Provincial delegate's report

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

JM report

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.

PD Report

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

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

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

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

Alabama

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

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

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

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

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

Mississippi

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

Missouri

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

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

Oklahoma

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

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

Texas

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

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

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

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

Your Provincial Delegate,

Fr. John Michael Payne OCD

Infirmarian's report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rebecca Segura, Houston infirmarian

PD Report

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.