Christchurch 8 | The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) in New Zealand

September: Dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows

A special joy at our next meeting as we celebrate Odette taking her First Promise during Holy Mass at 2.30pm. Congratulations, dear Odette, and may God continue to bless you and your family as you take this special step in your spiritual journey.

August: Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

July 16th was the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, our very own feast day.
Trust everyone had a blessed and happy day. We celebrate our Community’s Foundation Day on 1st August (Sunday).

July: Dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus

On Trinity Sunday last month, our dear Megan was commissioned as the Catholic Chaplain of Burwood Hospital. It was a joyous occasion with her family and friends present as she was blessed.

Benjamin (Ben) Robert Gibbs, OCDS: Obituary

Ben, the Secular Order and the Sisters thank you for your wonderful friendship over the years as we say our good-byes from the cloister of Carmel which you so enriched by your friendship, your talks, and prayerfulness. May God pour on you all the fruits of a good life lived so close to Him!!

June: Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

How quickly the month of May seems to fly by! It has indeed been an eventful month of Solemnities: The Ascension, Pentecost; and The Blessed Trinity.

May: Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Trust you all had a blessed and happy Easter. Personally, I felt immeasurable joy to be able to fully participate in the Easter celebrations this year. Thank you, dear God. May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We ask of Our Lady to pray for us: for love in our families, unity in our Church and peace in our beautiful country.

April: Dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament

As we approach Palm Sunday and Holy Week, let us remain close in prayer for each other. This Easter we give special thanks for the gift of the Eucharist; may we never ever have to do virtual Easter celebrations and online Easter Mass. Never ever!!

March: Dedicated to St Joseph Husband of Mary, Patron of Carmel Feast Day: 19 March

A blessed Lent to all! Hope this finds you well as we journey through this holy season of Lent. It was indeed wonderful to meet with everyone at our first meeting earlier in February: we had our Community study on St Therese, listened to Fr Michael-Therese’s teachings on the Sunday’s readings at Mass, and prayed the Evening Prayer of the Divine Office together as a Community.