Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (op.)
7 p.m. Banquet

Sunday, Sept. 14
9 a.m. Conference (Dr. Susan Muto)
11 a.m. Closing Mass (Fr Bonaventure Sauer)

List of Speakers

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
Archbishop of Galveston-Houston

Archbishop DiNardo was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on May 23, 1949. He entered St. Paul Seminary and Duquesne University in 1967-1969. In 1969 he won a Basselin Scholarship for Philosophy studies at the Catholic University of America and there obtained a B.A. and M.A. degree in Philosophy. His theological studies were taken at the North American College, Rome, where he earned the S.T.B. degree at the Gregorian University and the S.T.L degree in Patristics at the Augustinianum. Archbishop DiNardo was ordained a priest on July 16, 1977 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1984 he was named a staff member of the Congregation for Bishops at the Vatican in Rome, Italy where he remained until December 1990. He was named Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City and ordained bishop on October 7, 1997. He became Diocesan Ordinary on November 28, 1998. When Galveston-Houston was designated an archdiocese by Pope John Paul II on December 29, 2004, Bishop DiNardo was also elevated to archbishop coadjutor. He became chief shepherd of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on February 28, 2006. On November 24, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI elevated Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo to the College of Cardinals.

Dr. Leonard Doohan

Dr. Leonard Doohan earned his Master's and Doctorate degrees in Sacred Theology from the Teresianum OCD International College in Rome. He is Professor Emeritus at Gonzaga University where he was a professor of religious studies for 27 years and Dean of the Graduate School for 13 years. He has given over 300 workshops throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. Dr. Doohan has authored 160 articles and 15 books. Among them is The Contemporary Challenge of John of the Cross: An Introduction to His Life and Teaching. His most recent book, Spiritual Leadership: the Quest for Integrity, was published by Paulist Press in 2007. Dr. Doohan's wife, Helen, was also a professor of religious studies at Gonzaga.

Cf. October ’07 Houston Congress post for other speakers

Registration form on congress website

Apostolate Magazine

Order Apostolate of the Little Flower magazine today

Apostolate of the Little Flower magazine serves as the official publication of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower in San Antonio, Texas. In it you will find articles of substance on the life and writings of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, and on Carmelite and Christian spirituality in general, written with the thoughtful reader in mind. It also features short meditative pieces, personal reflections, and poetry, as well as news and photo articles covering events and happenings at the shrine.

We charge no subscription for the Apostolate, offering it free of charge to our friends and benefactors, and of course to all members of the Carmelite family throughout the United States. If you are presently not on our mailing list but would like to be, please notify Ms. Barbara Saenz at the Basilica Restoration Office (at the address or phone number below). You will then be able to receive the Apostolate in the mail.

Since the magazine is wholly dependent for its maintenance on the donations of those who read and value it, we greatly appreciate whatever support you may be able to give us, now or in the future. And we thank you for your prayers. We will do our best to continue to put out a publication both worthy of its subject and valued by its readers.

Apostolate Magazine
Attn.: Barbara Saenz
1111 Culebra Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 734-4002
Or visit us online at http://www.littleflowerbasilica.org/

R.I.P.

Charles Braun
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community

Charles Harold "Tille" Braun, 88, of Biloxi, Miss., died Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, in Biloxi. Mr. Braun was a native and lifelong resident of Biloxi. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps and retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Holy Name Society, St. Vincent de Paul Society, where he served as treasurer and president, and was a founding member of the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy.

Mr. Braun was preceded in death by his wife, Billye Martha Price Braun, and his parents, Charles and Augusta Braun. Survivors include three daughters, Claudia Jane Braun and Cathy Braun Jasinski of Biloxi, and Carolyn Braun Murphy of Pearland, Texas; a son, Charles H. Braun Jr. and wife, Lou, of Sugarland, Texas; two sisters, Margaret Hartmann and Janet Braun of Biloxi; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charles made his profession as a Discalced Carmelite Secular in April 1981. He served as president of the Mississippi Gulf Coast community for several terms and was treasurer from 2002 to 2005. Due to health problems he was inactive the last three years. Charles's warm and friendly way was an asset to the community, and the community stayed in touch with him until the week before he died. He was very dear to all the members and will be missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 11 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs. Interment followed in Biloxi City Cemetery. His family asks that donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy in Biloxi.

Soledad Villadiego
Community of St. Joseph, St. Louis

Soledad Villadiego, Soledad of the Blessed Mother, died Jan. 17, 2008, in San Francisco. Soledad, who was from the Philippines, came to our community in November 1984 and began her formation in December 1985. She made her First Promise in October 1987, and Definitive in 1991. Soledad returned to the Philippines to live with one of her children as she advanced in age and then moved to San Francisco to live with another. Soledad was a most pleasant friend to the community, a smiling and gentle soul who will be missed. [14]

Esther Schmitt
Community of St. Joseph, St. Louis

Esther Schmitt, Francis of Jesus Mary, was born March 5, 1927 and died April 2, 2008. Esther entered the community in July 1975 and began formation in Sept. 1977, making her First Promise Nov. 21, 1982 and her Final Promise in 1983. Esther struggled with illness much of her time in Carmel, moving with her husband to Houston last year to be closer to her family. She suffered from a blood disease sometimes diagnosed as leukemia, but sometimes she was told it was not leukemia. She always had a smile and a delightful personality no matter the effects of the illness. She was characterized as "a simple soul" and one who radiated a sense of love and gentleness wherever she was. May she be enjoying the presence and love Beloved for all eternity.