December 1, 2024
Our Lady of Aotearoa NZ

December: Dedicated to the Immaculate Conception

OCDS Shield

By Mary O'Boyle OCDS,
Christchurch President

Greetings to you all!

Our final meeting of 2024 is 1st Sunday of Advent, December 01, 2024.

We will have fond memories of the First Promise ceremony at our November meeting. A day to remember from Father Michael-Thérèse who offered a very moving Mass and homily to our lovely ladies, Ann-Marie, Catherine and Therese, who made their First Promise in the presence of their Secular Carmel family and their personal families, such beautiful children too, and to cap it all, a visit with our much-loved nuns who fill us with joy.

Ann-Marie, Catherine and Therese, who made their OCDS First Promise in November 2024.

We have just had our annual retreat with Father Adalbert from Perth, Australia. We have been so looking forward to this and the good Lord has filled us with ‘His Good Things’.

Please remember that, as is our tradition, please bring a small Christmas gift each. These will go into the box for our dear Sisters.

Also a $ donation to Father-Thérèse and his team at the St John Priory, in very grateful appreciation and thanks for the support and shared wisdom they have given us during 2024.

A plate for afternoon tea too, please.

No Meeting in JANUARY.

First Community meeting of 2025: Sunday February 2nd, Feast of ‘The Presentation of the Lord’.

May the good Lord grant you all a very blessed and peace-filled Christmas, New Year and safe holiday season.

Attendants of the Christchurch annual retreat - our biggest one yet!

Blessings in Carmel,

Mary O'Boyle, OCDS

Christchurch's Peace of Christ Community President

Read more in December’s newsletter