Category: Newsletters by Topic

Lenten Devotions and St. Joseph

Lenten Devotions and St. Joseph

We break our customary silence during this season of Lent at the request of many of you for some bit of news, and especially a little spiritual “uplift”! Lent is like a retreat and, for all the faithful, a season of reflection and prayerful examination of conscience. It is also just a few days before the feast of beloved St. Joseph, or as Our Holy Mother St. Teresa called him, “The Glorious St. Joseph.”

In WEBSITE NEWS we give gift suggestions for upcoming First Communions.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we are preparing for the final profession of one of our novices and working on vestments. Read More….

St. John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross

One of the special saints celebrated during these days is our own holy Father, St. John of the Cross. We know he enjoys a perfectly miserable reputation among many Catholics: gloomy, strict, distant, and cold. Let us see if we can dispel at least a few of the mistaken notions and fears about this great Saint, who was essentially a very gentle person, yet very intense.

In WEBSITE NEWS we share ideas for Christmas gifts, including some new music selections. Also of interest is the biography of St. Theophane Venard, a favorite Saint of Saint of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we have been busy preparing for a bake sale and finishing the St. Catherine vestment. Read More….

Our Lady of the Rosary

Our Lady of the Rosary

October celebrates and honors in a special way Our Blessed Mother under this title—and the prayer and sacramental we call the rosary. We share with you thoughts from a special talk we received on the Feast Day about the words in the final prayer of the rosary “imitate what they contain (the mysteries of the rosary), and obtain what they promise.”

In WEBSITE NEWS we share with you details and photographs about how we make our rosaries.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we strive to fulfill St. Teresa’s request that the Carmelite life be dedicated to prayer and sacrifice, especially for priests, as we celebrate her feast day. Read More….

The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Greetings to you all as we celebrate Carmel’s great Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This feast is not only for Carmelites, but is beloved by all of Mary’s children, since so many of them wear her Scapular. “Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel indicates a strong call to the interior life…” – Divine Intimacy

In WEBSITE NEWS we have added Third Order Ceremonial Scapulars to our site.

We share some stories of the community in COMMUNITY NEWS - vestment projects, fresh produce from the local markets, and friendly teasing amongst the Sisters. Read More….

End of the World

End of the World

People are not only wondering about tomorrow, but about the last tomorrow—the end of time, the end of all things, the day when God sends His angel to announce, “Time is no more!” For in world events, do we not all hear the echo of Christ’s own words? There will be “wars and rumors of wars … nation will rise against nation…there will be pestilences and famines and earthquakes…But all these things are the beginnings of sorrows…iniquity will abound, the charity of the many will grow cold…”

In WEBSITE NEWS we give ideas for meaningful Christmas gifts.

COMMUNITY NEWS find us creating another shrine on our grounds, this one to Our Lady of Fatima, besides dealing with some critter infestations on the grounds and some stories shared from our recreations. Read More….

Divine Providence

Divine Providence

Who among us is without personal, family, health, and economic troubles these days? How should we all face these trials, sometimes so overwhelming and so humbling? The Christian’s answer lies in the beautiful mystery of Divine Providence. There is a divine purpose in whatever occurs in our lives, and we must strive to see that purpose in every person, every event, every joy, and every pain that we experience.

In WEBSITE NEWS we have been concentrating on our scramentals apostolate. Just what are sacramentals? We always like to explain what they are by borrowing a definition most familiar to Catholics of all ages: A sacramental is an outward sign, instituted by Christ through His Church to give grace.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we have finished the new shrine to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and are busy preparing the garden for winter. Read More….

The Month of the Sacred Heart

The Month of the Sacred Heart

June is the month dedicated by the Church to honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What more beautiful devotion could there be than that of recalling, contemplating, confiding in, and returning God’s love for us?

In WEBSITE NEWS we have added many First Communion holy card to our site, to help commemorate this special day for any First Communicants you may know.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we celebrated the first profession of one of our novices. It was a special day with a quiet celebrations and private ceremony. We also finished a beautiful gold and blue solemn vestment set in honor of the Blessed Mother, a project we have been working on for quite some time! Read More….

Death, Advent, and Hope

Death, Advent, and Hope

The thought of death is not, and must not be, a morbid thing. No. Correctly seen, this life of time, given by God, is only temporary and but the brief, passing trial that must bring us to eternity. Our Lord and His Saints teach us this incessantly. These are good thoughts to lead us into the liturgical season of Advent. For in this season of penitential, yet joyful anticipation, the Church continues these thoughts, as She presents for our reflection the coming of Christ Our Lord, not only in time, but also at the end of time.

In WEBSITE NEWS we have made available many beautiful woodcarvings of the Infant of Prague, the Guardian Angels, and some of the Saints. They are imported from Italy, and we are very pleased with the quality!

In COMMUNITY NEWS not only did we celebrate the clothing of one of our Novices, but we also celebrated the citizenship of our Sister from England. We are also improving on the Our Lady of Mount Carmel shrine in our courtyard. Read More….

The Two Teresas

The Two Teresas

October also brings us to the celebration of the feasts of the “Two Teresas”: Our Holy Mother St. Teresa of Avila and St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Our Mother, and Our dear Sister in heaven.

In WEBSITE NEWS we already begin to prepare for Christmas and once again give a book review from the Sisters.

In COMMUNITY NEWS, so very many of you ask how our new vocations are doing, and they are indeed well and facing with alacrity and enthusiasm the varied challenges of a new life. From a variety of different background, they are all learning together the different Carmelite customs and duties. Read More….

Queen of the May

Queen of the May

May is especially the month of Our Lady.” Here in Carmel, the Sisters cherish a tender affection and dedication to Mary. We have our own customs for making this month special.

In WEBSITE NEWS we give book reviews written by the Sisters – some of our favorite spiritual titles!

In COMMUNITY NEWS we describe the different steps to the religious life, Postulancy, the first year of the Novitiate, the taking of temporary vows, and finally the final profession and veiling. Read More….