Soundings from the Carmelite Monastery, Ormiston for

YOUNG ADULTSIssue 13 September 2006

As we continue the theme of ‘mission’ in this issue our thoughts are looking ahead to World Youth Day 2008, an opportunity for young people to unite in a massive witness to their faith in Jesus before Australia and the world. If the Spirit is alive in us we cannot keep God’s love carefully locked up in our hearts. We must share it. We must celebrate in prayer and worship with our Christian community. Strengthened by our unity in Christ we are then impelled to go out and invite others into our faith community, so they too can share the joy of this new life in Christ. On November 9 this year we will celebrate the centenary of the death of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, whose mission touches us all. Read it inside.

At present we have with us two sisters from the Carmel of Hera in East Timor, a country whose people have suffered much over the past 30 years. The Carmel there was founded in 1994 from Bajawa in Flores, Indonesia. Due to socio-economic reasons, the sisters are isolated in many ways, especially from the rest of the Carmelite Order. Since the 1999 upheaval following the referendum for independence we have had some contact with them, sending what material assistance we could. In response to their request, Sisters Redempta and Marie Jose arrived in May, the first of three groups who will spend a period of nine months each in Ormiston Carmel. With their great enthusiasm and infectious laughter, they have blended in easily with our community, and as their English improves, there is mutual benefit from the sharing of cultures and understanding of our vocation as contemplatives today.

YCG BrisbaneAnne Coles was one of three of our Brisbane Young Carmelite Group to attend WYD in Cologne last year. She is now studying in Melbourne. This article was written for us in June.

I first visited the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne in 2002. I was impressed but was just finishing my pharmacy degree so my attention was turned to getting a job the next year. I visited the institute again in 2004 with a friend from Queensland. We both decided that it would provide an excellent formation and that it would be great to study there together one day. After going to World Youth Day, I decided to start a graduate diploma in Bioethics at the John Paul II institute.

I have now lived in Melbourne for 6 months and have almost completed three subjects of my diploma: Theology and Practice of Natural Family Planning, End of Life Ethics and The Human Person. It is hard to summarise what I have learnt in this time. The highlights for me have been studying the writings of the present Pope Benedict XVI and our previous Pope John Paul II. The intellect of these men is amazing.

Apart from all of the things I have learnt, I have met some amazing people. The lecturers at the Institute have an incredible knowledge and passion for teaching. The students are an inspiration; many of them have made great sacrifices to study here. The subjects I have studied have examined many modern philosophies that permeate today’s culture. It has been very interesting reading the Catholic response to these ideas. It gives me great hope to read the writings of modern Catholic thinkers like our present pope. The hardest thing for me has been the assessment of each subject. Having a scientific background does not help a lot when writing a theology or philosophy essay! It is a good challenge though.

The challenge for everyone is to go beyond studying the problems and solutions. We need to become saints. Benedict XVI told us at World Youth Day last year that the saints were the true reformers of the Church. We need to be committed to forming a Christian culture. It is important to form ourselves by learning about the faith and philosophy. The Young Carmelite Group is one way of doing this. I encourage anyone who is able, to consider studying at the John Paul II institute in Melbourne. Srs. Marie Jose and Redempta

Themes.....Jesus’ Mission and Ours

Since I was a child, going ‘on Mission’ somewhere was something I dreamed of. I heard stories about others going to areas where people are poor, in need, and haven’t heard about Jesus, and I always felt a sense of excitement and interest in these stories – hoping that one day I too could do the same.

After finishing my studies as an Occupational Therapist, I was keen to begin some ‘Mission’ work immediately, and God lead me in the direction of serving on a NET team for a year – which was a wonderful and enriching year of my life. It was during the next year that I earnestly began seeking for the right organisation for me to do some overseas mission work with. I know as Christians we are always on “Mission” no matter where we are, or what our

employment is, but I really felt a call to go “out” on my mission, to help “reach the nations”.

After much prayer, discernment, and just life itself, two years later I finally felt the time was right, and God was calling me to go. So, having found a Catholic organisation in France which I felt suited me best (due to it having the balance I wanted between faith and work), I headed off for the training in France. I worked in England to support myself to live, and travelled to France for the four training sessions which were between February and August last year. Then, in September, I finally arrived in India – my “Mission” at last!

My job here is to work for a Catholic hospital that was set up to serve poor people who can’t afford medical care. I work with children who have autism, behavioural disorders, and developmental delays. I also work with adults who have had a stroke (CVA). The work is challenging at times because of the differences in culture, language and attitudes. But it’s also a great joy and very rewarding to be working with the beautiful people here. I find the boundary between therapist and patient doesn’t exist here like in the Western world. It’s not uncommon for my patients’ families to invite me for dinner... and for me to go! It’s the spontaneous things I love the most. Funnily enough it’s also the spontaneous things that can frustrate me the most!!!

Aside from my job, there’s so much to do. I volunteer one morning a week at the Missionaries of Charity children’s home in Chennai – Shishu Bhavan. It is a home for abandoned children, most of who are disabled, disfigured, or have intellectual impairment. I spend most of my time here playing simple games, giving hugs, and feeding the children lunch. I also do a little Occupational Therapy work with them. When

ʻOn Mission’ in IndiaJanine King

For the first 30 years of his life Jesus had lived as any other Jewish boy and young man of his time....at least on the outside. Interiorly, he had a unique relationship with God, the One he called Abba (Father). It was in this relationship that Jesus became aware of his life’s mission to show God’s people what God was really like. At his Baptism in the Jordan Jesus publicly committed himself to that mission. He gathered a few disciples with whom he shared his day to day life, his ministry to the outcasts, the sick, the poor, the ‘little ones’ who were hungering for the truth which they recognised in his words. These disciples would continue his mission after his death and resurrection.

The word ‘mission’ comes from the Latin ‘mittere’ meaning to send. In a theological context, mission is integral to the life of God. The Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, united with one another in self-giving love reach out to draw all creation to share in that same communion. The Father sent the Son into the world. Jesus sent his disciples to spread the Good News to every corner of the world, promising that he would be with them until the end of time. The Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit to remind the disciples of all that Jesus had taught them and to fill them with faith and courage, wisdom and discernment. The Church and every baptised Christian have continued that mission throughout 2,000 years.

There are three aspects to mission: kerygma or proclamation, diakonia or service and koinonia or communion. During his earthly life Jesus proclaimed by his preaching the truth about God and the dignity of every human person. His whole life was one of service and concern for the poor, the sick, the oppressed, the marginalised. Finally he invited his followers to share in his own intimate friendship with his Father: to be part of his family, to live in him.

Today mission takes on a new dimension: dialogue. We must listen, try to understand, and, where possible, share the lives of people who are different from us, those from other cultures, other belief systems. Only by showing genuine concern for and interest in others, as Jesus did, will our words or the witness of our lives impact on them. As they recognise and accept the truth expressed in our faith and our lives they will be drawn into communion with us in the Trinity, and join us in prayer and in Eucharist.

While relatively few are called to be missionaries in the strict sense of being delegated by the Church to go to other countries, all of us are missionaries in our ordinary every day living, witnessing to our baptismal commitment by making Jesus and his values central to our lives, loving others with Jesus’ love, speaking our convictions when appropriate, reaching out to the wider community in service. Above all it is in prayer that we are drawn into communion with the Trinity and are swept up into that ongoing movement of reaching out to draw others in. Only when the whole of creation is one in God will the mission be complete.

I first came here I lived in another orphanage, run by the same sisters who run the hospital. I still go back there frequently to visit and spend time with the children, who I’ve really come to love.

I also have the chance to be involved in my Parish life. I play my flute regularly at Mass, and am beginning to become friends with and spend time with the other choir members outside of Mass. I am teaching a catechism class to Yr 11 and 12 girls, who are so

open and willing to learn and speak about God and their faith, it’s beautiful.

I’ve slowly begun to build some great relationships with the people here. I have attended some weddings, birthday parties, and every weekend I have at least four meal invitations to people’s houses that I have to choose from. The people here are so hospitable, and teach me a lot about God’s love by their unconditional giving. I came to India with a team of single women - Violiane, Anne-Claire, Lucie (all French) and myself. We meet up once a fortnight for prayer and sharing. I find this time a great opportunity for support, encouragement, and direction. These girls have become very close to me.

God is using this time to really teach me about His provision for me, and about His desire for me to ‘be’, not always to be so concerned about ‘doing’ that I forget to really be with Him, and with His people. I’ve realised that the people here have more to teach me than I have to teach them, and that I can show them greater love by listening to their ideas than by always telling them mine. I know I still have many things to learn, and I pray I will be open to God’s instruction and guidance every day.

Please pray for God’s continual grace to allow me to say “yes” to my mission of living a Christian life here everyday, and every moment of everyday.

Praying with.... St. Paul

Let’s continue to ponder on the theme of ‘mission’, and what it means for us personally. Find a quiet place where you can be alone for about 30 minutes. We’ll take the great missionary St. Paul as our guide. Firstly, make a deliberate decision to put aside any preoccupations. They might keep intruding, but try to remain focused on your prayer. Be aware of God’s presence. God is always within us, but we are not often consciously aware of it. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind. Read slowly a few times this passage from St. Paul’s first letter to the Thessolonians:

What words strike you? Repeat these words. Let them sink into your being. Does this passage remind you of any other scripture texts? What about this one?

This is the theme for WYD08 in Sydney! What words strike you here? Repeat them. Be aware of the power of the Spirit already in you. You have received the Good News about Jesus. Is it really ‘good’ for you? Is it ‘power’ for you? Is it ‘utter conviction’ for you? Jesus IS the Good News. Speak to him within you - in words or otherwise. Speak from your heart.

Paul brought the Good News as much by the example of his life as by his preaching. He lived like Jesus. He was able to say to people: ‘Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.’ Who have been role models of Christ for you? Thank God for them.

You can have a huge influence on others simply by the witness of your life. Pray to the Holy Spirit to fire you with ‘power’, with ‘utter conviction’, with love for Jesus and desire to spread the Good News. What can you do to prepare for the great event of World Youth Day? How can you spread the ‘Word’ which you have received in your prayer and in the example of others?

For further reflections on the theme of mission: http://bne.catholic.net.au/mission

When we brought the Good News to you it came to you not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction. And you observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your instruction, and you were led to become imitators of us, and of the Lord. 1Thess 1:5-6a

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses.... to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

It seems to me that in heaven my mission will be to attract souls by helping them to go out of themselves, in order to cling to God with a very simple and loving movement, and to keep them in the great interior silence which allows God to imprint himself on them, to transform them into himself.

Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity

the Spirit I wanted to know what God wanted me to do with the life he had given me. I knew there were plenty of other young people on the endless pursuit of happiness in whatever form - if only they could find Jesus their true friend. I thought of the different Religious Orders and their apostolates, but I was attracted by a life of contemplative prayer, as this is all powerful. I was confused, though. I had this attraction to give myself to God, but as I was only 21 and had not yet met someone special, how was I to know if God may want me to marry? What if becoming a nun was just a figment of my imagination? (Which I hoped

it was!) So I said to the Lord, ‘Wait till I’m 30, Lord, and if I haven’t fallen in love by then, I’ll think about becoming a nun.’

When I came back to my home town, I did meet that special young man, but a year later he was killed in a freak sporting accident. Some time after this, I thought, ‘I am not yet 30, but I have fallen in love, and I promised I would try out religious life if the latter happened. So I said, ‘OK Lord, you win! I’ll give religious life a try.’ I was then surprised by the peace that entered into me and stayed with me, and it was this peace which gave me the courage to face any obstacle that came my way to prevent my entering religious life at the Ormiston Carmel. At first my parents were not happy with my vocation to an enclosed Order. In time, however, seeing that I was really happy, they gave their full support. At my Solemn Profession my mother told the sisters that she wished she had more daughters to give to God.

I still pray for young people searching for the truth and feel that is part of my special mission in Carmel.

Sister HelenSister Helen grew up on her family’s huge sheep and cattle property near St. George on the western Downs of Southern Queensland, doing most of her primary schooling by correspondence. After secondary school in Toowoomba Helen did a short stint at hairdressing, but drawn by the lure of the wide open spaces she retruned home to work as a jillaroo with her father. A trip to Europe with her older sister Margaret was to change the direction of her life. In Carmel her culinary skills are greatly appreciated and her artistic talents find various expressions - she is currently learning the art of candle-making. She is also responsible for the orchard and small vegetable garden.

Looking back over my life I can see God’s Spirit leading me. When I drifted away from the practice of my faith, God waited patiently for me to ‘come to my senses’ like the prodigal son in Luke’s Gospel. I had been away from the Church for about 8 years - from year 9 - and sought my happiness in buying nice clothes, travel, parties and friends etc. While all these were good, they could never give me that inner happiness I was unconsciously seeking.

Inevitably the emptiness, meaninglessness and loneliness of a life lived on a material level struck me one day at about the age of 18 or 19. I noted when I went to parties or were with friends that life was great while they lasted, but when I came home I had to face another day of this inner emptiness and monotony of living. What was the point of it all? I started asking general life questions, which led me to think about a pop group whose music I liked. They were always talking about God in their lives and they always seemed so happy.

I doubted the existence of God, or at least, it seemed that God was very remote . But I reasoned, ‘If God is real, why can’t he lead me to the truth?’ My prayer from that day on was, ‘God, if you are real, and you are up there, please lead me to the truth.’ I had thought that if I went to every religious leader in the world, they would all say that theirs was the true religion, so I could not trust any human person. It had to be God alone. A year and a half later, while touring inside St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, God answered my prayer. For an instant of a second I had a realisation (my mind was opened to understand) how my Catholic faith was the truth and I knew I was home!

From the age of 15 I somehow had a presentiment that I was going to be a nun. I was quite horrified that this thought could even come to my mind, as at that age I did not want anything to do with religion! Now after being shown the Truth by the grace of

The Truth will set you Free

Want to contact us? Sister Cecilia (Prioress), Carmelite Monastery, 287 Wellington St., Ormiston.

Qld. 4160. Ph. (07) 3286 1401 Email: carmston@powerup.com.au

For cont r ibu t ions, que s t ions or reque s ts for ‘Seeds of Carme l’ or informat ion on the Young Carme l i te Group

sistermoira@powerup.com.au