MY FIRST VISIT AS NOVICE
by Sr. Hope Therese Angeline, O.Carm

My family visited me twelve days after receiving the Carmelite habit.  It was so great to see them and we had a wonderful time! Visiting me were my parents John and Jo Ellen, my sister Melissa, my brother- in- law Scott, and nine-month-old baby nephew, Jacob.  Everyone looked great!  We chatted and took pictures and had a delicious lunch.  We took a short walk and took more pictures!  Then we played card games and chatted some more.  Can you guess what we did before they left?  That’s right.  We took some more pictures!  It’s easy to understand since they had no pictures of me in habit yet.  It was thrilling to see Jacob sitting up and “commando crawling” on his stomach for the first time.  Seeing these milestones is very precious to me.   I think they all got a little teary eyed from seeing me in the habit for the first time but they were tears of joy.  It shows me how far we’ve come from when my parents and I were shedding tears of sorrow after my first visit as a postulant.  That was the most difficult time in my vocation so far because of my severe homesickness and doubts.  Now all doubts are gone.  The homesickness remains but it is not as bad as it once was.  All visits are bittersweet but now they are more sweet than bitter.  The difference in my first visit as a postulant and my first visit as a novice makes me think of the difference between Jesus meeting his mother on the road to Calvary and meeting her in all his glory after his resurrection.  Nothing but God’s grace could have brought us this far and helped us heal from the separation.  Every visit is becoming less draining and more rejuvenating.  Visits from my family are my oasis in the Carmelite desert.  I eagerly look forward to every one!  However, I am growing to love my Carmelite family more and more every day.  I am beyond blessed to have two fantastic families who know and love me, and most important of all, care for my spiritual well-being.  We are all helping each other get to heaven.  That is what families are for.  Some day we will be together for eternity, glorifying God!    

 What An Exciting Day!

October 13th was the day designated for our Novices to receive their first visit from their families after they received the Carmelite habit.  Sr. Hope Therese and Sr. Luke Mary were thrilled to have their loved ones come that day and to spend some extra special time with them.  It was also a special time for the Sisters to meet their "extended family" and to share lunch with them.  Thankfully, the day was as perfect as could be, for a little ground walking and picture taking.  Avila was at its finest that day!

Sr. Hope Therese with  Mom ( Jo Ellen Maring)

Sr. Hope Therese with Mom and Dad.  A beautiful portrait of St. Therese was given to Sr. Hope by her sister Melissa.

The Maring Family

Sr. Luke Mary's family

Sr. Luke Mary's sister and brother.

NEW NOVICES!

On this Feast of St. Therese, October 1, 2012, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm thank God for the grace of welcoming new Sisters to our Congregation.  The Reception Ceremony started with the four Postulants entering the Chapel and gathering in front of the main altar.  They were then asked the question, “What do you desire?” The Postulants then responded, “I ask the mercy of God and the habit of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  I wish to learn and to live this way of life and to be tested, so that I may be admitted to this religious Community for the following of Christ.”  After invoking God’s blessings, the holy habits were then blessed and given to each Postulant by Mother Mark Louis Anne, Superior General, as they left Chapel.

 

 

   The Postulants then returned to Chapel dressed in the Carmelite habit and knelt down to receive their religious names:  “Your name in religion will be- Sr. Luke Mary Angeline, Sr. Mary Catherine Angeline, Sr. Maureen Paul Angeline and Sr. Hope Therese Angeline.”

The Chapel then filled with applause as the Community gave a warm welcome to our new Novices!  The Eucharistic celebration of the Feast of Saint Therese then followed.  Our main celebrant, Father Ashley Harrington, O.Carm, of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province, thanked God for the graces bestowed upon the new novices and our Congregation.  It was appropriate that Father Ashley would make “remembrance” as the theme of the day.  This happy event, experienced by all the Sisters who by their own calling answered the call of God, is an invitation to our new Sisters to etch and to cherish in their memories this “first hour, of the first day, of their Carmelite religious life.”   The journey has started, and the road is long, but for those who chose to follow the Will of God in their lives, every day of the journey is a new beginning since the Will of God is always in the present.

(L to R): Fr. Ashley Harrington, O.Carm., Sr. Luke Mary Angeline, O.Carm., Sr. Hope Therese Angeline, O.Carm., Sr. Maureen Paul Angeline, O.Carm., Sr. Mary Catherine Angeline, O.Carm., Mother Mark Louis Anne, O.Carm.

 A delicious meal was then enjoyed by everyone present.  Congratulations, Sisters!  May you find your life in Carmel joyful, fulfilling and full of promise!