February: Dedicated to the Holy Family
![Holy Family painting](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/HolyFamilyPainting.jpg)
Our Foundress, St Teresa of Jesus, tells us: “Prayer is an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking
time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.”
December: Dedicated to the Immaculate Conception
![Holy Family in the Stable](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Holy-Family-Stables.jpg)
Advent heralds Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. This year these symbols have an even greater poignancy in our world riven with despair, anger, pain and hate.
St Therese of Liseux’s Jubilee Year announced – running until 7 Jan ’24
![Everything is grace!](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/StTofL1-Comp.png)
The bishop of Rome stressed that St Thérèse “lived devoted to God, forgetting about herself, loving and consoling Jesus, and interceding for the salvation
of all.” The 150th anniversary of her birth and the 100th anniversary of her beatification are celebrated this year.
Places still available for the annual Christchurch OCDS retreat
![Christchurch OCDS Annual Retreat Nov '23 - Advent with Carmel](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ChchRetreatNov23.png)
Retreat schedule and registration details for the retreat running 24-26 contained in this post. Don’t miss this opportunity for silence and encounter with the Lord.
November: Dedicated to the Holy Souls
![Our Lady spreading her mantle over us](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/OurLadyMantle.jpg)
reflect on how we can examine the quality of our response to our Christian and Carmelite vocation… how am I responding generously, charitably, faithfully, zealously?
Secular Carmelites featured in the Christchurch Catholic Diocese Inform Newsletter
![Catholic Diocese of Christchurch Inform newsletter OCDS feature](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Inform-138-Spring-23.png)
OCDS Christchurch (Peace of Christ Community) were recently briefly featured in the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch Inform newsletter
October: Dedicated to the Holy Rosary
![Our Lady with the rosary](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/OuLadyRosary.jpg)
Christ does not force our will, he takes only what we give Him. He doesn’t give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him – St Teresa
September: Dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows
![Our Lady of Sorrows](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/OurLadyofSorrows.jpg)
I’d like to share with you my thoughts on reinvigorating the call to Secular
Carmel.
Advent with Carmel: The 2023 OCDS Christchurch Retreat
![Carmel OCDS Retreat in Christchurch Nov24-26, 2023](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Carmel-Retreat-Cards-2023-720x1024.jpg)
“Since He has shown me that He alone is perfect happiness”. Nov 24-26, Christchurch (NZ)
August: Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
![Jesus welcoming Mary into heaven on her assumption](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MarysAssumption.jpg)
I looked at the Catholic Calendar for August. Amazing! (Go look at it!) It’s full of Saints Rememoration days, Feasts, the Transverberation of our dear St Teresa of Jesus. My stand-out is the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady. What a month!