May: Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Such a beautiful month where we give thanks and praise to God for the gift
our Blessed Lady is to us; how honoured we are to be called to be her children in Carmel.
April: Dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament
By Mary O’Boyle OCDS, Christchurch President Welcome Dear Seculars, Lent, a time of waiting in loving silence as our Saviour and Lord makes His painful way to Calvary. St Thérèse wrote the following poem (on page 2), and I offer it for quiet contemplation as we accompany Him. 1. There is on this earth A […]
March: Dedicated to St Joseph (Patron of Carmel)
Ash Wednesday is very close now (March 5th), time to think about and
choose our Lenten exercises.
February: Dedicated to the Holy Family
By Mary O’Boyle OCDS, Christchurch President Welcome Pope Francis has declared 2025 a Jubilee Year, with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”. It is of great importance and held for the forgiveness of sins and the punishment due to sin. The Door represents reconciliation and forgiveness of sins. Those entering through the Holy Door may gain […]
Our Christchurch Carmelite Sisters are having their chapel rebuilt
It’s been 91 years! Find out more about the Sisters’ needs as they fundraise for their chapel! Can you help?
More reflections from the Christchurch silent retreat
Rebecca, a new visiting retreatant from the Catholic Enquiry Centre, wrote up her experience of the Nov ’24 Christchurch Silent Retreat.
OCDS Peace of Christ Community Retreat 2024
Silence is the way to foster holiness. Our experience of silence can be positive or negative. It can mean peace, calm, joy… or it can mean loneliness or even traumatic.
December: Dedicated to the Immaculate Conception
We have fond memories of the First Promise ceremony – Fr Michael-Thérèse offered a moving Mass & homily for our lovely ladies, Ann-Marie, Catherine & Therese
Sr Lauren of the Cross: First Profession
Welcome The newly professed Sr Lauren of the Cross made her First Profession (Promises) at the Christchurch Carmelite Monastery on 15th October 2024. It has been a pleasure to witness another sister join our OCD sisters in Christchurch. The Church continues to grow in every age, for God is timeless and present. The Mass was […]
November: Dedicated to the Holy Souls
November is a special time to remember all those who have died, especially in Mass intentions. We especially remember members of our Community who died recently.