Multiple Vocation Events

 by Sister Helena of Mary, O.Carm.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS, HUDSON, NY

On April 21, 2024, Sister Helena and Sister Mary visited Saint Mary-Holy Trinity Church in Hudson, NY to participate in the parish celebration of World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Good Shepherd Sunday.  We attended the 4:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass and the 9:00 am Sunday Mass. We had visitors at our table and many were very appreciative of the Sisters being there. We thank Very Reverend Anthony Barratt, E.V, Pastor of Saint Mary's for the opportunity to visit and witness to religious life and for his introduction and positive recommendations,  and to thank him for the wonderful invitation to an enjoyable coffee/tea and pastry at the rectory!

by Sister Lois Ann, O.Carm.

HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS, STATEN ISLAND, NY 

Sr. Mary Anne, Sr. Lois and Sr. Sharon attended the monthly Holy Hour for vocations at St. Joseph and St. Mary Immaculate parish in Staten Island.  It was a beautiful evening filled with sacred reflections, worship music, Eucharistic Adoration and a procession of the Eucharist throughout the church.  Attendees were invited to light a candle for their intentions and place it along the communion rail.  The evening Holy Hour concluded with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  There were over one hundred who attended.

 By Sister Mary O'Donovan, O.Carm.

FAMILY LIFE CONFERENCE, TARRYTOWN, NY

On April 13, Sr. Lois, Sr. Mary Anne and Sr. Mary  attended the “Second Annual Bilingual Family Life Conference’ in the Carmelite Transfiguration Church, Tarrytown NY. Most Rev. Franz-Peter Tebartz van-Elst, Delegate for Catechesis and Evangelization gave an inspiring presentation.  We met various group leaders from the Manhattan Dept of Youth Faith Formation, NY Archdiocese. Also present were  our Carmelite Fathers. It was a good networking event and worth attending.

“Thanksgiving Why is that holiday so Important after so many years.”

 

by Sister Philomena Anne of Divine Mercy, O.Carm.

I believe that Thanksgiving which has been around for many years, is just as important today. As the world continues to change from one generation to another, so many people today forget to be thankful for what thy have. People forget also that whatever they are blessed with is a gift from God, not something they obtain all by themselves. We live in a day and age ware we always want more and more especially as technology develops over the years, we run the risk of becoming greedy and selfish. Remember everyone to say thank you show them how grateful you are for their kindness towards you. Thanksgiving is a time to spend time with family and friends have a great meal laugh play games have a grand time with them. It’s a great time once a year to spend with them especially the family member that you do not see very often due to distance in ware they live. If there is a time where we are distant from each other because of arguments in the past, Thanksgiving is a great time a year to forgive each other and visit make up for lost times that you have spent away from one another. Thanksgiving is a great time a year to remember our loved ones that have gone before us to heaven, remembering the wonderful memories of our time with them maybe even keeping some thing they did with thanksgiving along with your own tradition as a way of keeping their memory alive. Tell stories of what it was like with them in your life on earth and thank God for the wonderful live you lived with them. They may be not there in person, know that they will always be alive in your heart forever. Thanksgiving is also a time where we should never forget to say thanks to God and our holy mother for their presence in our life. Remember to say thank you for the vocation you were blessed within life. With out the love and generosity of our Lord and holy Mother in giving us a great gift in being able to be with them in heaven, we would have nothing to be thankful for.

Come and Rest in Him Weekend Retreat

 The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm hosted a "Come and Rest in Him Weekend Retreat" at Saint Teresa's Motherhouse in Germantown, New York. The retreat began with arrival and gathering on Friday, June 23 and ended after lunch on Sunday, June 25. There were seven young women who participated. Our three spiritual directors, Matt Ingold, Sister Mary of Jesus, O.Carm. (vocation director) and Sister Helena of Mary, O.Carm. (novice director), provided direction to those who were interested. Sister Lois Wetzel (postulant director) was also available for spiritual mentoring. The retreatants participated in the Mass and Liturgy of the Hours, conferences on Saint Therese and the Eucharist, given by Sr. Lois Wetzel and Sr. Peter Lillian, respectively. Times of silence, solitude and community were also available.

https://www.carmelitesisters.com/carmelite-events/come-and-rest-in-him-weekend-retreat-2023

Catholic Young Adults Event, New York City

 by Sister Michelle Elizabeth, O.Carm.

Last night Sr. Sharon Rose, Sr. Dolores, and Sr. Michelle Elizabeth attended Catholic NYC’s monthly Young Adult Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The night included the opportunity for adoration and confession before the Mass, and a social event afterwards. The Sisters had the chance to pray and connect with many young adults throughout the Archdiocese during the night.

#carmelites4aged #prayforvocations #catholicnyc #catholicyoungadults

Carmelite Brothers Profess Simple Vows

Sister Bernadine and Sister Helena attended the First Profession of Vows by our Carmelite Brothers at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, NY. Brother Derrick Turrentine, O.Carm. and Brother Salvador Solis, O.Carm. from the Province of The Most Pure Heart of Mary presented themselves to embrace the evangelical counsels following the Rule of Saint Albert. The Very Reverend Mario Esposito, O.Carm, Prior Provincial of the Saint Elias Province, was the Presider.  The Very Reverend Cal Markelz, O.Carm. of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, was the homilist. The two Novice Directors, Fr. Quinn Conners, O.Carm. and Fr. Tim Ennis, O.Carm. were also present at the altar to concelebrate. Brother Gregg Durham, O.Carm. was the Master of Ceremonies.

A simple lunch reception followed the Holy Mass with our Carmelite Friars, Brothers, friends and family members of the newly-professed.

Saint Christopher Celebrates Corpus Christi

 On Sunday, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, our Formation Sisters attended the Sunday Mass followed by Eucharistic Procession at Saint Christopher's Church in Red Hook, NY. As the universal Church honors the Body and Blood of Christ in different ways of Adoration, Procession, and conferences on this great gift of the Trinity to the Church, we visited our local Church and met local parishioners. It was a great day to be visible and connect with people both young and old!

On This Memorial Day

 by Sister Philomena Anne, O.Carm.

Today is Memorial Day when we honor the living and those who gave up their lives so America can be and remain free. We also remember the families of our fallen heroes. May God continue to bless them for the sacrifices their sons and daughters have made. We also remember the families of the heroes who still live among us. May God continue to bless them for the service of their sons and daughters who fought to keep America free. 

Upcoming Come & See Days!

October 21-23, 2022

We are glad to announce that we are going to hold two Fall Come & See weekends this year! For those of you who have visited the Motherhouse in the past could attest how beautiful this place is! If one is open to it, you can see and feel God's presence  all around nature and in the silence of the Hudson River along the Catskill mountains. Saint Teresa's Motherhouse in Germantown, New York is home to the Carmelite Sisters and their Formation House. So come and join us for this weekend's experience of get away! You will have the opportunity to ask questions, learn about our life, pray and be alone with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Call Sr. Mary at 845-768-2303 or email her at srmaryod@stmhcs.org to register. The event is open to single women ages 18-35.

November 10-12, 2022

 Our second Come & See weekend will be held in one of our mission facilities in Naperville, IL. If you are looking for a closer look at what we do as Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, and a chance to meet and greet our beloved residents, this is the experience for you! As Carmelites, we are called to bring the fruits of our prayer and contemplation into our workplace. What does that look like? Come and find out! You get to ask questions and speak to our Sisters. You will be given a tour of the facility and meet the residents as they go about their typical day. Come join us and call Sr. Mary! The event is open to single women ages 18-35. 

 Don't forget to bring along your friends or share these events with those who you know might be interested.

To learn more about the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged & Infirm, visit our website.

If you want to reach out to one of our formation directors to talk about your spiritual journey, contact one of us below:

Sr. Mary O'Donovan, O.Carm.- Vocation Director- srmaryod@stmhcs.org

Sr. Lois Ann, O.Carm.- Postulant/Temporary Vow Director -srloiswetzel@stmhcs.org

Sr. Helena of Mary, O.Carm.- Novice Director- srhelena@stmhcs.org

 

God Bless You, Sr. Michelle Elizabeth!

On August 16, we hosted a prayer service for Sister Michelle Elizabeth as her days at the Motherhouse wind down and she prepares to leave the Novitiate. On Saturday, August 20, she will profess First Vows. She will then begin her life as a newly professed and eventually leave for her first "Obedience" in Columbus, OH! It was a simple and beautiful prayer service, acknowledging Sister's religious commitment and celebrating a new beginning. Some Sisters took the opportunity to come up and share their sentiments, prayers, goodbyes and well-wishes as Sr. Michelle Elizabeth welcomed the Community's outpouring of love and prayers.  We wish you well, Sr. Michelle Elizabeth! God bless your continuing journey as you climb the heights of Mount Carmel! May the spirit of our holy Foundress, Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa be your inspiration as you minister to our beloved residents. May Our Lady of Mount Carmel always be your Mother, Queen and Model as she continues to lead you to her Son, Jesus our Lord!