the OCDS view

First OCDS Congress

2011-11-17T16:04:00.023-06:00

We celebrated our 21st Regional OCDS Congress in Lafayette this past June [right]. I thought it might be interesting to go back fifty-nine years to see how this whole thing began. The guiding force behind the beginning of Regional Congresses was Father Felix DaPrato, who was appointed our Province’s first provincial delegate to the “Third Order”, as it was called back then. He was called the “Director” of the Third Order actually, but Felix preferred the title Provincial Delegate (minus the delegate part which he would conveniently leave off), introducing himself as “the Provincial” of the Third Order.

The real Provincial was Fr. Evarist Foix who was elected to that office in 1951. Evarist had been instrumental in establishing the Secular Order in Oklahoma City, and as soon as Evarist appointed Felix prior of Marylake, Felix organized the Secular Order in Little Rock with the help of Father Charles McGinnis who was stationed in Benton, Marylake’s nearest parish to the west.

The province was not that big at the time. We had Secular Order chapters in Oklahoma City; Dallas & San Antonio in Texas; St Louis, New Orleans, Shreveport and Lafayette in Louisiana; Jackson in Mississippi; and Little Rock in Arkansas. Some members attended the congress from Chicago, but I doubt Felix went so far as to consider Chicago part of his province.

The congress was planned for October at the newly christened monastery of Marylake. The general assemblies and liturgies were held in the monastery’s large chapel. The smaller gatherings of panel discussions were held, and the religious articles shop was set up, in Dr. Brinkley’s Administration building, now known as the Marion House. The original plan was to have the congress on the first weekend of October, but it was later moved forward to October 10-12. Priests in attendance were Fr. Bartholomew Soler,[right] Spiritual Director (as Assistants were called back then) for Dallas’ Guadalupe chapter; Fr. Josiah J. Chatham for Jackson’s chapter; Fr. Pascal Pierini for Dallas’ English speaking chapter; Fr. Albert F. Danter for St. Louis, Fr. Charles S. Diamond for Little Rock and Fr. Elias Gieseke for Oklahoma City’s chapter. The change of dates was difficult for Father Elias as three students in his house of Studies were ordained on that weekend. Two bishops attended: Fr. Albert Fletcher, bishop of Little Rock; and Richard Gerow, bishop of Natchez.

Fr. Felix describes the “official delegates” to the Congress: “The delegates for each Chapter are the Spiritual Director, the Prior or Prioress, and a member chosen by the Chapter or the Spiritual Director.” [LFM, Aug ’52, p. 14] In addition to the official delegates, “This Congress is open to all members of the Third Order.” [LFM, Oct ’52, p. 14] Seventy-four persons signed the register. The attendance was divided as follows: Jackson, Miss. honored us with its Bishop. The other Jackson delegate was the life of the Congress, Rev. Fr. J.G. Chatham. Other Chapters represented, in their alphabetical order, were: Chicago, 7; Dallas 10; Lafayette, La., 1; Oklahoma City, 8; New Orleans, 5; St. Louis, 9; San Antonio, 2; Shreveport, 6; the host chapter, Little Rock, 35. [LFM, Dec ’52, p. 14]

Friday

The congregants arrived at Marylake Friday afternoon. Registration for the congress took place on Marylake’s back porch and had been scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Bishop Fletcher of Little Rock and Father Felix were there to welcome the members of our order as they arrived.

BISHOP GEROW OPENS CONGRESS

Very Reverend Father Felix, O.C.D., Director of the Third Order and Prior of Marylake, gave a hearty welcome to the Tertiaries who assembled in the Chapel at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 10, in the presence of His Excellency, the Most Reverend Albert L. Fletcher, D.D., Bishop of Little Rock. Fr. Felix, the human dynamo behind the Congress, expressed deep satisfaction at the attendance.

He then introduced our distinguished Tertiary, His Excellency, the Most Rev. Richard O. Gerow of Natchez [left], who gave the keynote address: "Mary and Carmel in World Peace." Throughout this inspiring talk, the Bishop stressed humility --self-distrust and dependence on God as the key to obtaining the full measure of God's grace in this Congress. He showed how souls who are not called to the religious life can do as much as religious for the glory of God by making their daily sacrifices trusting in Mary, and then offer them to God in the same way as religious do. Souls in the world can learn to honor Mary by remembering how Christ Himself honored His Mother, and they can also imitate Her and thus obtain the same peace of soul that was Hers.

Saturday
Saturday was the feast of the Maternity of Mary. First thing on the schedule was a Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Bishop Fletcher on Saturday, October 11, at 9:00 a.m. Rev. Albert F. Danter, T.O.C.D., of St. Louis, was Deacon, and Rev. John T. Mulligan of St. John's Seminary [right], Little Rock, was Subdeacon. Rev. Josiah J. Chatham, T.O.C.D. [left of bishop], Judge of the Matrimonial Court of the Diocese of Natchez, Miss., and Director of the Third Order Chapter there, was Archpriest. Deacons of Honor were Frs. Simon, O.C.D., of Marylake, and Bartholomew, O.C.D., Director of the Chapter at Guadalupe Mission in Dallas.

A series of beautiful talks for this Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin was opened with the sermon at the Mass: "Mary, the Mother of God," preached by Fr. Danter [right]. His theme was, "Thy Motherhood, 0 Virgin Mother of God, has brought joy to the whole world." He traced the origin of this feast to a fifth century attack of Satan on Mary. The heretic Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople, taught that there were two persons in Christ, and that Mary was mother of the human person only. Cyril, ‘Carmelite Bishop’ of Alexandria, defended Mary's motherhood of God. Failing to get Nestorius to retract, Cyril wrote to Pope Celestine. As a result the Council of Ephesus was held and the heresy condemned. Fifteen hundred years later, Father Danter continued, Pius XI commemorated the Council of Ephesus in an Encyclical letter and instituted the Feast of the Maternity in which the Church marvels at the mystery by which Jesus, Whom the heavens cannot contain, shut Himself up in Mary's womb. The refreshing talk closed, as it had opened, on a note of spiritual joy over Mary's motherhood, the beginning of our salvation.

The St. Louis community led a panel discussion in the Administration building after the Pontifical Mass. Then after a picnic lunch, Very Rev. Fr. Elias, O.C.D., Director of the chapter in Oklahoma City [right], gave a conference in the big chapel at 1:30 pm. Father Elias is Prior of the Little Flower Shrine in Oklahoma City.

His theme was "Mary, Mother of Man." Father missed the ordination to the priesthood of three Carmelite students of his monastery, held that day in Oklahoma City, in order to be present here for the Secular Order.

"GOD'S PERSONAL TROUBLE-SHOOTER"

He spoke forcefully and with realism of world conditions today and of our complacency in the face of catastrophe. We must stop straddling the fence and choose as our leader Mary, mother of man, God's own personal trouble-shooter, and so convert Russia. He urged that it is only logical to use Mary against the diabolical forces attempting to destroy humanity, as God has used her from the beginning.

Let us destroy the leader of hell, said Father Elias, through Mary's simple prescription --prayer and penance. Unless we turn to Mary, we will need no enemy to destroy us: we will destroy ourselves. She will be the mother of all men to the end, and her brown scapular is the loving arms of a mother around us.

In spite of the lofty spiritual content of the Congress, a note of true Carmelite gaiety was evident and a down-to-earth quality that argued for the well-balanced personalities of Tertiaries. Around noon, everyone took time out for a wholesome hot lunch which was served outdoors, picnic style. [left]

After Father Elias’ conference a panel discussion led by Mr. Jack Nowery, of the Shreveport Chapter. The Resolutions committee met after that at 3:30 p.m. Mr. Callahan, of Dallas Chapter, presided. Miss Virginia Dellitt of Dallas was Chair-person of the Resolutions Committee which consisted of one member from each Chapter: Rev. Josiah George Chatham (Jackson), Mrs. Rosemary Smith (Little Rock), Mrs. Charlotte Wiest (Oklahoma City), Hubert Mayeux (Shreveport), Miss Dorothy Walker (New Orleans), Leo P. Champagne (Lafayette), John F. Klohr (St. Louis), Dr. H. R. Casolary (Chicago), Miss Carmen Chalkley (San Antonio) & Mrs. Mamie Hall (Dallas).

Other features of the Congress enjoyed by Tertiaries were the singing of Terce in the Chapel by members of the First Order, and in the evening after Benediction the beautiful chanting of the Salve Regina. Between events, Tertiaries strolled through the picturesque grounds of Marylake.

A religious articles shop was set up in the administration building by Mr. Richard Noll, T.O.C.D., of Little Rock. Fr. Bartholomew and Secular Order members are shown here [above] browsing among the articles and literature displayed there.

The final conference of the day was given by Father Pascal Pierini from Mt. Carmel, our minor seminary in Dallas. Father is the Assistant for the chapter that meets there on West Davis Street. Fr. Pascal is Choir Director the Seminary and also organist for the Congress. He completed the day’s series of talks on Mary.

A VITAL MESSAGE

The final talk on the Maternity, “Mary, Mother of Carmel," was preached at 5:00 p.m. by Father Pascal. [left] His message was a vital one for the Tertiaries as he explained that the mother of Carmel is the mother of Carmelite spirituality, our goal. Mount Carmel, he said, is the symbol of the heights of spirituality to which all Carmelites are called --a spirituality dating back to Elias and stressing the indwelling of the Holy Trinity in the soul and, what goes with this doctrine, especially exterior and interior silence. Mary is the one who introduces us into this life of high perfection. It is false humility to turn away. If Carmelites do not aspire to the heights, they hurt Mary, the flower and Queen of Carmel. .

Saturday ended with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. After a full and perfect day, all drove back to Little Rock, quite ready for a night's rest. Meanwhile the two bishops joined the Carmelite community of Marylake in the refectory for supper. [right] Behind the as yet uncurtained doors you can get a small glimpse of the cloister interior. Brother Victor had divided the area into individual plywood cells with a corridor running along the refectory doors.

Sunday

Sunday began at 8:00 a.m. with a Panel Discussion led by the New Orleans Chapter Tertaries. This gave Father Provincial time to rest before presiding at the 10:00 O’Clock solemn high Mass. Fr. Evarist had been in Oklahoma City for the ordinations of Fathers Justin Kellick, Edward Diaz, and George Curtsinger. On Saturday after the ordinations, Father took the night train to Arkansas in order to get to Little Rock in time to celebrate the last Mass of the Congress. Frs. Elias, Felix & Patrick form the choir behind the organ. Novice Joseph Neilson is partially visible to the left. The talks on this final day of the Congress all centered around Carmel and filled the Tertiaries with a new appreciation of their glorious heritage in this ancient Order.

Tertiary priests assisted Father Provincial at the Mass. Frs. Danter & Chatham had faithfully attended every exercise. Fr. J. Marion Jorda, T.O.C.D., of New Orleans preached the sermon.

CARMEL'S CRUSADE

Opening the Sunday series on Carmel's spirit, the opening talk was given by Father Francis, O.C.D. [left], Editor of the Little Flower magazine. He preached on "Carmel's History," and covered the long span of twenty-eight hundred years at the rate of a hundred years a minute, to use his phrase, from the days of Elias, the founder of the Order, to the present. The text for this comprehensive talk was: "I have brought you into the land of Carmel that you may eat the fruit thereof." Father Francis demonstrated how the saints of Carmel have struggled in heroic fashion throughout our history, and how the whole life of Carmel is a life of giving. Elias, strengthened "by prayer and penance, faced Ahab and later obtained the needed rain --a symbol of grace poured on men through Mary. Imitating him, and made strong by our Carmelite way of life, we can courageously face the world and draw down grace upon it.

Cyril, the great Carmelite patriarch, standing against Nestorius, was responsible for the addition of the words, "Mother of God," to the Hail Mary. The Crusaders came to Palestine and since that time every Carmelite saint has been a Crusader. Father Francis briefly traced the history of Carmel in the West, beginning with St. Simon Stock who received the brown scapular from Mary and organized the Order throughout Europe. It was Blessed John Soreth who secured the approval of the Pope for the Tertiary Rule on October 7, 1452. St. Teresa of Avila, the mother of Discalced Carmelites, was described as "a manly Crusader," --the greatest of all times-- who campaigned not against the Calced Carmelites, but rather for a spirituality of a higher order. Touching also on St. John of the Cross and Therese of Lisieux, Father Francis brought his challenging sermon to a close with a plea to Tertiaries, whom Mary has brought into the land of Carmel, to give away the fruits found there.

"RELAX IN THE ARMS OF GOD"

"Carmel's Spirit of Prayer and Penance" was the subject of a talk at 2:00 p.m. Sunday by Father Charles McGinnis, T.0.C.D., of Benton, Ark. With the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for men as backdrop, he stressed the mercy of God which made prayer and penance easy for the saints. Tertiaries were urged to relax in the arms of God Who asks of us love, the greatest gift, and sacrifice as proof of love. Love grows through sacrifice, said Father McGinnis, and dies without sacrifice. Carmelites should take the attitude of the publican and say, "0 God be merciful to me a sinner." Love is founded on humility. [29]

A PROFUNDLY MOVING CLOSE

At 4:30 p. m. Father Felix gave the Papal Blessing and a stirring talk in which he further developed the Carmelite ideal of a life of prayer and penance, saying that our aim is to reach perfection according to the spirit of the Order and under its guidance. "The best" that Tertiaries will find in Carmel, said Father Felix, is Mary whom we must study, love and imitate. Prayer must be the great thing in this imitation, but you cannot pray unless you do penance, and this should be both interior and exterior, the penance proper to Carmel, according to one's state of life. In a profoundly moving close, Father Felix told his Tertiaries that if they follow this ideal, their influence will be felt in the world. He asked everyone present to beg God humbly that the Congress would leave so deep an impression on their souls that it will last for all eternity.

Schedule

FIRST IN THE SOUTHWEST
TERTIARY CONGRESS
October 10, 11, 12

The Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Comes to Marylake
To imbibe the Carmelite Spirit

MARYLAKE, Saline Co., Ark. (P.O. Address: Hensley, Ark.) Tel: Little Rock 5-9845

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10

4:30 p. m. Registration
5 :00 p. m. Keynote address: His Excellency, Most Rev. Richard O.
Gerow, Bishop of Natchez

“Mary and Carmel in World Peace"

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

FEAST OF THE MATERNITY OF OUR LADY

9:00 a. m. Pontifical High Mass His Excellency, Most Rev. Albert L.
Fletcher, Bishop of Little Rock
Sermon: Rev. Albert F. Danter, T.O.C.D., of St. Louis

“Mary, the Mother of God"

11:30 a. m. Panel Discussion: St. Louis Chapter Tertiaries
12:00 noon Lunch

The Purpose and Scope of the Congress

1:30 p. m. Conference: Very Rev. Fr. Elias, O.C.D.,
Prior Little Flower Shrine, Oklahoma City

“Mary, the Mother of Men"

2:30 p.m. Panel Discussion Mr. Jack Nowery,
of Shreveport Chapter, presiding

Membership and Library Problems

4:00 pm Resolutions Mr. Callahan, of Dallas Chapter, presiding
(Resolutions committee consists of one member from each Chapter)

5:00 p.m. Conference Rev. Fr. Pascal, O.C.D.,
of Mount Carmel Seminary, Dallas

“Mary, the Mother of Carmel"

Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12

8:00 a. m. Panel Discussion: New Orleans Chapter Tertaries

10:00 a. m. High Mass Very Rev. Fr. Evarist Foix, O.C.D., Provincial
Sermon: Rev. J. Marion Jorda, T.O.C.D., of New Orleans

12:00 noon Lunch

“Carmel's History"

1:30 p. m. Conference: Fr. Francis Bacon, O.C.D.

“Carmel’s Spirit of Prayer and Penance”

3:00 p.m. panel discussion: Mr. Edward L. Wright,
of Little Rock Chapter, presiding

“History of Carmel in America”

4:00 p.m. Conference Rev. Charles S. Diamond, Spiritual Director,
Little Rock Chapter

“Effect of Carmel on the World"

Concluding address and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament
His Excellency, Most Rev. Albert L. Fletcher, Bishop of Little Rock

Panel Discussions
The Life of a Tertiary and How to Live It

Account of the four Panel Discussions held during Marylake’s Tertiary Congress, taken from Miss Audrey Meyer’s report.

DISCUSSION WAS enlivened in all the panel meetings when the president of the first panel, Mr. Oliver L. Parks, Prior of the St. Louis Chapter, set the precedent of calling on a member of each Chapter present to give an opinion on the question proposed. This first panel, held on Saturday morning, was akin to a business meeting. It was decided that all Tertiaries present would have the right to vote in these meetings. The members voted to hold congresses biennially, the next to be at Marylake in 1954. The theme will be: "Prayer in the life of a Tertiary."

"Membership and Library Problems" was the topic for the afternoon panel, with Mr. Jack Nowery of the Shreveport Chapter presiding. The discussion on membership was extremely lively and revealed that high standards are upheld by the various Chapters in securing new Tertiaries. Father Josiah Chatham, T.O.C.D., Spiritual Director of the Jackson Chapter, who showed throughout all panels an unusual grasp on Tertiary problems, was a guiding light and whenever the least confusion was evident, entered into the discussion and clarified the atmosphere. It was brought out that quality is indispensable in Discalced Carmelite Tertiaries, who embrace a life which is the closest approach to the religious state to be found outside of monasteries and which offers the Tertiary the opportunity to sanctify himself in his own state of life by means of the vows and the life of prayer. By "quality" a spiritual earnestness and ardor was implied.

Each Chapter reported methods for securing new members, already tested. In addition to the personal contact emphasized by many groups, the following methods were reported: Little Rock makes use of distribution of books, book reviews, talks on Carmel, slides and movies. At Dallas prospects are chosen from those who attend Mass daily or are engaged in Catholic Action. In Chicago a special effort is made to get the clergy into the Third Order; the fact that we are the "Order of Mary" is highlighted; and the support of the Bishop and the Catholic press is solicited. Shreveport emphasized the angle of personal example --radiation. In St. Louis it has been found that the local monastery is a focal point for enlisting new recruits especially in connection with the yearly public novena of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in July.

Bishop Fletcher wears his "cappa magna" at opening of Congress.

Fr. Chatham emphasized the need of publicity and high ideals. He exhorted us to use anything as an excuse to publicize the Third Order and to aim at front page publicity. We must give readers the comprehensive view, pointing out that our Third Order offers 1. the closest approach to the religious state to be found outside of monasteries; and 2. the opportunity to sanctify your personal state of life by means of the vows and the life of prayer. Father Chatham urged us not to encourage anyone to seek membership in Carmel who asks for dispensation from more than one major rule. This is a vocation and it is better not to grow than to play down the Carmelite spirit of penance.

Father Felix endorsed this statement adding that Carmel without penance is a fake, and that our goal should be the "Nada" of St. John of the Cross, that self must shrink to nothing. He asked all Chapters to encourage colored people to come in stating that anyone who does not welcome them should not be a Tertiary. He stated his preference for personal contact as the means of securing new members in most cases.

Two panel discussions were held on Sunday. The first one began at 9:00 a.m. on "Tertiary Problems," with Mr. Alfred Williams, Prior of the New Orleans Chapter presiding. Miss Mary Mugnier, also of New Orleans, read a stimulating paper on problems encountered by Tertiaries in performing their many duties. The discussion centered mainly around prayer and the topic was considered so important that, at the motion of Mr. Edward L. Wright, Prior of the Little Rock Chapter it was continued at the time set for the afternoon panel, over which he was to have presided.

Mr. Edward L. Wright, Prior of Little Rock Chapter, and a distinguished attorney, wears his Tertiary Scapular as he makes a point during a panel discussion.

The main problem disclosed was a shortage of time in the lives of busy Tertiaries, and the solution proposed was early rising for the recitation of the Office and for mental prayer before Mass, unless some other arrangement could be worked out. Father Felix stated that it is customary grant a partial dispensation to new novices in the recitation of the Little Office, until they become adjusted to it. It was brought out that the scapular, seven by ten inches, should be worn at all times, even during surgery if possible, and that a small scapular should be worn while bathing.

Congress participants gather on porch of Marylake after Mass for group picture, immediately after the Pontifical Mass

Resolutions
Tertiaries Look to the Future

Report of the Resolutions Committee of the First Congress of the Third Order of Mount Carmel in the Southwest, held at Marylake, Ark., October 10, 11 and 12.

The Resolutions Committee met in the administration Building of Marylake at 3: 30 P.M. on October 11, 1952, and all of the members of the Committee were present. The Committee discussed a number of topics for one and one-half hours, and as the result unanimously recommends the adoption of the resolutions which follow.

I. BE IT RESOLVED That our gratitude for the Congress and their participation in it be expressed to His Excellency, Most Rev. Albert L. Fletcher, Bishop of Little Rock; His Excellency, Most Rev. Richard O. Gerow, Bishop of Natchez; Very Rev. Fr. Evarist V. Foix, O.C.D., Provincial of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers of the Southwest Province; Rt. Rev. James E. O'Connell, Rector of St. John's Home Mission Seminary of Little Rock, Rev. Atbert F. Danter, T.O.C.D.; Very Rev. Fr. Elias Geiseke, O.C.D.; Rev. Fr. Pascal Pierini, O.C.D.; Rev. Fr. Francis Bacon, O.C.D.; Rev. N. Charles McGinnis, T.O.C.D.; Rev. Josiah George Chatham, T.O.C.D.; and Rev. Charles S. Diamond. The time and the occasion do not permit us to give adequate expression of thanks to each of the foregoing, but their respective contributions to the First Congress of the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Southwest Province will long remain in our memories and our prayers.

II
BE IT RESOLVED That the next meeting of the Tertiary Congress of the Southwest Province be held in 1954 at Marylake and that the theme thereof be "Prayer in the Life of a Tertiary."

III
BE IT RESOLVED That each Tertiary Chapter be encouraged to buy a minimum of one Carmelite book each month for the respective chapter libraries.

IV
BE IT RESOLVED That a Tertiary Planning Committee for the Southwest Province be constituted. Each chapter shall select one member of the Committee and shall certify his or her name to the Provincial Director of the Third Order as soon as the selection has been made. The Planning Committee will serve as an originating and coordinating unit for the respective chapters between the meetings of the Congress, and will aid the Provincial Director in the formulation and projection of plans for future Congresses.

V
BE IT RESOLVED That the officers of the respective chapters be requested to urge each Tertiary to subscribe to and read carefully The Little Flower Magazine) published by the Carmelite Fathers of the Southwest Province at 1125 South Walker Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. [21]

VI
BE IT RESOLVED That our expression of sincere appreciation be extended to our host chapter of Little Rock, and especially to the members thereof who worked faithfully and efficiently in the handling of s~cretarial, transportiltion and housing matters. All who attended the Congress enjoyed the thought and work in the planning and execution of our many requirements.

VII
BE IT RESOLVED That our affectionate recognition be given to our beloved Provincial Director of the Third Order, Very Rev. Fr. Felix Da Prato, O.C.D., Prior of Marylake Novitiate, as the person who conceived, planned, brought into being and shepherded our first Congress. If we were to attempt to capture in written words our feelings of gratitude for his constant guidance and thought in our behalf, we would produce a document of both great length and inadequate expression. Individually and collectively, we are humbly grateful for all that he has done and is doing for us. And to his band of Carmelites at Marylake we are particularly appreciative for all they have contributed to our edification and comfort.

VIII
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a copy of the resolutions adopted at this Congress be sent to each person therein mentioned and to each Tertiary chapter.

Miss. Virginia Dellitt (Dallas)
Chairman, Resolutions Committee

Rev. Josiah George Chatham (Jackson)
Mrs. Rosemary Smith (Little Rock)
Mrs. Charlotte Wiest (Oklahoma City)
Hubert Mayeux (Shreveport)
Miss Dorothy Walker (New Orleans)
Leo P. Champagne (Lafayette)
John F. Klohr (St. Louis)
Dr. H. R. Casolary (Chicago)
Miss Carmen Chalkley (San Antonio)
Mrs. Mamie Hall (Dallas)

Members, Resolutions Committee

These resolutions were adopted at a meeting held Sunday, October 12, 1952, in the Administration Building at Marylake.

Tertiaries of Carmel in the Southwest

First Congress of the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Southwest, Marylake, Arkansas, October 1952.

Most Rev. Albert L. Fletcher, D.D., Bishop of Little Rock, sings solemn Pontifical Mass Saturday in Marylake's chapel. Carmelite religious form the choir behind the altar.

Houston Congress 08

2008-09-20T18:50:00.003-05:00

For the first time in the history of OCDS Congresses in the USA, we had to cancel our congress at the last minute due to the approach of Hurricane Ike which entered Houston as a category 2 early Saturday morning September 13^th. The Congress was scheduled to begin Thursday evening. That was 9/11. And the hurricane hit Friday night. This was very close to a Friday the 13^th. Because word of the cancellation of the Houston Congress in Houston was too late to reach those on the west coast who had already boarded their planes, our little group consisted mostly of OCDS from that province. I had flown in a day early to have time to settle in and prepare my keynote address which had been scheduled for Thursday evening. I joined the Congress Committee in the lobby Thursday afternoon as our guests checked in. Jeannice Theriot, the Congress chairperson, explains to the arriving guests the Congress has been canceled. Rosemary Ludwig from our western province looks on. All were disappointed to hear we had canceled the Congress. Elizabeth Korves and Fr. Bonaventure check the progress of the hurricane at the hotel lobby's registration desk as Chris Wood tracks Ike on his laptop. The hotel staff called us together Friday morning in the ballroom where most of our Congress activities were to be held.

Since this hotel was basically a big glass box the architectural engineer explained to us the construction of the building in which we would be riding out the storm. It was a steel frame that held the glass wall panels. The rubber gaskets would probably leak water since the rain would not be coming down as normal but sideways. The glass would shake but should not break unless hit directly by loose debris. The architectural engineer is the guy up front in the white shirt. The hotel manager is in front of the blue screen. The TV stations had been warning people all day to secure all their outdoor possessions. We did not want someone’s Bar-B-Q grill to come crashing into our hotel room. The hurricane would plow through Houston between 2:00 to 9:00am that night. We were welcome to spend the night in the ballroom which was our evacuation place as it was the only place in the hotel that did not have an outside glass wall. Our Philippino group set up “Camp Carmel” in one corner. I decided to ride it out in my room, but made plans to grab my pillow and thick comforter off the bed and join them in case the alarm sounded and we had to evacuate.

In addition to being a glass building in which we’d be riding out this storm, another fear was a stream of water that ran through the lobby. The engineer explained that they could close off our interior ‘river’ from the outside, which was fortunate, because the outside flooding would have flooded our lobby.

I woke around two that night to hear the wind battering our walls. We lost power after about 30 minutes of that battering. I knew when we lost power because I was charging my cell phone and it beeps when the electricity is removed. The hotel had a generator, but it only lit emergency lights so we could make our way down the staircases and into the ballroom, plus one elevator to take wheelchair guests from the 2^nd floor to the lobby area. We were warned not to go all the way down the staircase to the ground floor, or we would end up outside and that was a place we did not want to be in the middle of a hurricane. The hotel staff would be stationed on the 2^nd floor to lead us down to the ballroom which would have electricity but no air conditioning. “This will not be a comfortable place to be,” the hotel manager had told us at the morning briefing. Port-O-Potties were set up behind a wall of the ballroom. I took the advice of a more seasoned guest, and took a bath the night before the storm hit, then left the water in the tub so I had water with which to flush my toilet the next day. Everyone else was hauling water in their trash cans from the lobby goldfish pond the next morning up to their rooms. Here the hotel employees are taking the water from the pond for the guests to use.

Around three in the morning, an unexpected thing happened. Instead of the alarm I expected to hear which meant I’d have to evacuate my room, the electricity came back on. This hotel had underground electric power lines, and once the local substation’s fuses were re-set, we returned to full power, A\C and all. We became at that point a little oasis in the city of Houston where millions were without electricity for four weeks. We did lose water the next morning when everything drained from the local water tower, but the city got that pump up and running in less than 12 hours. As the water system had been compromised by the storm, we were advised to boil any tap water we used to drink or cook, but the main blessing was being able to flush our commodes. Here's Fr. Bonaventure and I after Mass on Saturday morning. The hurricane is now on it's way out of Houston. You can see the flood waters outside.

The wind had died down by 8:00 am when I left my room to have breakfast and survey the scene outside my room. No glass wall had been breached, not even on the side that got hit the hardest. One skylight blew off, so there were tarps all over the lobby eating area. Meals were served in the ballroom for the rest of our stay. We had a small leak from the roof over our Mass room. As sacristan, I carefully placed the finger bowl to catch those drips. The stream outside had risen above our lobby floor level, but with the floodgates closed, our lobby floor remained dry.

Fr. Bonaventure, our new Provincial Delegate, said Mass for us that morning at 11:00am which was the time the Cardinal was supposed to have said our Congress Mass. I was principal celebrant Sunday and we rotated for the rest of our stay. Bonaventure delivered his conference on the Evangelical Counsels Thursday evening. Our little group gathered in this photo for his talk. Linda Klotz (behind the two men in the first row) and Clarence Landry (front right) both took off for home (New Orleans and Baton Rouge) the next morning to escape Ike. I delivered my keynote address on Friday. The real hero of the Congress was our Provincial Council president Elizabeth Korves, who could have gotten out of Houston Friday, but stayed with us and organized what we called our mini-congress for the twenty-five stranded OCDS, mostly from the California province. She saw to it that we gathered each day for the Divine Office, Mass, and conferences. She gave a conference on the history of the OCDS, and Bonaventure gave a second conference on a poetic translation he had made of John of the Cross’ Spiritual Canticle. We also had lots of discussion sessions on various aspects of our life in Carmel.

Both Houston airports suffered structural damage, and remained closed for the days we were supposed to fly out. The Omni hotel was most gracious to us in extending our congress rates for the extra days and feeding us at no cost for the remainder of our stay. We remain grateful to the Congress Committee, esp. Jeannice Theriot and Chris Wood who took time out from their own family disasters to see to our needs. I got out of Houston Monday morning with the help of Fr. Bonaventure who drove me to Lafayette where I spent the rest of the week with our nuns before returning home (through the re-opened Houston airport). The final photo was taken by Elizabeth Korves who sent the caption: "Here it is. Evidence that Bonaventure wasn't the least worried about the impending storm." But I noticed the picture was taken Sunday morning as he prepared for our last Mass before leaving. We had enough gas to make it to Lake Charles Louisiana where electricity had been restored and we could fill up with gas. The few stations who had generators along Interstate 10 on that journey, had cars lined up for blocks to get gas. The incoming lanes were lined with Electric Company trucks carrying into the city what we call “cherry pickers”, utility poles, hole diggers, and generators. Road crews had pushed debris off the Interstate Sunday. It was somewhat like driving through Dante’s inferno.

Provincial delegate's report

2008-07-24T22:10:00.006-05:00

Introducing Father Bonaventure, new Provincial Delegate

--by Father Bonaventure Sauer, O.C.D.

I was born on Dec. 12, 1953, and grew up in Decatur, Ill., the second of five brothers and sisters. [Family photo with Dad and Mom in 1965 on left; High School photo on right] After graduating from the U. of Illinois with a degree in English Lit, I moved to Denver. While there, and after a few years on my own, I decided to continue with my education and got a Masters of Theology in Scripture from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver (a seminary and graduate school attached to the U. of Denver). Scripture seemed a good meeting point between literature and theology. My plan at the time was to pursue an academic career in service of the church. [In his early college years at right]

During the course of my studies, though, I began to think seriously —having toyed with the idea earlier— of a vocation to religious life. I felt inclined towards the mendicant orders, more so than to the monastic orders or to any one of the many missionary or apostolic congregations. Being an admirer of St. John of the Cross, I looked into the Discalced Carmelites and felt an immediate draw. At this time [in 1984], Colorado was geographically part of the Oklahoma Province. So, when I did apply and was accepted, it was to this province, in the Southwest, despite the fact that I'm a Midwesterner, and always will be.

I entered the postulancy, then, in January 1985, and made first profession in July 1986. I completed my studies for ordination in San Antonio at the Oblate School of Theology and made final profession in August 1991. After that I was sent to complete the yearlong program of study in Carmelite spirituality at the Sanjuanist-Teresian Center in Avila, Spain, being ordained after my return, in December 1992.

Since completing formation [photo as a novice] I have lived in New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Marylake —our monastery outside Little Rock— and San Antonio. I'm one of the friars of the province who have moved around a lot. Also, I've held a number of different assignments —student director, faculty member at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, vicar to the Carmelite nuns of the province, Provincial, superior at Marylake, parochial vicar in San Antonio, editor of the Apostolate magazine. With only the last of these assignments, editor of the Apostolate magazine, have I been allowed to continue beyond three years. Having served as editor this past triennium, from 2005 to 2008, I have been asked to continue in that capacity this coming triennium.

While I have worked with the Secular Order before, it has been only in a limited way. Taking on the position of delegate to the Secular Order of our province sets out before me a pretty steep learning curve, especially over this first year or so, as I find my way into the work. You see, I don't really know what I' m doing. But it is an exciting time to be involved with the Secular Order since, in a manner of speaking, the vocation has come into its own within the order as perhaps never before. Thus, I am looking forward to this new assignment.

You have in place your own structures of governance, administration, formation, community, and accountability within and to the order. I would see my role mostly in terms of ministry, then. What are your needs in seeking to live out your vocation ever more richly and fully? That is the question I'll constantly be asking. And how can I, working with the friars, your own provincial council, and your various communities with their own resources, best respond to meet those needs? That, of course, is the next question.

It will be challenging, I'm sure. But as I said, I'm looking forward to it, as also to getting to know you better, and to doing what I can to help all of you feel that the order is giving you what you need to be faithful to your vocation. Pray for me, as I do for you.

Father Bonaventure

In need of car

Father Bonaventure needs a car for his duties as O.C.D.S. Provincial Delegate. If you know of anyone who might be willing to donate a reliable used car that gets decent gas mileage, please contact Father Gregory at provincial@carmelitesok.org

Secretary's letter

2008-07-24T22:04:00.003-05:00

Letter from Pat Darby
Provincial Secretary for the Central Jurisdiction
2008-2011 Term

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our new councils are in place, and in this edition there is the OCDS Provincial Directory to help acquaint you with all of them.

Included in the Directory, are the new members of the Provincial Council, those returning, as well as our newly re-elected, President, Elizabeth Korves.

Also, we welcome our new Provincial Delegate Fr. Bonaventure Sauer, OCD, who comes to his new responsibility with new ideas and a fresh beginning.

Let us ask God to send the Holy Spirit into our Province and bless this term of 2008-2011 with new vocations, especially to the First Order, and harmony and gratitude that we have all been blessed with this holy vocation to Carmelite spirituality.

We ask this through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Patroness of our Order.

I thank those communities who promptly sent in their information on their new councils, their annual dues, and included their rosters.

There are still some subscribers who have not as yet sent in their annual fees, so with the newsletter, we will include a friendly "Did you forget?"

I understand some members have been unable to reach me through my AOL email
address, so I am including another address that you may use, if you have trouble with
AOL. Someday I'm going to leave those people!!

My Regular Email Address is:
jmjtj33@aol.com and the alternate is: darby3366@yahoo.com

also, please feel free to call me @ 214-495-0597
Address: 315 N. Greenville Ave., #1214 Allen, TX 75002-9146

15th REGIONAL OCDS CONGRESS

Carmelite Seculars - Bringing Light to the World
September 11 through September 14, 2008
Houston, TX

For Information and Questions jeannice.theriot@gmail.com

Here is something I found in an old journal of mine. Sorry to say, that I do not know the source, but it speaks to us of our vocation:

"Contemplation is God's supreme gift, which enables the soul to love Him beyond all words and all thoughts, beyond all specific acts, interior or exterior. It is just remaining loving God, and all creation in Him with the very love of God Himself... The more faithful a person is to his call to this contemplative charism, the greater and deeper will be his/her actual service to the people of God. "

May our good God help us all remain faithful to this great gift.

Your sister in Carmel,

Pat Darby ocds, Provincial Secretary

JM report

2008-07-19T22:16:00.011-05:00

My dear Camelites, This will be my last delegate report for the Flos, as Fr. Provincial accepted my resignation at our provincial chapter and named Fr. Bonaventure his new Provincial Delgate to the Secular order in our province. I will deliver my “swan song” as the keynote speech of our Housrton congress in September. In the meantime, I leave you with my blogs: This OCDS View blog which includes the Flos Carmeli color photos, Our Friars’ newsletter which includes the last provincial chapter http://okfriarsnewsletr.blogspot.com , and the Monastery of Marylake blog at http://okfriarsnewslet.blogspot.com It has been my pleasure serving you these last thirty minus three years. I was appointed Provincial Delegate in 1978 by Fr. Raymond Donoho to replace Fr. Sam Anthony Morello who had been PD since 1969. The first OCDS Congress I attended was in New Orleans’ Loyola in August 1969. I still remember the lions roaring at night as a circus was being lodged next door. The first congress I organized was in Davenport Iowa in 1979, where I began a series of conferences on the beatitudes.

My first appointment to the national board was Mrs. Azile Wrape OCDS. [She is shown here at the San Francisco Congress of 1980 with (left to right) Maria Orallo and Ruby Alexander.] Alize was followed by Mrs. Frances Burns of Albuquerque in 1982, Gerald Alford in 1986, Dolores Jost in 1987, and Jayne Myrick [below, with me & Jerome] in 1989. Needing a break, I asked Fr. Palmer Maxwell to take over as PD during the 1990-93 triennium which he did when appointed by Fr. Aloysius. Palmer made some very difficult groundbreaking decisions about reducing the status of some communities who needed time to reorganize. He opened the way for the revitalization of the Secular groups of our province, but the process wore him out. In 1993, Fr. Bonaventure appointed Fr. Sam and I his co-delegates to the OCDS with a clarion call for collaborative leadership. We were joined by Fr. Jerome Earley in 1996, forming the “holy Trinity” of Provincial delegates! It would not be until the next century that another US Province (Washington) would have three PDs for the OCDS.

In the year 2000 I had the privilege of attending the second international OCDS congress in Mexico with Nancy Thompson and Mati Martinez. It was a wonderful privilege, but I really went as the default delegate since neither Sam nor Jerome wanted to go. I have had the privilege of working with great men and women in these last 27 years: Bonaventure Galvin, a truly legendary PD of California [shown here with Bill Healy and national secretary Penny Brown at our 2^nd National; congress in Milwaukee], Bill Healy and Ruby Alexander of Washington, Sam Anthony Morello of our own province and Michael Buckley of California [shown here at the Vegas Congress of 2004] to only name a few. Each in his or her own way helped make Carmel in America what it is today.

It has been not only an historic journey, but a wonderful and rewarding personal journey. Thanks to all of you for the ride… and for another thing Carmel always seems to have in abundance: the drama! It has been exasperating, exhausting, and frustrating. It has been happy and sad but always filled with grace, even when that grace came unnoticed until years after it was given. In a word, it has been wonderful. Thank you. Gracias. No es de nada, porque siempre hay algo.

Your former delegate,

Fr. John Michael Payne OCD

Alabama

On Saturday 12-Apr-08, Retreat Master Fr. Russel Raj OCD accepted the 1^st Promise of Robbie Hayes from our Madison Study Group at the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word’s Casa Maria Retreat Center in Irondale. Robbie was clothed in the large scapular on 10-Apr-05. Father Raj, from India, gave his retreat conferences on Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity. He had completed his master’s thesis on her in 2006.

On 16-Apr-08 I appointed Major Rajmund Kopec, assistant to our Tennessee Valley Study Group that meets in Huntsville AL. Father Ray is with the 96^th Aviation Support Battalion, 101^st Combat Brigade at Redstone Arsenal. 22-year-old Ray left his native Poland while it was still under Communist rule to become a priest in the U.S.A. When he arrived in New Jersey from Poland he had $10 in his pocket and knew not a word of English.

Arkansas

At their April meeting our Little Rock community elected secretary Tricia Cromwell [left] to be their president, Tricia and the new Councillors -- Nancy Lowry, Joanie Goodwin & Jeannine Hart, then met and with the consultation of their Assistant Fr. Raphael Kitz, elected former president Ronnie Adams [right] as the new Director of Formation. Mary Howard was then appointed secretary.

Georgia

On 02-Apr-08, I appointed Jan Nerone president, and Lucia Gesuelle & Patty Palmquist Councillors to our Lawrenceville Study Group. This photo of the new council left to right: Patty, Maryann, Jan & Lucia. On 09-Apr-08, I appointed Mary Ann Leveque director of formation to succeed Mary Shusta who founded this group in Sept. 2002. Thanks to Anita DeRouen, who began as secretary, and was appointed president in May 2006 when Stephen Ramsay moved.

On 29-Apr-08, I appointed John Eanes [right] president, with Mary Agnes Larson and Carol Lloyd as councillors for our Atlanta Study Group. This was done after receiving the postulation ballots from our professed members in Atlanta, and the recommendation of the Visitator. John and Carol have served as councillors since this group was formed. Thanks to Karen Harris who has done a fine job as president of this Group since my first visitation. Karen is now moving up to be secretary of our Provincial council.

Louisiana

On 13-Apr-08, our Baton Rouge community elected Clarence Landry president, with Ethlyn White, Marie Tuminski and Carmelite Provine councillors. The new council chose Jo Ann Daigle to be the new Director of Formation. Congratulations to all the newly elected, and big thanks to former president Paul Sandau, Formation Director Frances Locker, and councillors Henrietta Albright, Carolyn Dupuy, and Barbara Kahn. Frances is a legend in her time, having put together the first complete formation syllabus in the province. A tough act to follow, Jo Ann. Henrietta, now moves up to our provincial council after holding office including the presidency for many years in Baton Rouge.

Our Alexandria council requested permission from the provincial council to profess novice Denise Gauthier, who has been dying of cancer since entering our order. They had received word from Shreveport where Denise lives with Virignia Lazarus, that they would be able to attend the community meeting on the first Saturday of May, but that this would probably be the last meeting Denise would be able to attend. Permission was granted, and Denise was professed on 3-May-08. Denise took a turn for the worst two days later, and died peacefully on Sunday, 25-May-08. “We have been blessed to have her as a part of our Community.”

Mississippi

Our Gulf Coast community postulated in April, David Courtenay president; Beverly Courtenay Formation Director; with Councillors Corinne Bontemps, Carlotta Bergeron & Bert Young. Councillor Nancy Murphy drowned in Hurricane Katrina, and Bert was elected to replace her. This postulation was held in accordance with Provincial Statute III.2.d concerning term limits. When members cannot be elected to office, they may be postulated to the Provincial Council.

Oklahoma

On 04-Apr-08 I appointed Barbara Tinervia [left] president of our new group in Tulsa, and Susie Spanier as Director of Formation. On 29-Apr-08 I appointed Deacon James Breazile their Spiritual Assistant. James is the retiring president of our Oklahoma City community. As announced previously, Susan Staudt [right] was elected president of our Oklahoma City community who meets at our nuns in Piedmont.

Tennessee

On 19-Apr-08, I appointed former president Mark Calvert as new Director of formation in Knoxville. Mark replaces Jan Hicks who will remain on the council as she retires from the office of Director of Formation. Work is progressing on the canonical establishment of this Study Group. The diocese of Knoxville is presently without a bishop, whose signature is needed on the document to be submitted to Rome for canonical status. Our Knoxville members are also discerning a new patronal title for their new community, as they have been calling themselves the Study Group of the Holy Spirit, a patronal title taken years ago by the Mobile community.

front row l-r: Anita Gouge, Jeanne Dauenhauer, Kathy DeWine, Dorothy Curtis, Ghislaine Miller, Carole Amador, and Doris Bucklaew. 2^nd row: Missy DePersio, Colleen Harbison, Jan Hicks, Brenda Nicholson, Christine Hendershott (college daughter of Susan, she played piano for liturgies), Jackie Lonnecker and Jennifer Korell. Back row: Susan Hendershott, Jack Spicer, George Quinter, Fr. Bonaventure (retreat master), Mark Calvert & Dot Terheyden. This retreat was held at Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley NC from the 4-6^th of April.

Texas

At their April meeting, our Dallas community held their elections. Pictured here is the new council: L-R: Katie Bready, Formation, Jenny Aubert, President, Rita Ladd, 2nd Councillor, Judy Treadway, 3rd Councillor, and Diane Zeminick, First Councillor.

After consulting the Provincial Visitator, on 09-Apr-08, I appointed Maria Delores Reyna [left] president; Maria Guadalupe Cruz [right], Formation Director; and Rita Crelia, councillor for Lubbock. Rita has been this group’s secretary. These appointments were made after receiving results of their straw vote (provisional election) allowed by Visitator, Elizabeth Korves. Our gratitude is extended to Florence Rivas who has served as president since her appointment by Fr. Sam Anthony Morello on 11-Nov-98, and to Frank Schmidt who has served as Formation Director since Judy Johnson resigned in March 2003. Further gratitude to Mary Alvarez who has been serving as councillor and e-mail contact for our Lubbock Study Group.

Our Georgetown Study Group hosted a silent retreat at Cedarbreak in Belton on the 2^nd weekend of April. Father Bonaventure Sauer, Assistant to Austin, was the retreat master. The community is shown here in the main lodge where Father gave his conferences. Left to right (front row): Matilde Martinez (Killeen) Lansing Prescott, Father Bonaventure, Dora Zavala, Cindy Johnson, Julia (Killeen); 2^nd row: Birdie Ehrenfeld, Lois Vasquez, Mary Miranda, Becky Snook, Tommie Solis, Ramona Zelasko, Claire Bloodgood; 3^rd Row: Marianne Gonzales, Maron Burke (white hair), Diane Gray, Lydia Watson, Vic Sulsona, Lois Malidor & Steve Harden.

Houston’s original OCDS community at their March meeting elected the follolwing: Rebecca Segura, former infirmarian as president. Margaret Dybala formation director, with Councillors Sherry Maniscalco, Jackie Sanders and Terry Sa Yun. Congratulations. Also our gratitude to former president Becky McGinnis, former Formaion Director Carmelita Dizon, and former councillors Alethea Paras & Jeannice Theriot, all of whom have served two consecutive terms in their offices. Jeannice is working on preparations for our September Congress.

Our San Antonio community held elections in April. Councillor Betty Keller [photo] was elected president. Betty was professed in Amarillo on 10-Mar-83, and made her Definitive promise in 1986. She moved to San Antonio in 2005, and was elected councillor almost immediately upon her arrival. Susan King was re-elected formation director. Former Councillor Rosalia Zepeda was elected councillor, and two new councillors were elected: Nan Lambert Starjak and Anna Peterson.

R.I.P.

2008-07-19T22:09:00.005-05:00

Mario Henriquez, who died on March 29^th, entered our order in New Orleans. When he retired, he transferred to our San Antonio community. There he was elected Councillor when he was in his 80s. He served that community during a turbulent time in its history, and called for collaborative leadership. “We have to work as a five-some,” he said at one of their council meetings during that time. The council had a history of working as a one-some under the leadership of the president who referred to the council as “my council.” Mario helped lead them to a new model of leadership.

Provincial delegate, Fr. John Michael, wrote to the community when he heard of Mario’s passing, “I always considered Mario a man of prudence and discretion, and was so happy to have him on the council during a very difficult triennium for your community when the president, formation director and a councillor all resigned.” He was a model of perseverance who helped steer the boat when the storm winds shook.

Mario was born 02-July-22. He served in the U.S. navy in the Pacific theater during World War II. He was professed a Carmelite in New Orleans on 25-May-97, and made his Definitive Promise in June 2000. In 2003, when the President, Formartion Director and a councillor resigned in San Antonio, Mario was elected Councillor there. He served as Councillor until the election of 2005 when stability was restored. At that time he was having trouble thinking due to his age and medications, but continued to be a wonderful example to his community until his death. May he rest in peace.

PC Report

2008-07-19T11:53:00.004-05:00

Provincial Council welcomes new members, attends Chapter

--by the Provincial Council

We bid farewell with a great deal of gratitude to Pascal Alfano, Gerald Alford, and Amelia Wilken as they have now concluded their term of service on the Provincial Council. They will be remembered for their valued contribution to getting the Provincial Council started, writing the Provincial Statutes, and great love they have shown to Carmel and to the members of our province. We wish each of them well as they get to relax, enjoy retirement, spend time in the garden, catch up on reading, etc. We also extend our thanks to Anita Mendoza who has been serving as our secretary and also as our liaison to the Spanish-speaking members of our province.

Amelia made one last visitation to our study group in Covington where she began a discernment with them regarding whether they were ready for holding provisional elections. Elizabeth returned to Atlanta to visit both the Atlanta study group and the one in the suburb of Lawrenceville. While Elizabeth was in Atlanta, Nancy arrived to make the visitation of our Georgetown study group, followed by the visitation of Austin.

At the beginning of April, Henrietta Albright, Gloria Guajardo, and Dorothy Mansen signed on to the Provincial Council's private Yahoo Web site to "listen in" on how the PC conducts is business online. Then we all gathered in Castroville, Texas (just west of San Antonio) at the end of May for our first meeting as the new Provincial Council. Joining us was Karen Harris, [right] our new secretary from Atlanta.

On Friday evening, we drove into town to pick up Father John Michael and our new Provincial Delegate, Father Bonaventure Sauer, for dinner. Father John Michael returned with us to Castroville to help with the orientation of our new council members. [Gloria, Karen & Henrietta at orientation] Saturday was a full day, covering a great many topics about which our new Provincial Council members needed to learn.

On Sunday, we began the day very early with Mass at the San Antonio monastery of our nuns and then had a wonderful visit with Sister Rosemarie. After breakfast, we returned Father John Michael to the basilica and then headed downtown for some sight-seeing along the River Walk, the Alamo and the Cathedral of San Fernando. Finally, the heat got to us and we headed back to the cool of the retreat center in Castroville. We returned to work that evening and the new Provincial Council re-elected Elizabeth as president for the next three years.

On Monday, Father Bonaventure was able to join us as Elizabeth and Nancy gave a brief summary of every community and study group in the province.

Tuesday was our big day with the friars at their chapter. Father Provincial Gregory Ross gave a brief summary of the topics that the friars had been discussing and introduced everyone. Elizabeth then gave a report on the work of the Provincial Council over the past three years and the general state of seculars throughout the province. She then invited the outgoing superiors at each of the foundations of friars to share how the friars and seculars are collaborating in each place. At some foundations, there is a great deal of collaboration between the friars and the seculars; at others, there is minimal contact between the two. There was also discussion on how the seculars could assist the friars with vocations outreach. Father Luís Castañeda is developing a vocations plan for the friars and we encouraged him to include seculars as part of that plan.

After a very nice lunch with the friars, we gathered in a small room at the monastery to continue working through the afternoon while our friars took their siesta and then continued their chapter business. As we prepared to go over to the basilica for Mass, an ongoing health issue for Gloria became such that we contacted her husband to take her to the emergency room. About the same time, Father John Magdalene was also being taken to emergency. Both were home later that day and neither situation was as serious as originally feared, for which everyone is grateful. Since Father Provincial needed to tend to Father John Magdalene at the hospital, he was unable to join us for dinner after Mass as originally planned, although Father Bonaventure was able to come.

On Wednesday, we were all a bit too tired for more work so after some sharing of what Carmel means to us, we packed up, cleaned up our house at the retreat center, and headed for home. Henrietta, Gloria and Dorothy were feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of information covered for their orientation but we welcome them aboard as they begin their terms on the Provincial Council.

Among the items that did get addressed during our meeting was working out some of the details for once again hosting councilor workshops in spring 2009. We have some preliminary dates and are now searching for facilities to house us. Keep an eye out for the announcement of details, hopefully in the next issue of Flos Carmeli.

We hope many of you will be able to attend the Regional Congress in Houston this September. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Contact information for the new Provincial Council-- Henrietta Albright, Gloria Guajardo, Elizabeth Korves, Dorothy Mansen and Nancy Thompson— follows in the O.C.D.S. Directory.

Study Groups asked to send minutes to Province

--by the Provincial Council

All Study Groups are required to send a copy of their monthly minutes to the Province. Since Father John Michael is no longer the Provincial Delegate, please send your minutes to our new Provincial Council secretary, Karen Harris, at karenharrisocds22@yahoo.com . Karen will post the minutes to the private Provincial Council Yahoo group so that both the visitator of your study group and Father Bonaventure will have easy access to them. Please stop sending your minutes to Father John Michael and now send them to Karen instead. Thanks!

Events to celebrate with our friars

Recently the Provincial Council asked the friars to provide notice of professions, ordinations and major anniversaries so the information could appear in Flos Carmeli.

Such upcoming events include the following:

July 16 Brother Bernard, 25th anniversary of profession
Mount Carmel Center
4600 W Davis St
Dallas TX 75211-3498

July 18 Father Jenaro de la Cruz, 50th anniversary of ordination
PO Box 5280
San Antonio TX 78201-0280

July 20 Father Sam Anthony Morello, 55th anniversary of profession
2925 S. Carrollton Road
New Orleans LA 70118

Reviewing O.C.D.S. legislation

--by Elizabeth Korves, O. C.D.S.

Is your copy of our O.C.D.S. legislation gathering dust? When did you last read through the Rule of St. Albert, the Constitutions, the Statutes and the Ritual (the introduction to the Ritual has some good material!)??

When we make our Promise, we commit ourselves to living out the Discalced Carmelite charism as it is outlined in these documents. So it is incredibly important that we be very familiar with them. We should be reading through our legislation on a regular basis. Some people read through all of it every few months. Some people read an article each day. Some read through one part each week (i.e. Rule of St Albert this weekend, Constitutions next weekend, Statutes the weekend after, etc.).

Every member of the Secular Order who has been clothed should have a copy of the full legislation handy. It can be downloaded from the Provincial Web site. Bound books (both hard-copy and paperback) can be ordered from the Provincial Web site. The Provincial Web site is at http://www.carmelitesok.org/ocdsok/oklahonia_province.htm (note that AOL users have been having some problems accessing the site —the problem is with AOL, not the Web site).

So... is your copy of the legislation gathering dust or is it getting dog-eared from frequent use? Our commitment to Carmel calls for the latter!

OCDS Directory

2008-07-17T21:42:00.010-05:00

Communities

C 1. ALEXANDRIA, LA
Bl. Mary of Jesus Crucified and the Prophet Elijah

Ms. Shrella West, President
608 S Matthews
Bunkie LA 71322
318 346-7449

DF: Janice Lacour 318 922-3150

Councilors: Mary Decuir, Joan Monsour & Debbie Malarcher

Treasurer: Flora Fuselier
318 335-1326

C 2. AUSTIN, TX
Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Ms. Jo Anne Murphy, President
12513 Rush Creek Lane
Austin TX 78732
H – 512 828-6464, C -- 512 669-6300

DF: Diana Borja
512 917-3352 -cell

Councilors:
Marsha Benda
Sandra Gremp
Joan Brown

Treasurer:
Evandro Menezes
512 336-8918

C3. BIRMINGHAM, AL
St. John of the Cross and St. Paul the Apostle

Mr. Gordon Sibley, President
826 Danton Lane
Irondale AL 35210
205 957-9777

DF: Donna Hovey
334 567-0474

Councilors: Dianne Gotay, Judy Leurck & Sylvia Bresowar

Treasurer: Diana Nesbitt
205 424-2007

C4. BATON ROUGE, LA
St. John of the Cross and St. Anthony

Mr. Clarence Landry, President
5814 Golden Pheasant Ct
Baton Rouge LA 70817
225 755-3037

DF: Jo Ann Daigle
225 687-4621

Councilors: Ethlyn White, Marie Tuminski & Carmelite Provine

C 5. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
St. Teresa of Jesus

Ms. Jean Hart, President
2276 Rolling Meadow Rd
Fairfield IA 52556-8555

DF: Roxann Sorenson
319 393-9226

Councilors: Carmen Baumgartner, Roseann Hayek & Cindy McElliott

Treasurer:
Tom Hanley
319 393-5559

C6. CONYERS, GA
Mary, Queen of Carmel

Mr. Chad Cooper, President
4125 Ridge Brook Bend
Cumming GA 30039
770 335-6924 - cell

DF: Barbara Newberry

Councilors: Annette Fauci, Bob Kelley & David Jean

C7. DALLAS, TX
Infant Jesus of Prague

Ms. Jenny Aubert, President
6773 Clearwater Ranch Rd
Wills Point TX 75169
972 551-1512

DF: Katie Bready
214 320-3045

Councilors: Diane Zemenick, Rita Ladd & Judy Treadway

Treasurer: Teresa Enos

C8. GULF COAST, MS
Bl Virgin Mary of Mt Carmel & H.M. St Teresa of Jesus

Mr. David G. Courtenay, Sr., President
813 Ford Street
Gulfport MS 39507
228 896-3102

DF: Beverly L. Courtenay

Councilors: Carlotta C. Bergeron, Corinne Bontemps & Herbert (Bert) Young

Treasurer:
Cindy Bergeron
228 380-2079

C9. HOUSTON, TX #1
The Most Holy Trinity and St. Joseph

Ms. Rebecca Segura, President
9827 Sageaspen Lane
Houston TX 77089-3501
281 485-5646

DF: Margaret Dybala

Councilors: Jackie Sanders, Sherry Maniscalco & Terry Sa Yun

Treasurer: Lenaida Pancho 281 416-7177

C10. HOUSTON #2
San Juan de la Cruz

Mr. Salvador Galindo, President
21203 Lazy Ravine Lane
Houston TX 77073
281 443-3096

DF: Ana Veronica Canek

Councilors: Jerry McBeth, Kay Dumesnil & Ernest Mendoza

Treasurer:
Mary Cano
H- 979 885-7972, 979 256-9504 - cell

C ll. JACKSON, MS
St. Joseph and St. Therese of Lisieux

Ms. Dorothy Ashley
4830 Raymond Rd
Jackson MS 39212
601 373-6304

DF: Sondra C. Powell
601 857-8910

Councilors: Edna Miller, Peggy Hamilton & Louise Fusilier

Treasurer:
Helen M. Jones
601 362-0530

C 12. LAFAYETTE, LA #1
Mary Mother of Grace

M. Karol Meynard
126 Bradford Dr
Carencro LA 70520
337 886-6428

DF: Jeannine Meaux
337 893-7471

Councilors: Carleen Bourliea, Vicki Guilbeau & Maria Sere

Treasurer:
Sally Comb
337 332-4402

C13. LAFAYETTE, LA #2
St. Joseph, Guardian of Carmel

Ms. Mary Dennis, President
303 Sunnydale Rd
Opelousas LA 70570
337 826-7897

DF: DatieCespiva

Councilors: Bernice Gautreaux, Robert McCurry & Nelda Twedell

Treasurer: Arlene Ledet 337 896-9219

C 14. LITTLE ROCK, AR
Blessed Ann of St. Bartholomew

Ms. Tricia Cromwell, President
1903 N Tyler Street
Little Rock AR 72207-4629
501 666-9449

DF: Ronnie Adams
501 463-4535

Councilors : Nancy Lowry, Joanie Goodwin & Jeannine Hart

Treasurer:
Julie Breen Patrick

C 15. McALLEN, TX
Blessed Miriam of Jesus Crucified

Mr. Jesus Campos, President
2423 E. Jackson St.
Brownsville TX 78520

FD: Norma Vogel

Councilors: Iris Rodriguez, CeciliaDavis & Jo Ann Knapp

Treasurer: Lynn Vincentnathan

C 16. MOBILE, AL
Holy Spirit

Mr. Paul Schubert, President
4009 Old Shell Rd #B-7
Mobile AL 36608

FD: Al Urbanski

Councilors: Linda Savarese, Maureen Caine & Kathy Ney

Treasurer: Paul Schubert

C 17. NEW CANEY, TX
Most Holy Trinity

Ms. Leta Melder
2553 Friar Lake Lane
Spring TX 77373
281 350-9624

FD: Josephine Perez
281 360-3216

Councilors: Beverly Walton, Arlene Wilder & Robert Tadlock

Treasurer: Ray Broussard

C 18. NEW IBERIA, LA
Mary, Beloved of the Trinity

Ms. Peggy Tauzin, President
P.O. Box 9142
New Iberia LA
337 380-4829

FD: Gara Anderson
337 369-3409

Councilors: Andy Ringle, Michelle Steiner & Irene Mouton

Treasurer: Sarah Latiolais

C 19. NEW ORLEANS, LA
Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Ms. Gloria C. Gagliano, President
10125 Idlewood Place
River Ridge LA 70123
504 737-7066

FD: Ada Jordan
cell – 504 615-6986, H -- 504 469-3549

Councilors: Richard Aquilo, Mary Bordelon & Shelly Thomas

Treasurer: Mary Phyfer 504 415-7739

C 20. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Bl Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel & St. Teresa of Jesus

Ms. Susan Staudt, President
1219 Mockingbird Lane
Guthrie OK 73044
H- 405 282-6624, C- 405 473-6328

FD: Patti Robinson 405 794-9455

Councilors: Corliss Elsworth, Marie Lopez & Katherine Payne

Treasurer:
William Ginn
405 737-2024

C 21. ST. LOUIS, MO
St. Joseph

Ms. Sharon Schulte, President
12 Sennawood Dr.
Fenton MO 63026
636 343-7893

FD: Patricia Daniels
217 744-8855

Councilors: Dave Travers, Anne Beach & Kathleen Moss

Treasurer: Anne Elmore 314 739-7170

C 21. SAN ANTONIO, TX
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Therese

Ms. Elizabeth (Betty) Keller, President
550 Patricia
San Antonio TX 78216
H – 210 541-9673, C- 210 332-0884

FD: Susan King 210 912-9808 - cell

Councilors: Rosalia Zepeda, Anna Peterson & Nan Starjak

Treasurer: Brenda Parilla

C 22. SIOUX CITY, IA
Therese of the Child Jesus & Raphael Kalinowski

Ms. Mary Kay Daniels
3001 S Paxton St
Sioux City IA 51106
C-712 251-0442

FD: Nancy Rawe
402 494-9080

Councilors: Jeanette Davis, Penny Harvey & Maddy Kuhl

Treasurer: Karen Luft 712 276-7636

STUDY GROUPS

G 1. AMARILLO, TX

St. Joseph

Ms. Irene Robel, Facilitator
4101 St. Parker St
Amarillo TX 79110
806 354-2242

G 2. ATLANTA, GA
St. Joseph

Mr. John Eanes, President
330 Crabapple Springs Way
Woodstock GA 30188
770 826-5610

FD: Not yet appointed

Councilors:
Mary Agnes Larson
Carol Lloyd

G 3. COVINGTON, LA
Mary Spouse of the Holy Spirit

Patty Still, president
PO Box 580
Covington LA 70434
(985) 893-4547

FD: not yet appointed

Councillors: Roy Simon and Sandy Wall

G 4. DE RIDDER, LA
St. Teresa of the Andes

Danithza Kufoy, President
914 Chinquapin St
DeRidder LA 70634
337 540-8684 --cell; 337 463-5546 – home

FD: Not yet appointed

Councilor:
Jeanette La Rosa
337 274-4184 -cell

Treasurer: Ernesto Kufoy 337 540-9280

G 5. GEORGETOWN, TX
The Exaltation of the Cross

Ms. Lois Vasquez, President
1130 FM 1460
Georgetown TX 78626

FD: DoraZavala
512 863-3691

Councilors: Dolores Ascona, Paula Boyd & Dora Zavala

Treasurer: Diane Gray 512 863-3691

G 6. HOUSTON, TX #3
St. Theresa

Ms. Margaret Yong, President
10323 Dude Road
Houston TX 77064
832 256-1117

FD: Margarita Dufilho
713 721-0547

Councilor: Alice Adler 281 448-4606

Treasurer: Mariguita (Marie) Cansino-Lim

G 7. KILLEEN, TX
La Nubecita del Carmelo

Ms. Julia Diaz, president
1401 Waterford Dr.
Killeen TX 76542
254 634-0335

FD: Angel Moises Acosta 254 519-2266

Councilor: Mariana Sanchez 254 554-2266

Treasurer: Luz Aida Acosta 254 519-2266

G 8. KNOXVILLE, TN
The Transfiguration

Mr. George Quinter, President
338 Island Ford Road
Lake City TX 37769
865 426-9922

FD: Mark Calvert 865 777-3654

Councilors: Mark Calvert, Jan Hicks & Ghislaine Miller

Treasurer: Dorothy Curtis 865 687-4637

G 9. LAWRENCEVILLE, GA
St. Therese of the Little Flower

Ms. Jan Nerone, President
3010 Summit View Ct
Snellville GA 30078
770 982-3809

FD: Maryann Leveque
770 868-0359

Councilors: Patty Palmquist & Lucia Gesuelle

Treasurer: Dolores Long 770 963-9203

G 10. LUBBOCK, TX
St. Edith Stein

Ms. Maria Delores Reyna, President
805 14^th Street
Abernathy TX 79311
806 928-5313

FD: Maria Guadalupe Cruz 806 392-4943

Councilors: Maria Delores Reyna, Maria Guadalupe Cruz & Rita Crelia

Treasurer: Florence Rivas 806 792-1856

G 11. NATCHEZ-VIDALIA

Elizabeth Boggess, President
P. O. Box 1756
Natchez MS 39121-1756
601 442-2787

FD: Elizabeth Boggess

Councillors: Anna Calhoun 601 442-2787 & Roma Golden

Treasurer: Camille G Durkin 601 446-7800

G 12. SAVANNAH, GA
Our Lady of confidence and St. Joseph

Mr. Michael Burns, President
13 Sulgrave Rd
Savannah GA 31406

FD: Ingrid Close
912 754-7663

Councilor: Lenora Everett

Treasurer: Michael Burns 912 232-7147

G 13. TENNESSEE VALLEY (MADISON, TN)

Mr. Bobby Pearson, President
102 Woodland Trail
Madison AL 35758-8654
256 509-2441

FD: Not yet appointed
Donna Lowe, Acting

Councilors: Robbie Hayes & Marilyn Juricic

Treasurer: Not yet appointed
Robbie Hayes, Acting
256 508-6257

G 14. TOPEKA, KS
St. Joseph and the Little Flower

Ms. Diana Scamman, President
4821 SW Urish Rd
Topeka KS 66610
785 478-4868

FD: Debbie Newton
785 539-8973

Councilors: Geri Prather

Treasurer: Diana Scamman 785 478-4868

G 15. WACO, TX
San Juan Diego

Ms. Juanita Gonzales, President
3608 N 25^th Street
Waco TX 76708-1936
254 752-6866

FD: Opal Gonzales
254 666-4278
wacocarmel.yahoo.com

Councilors: Joanne Greenwood-Jones & Rebecca Blankenstein

PROVINCIAL DELEGATE

Bonaventure Sauer, OCD
2925 South Carrollton Road
New Orleans LA 70118
504 861-9102; 504 865-1751 (fax)

Provincial Council

Elizabeth Korves, President
1015 E Yager Lane #57
Austin TX 78753
H- 512 491-8229 W- 512 471-1008
korves@astro.as.utexas.edu

Nancy Thompson
1012 Estron St.
Iowa City IA 52246
H- 319 351-2569 C- 319 270-6923

Dorothy Mansen
2500 Lakewood Dr
Grand Prairie TX 75054
817 477-4246

Gloria Guajardo
277 W. Broadview Dr
San Antonio TX 78228-2857
210 434-7585

Henrietta Albright
11447 Cagle Ave
Baton Rouge LA 70811-1302
H- 225 774-8413
C- 225 315-8213

Secretary to Provincial Council

Karen Harris
3895 W Wood Path
Stone Mountain GA 30083
H- 404 501-9125
W- 678 985-6081
karenharrisocds22@yahoo.com

Provincial Secretary
Pat Darby
315 N Greenville Ave #1214
Allen TX 75002
214 495-0597
darby3366@yahoo.com
jmjtj33@aol.com

Provincial Web Site
www.carmelitesok.org/ocdsok/oklahoma_province.htm

PD Report

2008-05-08T16:33:00.010-05:00

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

2008-05-08T16:09:00.004-05:00

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.

2008-05-08T00:18:00.004-05:00

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.

2008-05-07T23:55:00.003-05:00

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.

PD Report

2008-01-31T21:44:00.000-06:00

My dear Carmelites,

As a new year begins, I pray you are blessed with much grace this year of Our Lord 2008. God willing, I will resign as your Provincial Delegate at our provincial chapter at the end of May. By then all our canonical communities should have new councils. I was pleased to appoint Dorothy Mansen of our Dallas community, Gloria Guajardo of San Antonio, and Henrietta Albright of Baton Rouge to our Provincial Council to replace Amelia Wilken of Sioux City Iowa, Gerald Alford of Lafayette LA, and Pascal Alfano of our New Orleans community, who are resigning. We had planned to have the new provincial Councillors elected, but ended up with only three nominees who were willing to serve, so our Father Provincial, Fr. Gregory, gave permission on Dec 17th to dispense with the election process and appoint these three, which I did on Dec 19th. “Please extend my congratulations to them, as well as my gratitude for their willingness to serve. Thanks also to our retiring PC members. May God's blessing be with you and all of the members of the Provincial Council as we wind down this triennium and gear up for the next three years.” [Vy. Rev. Fr. Gregory Ross, OCD]

Alabama

Madison Study Group received visitation on the 2nd and 3rd of March by Provincial Councillor Pascal Alfano OCDS. This picture was taken after Mass: President Bobby Pearson, a guest, visitor Susan Parker who is discerning, Formation Director Donna Lowe, Mary Kay Beard (in back), Robbie Hayes, Valerie Cygon (in wheel chair), Pascal, Assistant Fr. Jose, Pauline Rizzo, Lou Rizzo, and Fr. George Costigan.

Fr. Adam Gonzales OCD gave the Birmingham retreat this year on the theme of Elizabeth of the Trinity. Father Adam is a newly ordained Carmelite from California. The retreat was held at Casa Maria Retreat House run by the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word in Irondale, AL. It lasted from April 13-15 and the Birmingham community was joined by members of our Study Group in Madison and the isolated Gareri brothers in Huntsville among others.

Mobile hosted their annual Carmelite retreat at the Visitation Sisters retreat house from October 5-7, and were joined by members from Jackson and Madison. Retreat Master John Grennon OCD is provincial delegate to the Secular Order of the Midwest and Florida. Father John co-hosted the National Council, and Provincial Councils at Holy Hill in November 2006. A most gracious host.

At the concluding Mass of the retreat, Father received the Definitive Promise of Mobile’s faithful secretary, Maureen Caine on Sunday October 7th. Director of Formation Linda Savarese [left] presented Maureen [right]. The setting for this profession is the chapel of the Visitation Nuns where our Mobile community holds their annual retreats. It was built in 1894, and has been restored beautifully by these contemplative Nuns.

Arkansas

Shown here at the visitation of Little Rock, President Ronnie Adams greets the Zebra Lady, provincial visitator Nancy Thompson from Cedar Rapids Iowa. Fr. John Michael came into town from Marylake to join the community for their visitation on Saturday, September 8th at our Discalced Carmelite Nuns' monastery on 32nd Street.

Louisiana

Jeff DeBlanc died on Thanksgiving morning at Lafayette General Medical Center. Jefferson Joseph DeBlanc was a founding member of our Carmelite community of Mary, Beloved of the Trinity in New Iberia. He was a retired Colonel of the Marine Corps, and received from President Harry Truman the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1946 at the White House. Jeff spent World War II in the Pacific theater, first in the Navy, then in the Marine Corps. His Medal was given for an act of bravery on Jan 31, 1943 when he abandoned hope of returning to his base by shooting down enemy planes. He was the last, living World War II Medal of Honor recipient from the state of Louisiana. Jeff was buried at St. Michael Cemetery in St. Martinville, with a full military honors. Jeff, with his wife Louise, was professed a Carmelite on 07-May-82, and made his Definitive Promise in 1985. Louise preceded her husband in death in 2005. Jeff was born on 15-Feb-21 in Lockport LA, making him 86 when he died. His funeral at St Martin de Tours in St. Martinville was presided over by his son, Fr. Jeff DeBlanc Jr., and served by his grandson, Seminarian Michael DeBlanc. Jeff is the first Carmelite of our province to be honored with an obituary in a national publication of the status of Time Magazine. We reprint below the photograph by Nick del Calzo and text as both appeared in Time’s “Milestones”:

Jefferson DeBlanc Sr. protected his fellow aces by shooting down five Japanese warplanes during a mission over the Solomon Islands —even though his own plane was nearly out of gas and he knew he could not make it back to base. He swam eight miles to an island, where one indigenous tribe traded him to another — which helped ferry him to safety— for a 10-lb. sack of rice. DeBlanc was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart and other decorations. He was 86.

--Time Magazine obituary, 10-Dec-07, p. 31.

Mississippi

Camille Gloria Durkin made her profession on 15-Jul-07 at a special Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel in her parish church, St Mary’s Basilica in Natchez. Fr. Leopold Keffler OFMConv., who comes home every year during the summer for his vacation received her First Promise and gave a homily on the importance of the Evangelical Counsels in the lives of all the Faithful, with particular emphasis on those laity who are members of Secular Orders. A substantial number of parishioners attended in addition to Camille's family and invited guests, as there had been a notice in the parish bulletin explaining the celebration. We believe that at least 80 people received the Eucharist.

There was a supper reception following the Mass. The original intention was to use the Basilica's social hall, which is in the basement. Unfortunately that was the day the Parish staff found a water leak, and the city cut off the water. This meant that there was no water to any of the church complex. We therefore moved the reception [literally picked up the decorations and food and moved them] to Camille's parents' home. At least 60 people attended the reception.

Tennessee

Provincial councillor Gerald Alford made visitation of Knoxville October 20-21, posed here with the council: George Quinter, President Mark Calvert, Ghislaine Miller, and Formation Director Jan Hicks. On 05-Nov-07, I appointed George Quinter [left] president following the resignation of Mark Calvert. Mark has been president of this group since they began. He has been a wonderful president, but decided it was time for a change in leadership. At the last visitation, a ballot was taken of the members and Councillor George was their selection. The provincial council approved, and I was happy to appoint him the new leader of this Study Group.

Georgia

Fr. Desmond Ohankwere MSP, a native Nigerian, has served as Assistant to our Savanah Group since 2005. Father has now been selected as Regional Superior and will need to move to the regional headquarters in Houston. Our eyes now turn to the next priest to serve at St Benedict the Moor Church for someone to replace Fr. Desmond. Congratulations Father on your new office. We wish you well and thank you for serving our order these past three years.

Texas

I appointed Councillor Margaret Yong president of St Therese Study Group in Houston following Chris Woods’ resignation. Alice Adler was appointed Councillor on 21-Nov-07. Chris remains chairman of our Houston 2008 Congress.

In August 2005, Provincial Councillor Gerald Alford made visitation of our Study Group in McAllen, recommending to the provincial council, canonical status. In March 2006, I wrote the bishop requesting his permission to establish them as a canonical entity in his diocese. On 13-Jun-07, Bishop Raymundo Peña gave permission to found a canonical Carmelite community in the diocese of Brownsville. I then asked the local council to choose a patron and a church in which to file the canonical papers. They chose Blessed Miriam of Jesus Crucified, and Holy Spirit parish in McAllen. I requested canonical status from Rome on Nov 14th, and Fr. Aloysius from Singapore secured the Fr. General’s permission on that very same day. I flew down to Harlingen on Friday Dec. 7th, and we celebrated the Mass of their community’s establishment on Saturday, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The first picture shows Councillor Jesus Campos reading the Constitutions dealing with canonical establishment. In the next picture I give the canonical decree from Rome to president Lucia Dominguez. In the third picture, I pose with the founders of the community: Rosalinda Ramirez, Lucy Dominguez & Cyndi Bujanda. God bless all of you who have labored and prayed so faithfully these last six years in building up a fine vibrant Carmelite community.

On the Saturday after Christmas, Dec. 29th, one of our novices died. Margaret East of our New Caney community had been fighting lung cancer since this picture was taken last September at Fr. Patrick Segrue’s retreat at Deer Trail. Margaret was born 05-Oct-32, and was clothed in the large scapular in New Caney on 11-Jun-06. Formation Director Georgina Torres writes, “She was a very devoted true Carmelite. She loves her community very much.” President Margaret Nunez writes, “She is our first member of our community that is taken to heaven to be with Our Beloved Lord and Our Blessed Mother. She was indeed ready to go; but; alas; we were not so eager to see her leave this earth or us. Margaret had only been with our community for a short period of time, but, left a large hole in our hearts. She will be greatly missed in our community.” Margaret was buried in Lufkin, Texas.

--Fr. John Michael OCD, prov, delg.

F.A.Q.

2008-01-31T21:40:00.000-06:00

Q. When we pray the Office of the Dead for a deceased member, do we pray it in place of the Office of the day or in addition to it? [Sharon Schulte of St Louis]

A. Dear Sharon, Thanks for your question. It’s a good question and one easily answered. We pray the monthly Office for our Deceased in place of the Office of the day. The way you have been doing this is the correct way to pray our monthly Office of the Dead. You choose a day of the month that is liturgically free: either a ferial day with no saint to be commemorated or at least an optional memorial. If the day is an obligatory Memorial, then the office of that saint must be said. And of course the same applies to all feasts and solemnities whose proper offices must be prayed on that day.

I want to also note that Advent, Lent and Easter are privileged seasons: the proper office of the day should be said during these times, even if it means not saying the Office for the Deceased that month. I’m sure you must have noticed in our Carmelite monasteries that our traditonal Saturday Mass & Office of Our Lady, is not said during these privileged seasons either.

The only time I can think of when you might pray the Office of the Dead in addition to the office of the day, would be if you wanted to pray that office for some friend or family member on their anniversary which falls each year on a feast or obligatory Memorial.

--Fr. John Michael Payne OCD, prov. delg.

PC Report

2008-01-31T21:33:00.000-06:00

REPORT FROM THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
January 2008

As our communities turn their attention to elections, we pray that those approached to serve will recognize how important service is within our communities. Without our councils, meetings would not be so organized… discernments would not happen… retreats wouldn’t happen… and all sorts of important things would not happen! But they do because the council looks after the “spiritual growth and well-being of the community” (Sec. XVI.8). We’ve sometimes heard people say “but I’m not worthy to be a council member”. It’s not about worthiness. Anyone who’s ever served on a council knows that it’s not about prestige, it’s about service and often involves some hard work. After all, discernment is hard work and certainly not easy when a council has to tell someone that they do not have the vocation. So…don’t worry about whether you are worthy or not… if someone has nominated you, then you are more than worthy to serve!

With that in mind, we’d like to take this opportunity before they roll out of office to thank all our council members of the past three years for their dedicated service to their communities. We know some of our councils have had some pretty difficult situations to deal with in this triennium and we really appreciate everyone’s efforts in resolving them.

Speaking of elections, we were a bit disappointed in how few nominations we received for the Provincial Council elections. We received six nominations and after some discernment on the part of the nominees, ended up with only three candidates to fill the three open slots. So, we petitioned Fr. Provincial for postulation to appoint these three candidates since there seemed no reason to hold elections. We certainly hope that in three years, more people will be nominated for the Provincial Council and able to serve.

There was only one visitation in the past few months. Pascal visited the Conyers, GA community and some of us are a touch envious that he got to say at the Cistercian monastery. In January, Elizabeth is scheduled to visit one of our Houston communities. Gerald is still trying to get to Topeka and with that, we will have visited all the communities in our province over the past three years. What an accomplishment! As you will remember, our Provincial Delegate, Fr. John Michael, was only able to visit a few communities each year so many of our communities had not had a formal visitation in many, many years. We have learned so much about our province in the course of these visitations. You’ve seen some of what we’ve learned in the various “special issues” of the Flos Carmeli where we’ve focused on a particular topic. If you check our provincial website, we’ve posted all sorts of stuff that we’ve come across that we felt would be helpful in light of what we’ve learned. The best part has been the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. We wax a bit eloquently about this since soon Amelia, Gerald, and Pascal will complete their term of service on the Provincial Council… but not until the end of May… so we do still have some work for them to do. Do not think that having visited all our communities at least once in the past three years, we’re done… we are not… the Provincial Council will continue to visit all our communities at least once every three years as part of our service to the province. Not only is this helpful to our communities (or so we’ve been hearing!) but it is also helpful to us for having a good feel for the people we serve.

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

Secretary's report

2008-01-30T23:21:00.000-06:00

Letter from Pat Darby
Provincial Secretary for the Central Jurisdiction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we prepare to bid farewell to our outgoing councils, thanking them for their service, please join me in welcoming our new ones and praying that these next years will be ones of growth in our vocation and love for each other.

Let us ask God to send the Holy Spirit into our Province and bless us all with grace-filled elections. We ask this through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Patroness of our Order.

Included in the printed edition of this newsletter is the form "2008-2011 Community Councils and Officers" on page 1.

PLEASE USE THIS FORM TO REPORT YOUR NEW COUNCILS AND MAIL IT TO THE CENTRAL OFFICE.

It is very important to include all the information on your Treasurers as I find that I correspond with them frequently and need all of the information requested.

ANNUAL DUES INFORMATION
Community Members $30
Isolates $30
Aspirants $12
Individual Subscribers $18

You may pro-rate these when necessary; however, please be very clear as to what you are paying.

IMPORTANT!
When sending in your community dues for the year, please state your Community Name and City where you meet.

Isolates:
You are to collect their dues and include those $$ amounts in your total check. Isolates should be listed by name and full address, and will be added to the subscription list and their newsletters will be mailed from the Central Office.

REMINDER:
Your Annual Financial Statement should accompany your check for Annual Dues and letter listing Isolates.

PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECKS PAYABLE TO "OCDS"

and mail to the Central Office
Pat Darby, ocds
315 N. Greenville Avenue #1214
Allen, TX 75002-9146
Email Address: jmjtj33@aol.com
Phone: 214 495-0597

I prefer to receive communications from you by email, as I check my computer every day and am in and out during the day; however, if you do not have a computer, please feel free to call me and if I'm not in, I'll return your call.

My Thanks to those Communities who sent in Membership Rosters. That is very helpful, so include it if you can.

And let us all remember to PRAY FOR VOCATIONS! Our Friars need more help!!

Let us pray for each other that we grow in, as our Holy Mother teaches, Humility, Detachment, and Charity!

Today is the Solemnity of Epiphany and so I will close with this prayer from the Word Among Us:
"Jesus just as the Wise Men did, I kneel before you, gazing on your glory in the Eucharist. May I become a tabernacle of your mercy, shining your light everywhere I go."

Happy New Year!
Your Sister in Carmel,
Pat Darby, ocds Provincial Secretary

Starting a Community

2008-01-30T23:03:00.000-06:00

Guidelines for Group in Discernment
and its Mentoring Community

Individuals wishing to form a Group in Discernment recognized by the Order can do so only with the permission of the Provincial Council. This permission will be contingent upon their being under the guidance of an established community willing to be mentors of their development. The principle applies that "communities form communities"; individuals do not form communities.

Process:

If a canonical community wishes to start a new OCDS group due to the need to reduce its size or because there are enough OCDS in a nearby geographic location to warrant a new group, the Provincial Council (PC) will assign the canonical community to help oversee the new group in discernment.

1. Once permission has been sought by the mentoring community and received from the Provincial Council (Sec. XV. 1, Statutes) a group may be formed under the PC’s supervision, whose goal is to focus on what it means to be Discalced Carmelite Secular in terms of its personal and communal responsibilities, under the guidance and with the support of a Mentoring Community (MC). This group, called a Group in Discernment (GID), shall be the first stage in the process of becoming a canonically established OCDS community.

2. The MC council shall be involved in identifying a coordinator and formator for the GID whose appointment will be made by the PC. If it has some members who are already members of the Order (First or Definitive Promise) then the coordinator and/or formator normally would be chosen from those more experienced members. The coordinator would normally be a member of the new group, but the formator may be a member of the MC, at least initially, if none of the GID members are discerned ready to assume the role. [p 10-11]

3. The level of support initially needed by the GID shall be discerned and agreed upon by the MC council and the PC. If the new group is close enough to the MC, they might be required to attend a specified number of the meetings of the MC for the sake of observation and discernment. In all cases, members of the GID have their formation monitored by the council of the MC in conjunction with the appointed coordinator and formator. As a Group in Discernment, it is important that the members receive formation on the specific vocation of the Carmelite Secular in addition to formation on Carmelite spirituality. As a foundation, the GID shall normally complete together the Aspirancy formation program found in Statute XXI.

If members come to the GID still in formation for Promises, it will be determined by the MC council and the PC if they need to continue formation with their original program for the time being, or if the GID formator is able take up their formation. As soon as reasonably feasible all members of the GID will attend only that meeting and will be formed there by the assigned formator, under the guidance of the MC’s director of formation.

The MC council and the GID will be co-responsible for discernment of candidates. The final approval for profession is made by the MC council since only they have the canonical authority to approve professions. However, the leadership of the GID also needs to learn how to discern so they should participate in the process.

4. Once the GID is established with a stable number of members ranging from 8-12, it should begin meeting monthly and take no new members for the first year, allowing the GID time to stabilize, and for its members and the MC council to discern if the GID with its current membership has the seeds of a Carmelite community.

Carmelite Secular Groups in Discernment usually meet for 2-3 hours once a month. The purpose of these meetings is to participate in the shared study of Carmelite spirituality and explore the OCDS vocation. GID members pray the Liturgy of the Hours together that is appropriate to the time of their meeting. Conferences on the vocation and Carmelite spirituality should include time for the members to discuss the material and share their thoughts on the readings/presentation and how they see it applying in their own lives.

Once the GID formally begins to meet, if some of its members are already Isolate members of the Order or members of a canonical community, they are temporarily released from the requirements of their prior membership status and take on the requirements of this “missionary effort” as they participate fully in this discernment of a new community.

5. The GID will open a checking account for accountability with moneys collected and disbursed.

6. The GID cooperatively establishes such things as their meeting location, a schedule to best accommodate their group, roles of service needed by them (such as secretary, treasurer, prayer chain leader, liturgist, hospitality minister, etc…) and identifies people to serve in them, under the supervision of the PC and MC council. As it progresses, the GID will gradually be asked to take on more responsibility for its own administration.

7. It is recommended that a MC council representative visit the GID meeting once or twice in that first year to observe, to offer support and to encourage the members. The MC council will oversee and act as a resource to the GID coordinator and formator, and may assist the GID by inviting its members to join community retreats, offer presentations on specific topics, share formation materials, and in other ways that seem prudent, while fostering maturity and independence in the GID leadership and members.

8. Minutes of all meetings will be sent by the GID to the MC president, the PC visitator (who will meet annually with the GID), and the Provincial Delegate. Minutes shall include a listing of members in attendance and who was absent, the meeting date, time, and place. Minutes also include a very brief (paragraph or two) description of any talk given as well as the name of who gave the talk. A short summary is provided of any business conducted and descriptions of activities with names given for those in roles of service to the group.

The minutes provide important information to the MC council and PC on how the GID is progressing in Carmelite community life and identity, and helps sketch a picture of those emerging as future leaders in the group. It is preferable that these minutes be provided in electronic format.

9. Clues that the GID is progressing and maturing include the following:

a. they become less dependent upon the mentoring group
b. they are docile to and cooperative with the lawful authority over them
c. they exhibit a determination to continue toward becoming a Carmelite community
d. they are cohesive
e. they are compatible as a group
f. they want to continue on to the goal of becoming an official Carmelite community
(ref. XV. 1, Statutes)

10. The first year is a year of discernment for everyone both on an individual basis and on a group basis. This process is expected to take at least a year and might take longer depending upon circumstances. At the end of the year, a member of the Provincial Council will make a visitation which will assist the GID, its leaders and the MC council in discerning whether the group has the potential to grow in and attract others to the OCDS charism and thus is ready to be elevated to recognized Study Group status.

After a minimum one year of stability and of exhibiting the above qualities (9. a-f) and upon completing the discernment process, the GID can inform the MC council in writing of its desire to become a recognized Study Group. If the MC council concurs in the GID’s readiness, the MC council will send the GID letter of request with their own letter of recommendation to the PC and Provincial Delegate for discernment and permission. The MC council will also send the name of a spiritual assistant candidate and persons from the GID that they recommend to be named as director of formation.

11. The Provincial Delegate will appoint a spiritual assistant and a director of formation if it is determined that the GID is ready to become a recognized Study Group.

12. See XV. 2. a-b for Study Group guideline specifics.

--OCDS Provincial Council

A Note on Formation

2008-01-30T23:00:00.000-06:00

Community and Carmelite formation

The future of the Order depends on the quality of the formation that candidates receive. It is the sacred duty of every member to be aware of and understand why community life is vital to growth. Full participation in community life provides a well-balanced formation program through the opportunities for fraternal interaction, studies, discussions, volunteering help and ongoing forbearance and forgiveness, all of which contribute to a well-balanced spirituality. Faithful attendance at the monthly meeting is a major factor in our transformation, because community provides the ideal setting for the optimum development in Christian and Carmelite growth. In addition, meeting together with like-minded people who share the same spiritual goal gives the support and encouragement necessary for a difficult journey one cannot make alone.

— "Our Journey Towards the Promises and Beyond: Requirements for Directors of Formation," by Teresa Martinez, O.C.D.S., published by the English Canadian O.C.D.S. Secretariat

Elections

2008-01-30T22:40:00.000-06:00

Pre-election survey of ability to serve

This form is provided to inform nominating committees of members' willingness and ability to serve in the upcoming triennium.

Name: _______________

In order to facilitate the election process, we ask that you review and consider any position or positions that you would be willing to serve in during the 2008-2011 term. The Nominating Committee will then have information to help them develop the slate of candidates for the new Council, as well as an aid for the new council in assigning the other positions.

Please review Section III of the Statutes, "Community Elections," prior to the Elections.

After reviewing the following, please circle any positions you would be willing to serve in.

PRESIDENT
The President, elected from among those who have made final promises, has the duty to convoke and preside over the meetings of the community. He should show fraternal service to all the members of the community; foster a spirit of Christian and Carmelite affability, being careful to avoid any demonstration of preference for some members over others; coordinate contacts with those members of the community who because of age, illness, distance or other reasons, are not able to attend meetings; aid the Director of Formation and Spiritual Assistant in carrying out their responsibilities; in their absence, but only temporarily, he may take their place or designate another to do so from among those who have made definitive promises.

COUNCILORS
The responsibility of the three Councilors is to form with the President, the government of the community and to support the Director of Formation. Generally they are community members with definitive promises. In particular circumstances, members with first promises can serve as councilors.

The new council elects the following positions:

DIRECTOR OF FORMATION
Elected by the Council from among those who have made definitive promises, and has the responsibility of preparing the candidates for first and definitive promises. The Director works in collaboration with the Assistant and with the support of the President. In the absence of the President, the Director of Formation is his substitute for any function.

SECRETARY
Keeps up to date the register of the community, recording the elections, admissions, Promises and dismissals. The Secretary is to present the register to the Council when it meets and to the community at the time of the elections. The Secretary attends the Council meetings and records the minutes of the meeting, without the right to vote.

TREASURER
Takes charge of the administration of the funds of the community. The Treasurer is to present a report of the funds to the Council every six months, to the community and the Provincial, or Superior of the Circumscription, once a year. The local statutes are to determine how the community attends to the needs of the poor.

INFIRMARIAN
Maintain phone contact with someone who is ill, sends cards to our sick members, if someone is in the hospital, if possible visits them, sends flowers if approved by the Council. All information regarding sick members should be report to the Infirmarian.

FACILITATORS OF ASPIRANTS, OF 2-YEAR GROUP (CLOTHED), OF 3-YEAR GROUP (PROFESSED), OF DEFINITIVELY PROFESSED GROUP

From the Provincial Council, concerning upcoming elections

Outgoing councils encouraged to orient new councilors

A reminder that councils leaving office are asked to consider how to orient new council members to their duties. Newly elected members will need to know about current concerns of the council and might need training on certain council tasks, such as discernment. A rule of thumb: outgoing councilors should think back to their early days on the council, remembering areas they found confusing. These are the areas that will require orientation for the new councilors.

Preparing for elections

The Provincial Council encourages communities to review, prior to community elections, the following documents: the Constitutions, Articles 37-53, and the Provincial Statutes, Sections III and XVI.

Community members should also reflect on such questions as,

What are the current needs of the community?
Who on the ballot would be the best person to meet those needs?
Who has the gifts that will best serve this community over the next three years?

Communities are reminded that community elections are not popularity contests, about whom we like best. Rather, they are about who can best serve the needs of the community..

--OCDS Provincial Council

An Election Thought

A willingness to give of self in service to the community by accepting leadership roles is a way of putting into practice the three Evangelical Counsels: as an act of chaste love for fellow members, an act of self-emptying for the sake of the good of the community and as an expression of obedience in response to the needs of the community.

- Gerald Alford, O.C.D.S., provincial councilor

Devotion to Mary

2008-01-30T22:32:00.000-06:00

Carmelite devotion to Mary
Father Aloysius Deeney, O.C.D., General Delegate
Jan. 1, 2008

Dear Carmelites,

Happy New Year, but more importantly, Happy Solemnity of the Mother of God.

I thought that today would be a good day to address the question of Mary in the life of Carmel in the spirit of the Constitutions of the O.C.D.S. The church begins the calendar year with a solemn act of liturgical devotion to Mary by dedicating the Mass and the Office to honor her, the Mother of our Savior and Lord.

Carmel is Marian! One of the 6 M's about which I speak often as the components of the life of a Secular Order member is the 4th one, Mary. And as many of you have either heard me say or read that I said, what makes Carmel Marian is NOT that Carmelites pray to Mary (since all Catholics do) but that Carmelites pray as Mary prayed, by meditating in our hearts (Luke 2:19, 50-51). The Constitutions recommend in Article 31, the liturgical devotion to Mary, this means celebrating her feasts in the liturgical year, as well as celebrating liturgical each Saturday of the year in her honor. There are many feasts of Our Lady throughout the year, Jan. 1, Feb. 11, March 26, Aug. 15, Dec. 8, etc. And add to that the Saturdays of the year and we have many occasions to honor her as our Constitutions urge us to do.

The last sentence of the 31st article says: "They (O.C.D.S.) will practice, in faith and love, the devotional exercises in her honor." Obviously, Carmelites practice devotions to Mary. We wear the scapular (or scapular pin). In nearly every Carmelite monastery of either friars or nuns each day, usually after Vespers, the communities recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, plus offer a prayer of devotion in honor of Saint Elijah, Saint Joseph, Saint Teresa and Saint John of the Cross. The church highly recommends the rosary, and many Carmelites recite the rosary faithfully or carry the rosary on their person. Personal devotional practices to Our Lady and Our Holy Parents are very much encouraged.

There is a distinction between liturgical devotion (Mass and Office) and personal devotion (all the other acts, even the rosary). The distinction is that the first is public and the second is private. The first we may speak of as required in many circumstances (as today, 1 January). No separate personal devotions are required by the church or by the order. We must promote liturgical devotion to Mary, we may SHARE personal devotions with others. The problem can sometimes happen that some people do not share but push their personal devotions on others, distracting the focus of formation or community meetings, insisting on personal revelations as almost equivalent to the message of the Gospel, spending too much time on diffusing messages that may or may not be from Mary.

As Carmelites we have the role of promoting the scapular as our specific devotion as an Order, of promoting the liturgical feasts of the year in honor of the Mother of God and our Mother. We all have the right to those devotions which express our love for Mary, but no one has the right to promote personal devotions in the name of Carmel. Again, we may share our devotion, especially by testifying to how those devotions have increased our faith, hope and love. We may share information with others, of course. If certain devotions and movements in honor of Mary are more important to persons than those Marian elements of Carmel, then I believe that indicates that those persons need to look at their membership in Carmel and, with the Council or spiritual assistant, evaluate their vocation.

Many Carmelite books and works published in the days when we used Latin ended with a monogram, LDVM: Laus Deo Virginique Mariae. Praise to God and to the Virgin Mary.

That is our life, Praising God and His Most Blessed Mother!

Aloysius Deeney OCD, genrl. delg.

Houston 08 Congress

2008-01-30T22:29:00.000-06:00

Our Province’s 15th Regional OCDS Congress to be held from September 11 through 14 at the Omni Houston Westside. Registration fee is $245 per person if you register by May 31, 2008. After May 31, the registration fee is $275. This fee includes all of your meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) at the Congress.

A registration form was included on the last page of Winter 2008 edition of the Flos Carmeli. A registration form must be submitted for each person attending the Congress. If your spouse is accompanying you, please submit a separate form for him/her. Forms may be downloaded from the Congress website at http://www.ocdscongresshouston.com/Registration.htm

A non-refundable deposit of $125 is required with each form. Make check (or money order) payable to “OCDS Congress.” The fee balance is due when you check-in at the Congress registration table. Forms with payment are to be mailed to: OCDS Congress 2008, 1450 W Grand Parkway S, Suite G-154, Katy TX 77494. Please send any questions to: jeannice.theriot@gmail.com

Delegate Report

2007-10-20T10:36:00.000-05:00

Dear Carmelites,

There have been questions asked about our province’s revised statute that a member of your local council cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. The original statute stipulated that condition for only your president, but Rome approved our extension of the limitation to include all local council members. What this means is that we are no longer allowed to merely re-arrange the furniture at election time in 2008. “Re-arranging the furniture” means electing someone already on the council president or formation director, then having the former president or formation director move down to simple councillor position. The statute applies to all five council members. The president and formation director are both councilors. So if you’ve been formation director since 2002 (that’s two consecutive terms), you cannot be elected president in 2008 (because that would be a third consecutive term on the council).

The reason for the statute is to promote leadership in our canonical communities. The statute does not apply to our Study Groups where councillors are not elected but appointed. Nevertheless the same principle applies to them as well, given the added in factor that our Groups have a more limited pool of personnel from which to choose. We need to keep rotating our leaders. Part of belonging to an organization that elects their leaders is that sometimes you are in and sometimes you are out (out of the loop of the decision makers of your community). This is always hard to take for those who have been in a long time --to find themselves suddenly excluded from the inner circle. But it’s a simple fact of political life that we must adjust to in our community relations.

Another thing to consider as you prepare for elections next year is this. Always plan to have some new blood on the council so everyone’s eligibility for office does not expire at the same time. It always seems best to have some councillors left to help make the transition from one term’s council to the next a smooth one. The provincial council will keep this in mind if you decide to postulate a council member for a third term when all the others have been in for two consecutive terms. Postulation means asking the Provincial superiors (myself and the Councillors) for permission to be dispensed from the general law for a serious reason.

--Fr. John Michael OCD, prov delg.

Kansas

The evening of Thursday July 12 began at Holy Name church in Topeka with meditation at 5:00 pm followed by the Profession Mass celebrated by Assistant James Moster OFM Cap. Left to right: Geri Prather, Sheila Head and Marian Ganser made their Definitive Promise. Geri is a councillor, and Marian has served a secretary. Guests at the reception after our meeting were Marian’s husband Mike, Sheila’s husband Kevin, and Geri’s friend Mary Kay. Both Mary Kay and Debbie’s friend Sharon shared how they have become interested in Carmel. Congratulations Geri, Marian and Sheila.

Louisiana

Former Councillor Rachél Stevens requested voluntary release from her Promises and vow in August. Mary Mother of Grace Community of Lafayette offered Rachél inactive status, as health issues were reasons given; but she decided to “relinquish the benefits of membership.” The council, on 07-Aug-07granted her request “with compassionate understanding for your difficult decision, and sorrow for the community's loss.” Rachél was a wonderful and valued member of our order. We will miss her.

DeRidder lost their Assistant when Fr. Daniel Torres was reassigned. I await word from this Study Group as to who they recommend I appoint as their new Assistant. Howard Duhon plans to make his First Promise in October in Lafayette at the hands of Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh OCD.

Tennesse

At our July 15, 2007, meeting of the OCDS Group of the Holy Spirit in Knoxville, Tennessee, we celebrated a profession and a clothing.

This picture, shows the First Promise of Dorothy Terheyden. Fr. John Dowling, our Spiritual Assistant, [left] and our Formation Director, Jan Hicks, OCDS, receive the profession of Dot [right]. Reception of the Scapular was given to Susana Navarro-Valenti. The picture shown in our last Flos Carmeli was of a retreat hosted by Knoxville.

Iowa
Sioux City’s Council and Visitator has suggested the Provincial Council appoint Steve Vacha coordinator, and Stephen Ramsay Director of Formation for a Group in Discernment to be formed in the state of Nebraska. We are also overseeing a newly formed group in South Dakota.

Texas
New assistant appointed for New Caney. Deacon Scott Matz has served us well for the past few years; I appointed him on 28-Apr-03. Job, family and deaconate obligations forced him to resign his position on 31-Aug-07. On October 2, I appointed the other deacon at St John of the Cross parish where our community meets each month. The new Spiritual Assistant is Deacon Bob Keller.

I gave a retreat on St. Therese for our Houston Carmelites from Sept 14-16 at Deertrail Rd. This retreat was hosted by San Juan de la Cruz community, but members from New Caney and St. Therese also attended. At the final liturgy we clothed five new novices, and I received the Definitive Promises of Leta Melder from the Community of the Most Holy Trinity in New Caney [left], Mary Cano [below] and Jerry McBeth [right] from San Juan de la Cruz community. The profession Mass was celebrated on Sunday 16-Sep-07 at 11:00 am, and preceded by the clothings.

When we celebrate both clothings and professions at the same time, it is preferable to perform the admission ritual before or after Mass, and the profession ritual after the homily of the Mass. Confusion often rises as the ritual states that the admission ceremony “is held during a liturgy of the Word.” Notice that the introduction to our ritual does not state that the admission rite is performed “during a Eucharistic liturgy,” as it does for the rite of Promises. The solemnity of our professions is emphasized by making the Promises during Mass, and having our clothings outside the Mass, preferably after the reading of the Divine Office which would be “a liturgy of the Word.”

Visitation of our original Houston community has been rescheduled from October to January of next year due to scheduling conflicts. Councillor Natalie Ocansey has moved to the California province. Sherry Maniscalco was elected to replace Natalie on the council of the Most Holy Trinity and St Joseph community.

--Fr. John Michael OCD, prov. delg.

Promise Expiration

2007-10-20T10:26:00.000-05:00

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Dear Father, we are in the process of receiving a transfer from another community, and the time of her First Promise is about to expire. How do we handle this situation?

A: Thank you for asking about this. Most of us, including myself, have not been aware until recently of the gravity of the wording of our First Promise, that it is made “for three years.” Technically, on the day of the third anniversary of this promise, that Promise expires, and the member of our order is no longer bound to the Promise. I say “technically” because “for three years” is normally interpreted to mean “until that time, three years from now, when I will be evaluated for the Definitive Promise.” So we remain a professed member of the order until we are either dismissed or the date is set for our Definitive Promise to be made. And we will not quibble about a few weeks that might extend our temporary promise beyond the 3 times 365 days that may lapse between one ceremony and the other.

But other circumstances outside the normal formation period need to be considered, and you have mentioned the most common, which is someone moving during his or her 3 year formation period between promises, and finding the expiration date approaching in the middle of the move or shortly thereafter. The new community needs time to evaluate the incoming member; so if you are moving at this critical time, you should make arrangements with your original community BEFORE YOU MOVE to extend your formation to allow proper evaluation from the new community who will need time to get to know you and see how you fit into their community before they can properly evaluate you to take the Definitive Promise. All extensions require you to repeat your First Promise (before an Assistant or authorized cleric) for the extended length of extension granted. If you do not do this, your original Promise expires, and you will be left in Carmelite limbo until some authority decides what to do with you.

Note to our local canonical councils: Read our provincial Statute I. 6) about how you can “authorize” a priest to accept a Promise if your Asssistant is unavailable.

So finally the answer to your question: Grant the transfer an extension, and have your Assistant accept her Promise for the length of the extension. Your community needs at least six months to get to know the new arrival. Fr. Aloysius has allowed us to extend a two year novitiate period for up to another year and the three year formation period for up to a year and a half. The extension, he said, should not however extend for more than half the normal period.

--Fr. John Michael OCD, prov. delg.

Provincial Council report

2007-10-20T10:03:00.002-05:00

REPORT FROM THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
October 2007

This reporting period was a time of a number of visitations. Amelia insanely left the cooler tempertures of Iowa to visit the Dallas community in August, the hottest part of the year in Texas. In Sept, she visited our Oklahoma City community. Nancy journeyed to Lafayette to visit the two communities there in June and Little Rock in Sept. She visited the Sioux City community in July which included meeting the South Dakota and Omaha Groups in Discernment. We have decided that Gerald is truly jinxed in relation to our Topeka group. He managed to visit the Houston St Therese study group in August but a serious family emergency resulted in a third postponement of his visit to Topeka. Elizabeth had car trouble on her way to visit Lubbock which resulted in a shortened visit although she was glad to be able to still keep to her overnight stay with one of our isolates on the way back home. She tried to escape the August Texas heat with a visitation to Cedar Rapids but it was just as hot and humid up there as it was back in Austin.

When not on the road, the Provincial Council has been working on guidelines for our canonical communities when they mentor a group in discernment, the leadership/elections FAQ in this issue, provincial council elections, and various pastoral questions that have come up with communities around the province.

We’d like to remind everyone to regularly check in on the provincial website at http://www.carmelitesok.org/ocdsok/oklahoma_province.htm We update it all the time with new stuff that we come across which we feel might be helpful to the members of our province. Check the “What’s New” link towards the bottom of the page if you don’t want to simply browse…although you might find (or re-find) something interesting just by browsing around things. We especially encourage all our councils to take note of the Best Practices areas particularly the section on discernment. We are finding ourselves referring councils to that information frequently when giving advice on discernment issues.

Our Houston communities are making good progress on planning next year’s OCDS Regional Congress. They have a webpage up at http://ocdscongresshouston.com/ so check it regularly for updates.

And a final reminder for planning ahead. We anticipate once again offering workshops for councils in spring of 2009. We want to give you this early reminder so communities can plan financially to cover the costs of sending at least one council member to one of the workshops.

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

Secretary's letter

2007-10-20T09:42:00.001-05:00

Letter from Pat Darby
Provincial Secretary
October 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Please remember to include in your daily prayers and also your Community's prayers the petition for more vocations to the priesthood in our Province. We have a dire need for friars in our (province. Quoting from Fr. John Michael’s Pastoral Letter in the Winter Flos Carmeli:

"The direst need in our province is personnel for our nuns and our friars. Our secular order has plenty of vocations. In fact, we have more than we can handle! The California Province has many students studying for the priesthood. We have only two... Please pray for vocations."

Please remember to send Martha Hanley your Memorials and items that you wish published.

Martha's email address is:
tnmhanley@yahoo.com

Send inquiries and requests for additions and/or corrections to the number of copies being received and all donations/dues to the

Central Office
Pat Darby
315 N Greenville Ave., #1214
Allen, TX 75002
jmjtj33@aol.com
214 495-0597

ANNUAL DUES
JANUARY 1, 2008

Members at the time of First Promise pay annual dues of $30
Isolates pay their annual dues of $30 to the Community to which they belong. That Community sends their names and addresses and dues to the Central Office for mailing of the Flos Carmeli and recording of their information.
Aspirants who wish to receive the Flos Carmeli pay $12.
Subscribers outside of our Province pay $18.00 per year. This has been increased
due to postage and printing expenses.

These dues may be pro-rated. Please identify all monies that you send to the Central Office by listing your Community Name and the city where you meet.

In closing, I would like to quote something from Community and Growth by Jean Vanier which I think is a beautiful definition of "Community."

"A Community is like an orchestra: each instrument is beautiful when it plays alone, but when they all play together, each given its own weight in turn, the result is even more beautiful. A community is like a garden full of flowers, shrubs and trees. Each helps to give life to the other. Together, they bear witness to the beauty of God creator and gardener-extraordinary."

Let us all pray together for more vocations and also for our coming Spring elections. May the Holy Spirit grant us the gift of many new and holy men to serve and new councils dedicated to the charisms of our treasured vocation.

--Pat Darby, Provincial Secretary

Houston Congress

2007-10-20T00:44:00.001-05:00

Carmel Seculars – Bringing Light to the World

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

REGISTRATION FORM

The registration fee for the Congress is $245 per person if you register by May 31, 2008. After May 31, the registration fee is $275. This fee includes all of your meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) at the Congress.

Please fill out the information requested on this form and mail it to the address listed below with your nonrefundable deposit of $125. Make your check (or money order) payable to "OCDS Congress." The fee balance of $120 (or $150 for those registering after May 31) is due when you check-in at the Congress registration table if full payment has not been made before then.

Form may be downloaded in MS Word.doc or PDF form from congress website:
http://ocdscongresshouston.com/

Mail your form and accompanying payment to:

OCDS Congress 2008
1450 W. Grand Parkway S., Suite G-154
Katy, Texas 77494

A Registration Form must be submitted for each person attending the Congress.
If your spouse is accompanying you, please follow the instructions above and submit a form for him/her.

Please send any questions to: jeann ice.theriot@gmail.com

List of Speakers

Cardinal Daniel N. 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 on August 19, 1997, 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 the chief shepherd of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on February 28, 2006, and named Cardinal on October 17, 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI.

Elda Maria Estrada, OCDS
Elda Maria was born in Cuba. She earned a degree in Social Sciences from Loyola University in New Orleans and holds Master's Degrees in Theological Studies from the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas and in Spiritual Theology from the Teresianum OCD International College in Rome, Italy. Elda Maria is involved in evangelization at the local and national level and has lectured throughout the United States, Canada, and Latin America. She currently directs retreats, workshops and conferences.

Fr. Johannes Gorantla, OCD
Fr. Johannes Gorantla, was born in Andhra Pradesh, India in 1974. He was professed in 1994. In 1998 he won the University Gold Medal for Philosophy and was sent to Rome for his theological formation at Teresianum OCD International College. He made his solemn profession in 2000 and was ordained as the first native priest of Andhra Pradesh, (which is now a Comissariate) in 2002. In 2006 he obtained the Licence degree in Sacred Scripture from Biblicum, the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. At present he is working on a Doctorate in Scripture from Gregorian University in Rome. Fr. Johannes always felt it was his duty to make known the rich treasures of Carmel to his people in Telugu. To that end he has published the following in Telugu language: 1993- translated the Book of Life of St. Teresa of Avila; 1994- Unending Light of Avila (the life and spiritual doctrine of St. Teresa); 1995- Time a Precious Gift of God; 1996- Secularism, and Religious Tolerance in India. (These both were prize winning essays on a national level in India); 1996- Relevance of Evangelization in India; 2001- A Precious Pearl in the Church (the life and the spiritual doctrine of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus); 2006- Understanding the Infancy Narratives: A Brief Theological and Spiritual Commentary.

Dr. Susan Muto
Susan Muto received her Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Pittsburgh where she specialized in the work of post-Reformation spiritual writers. Dr. Muto is the former director of the Institute of Formative Spirituality at Duquesne University where she taught as a full professor in its master's and doctoral programs. She is currently Executive Director of the Epiphany Association, and Dean of the Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality: a nonprofit ecumenical center dedicated to spiritual formation. She teaches courses on an adjunct basis at many schools, seminaries, and centers of higher learning. Her teachings focus on integrating the life of prayer and presence with professional ministry and in-depth formation in the home, the church, and the marketplace. Dr. Muto is the author of more than 90 articles and 30 books, (http://www.epiphanyassociation.org/)

Fr. John Michael Payne, OCD
Provincial Delegate, Oklahoma Province
Fr. John Michael entered the Carmelite novitiate of Marylake in 1963 and was professed in 1964. He studied philosophy in Santa Clara, CA, theology in Washington, D.C. and was ordained June 13, 1970 at Marylake. After serving as head of theology and philosophy at Dominican College of Houston, and the Assistant Pastor of the Cathedral of Dallas, he returned to Marylake as Prior in 1975. He then served as Superior in Oklahoma City, returning to Marylake in 1981. He was appointed provincial delegate to the Secular members of the Oklahoma Province in 1981, and except for one triennium [1990-93] has served in this position, sometimes with co-delegates, until his anticipated resignation in May 2008.

Deacon John Pelletier, OCDS
Vice-Chairman, Deacon Community Board of Galveston-Houston
Deacon John Pelletier grew up in New England but then came to Texas where he received his Masters Degree in Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1977. He has worked for a major oil company since that time. John has been married to his wife Ellen for 30 years and they have two college age sons. He was professed on April 25, 1992 and made his definitive promise in 1995. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the diocese (now Archdiocese) of Galveston-Houston in 1999. He is currently assigned to St. Thomas More Parish. He previously served as a Council Member for the Community of the Holy Trinity and St. Joseph OCDS in Houston where he now serves as Spiritual Assistant.

Fr. Bonaventure Sauer, OCD
Parochial Vicar, Basilica of St. Therese, San Antonio, Texas
Fr. Bonaventure Sauer was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1953 and at an early age moved to Illinois. He received a Masters Degree in Scripture and entered the Carmel in San Antonio in the Oklahoma Province. He transferred to Little Rock in 1991 and was ordained a Priest in 1992. After his ordination he was transferred to New Orleans and became Student Director and taught at the New Orleans Seminary until 1997. In 1999 he moved to Oklahoma City where he served as Provincial until 2002 when he became Superior at Marylake Monastery in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since 2005, Fr. Bonaventure has served as Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Therese, as Editor of the Apostolate of the Little Flower magazine, and is serving as Spiritual Assistant of the Austin Chapter.

Dr. Nancy Thompson, OCDS
Member, Oklahoma Provincial Council
Nancy Thompson was born and raised on a farm in Iowa. She is the mother of four sons and has served the church in several professional roles in parishes and dioceses and at the national level since 1980. Nancy was professed in 1990 as an Isolate and joined a one-year-old group in discernment that was convened in Cedar Rapids in 1994 (now the St. Teresa of Jesus OCDS Community), where she served in leadership roles until becoming a member of the Oklahoma OCDS Provincial Council. In the late 1990s she began serving for six years on the Executive Committee of the Carmelite Institute of North America and later as a member of the OCDS National Council. In 1999 she attended the 2nd OCDS International Congress on the Rule of Life in Mexico. Dr. Thompson completed her Doctorate of Ministry in Applied Ministries in February 2000. In June 2007 Dr. Thompson left her role as theology teacher at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids and became Director of Programs and Diocesan Relations for the National Catholic Partnership on Disability. She has authored many articles and presented on a variety of topics related to spirituality and the life of a Discalced Carmelite Secular, as well as other themes.

Hotel information
for O.C.D.S. Regional Congress, Houston
The congress will be held Sept. 11-14, 2008, at

Omni Houston Westside
13210 Katy Freeway (I-10)
Houston, TX 77079
281-558-8338

Please make your reservation by Aug. 28, 2008, to obtain our special rate of $94 per night – per room (for single, double, triple, or quad). To make your reservation online, type in the following URL address:

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/HoustonWestside/Meeting%20Facilities/OrderofCarmelitesDiscalcedSecular9.aspx

If making your reservation by phone, please call Omni Houston Westside at 281-558-8338. Be sure to identify yourself with the group "Order of Carmelites Discalced Secular" to obtain our group rate. The number of rooms with King or Two Queen beds is pre-set; therefore, we recommend reserving your room as early as possible to receive the type of accommodation you desire.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Ms. Jeannice Theriot
OCDS Congress 2008
1450 W. Grand Parkway S., Suite G-154 ,
Katy, Texas 77494
or e-mail jeannice.theriot@gmail.com

Carmelite jewelry
for sale to support 2008 O.C.D.S. Congress

Beautiful Carmelite secular jewelry is for sale to help in defraying expenses of the 2008 Congress. The men's and ladies rings and pendant are made by a jeweler in Houston. Prices are as follows:

Ladies Rings:
............... W .....Price
Silver .......7.0 ...$185.00
Gold 10K... 8.0 ...$280.00
Gold 14K.. 10.0 ...$370.00

Pendant:
..............W .......Price
Silver .......5.2 ...$150.00
Gold 10K... 6.0 ...$225.00
Gold 14K... 7.0 ...$270.00

Men's Rings:
................W .....Price
Silver ...... 13.0 ..$280.00
Gold 10 K.. 14.0 ..$445.00
Gold 14 K.. 16.0 ..$535.00

Add $15 to price of jewelry for shipping and taxes. Send orders (specify item, ring size and initials to be inscribed inside the ring) with checks made out to "O.C.D.S. Congress" to Margaret Nunez, 22568 Yancy Road, Porter, TX 77365.

Statistics

2007-10-20T00:41:00.000-05:00

O.C.D.S. statistics

For the United States:
Oklahoma Province: approximately 870 members
Washington Province: approximately 4,000 members
California-Arizona Province: approximately 2,300 members

For the world:
Of the 40,000 Carmelite seculars in the world, 24,000 live in these five countries:

1. India
2. United States
3. Mexico
4. South Korea
5. Philippines

Memorials

2007-10-20T00:22:00.000-05:00

Silvia Chester
Killeen, Texas

Our beloved sister Silvia Chester was born Nov. 3, 1935, in Chirriqui, Panama, was professed March 21, 1999 at Cedarbrake in Belton, Texas, made her Definitive Promise in 2003 and died in Temple on July 18, 2007.

She worked very hard for our group as our secretary and translated a lot of documents into Spanish for us. She was a member of our council. Due to her illness (emphysema), she was confined to her home during the last months of her life. But she always kept in contact with the group; our group also always kept in touch with her. Silvia was a very organized person. She had two daugthers and a son. Our group and her family were with her until her last hour of life. She was called to the Father's house at the age of 71. She was a great woman, mother and sister in Carmel, a wonderful Carmelite to know and to admire.

—Angel Moises Acosta, Killeen

Louise DeBlanc, Monita Oubre, Lucy Fitch

New Iberia, LA

The following members of Mary, Beloved of the Trinity Community in New Iberia, La., announces the death of the following members:

• Louise DeBlanc, born on Oct. 25, 1919, and died on Aug. 13, 2005. She was professed on May 7, 1982, taking the devotional name of "Theresa of the Cross," and made her Definitive Promise in 1985.

• Monita Oubre, born on Feb. 20, 1917, and died on Aug. 3, 2007. She was professed on May 15, 1988, taking the devotional name of "Monica of Holy Souls," and made her Definitive Promise in 1991.

• Lucy Fitch, born on Aug. 6, 1928, and died on Aug. 9, 2007. She was professed on Nov. 18, 2001, taking the devotional name of "Mary Lucy Therese," and made her Definitive Promise in 2004.

—Terri Hebert, New Iberia

Eleanor Lindauer St. Louis

On Aug. 9, 2007, the memorial of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, our St. Louis community lost another of our dear members. Eleanor Lindauer, whose name in Carmel was Carmel of Mary, had been a resident of St. Agnes Home for some years, a facility run by the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus. She was born on May 22, 1910, and entered Carmel in July 1975. Her clothing took place in September 1977, First Promise Nov. 21, 1982, and Definitive Promise Oct. 16, 1983. Eleanor had been a nun earlier in her life and had never married after leaving the convent. She was especially close to another member of our community who has since moved to Texas to live near her children, Esther Schmitt.

Eleanor never held office in the community but was an unofficial ambassador of welcome and a delight to the community and to all who knew her.

At the memorial Mass the priest at St. Agnes Home said that he found her to be always smiling, a quiet woman who loved people and was at peace with herself. He said that we get to be at peace with ourselves when we are one with Christ. And we get to be one with Christ through prayer and the Eucharist. Being in Christ's Heart we then try to be better and to bring him to others. He said, Christ is the way, the truth and the life and that Eleanor showed the way to follow Christ to others.

One little personal note: When I came to my first meeting at Carmel in 1988 the president and the formation director were both unexpectedly unable to attend, and a member offered to show a travelog movie of a trip to the Holy Land. I was very disappointed and was leaving when this smiling, friendly woman came up to me and introduced herself as Eleanor and asked if I was a new member. I told her it was my first meeting, but it wasn't what I thought it would be and wouldn't be coming back again. She said, "Oh, dear, please don't judge us by this meeting. Please come back again and see for yourself." Well, thank God for Eleanor seeking me out to speak to me and invite me back.

Eleanor didn't attend many meetings after that because of age, poor health and not being able to drive, so I didn't get to know her well. But for those who did know her she was a warm, gentle, friendly, prayerful woman who showed others the way to Christ's Heart. She will be missed.

—Sharon Schulte, St. Louis

2007-10-20T00:19:00.000-05:00

Stepping forward in leadership
in the Secular Discalced Carmelite Community

by Hank Hurley, O.C.D.S.

It is a hallmark of our age that everyone is looking for leaders and usually can't find them. This is true in politics, education, the business world and the church. Why are people reluctant to be leaders? Are the risks of leadership somehow seen as less than the rewards? In our Carmelite communities the risks are fewer and the rewards are greater because we perform our duties within the Rule and with confidence in the charity of our spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ.

Leadership is an activity that each of us accepts at certain points in our lives, and it doesn't mean that some people are leaders and some aren't. This view is possible if we put aside the worries and self-concern about leadership and concentrate on the fundamental requirement for accepting leadership duties, which is humility. There has never been a better time to step forward and help the community through your talents.

As our spiritual parents Saint Teresa and Saint John teach us, humility is the glue which holds the virtues and contemplative experiences together. And we know from our own personal experiences, humility binds our promises of chastity, poverty and obedience together so that our actions out of contemplation are simply and profoundly NOT for our own self-interest but for Christ and our fellow Carmelites. If humility is the spirit of leadership, then what are the practical actions?

First, self- knowledge: Am I in a good place to practice leadership activities in my community? Do I have time, and am I free of personal interest and ambition that would lead me astray by thinking I know what is best for my brothers and sisters in Carmel? Am I focused on the Constitutions and particularly on utilizing their guidance in a spirit of charity and love to each of my brothers and sisters? Can I exercise responsibility and duty with common sense and charity? The reward of accepting leadership will be increased self-knowledge and greater awareness of the real needs of my companions on our spiritual journey.

Second, do I want to serve more than I am serving now —not in an egocentric way, but in whatever way the Council deems appropriate? When I bring this to prayer, do I gain confidence that my desire to practice leadership is what God wants of me? Can I devote myself to learning something new in the way I practice leadership and serve others? The reward will be new skills in how I live my life and how I make decisions.

Third, can I be courageous when necessary? My beloved brothers and sisters in Carmel will not always agree with my decisions or my actions. In truth and humility I must accept their views but also do what is right and obedient to my calling and my leadership duties. Can I do this at this point in my life? The reward will be a self-confidence based on my real talents, exercised through serving God and the community.

Finally, if I accept a leadership position and then find that the leadership role is too challenging for me, will I be able to ask for the help that I need through grace and genuine humility?

Now is the time to step forward and offer your talents to your community, in humility as a leader and for the welfare of your sisters and brothers. The reward will be a stronger sense of who you are as a Carmelite. You will be able to bring to your prayer a renewed confidence in yourself and love for our Lord.

--Hank Hurley, O.C.D.S.

Elections Q&A

2007-10-20T00:11:00.000-05:00

Q: If someone has been a councilor for one term and is now president of the community, can that person serve another term as president?

A: Sec. 2.d of our Provincial Statutes says: "In order that leadership qualities be developed in our communities, all council members (President, Councilors and Director of Formation) shall serve no more than two consecutive terms. Since it is not possible to be elected to a third consecutive term, in order to hold a third consecutive term, a postulation is required from the Provincial Council." This means that the person in question could not serve as president, as formation director, nor as a councilor during the next triennium unless the community seeks postulation from the Provincial Council. The term limit applies regardless of which specific role a person has served on the council.

Q: What is postulation and how do we get it?

A: Postulation is when you ask for an exemption from the legislation of the Order. If a community wishes to seek postulation for a council member, then they must vote on whether to request postulation. This vote must be well in ADVANCE of the regular council elections. Once the ballots are counted by the Local Council, the Spiritual Assistant should contact the Provincial Council with the results of the postulation vote and provide his own recommendation as well. The Provincial Council will then decide whether to approve the postulation or not.

The request to the Provincial Council should include an explanation for why the community is seeking an exemption for this person. The Provincial Council will want to know such things as:

• How is your community actively forming members to assume leadership roles?
• The tradition in Carmelite leadership is that sometimes you are a leader and sometimes, you are not. How does your community prepare everyone for the application of that principle?
• Were there enough candidates on the ballot to choose a council without this person? If not, why not?

If the Provincial Council approves the postulation, then the community holds regular elections for the remaining council positions. For example, if the postulation was for Jane Doe to serve an additional term as President, then the community election would only be for the open councilor positions. No election for President would be held.

Q: How do we choose a Formation Director?

A: According to Art. 53, the Formation Director is ELECTED by the council. According to Fr. John Michael: "All elections of personnel need to be done by secret ballot. I think most communities settle these matters by consensus agreement, but the problem in this is that a consensus is usually declared to be achieved by the strongest person in the group, and there is pressure on anyone who opposes that consensus to go along. Because of considerations such as these, the general principle was developed that all elections involving personnel be done by secret ballot and votes tabulated and recorded by the secretary. This would not apply to minor matters such as appointments of secretaries, treasurers, infirmarians, phone committee members, etc., but would apply to serious matters such as ones admittance to clothing or profession or continuance in formation."

Naturally, the council will want to choose someone with the gifts of a good formation director. At the same time, it is important to remember that the FULL council is responsible for "the formation and Christian and Carmelite maturing of the members of the community." (Art. 46) Also, in many of our communities, the Formation Director oversees a formation team (so all the work does not fall on just the Formation Director). Thus a Formation Director needs to also be someone who can delegate tasks.

Q: But we already know who the Formation Director will be. We've already decided.

A: Sec. III.l states: "To preserve freedom of the newly elected Local Council, all other offices (Secretary, Treasurer, Formation Director, etc.) shall be vacated at the end of the same meeting." Only the newly elected Local Council may determine who the Formation Director should be. The previous council does not choose. Even the larger, full community does not choose. The Formation Director from the prior triennium does not automatically continue in that position. We know that sometimes there is discussion prior to election among members about who should be the Formation Director. Sometimes a person is kept off the council ballot because everyone thinks that person should be the Formation Director. This would be wrong. Sec. III.4.C covers what to do if the newly elected Local Council wishes to elect one of their own to serve as Formation Director.

Q: What happens if we only have one candidate for President?

A: The answer to this depends upon which set of parliamentary procedures the community has decided to follow for the election process. (see Sec. III.l) Most people have some passing familiarity with Robert's Rules of Order. For instance, in Robert's Rules of Order, if there is only one candidate standing for election to a particular position, then a ballot vote must still be taken for that one person (provided there are no nominations from the floor at the time of the vote). If someone does not wish to vote for the one nominee, they either vote for the unopposed candidate, write in someone else's name, or abstain.

Q: Who gets to vote?

A: Voting is a privilege granted upon membership in the Order. According to Art. 12, a person becomes a full member of the Order upon making the First Promise. Visitors, aspirants, novices, those whose First Promise has expired, and Spiritual Assistants (unless they are also professed in the OCDS) are not eligible to vote. In certain rare circumstances, a professed member of the Order might have their voting rights suspended and so are not allowed to participate in the elections either. Note also that the Provincial Statutes require a member to be physically present at the time of the vote.

Q: Do those who do not have a right to vote stay in the room or do they have to leave during the voting?

A: There is no legislative requirement that non-voting members leave the room at the time of elections. However, care should be taken that ballots are only given to those with voting rights.

Q: The statutes say that the incumbent councilors count the ballots but what if they are on the ballot? Isn't this a conflict of interest?

A: If all three councilors are on the ballot for re-election, then it would be appropriate to have a neutral party (someone who is not on the ballot) also present to help with counting of the ballots. If at least one councilor is not up for re-election then that person is the neutral party and so there's no need for someone else to help with the count.

the OCDS view

First OCDS Congress

Houston Congress 08

Provincial delegate's report

Secretary's letter

JM report

Alabama

Arkansas

Georgia

Louisiana

Tennessee

R.I.P.

PC Report

OCDS Directory

Communities

Provincial Council

PD Report

Alabama

Mississippi

Missouri

Oklahoma

Texas

PC Report

ads

R.I.P.

PD Report

F.A.Q.

PC Report

Secretary's report

Starting a Community

A Note on Formation

Elections

Devotion to Mary

Houston 08 Congress

Delegate Report

Promise Expiration

Provincial Council report

Secretary's letter

Houston Congress

Statistics

Memorials

Elections Q&A