The Desert

 

 I do not fear the desert, For Jesus walked there first.

Behind me and before me, Growing deeper in my thirst.

I still see Him daily, I am grateful for that gift.

For many do not have it, Yet in them He still lives.

Church doors have been shuttered, In an effort to stop the spread.

We live stream Mass in place of it, Our virtual daily bread,

No not virtual- His presence is still real.

He moved beyond technology, To preach, and teach, and heal.

"Dwell with me spiritually", Has become our daily prayer.

Within me and around me, I see Him everywhere.

In the faces of healthcare workers, Who go into the fight.

They do their jobs despite the risk, Into darkness they bring light.

In the smile of a stranger, Hidden behind the mask.

"Love your neighbor as yourself", We are being called to task.

Although we are far from over, An end not soon in sight.

The victory is coming, A future-hopeful and bright.

For now the tomb is sealed, And Jesus is laid away.

But stones don't last forever, Christ has won the day!

Poem: Sister Michelle Elizabeth Marie, O.Carm.

Off to my First Mission Experience!

 

Sister Michelle Elizabeth, our second year novice, left for her First Mission experience on September 6th. She will stay in our facility in Columbus, Ohio for two months to learn our mission of care to the elderly. She looks forward to her new community and the service she will give to our beloved residents. Pray for her and we will surely miss her presence at the Motherhouse!

First Profession of Vows

 On July 10, 2021, our two novices, Sr. Sharon Rose Carmel and Sr. Dolores Carmel, professed First Vows before our Prioress General. The Eucharistic liturgy was presided by Timothy Cardinal Dolan and assisted by Very Rev. Mario Esposito, O.Carm. It was a beautiful ceremony attended by family  members, invited guests and the Sisters, Friars and Brothers of the Carmelite Family. Now, our two newly professed, with their black veil on, symbolizing their profession of the three vows of Obedience, Poverty and Chastity before God's people, are on to their first mission of caring for the elderly. Pray for them and wish them well!

A Bit of Tik Tok!

 Sr. Dolores Carmel and Sr. Michelle Elizabeth on TikTok @roseofcarmel

Off to Second Mission!

 

Our two senior novices, Sr. Dolores Carmel and Sr. Sharon Rose, are currently away on their second mission experience. A mission experience is when a novice gets to spend six weeks of her time in one of the Homes operated by the Sisters so they can experience working with the elderly.  They also get to live in another community of Sisters outside of the novitiate. This is usually a fun and good learning experience for our novices. On the above photos, you see Sr. Sharon Rose learning how to make pizelles from one of our younger Sisters, Sr. Mary Vianney, at Marian Manor in South Boston, MA.  Sr. Dolores Carmel got a beautiful cake from her new community at Saint Patrick's Home, Bronx NY. She is also enjoying planting with a resident.

Please pray for our novices as they prepare for their First Profession of Vows when they return after their mission experience!

The Desert

 

 

 I still don't fear the desert, Though at times it's vast and dark.

Sometimes it just feels endless, With no ending and no start.

But deserts are not completely black, The stars show us the way.

They guide us on our journey, From darkness into day.

I still don't fear the desert, For it saw my Savior's birth.

When angels light and song broke through, They filled the desert first.

The doors in town were shuttered, "No room" the people said.

It begged an urgent question, "Where will He lay His head?"

Two millennia have passed,  And not very much has changed.

The desert still seems vast and dark, The people shut away.

I still don't fear the desert, For from it hope has dawned.

"The light shines in the darkness", And helps us journey on.

It's still so far from over, The end still out of sight.

But in this time of dark and fear, We are asked to be the light.

Christ's coming shattered darkness, Two thousand years ago.

When all seemed lost, and cold, and dark, There came a ray of hope.

This Christmas will look different, But somehow more the same.

To the one that happened long ago, When the angels sang His Name.

Emmanuel is with us, The light shines in the dark.

This quiet hope has surely dawned, It dwells within our hearts.

Poem by: Sister Michelle Elizabeth Marie, O.Carm.

December 7, 2020

 

Start the Count Down!

Just a few pics with our Garvey Manor superhero shirts. We decided to wear it as we are coming close to finish our mission experience here. We’ve definitely used our spiritual muscles during this pandemic time. We trust that the Lord will take us where we are needed and help us grow in our faith!

 

Fall / Winter 2020 Newsletter

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"My Silver Lining"

 By Sister Dolores Carmel, O.Carm.

Here it goes; my first attempt at contributing on our formation blog page! I’m sipping on a warm cup of coffee listening to a fun song called “My Silver Lining” by First Aid Kit. The lyrics that strike out to me are, “I hear a voice calling, calling out for me. These shackles I’ve made in an attempt to be free. Be it for a reason, be it for love. I won’t take the easy road.” This captures what I currently feel as a senior novice in my first mission in Pennsylvania. It’s been both exciting with a bit of nervousness as I face a new chapter and way of life that I never thought possible. I’ve never been a very wordy person and I sometimes struggle to articulate my thoughts and feelings so crafts and music have paved a path of expressing myself hence; why this song helped me to be present to this part of my journey.  

            The voice that calls has been the spirit of the Lord and continually calls me in a variety of ways. Only he knows how to catch and keep my attention.  As I get acquainted to my first mission I think about how God has stretched me in ways I never thought possible. I never thought I would have the opportunity to be driving around these long country roads, feeding the elderly, and giving them communion. It’s been like I’ve been following a beat of a song I’ve never heard of; and boy do I love dancing to a good beat! 

            As the song continues, it mentions an attempt to be free. It is true that we all desire to be free and happy. I discovered that notion as I child and desired it with my whole heart but I thought it was through self-edification and the merits of virtue (or as kid would articulate doing good) did I lose myself a bit. However, as God always brings us to him his grace reached out and continues to reach out that all good things come through him did I understand that freedom is relying on God’s unconditional love.

            Finally, the lyrics mention that it’s not about taking the easy road. This spoke immensely because it hasn’t been easy as following God takes you to unfamiliar places and doing uncomfortable things. The beauty of it though is that is there with through every step and he will send you all the assistance you need. As Jesus told Nicodemus about how man is led by the spirit: “the wind blows wherever it pleases, you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going (John 3:8).”

            Overall, I’ve been immensely grateful in all that God has done in the process of my journey and I look forward to what else he has in store. I pray that I can grow in love and be of service to him wherever he leads.