October 26, 2007

Vocation Day

Franciscan University

of Steubenville, Ohio

On October 26, 2007, Fr. Adam Gregory represented the community at the Vocation Fair at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. He was joined by Fr. Elijah Martin, OCD, Vocation Director of the Washington Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars, the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart and the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

October 16, 2007

Fr. Philip Sullivan, OCD, had the special blessing of celebrating Holy Mass for our Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Tepeyac (the hill of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe) on OHM St. Teresa's feastday. In the above pictures, Fr. Philip is shown celebrating Mass with Fr. Jerome Karcher during their pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. St. Juan Diego's tilma, with the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, can be see behind the main altar.

October 15, 2007

Solemnity of Our Holy Mother,

Saint Teresa of Jesus

While at St. Joseph's in Avila, on the vigil of Pentecost, I was in the hermitage of Nazareth reflecting upon a very great favor our Lord had granted me on that day, more or less twenty years before, when an intense spiritual impulse and fervor began which caused my faculties to be suspended. In this great recollection I heard from our Lord the following:

That I should tell the Discalced Fathers that for their part they ought to strive to observe four things and that as long as they keep them their religious order will grow, and that when they fail to do so they will be falling away from their original purpose. The first is that their leaders be in accord. The second, that though they have many houses, there be few friars in each. The third, that they speak little with seculars, but that when they do, it be for the good of these persons' souls. The fourth, that they teach by works more than by words.

This happened in the year 1579. And because it is very true, I sign it with my name:

Teresa of Jesus

October 13, 2007

On October 13, 2007, Fr. Adam Gregory Gonzales joined other Vocation Directors and representatives from some 25 religious orders at the

Diocese of San Jose Vocation Fair.

October 8, 2007

On October 8, 2007, the two members of our Province who are studying theology at the International Carmelite College (The Teresianum), in Rome, began their semester along with Discalced Carmelite Friars from around the world. Can you spot

Bro. Ramiro and Bro. Juan Elias in the sea of brown?

October 2, 2007

Mount Saint Joseph threatened by fire

During the afternoon on the feast of the Guardian Angels, our cook noticed smoke coming from behind the monastery. As the Prior was being alerted the San Jose Fire Department was already arriving in our parking lot. Apparently, a car fire on Clayton Road started the blaze which burned around 15 acres of our hillside and came within a few feet of the garage and back of the monastery. Due to the bravery, efficiency and quick work of the San Jose Fire Department and the California Department of Forestry the fire was contained and extinguished within a few anxious hours. We praise and give give thanks to God, today, for preserving this monastery and for the safety of his servants. (Thanks to our guardian angels, too!)

October 1, 2007

Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

"O Jesus, why can't I tell all little souls how unspeakable is Your condescension? I feel that if you found a soul weaker and littler than mine, which is impossible, You would be pleased to grant it still greater favors, provided it abandoned itself with total confidence to Your Infinite Mercy. But why do I desire to communicate Your secrets of Love, O Jesus, for was it not You alone who taught them to me, and can You not reveal them to others? Yes, I know it, and I beg you to do it. I beg you to cast Your Divine Glance upon a great number of little souls. I beg You to choose a legion of little Victims worthy of your LOVE!"

St. Therese

Story of a Soul (manuscript B)

Happy Feastday to:

Fr. Kevin of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Fr. Cyprian of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Fr. James of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Fr. Donald of St. Therese

Fr. Adam Gregory of St. Therese

September 29. 2007

Fr. Christopher, LaRocca, OCD,

is preaching the Novena in honor of St. Therese at the Carmel of Cristo Rey, San Francisco, CA. Fr. Christopher is the Rector and Student Master at the

St. Elijah House of Studies in Mt. Angel, OR.

Fr. Christopher is pictured here with our novices and postulants.

September 24, 2007

While attending a conference in Miami, Florida, Bro. James Zakowicz visited with our Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart who staff St. Theresa School (Coral Gables) and Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll High School (Miami).

September 16, 2007

Tridentine Mass at St. Therese Church

On September 16, 2007, our parishoners at St. Therese Church in Alhambra, California, had the opportunity to attend the Tridentine Mass. Approximately 400 people attended. This traditional Mass will be celebrated at St. Therese Church every 3rd, 4th & 5th Sundays of each month. St. Therese Church was founded by the Anglo-Irish Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars in 1924 and became the first foundation of the California-Arizona Province.

http://sts-alh.org/sttheresechurch/index.htm

September 14, 2007

50 years a Carmelite Nun

Today at the Carmelite Monastery at Carmel-by-the-Sea, California,

Fr. Provincial, Gerald Werner, OCD, presided at the Golden Jubilee Liturgy for

Sr. Marie-Cecile of Jesus Crucified, OCD.

Fr. Donald Kinney, OCD, was the homilist.

Carmel of Our Lady and St. Therese

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

http://carmelitesistersbythesea.net/homepage.htm

September 13, 2007

Within Evening Prayer Fr. Gerald Werner, Provincial Superior, received two men into our Postulancy: Mr. Richard Castillo (right), of Mammoth Lakes, California and Mr. Marinello Saguin (left), of Los Angeles, California.

September 13, 2007

During Evening Prayer, Fr. Gerald Werner, Provincial Superior, invested Postulant Charles Nawodylo in the holy habit of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Charles was given the religious name: Bro. Charles of Jesus and Mary.

September 8, 2007

Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Queen and Beauty of Carmel

20 of our Friars celebrate Profession anniversaries today:

Fr. Reginald – 62 years
Fr. Ailbe – 60 years
Fr. David – 52 years
Fr. Colm – 51 years
Fr. John of the Cross – 50 years
Fr. Albert – 48 years
Fr. Gilbert – 32 years
Fr. Stephen – 29 years
Fr. Donald – 25 years
Fr. Thomas – 24 years
Fr. Matthew – 24 years
Fr. Richard Classen – 22 years
Fr. Jan – 20 years
Fr. Christopher – 19 years
Bro. Michael – 16 years
Fr. Fernando – 15 years
Fr. Adam Gregory – 9 years
Fr. Laurence – 9 years
Fr. Mario – 9 years

Fr. Jose Luis - 9 years

August 31, 2007

August 31, 2007 - September 2, 2007,

Carmelite Friars

and

Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart

promote Religious Vocations and Carmelite Spirituality at SCRC Catholic Renewal Convention, Anaheim, California.

August 5, 2007

Fr. Philip Sullivan, OCD, celebrates his First Mass of Thanksgiving at the Carmel of St. Teresa, Alhambra, California.

August 4, 2007

On August 4, 2007 Bro. Philip of Our Lady of Guadalupe, OCD (Sullivan) was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ by Bishop Gabino Zavala at St. Therese Church, Alhambra, California.

August 3, 2007

Bro. Salvador Professes his Solemn and Perpetual Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience

Bro. Salvador with his parents, Salvador and Elvira Roman
On August 4, 2007, Bro. Salvador of Our Lady of Refuge, OCD (Roman), made his Solemn Profession of Vows for life into the hands of Fr. Provincial Gerald Werner, OCD. The ceremony took place within the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at our parish in Alhambra, California

July 16, 2007

Several of our Friars complete Novenas, today, to Our Lady of Mount Carmel at the Carmel of Lafayette, Louisiana; Carmel of Valparaiso, Nebraska; Carmel of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California; and the Carmel of Santa Clara, California.

This statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel holds historical significance for our Province. It was originally commissioned for our second California foundation (Encino) and is now venerated in our chapel at Mt. St. Joseph (San Jose, California).

June 30, 2007

Carmelite Fathers, Brothers and Sisters participate in Family Vocation Fair at

Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Alta Loma, California.