On the Feast of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, October 1, the Formation group went to visit a beautiful spot on the Hudson Valley called Olana Historical Site.
We took with us a young woman discerning a religious vocation. It was a beautiful day and even though it was still too early for full foliage, we saw trees already turned adorning the site, along with the beautiful expanse of the Hudson Valley with the Hudson River before us!
On June 29-July 8, Sr. Philomena attended Carmelite classes with the Carmelite Novices in Middletown, New York. The classes were given by Fr. Leopold Glueckert, O.Carm.
A BEAUTIFUL CRUCIFIX IN THE CLOISTER OF THE SHRINE
SR. PHILOMENA ANNE
CARMELITE NOVICES OF ST. ELIAS AND MOST PURE HEART OF MARY WITH FR. LEOPOLD
On June 11, 2016, Sister M. Pia Ignatius de la Cruz, O.Carm.
professed First Vows to the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters for
the Aged and Infirm. She has exchanged the white veil of a Novice to
the black veil of the newly professed. The ceremony was held in Saint
Teresa's Chapel of the Motherhouse in Germantown, New York. The main
celebrant was Rev. Gregory Houck, O.Carm. who is a member of the
Carmelite Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary. Also present to
con-celebrate were Rev. Pat Kelly, Rev. George W. Hommel, Rev. Joseph
Finch and Msgr. Michael Barimab Apau. Sister Pia's mother Carmen Klohe,
her brothers Alexander and Paul Klohe, close friends and other family
members also attended.
Our two Novices Sr. Pia and Sr. Philomena, Sr. Mary O'Donovan our Vocation Director and myself, visited Garvey
Manor Nursing Home in Hollidaysburg, PA on May 21 to 23. The Home is operated by the Carmelite Sisters. The visit was both social and formative.The trip was considered a success in many ways. Sr. Jacinta Mary, Sr. Joachim Anne, Sr. Robert Anthony, Sr. Angelina and Sr. Maureen Paul showed exceptional hospitality. This was a long overdue visit to my First Mission after thirteen and a half years! Since that time the facility had undergone major changes and reconstruction.. I was so impressed with the very beautiful result. You can visit their website HERE.
The trip was both social and instructional for the Novices. Sr. Jacinta Mary, our "wisdom figure" shared wonderful insights about community life and mission of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. She shared personal reflections on our Foundress Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa having lived with Mother Angeline during the early years of the Congregation. The Novices listened to the exhortations of fidelity to prayer, loving our Sisters to the best of our ability, challenges in religious life, and many others. The visit was full of laughs with the antics of added community members- a Maltese Terrier named Abby and a bird named Twinkle. On Trinity Sunday, we attended Benediction at the Loretto Carmelite Monastery and spoke with Mother Prioress and their Novice Mistress. I've put together a video and I think it captured the spirit of our visit.
We like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Sisters at Garvey Manor! Thank you very much!
Sr. Philomena Anne, assisted by our senior novice Sr. Pia Ignatius, crowns Our Lady on this beautiful Mother's Day. As we remember our own mothers, both living and deceased, we also honor Mary as our spiritual mother. As Carmelites, we are particularly devoted to her under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, "Regina Decor Carmeli", Queen and Beauty of Carmel. Happy Mother's Day!
Sr. Pia Ignatius and I attended a Vocation Awareness event
at St. John’s University in Jamaica, NY. At the invitation of Br. Mike Sheerin FMS, who
serves as a Campus Minister at St. John’s University. Campus Ministry hosts three different evenings
throughout the year highlighting
Religious Priests one night, Religious Brothers another night and Religious
Sisters the third night in an effort to promote vocation awareness among
students on campus.
The event began with Mass in St. Thomas More, the University
Church on campus. After HolyCommunion
there was a vocation talk given by a postulant with the Sisters of Charity. She
informed the students that we would be dining with them after Mass and
available for informal conversations
The real values to this evening were the witness of
consecrated life and praying at Mass with the students.
