December: Dedicated to the Immaculate Conception

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We have a wonderful month of December to look forward to!

Firstly, we have the joy of Jacob being admitted to Formation in the Secular Carmel at our meeting on 7th December. Welcome Jacob! And please be assured of the prayers of the Community for your growth in Carmel and for perseverance.

The 14th falls on a Sunday, but with St John of the Cross being a Solemnity for us, he is transferred to the 15th on the Carmelite calendar. We prayerfully thank St John of the Cross, our Father, for all he teaches us, for all his insights and encouragement for us on our way up Mount Carmel.

I have also received a directive from the OCDS Generalate in Rome to complete a census of our Community. This then goes to Dianna in Auckland, our National Convener, to send, with Auckland and Wellington’s documents, to Fr Ramiro. I have completed and sent the census, and will explain more at our meeting on the 7th.

Advent, our time of preparation and promise, begins on 30th November. I unashamedly admit I enjoy this time of the year so much. The excitement and anticipation! The tinsel and the trees!! The piped Christmas music playing through the Malls. All these “trappings” give opportunities to explain their origins and the real meaning of Christmas to our families, especially the little ones!

I love it when the grandies help set up the Advent wreath and the Crib, finding a place to hide Baby Jesus until we put Him in the manger on Christmas Eve. But my favourite part of Advent is the time of the ‘O’ Antiphons. Such food for contemplation! Sheer grace!

So, I wish you all and those you love, every blessing this Advent and Christmas time, and consolation and comfort for all who are worried or sorrowing.