"OATIE VISITS AVILA"

On the Feast of Saint Francis, the Novices and Postulants, received a visit from Sr. Francis Patrick and her pet parrot Oatie.  He has a reputation of being a smart talking bird, throwing words like "God bless you!" when someone sneezes, or "Are you okay?" when Sr. Francis Patrick is not herself.  Whether this amazing skill is true or not, was put to the test, when Novices, Postulants and their Formators gathered during recreation to test the famous bird.  Did Oatie pass the test??

                                Sr. Rebeca & Sr. Hope were surprised when Sr. Helena  
                                                     walked in with the camera                          

  

I AM "OATIE"

Waiting for the "Oatie moment" ........

                              Sr. Lois patiently gave the Carmelite pep-talk ........

                             Sr. Mary Catherine even tried a few tricks of her own .......

                                 Sr. Patricia got up to bid goodnight (the final trick)

                                      Someone sneezed .. "God bless you!" Oatie did it!!

 

"Bind Us Together, Lord!"

Our temporary vow Sisters, Sr. Katherine Theresa and Sr. Mary Josephine, spent a week of classes, spiritual retreat and community last August 11 to 17 at Saint Teresa's Motherhouse under the guidance of their temporary vow director, Sr. Patrick of the Assumption, O.Carm.  This is a bi-annual week-long event which is part of our temporary vow Sisters' continuing formation.  A special class on Ethics was given by Fr. Myles Sheehan, S.J.  Sr. Katherine Theresa and Sr. Mary Josephine were joined by our postulants and novices.  This made it a happy occasion since Sr. Rebeca and Sr. Julie returned on that last day of the week to their Mission in St. Patrick's Manor in Framingham, MA.  The joyful bunch also had the opportunity to welcome Sr. Trish in their midst!

 Front Row (left to right): Sr. Rebeca, Sr. Luke Mary, Sr. Katherine Theresa, Sr. Mary Catherine

 Back Row (left to right):  Sr. Hope Therese, Sr. Julie, Sr. Maureen Paul , Sr. Trish, Sr. Mary Josephine

                                                         Singing "Bind Us Together"

Welcome Our New Postulant!

The Carmelite Sisters welcome with great joy Trish Doan who joined the Congregation on August 6, 2013, Feast of Transfiguration! Trish is originally from Vietnam and lived in Westminster, CA.  We wish Sr. Trish God’s blessings as she begins her journey in Carmel!

                                   Reciting the Act of Consecration to Our Lady

                                Mother Mark places the brown scapular of Carmel

                                         Receiving the Community Book

                                                             Welcome to Carmel!

'My Call"

by Sr.Pia Ignatius de la Cruz, O.Carm

                                                    

I am first-generation American from the New York City metropolitan area. My father was from Germany and my mother is from Cuba of Spanish descent. My vocation experience began at an early age but at that time I did not know what it was. While I was preparing for First Communion, I began to pay more attention to the kids who were altar servers. Mass bored me and I never understood the homily so my mind wandered a bit. I was impressed by the robes worn by the altar servers and the attention they seemed to show during Mass. I approached Father Greg who was great with children. He made learning fun and genuinely made us excited to come to Mass. As I got older, my responsibilities grew. Parishioners ask for me by name to serve at funerals and weddings. My fellow classmates would get a bit jealous when I was pulled out of class to serve. What kid does not want to get out of class? You knew you made it as an altar server when you were asked to partake in midnight Mass. That's like the Super Bowl of Masses!

After my Confirmation, I became too old be an altar server. So the next natural step was to become a Eucharistic minister. Since Fr. Greg had now left, it was now Fr. Rob who taught me. He was overjoyed that several other classmates wanted to participate. Some time went by, and as my high school life became more stressed and filled with activities, I chose sleep over going to Mass. Some would say my spiritual journey ended, and at that time, I would have to agree. The Holy Spirit never stopped speaking to me. I just stopped making time to listen.

My twenties were filled with youthful interests and frenzied social activities. I always knew my life would be that of service but did not know the form it would take. I was all over the place and tried everything but rarely went to Mass. Lifeguarding was fun but it's not a career. Bartending was fun but not a career. Acting and dancing, any type of performing, were loads of fun. Making people smile is a great thing but not a career for me. Medicine! That is where I should go! I then went to school to become an EMT. After a few years of that I went to nursing school and got my LPN license. I jumped from various EMS agencies and police departments and lived a life of service and fun. My social calendar was always packed. But despite all these, I still felt something was missing.

Settling Right In!

Sister Julie and Sr. Rebeca have settled right into St. Patrick's Manor in Framingham, MA for their six months of Mission experience.  They have been enjoying the weekly evening summer concerts with the residents at the facility.  The musical venues change each week and we have been blessed with some wonderful weather for the concerts.  Our dog, Farley, and our turtle, visited the residents at the concerts as well.

                               Sr. Ann Patricia shows Sr. Julie some dance moves!

 

                                    Sr. Rebeca enjoys the concert with resident

                                       Residents enjoying an evening concert

                                                     A concert performer

                                                             Our Farley

                                     Even our turtle made an appearance!

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A SISTER'S PAGE: My Personal Reflection

 by Sr. Marie Richard Carmel, O.Carm.

I have been in a very reflective mood for several weeks now….at least more reflective than usual.  Perhaps it has something to do with turning 60 – perhaps not.  There are so many feelings that are coming to the surface….even a few that have been buried for a long time.  Why?  I don’t know.  I can’t help but wonder if the Lord is trying to draw me closer to Him now….or teach me something that I still need to learn.

I am such a mystery to myself….a contradiction in so many ways because I experience such variations of temperament and mood…highs and lows, light and dark, hot and cold, zealous and lazy, strong and weak, fearless and fearful.  It always astonishes me that the Lord called me from such a young age to follow Him as a Carmelite.  He knew from all eternity the ways in which I would fall short….even fall flat on my face….but still He beckoned me to follow Him.  He also knew that I would keep getting up over and over again….but only and always with the help of His outstretched hand, His amazing grace that still amazes me.

Time continues to pass….moments into minutes, into hours, into days, into weeks, into months, into years, into decades…..a symphony of joy and sorrow all rolled into one lifetime that is mine.  I would not trade any of the moments of my past for different ones…. every experience both good and bad, every friendship formed and nurtured, every loss and hurt, every success, every failure, every regret - without exception - has changed me from who I used to be into who I am now, and will continue to mold me into the person God intended me to be from all eternity. 

Yes, I will always be a contradiction and a mystery to myself.  But by the grace of God I will remain fully committed, totally free, deeply myself, always human, forever Carmelite.  Standing and waiting, looking and listening as Elijah did for the “gentle breeze” that is the Lord who passes by, and who promised to return someday to take me with Him.  I pray to remain faithful until He comes.  May it be so.  Come Lord Jesus!

Sr. Marie Richard Carmel, O.Carm

"Nowhere else is God so near as in ourselves. There in the first place we must try to find and see Him."-
Blessed Titus Brandsma

"You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."

Psalm 16:11

"Our Day At Avila"

                               All Saints Catholic Academy Students and Teachers


Every year, the students from All Saints Catholic Academy, Albany, New York and their teacher Janice Smircich, visit Saint Teresa's Motherhouse ("Avila") to spend a day of retreat.  The schedule includes celebration of the Holy Eucharist, tour of the Heritage Room, spending time with the Sisters learning more about our Community and to have a little bit of fun!


My Day At Avila
by Jazmine Keene-Prieto

" The trip we took to the convent was an unforgettable experience.  It was the most soothing time I have spent in a while.  When we arrived at the convent, you could see the beautiful scenery by the river.  We walked inside and instantly you could tell the Sisters were excited.  They welcomed us very nicely.  Inside the convent was very cozy and warm, just like home.  They were so kind to us and generous from the moment we walked in.

The thing I really liked about the nuns was that they were like one big, happy family.  They were all respectful towards one another and joked around as well.  They shared stories about their lives, which I thought was very special.  Some of their life stories were very inspiring.

The lunch was very delicious.  There were a lot of choices and plenty to eat.  The nuns had cookies and drinks for snack time.  They gave out candy boxes while we had a quiz towards the end.  The Sisters and novices were beautiful and loving.

The time I spent on retreat helped me to be at ease with myself and think about the future days in high school.  It helped me realize that I need to be at peace with my enemies, and forgive them for any harm they may have cost me.  Listening to the lives of the Sisters made me want to become a better person.

Retreat helped me learn more about the nuns, meditate, and grow closer to God.  Sincerely, this will be one of the the eighth grade experiences I will never forget.  Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa was an exceptional woman and one day we hope to follow in her footsteps and help the world.

Watch out for more "My Day At Avila" posts!

Off to St. Patrick's Manor!

Sr. Rebeca and Sr. Julie left today for their initial mission experience with the elderly. They will be in Saint Patrick's Manor in Framingham, MA for six months with their director Sr. Lois Ann.  St. Patrick's Manor is one of the facilities operated by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.  Both Postulants will be returning to the Motherhouse to attend different events held at different times.  Meanwhile, the Avila Sisters gathered to give them a big send off of love, prayers and support!

                                                           Sr. Rebeca & Sr. Julie

                                              Sr. Jean's words of comfort to Sr. Rebeca

                                                              Sr. Julie says bye!

                                           Novices showed up for send-off!

                                                            Minnie says bye too!

                                                        More hugs and goodbyes!

                                                     "Seeee Yaa Sooon!