Carmelite Events

Story Contribution: Mother Mark Louis Anne, O.Carm.

On April 6, 2019 the first training session for potential Mother Angeline Ministers of Care was held at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita, Kansas. This beautiful retreat house is sponsored by the diocese, and a weekend retreat for engaged couples and a Hispanic spiritual program were held at the same time as our training sessions. Entering the front door of the retreat house brings one past lifelike sculptures depicting the wedding at Cana. There are also very devotional outdoor stations of the Cross, and walking trails around a small lake. Across from the Center is a continuing care retirement center also sponsored by the diocese. The lively faith of the people of Wichita is evident, and the sixty plus participants in the MAMC training were attentive and enthusiastic about serving the needs of the elderly. A quick ride downtown after the workshop brought us to the beautiful Native American statue named “Keeper of the Plains” and we even saw a rainbow after a brief shower. (No Judy Garland was not singing, and Toto was not running around).

Since more people signed up than could fit into the conference room, we will be returning to Wichita next March to repeat the workshop and hopefully provide a workshop for potential parish coordinators.

FORMATION WORKSHOP

Story Contribution: Sister Helena of Mary, O.Carm. 

 

On April 9-12, 2019, Sr. Helena of Mary and Sr. Lois Ann attended the Formators' Workshop sponsored by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) at Malvern Retreat House in Malvern, PA.

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by Eileen Connely, The Catholic Telegraph

 

Sister Teresa Kathleen Dominick, O.Carm.

It was as a child that Sister M. Teresa Kathleen Dominick first became acquainted with the compassionate and skilled ministry of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. The community, founded by Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa, ministers to the elderly in the person of Christ, while always returning to the spiritual mount of prayer and contemplation.

“I met our sisters at our home in Chicago when I was in the sixth grade,” Sister Kathleen recalled. “They were very down to earth, happy in what they were doing, and clearly loved caring for the residents.”

Sister Kathleen said she “fell in love with caring for the elderly,” too, and has been a Carmelite for 57 years.

The sisters minister in long-term healthcare, assisted living and independent living facilities located primarily in the United States, with one home in Ireland. In the archdiocese, they operate St. Margaret Hall, where Sister Kathleen serves as a resident representative and family advocate, along with being involved in pastoral ministry. Her role, she explained, is to welcome new residents, visiting daily for the first two weeks to ensure they feel comfortable and are adjusting to the change in environment. Sister Kathleen also spends time with residents’ relatives, answering questions and offering reassurance.

“They are turning the care of their family members over to us, many after caring for them for a long time,” she said. “Once they learn we can do the same thing they did at home, they can relax, spend time with their family members, and love them. We provide the physical care, and they can be the emotional support.”

“I tell people that the elderly give so much more to us than we give to them,” Sister Kathleen said. “They share their love, their wisdom, their appreciation for our care. They don’t ask a lot, just to be recognized as a person and to know that someone cares about them. That’s the best gift we can give to any of our residents.”

 

ORIGINAL  ARTICLE

 

SAINT PATRICK'S MANOR, FRAMINGHAM, MA

by Sister Lois Ann, O.Carm.

Our Postulants joined six of our Sisters from Marian Manor and St. Patrick’s Manor for a visit to the Little Sisters of the Poor in Sommerville, MA for the Day of Consecrated Life. The Little Sisters hosted the event at their lovely facility. Religious communities from around the greater Boston area were invited. The day started with Mass followed by a delicious lunch with entertainment by the communities represented. Our own Sister Brigid, played the spoons, as our Postulants joined in singing along with Little Sister of the Poor Sister Elizabeth Ann. It was a beautiful experience of community among the Religious of the Diocese of Boston.

 

 

The Super Bowl split our Postulant community right down the middle!! The Sisters from Ohio to California went with the Rams, and the Sisters from New York to Florida, supported the Patriots. We will all be friends on Monday!! There was a Ram contingent among the Professed Sisters as well so we were not totally alone up here in Massachusetts Patriot Country!!

 

ON-THE-ROAD EVENT, IOWA

by Sister Patricia Margaret, O.Carm.

Attended the Red Mass and Dinner with Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York in Iowa. The Sisters attending ended up sitting in the front row at the Cathedral
and Cardinal Dolan told everyone present that the Carmelite Sisters were here and he looked at us and said, "I really love you Sisters!"

 
 

SAINT TERESA'S MOTHERHOUSE, GERMANTOWN, NEW YORK

by Sister Helena of Mary, O.Carm.

Some Avila and Formation Sisters attended Mass for World Day of Consecrated Life with Bishop Edward Scharfenberger as celebrant at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception on February 2, 2019.  The event was attended by members of  several religious communities. Sister Helena of Mary was invited to be lector and Sister Mary of Jesus was one of the Eucharistic Ministers.

 

GARVEY MANOR, HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA

by Holly Keller

The robotic pets at Garvey Manor Nursing Home are amazing! Our residents love them. So blessed to have this opportunity through our CMP grant.

Story Contributor: Mother Mark Louis Anne, O.Carm.

On January 5, an open house and blessing was held to celebrate the completion of the renovation to the convent at Mary Manning Walsh Home. Previously, the convent occupied space on both the 15 ^th and 16^th floor of the facility. Now the convent is located only on the 16 ^th floor, which allowed for the expansion of the Dawn Green Hospice unit to encompass the whole 15 ^th floor. A win-win for the convent and the facility! Fr. Simeon blessed the renovated space to the delight of the Sisters, who have lived with the chaos of renovation for a very long time. The refectory and community room were recreated on the 16 ^th floor, and the Sisters’ rooms made more barrier free. A spa room was also added to allow for handicap accessible bathing. We ask God’s blessings on this lovely space and all who helped create it.

 

Story Contributor: Mother Mark Louis Anne, O.Carm.

Photo Courtesy: Karen McCrory

 

The Carmelite Sisters were invited to participate in a project to be aired on EWTN as part of a series called “They Might Be Saints”. From January 18-21, Avila was bustling with activity as interviews were conducted and scenes from Mother Angeline’s early life were filmed. Despite a major snowstorm that meant moving schedules around, with God’s help everything was accomplished. The Producer, Michael O’Neill, was open to Mother’s family portraying her in the scenes, so Karen, Angeline, Katie and Michael McCrory depicted Mother and her family during Mother’s teenage years in Scotland. Some of the filming was done in St. Sylvia’s Church and Rectory in Tivoli, NY. The McCrory family welcomed two Little Sisters into the house (Sr. Veronica and Sr. Mary of Jesus), and Angeline portrayed Mother arranging flowers in the local parish and taking a book from Dean Cronin’s library the evening before her entrance into the convent. Later, Brigid McCrory Amundson played Mother as a Little Sister of the Poor receiving blessed roses from Fr. Flanagan (Fr. Jim Hess) and meeting with Cardinal Hayes (an actor) accompanied as far as the door by Sr. Julie. There is no dialogue in the scenes, but a voice-over narration will be used.

We thank Michael and his crew for their patience and dedication in making Mother’s story come alive and Mother’s family for going the extra mile to the point of looking like the cast of Downton Abbey! The episode will be aired later in the year on EWTN. Stay tuned for details.

 

 

 

   

Father James Hess, O.Carm.

Chaplain Saint Teresa's Motherhouse, Germantown, NY

 

 

Dear Family, Benefactors and Friends,

Christmas Greeting from Avila by the Hudson! As we celebrate the gift of our Heavenly Father, His only begotten Son, we are thankful for the great gift you are to us, as we continue the vision of Venerable Mother Angeline Teresa to care for the Aged and Infirm. Your love, supports and prayers empower the mission to go on.

The Scriptures tell us there was not any room in the inn for the Holy Family. With God's help and blessing, the Sisters have been making room for the elderly for 90 years. This is possible through the love of our families, benefactors who believe in our ministry, and friends who are always there to support the Sisters.

May our infant Savior warm your hearts this Christmas and grant you every blessing in the New Year!

 

Father Jim

 

 

 

THANKSGIVING DAY CELEBRATIONS

Saint Patrick's Manor, Framingham. MA

Happy Thanksgiving from our Postulants!

CARMEL MANOR, FORT THOMAS, KENTUCKY

 

TERESIAN HOUSE, ALBANY, NEW YORK

SISTER ROSE CELEBRATES 90TH BIRTHDAY

 

 

by Sister Diane Mack, O.Carm.

 

 

Located in Fort Thomas, KY, Carmel Manor, was voted one of the Best Nursing Homes in Northern Kentucky and featured in Northern Kentucky Magazine. The staff have worked very hard and we are proud of all and their dedication to our mission.

 

 

 

Photo: YELP website

The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm recently announced the availability of Marian Manor, which sprawls across a prime location in the heart of South Boston. They want to build a modern replacement, possibly as part of a new condo or apartment project, or through a land swap, the Boston Globe reports .

Marian Manor is a “beloved” local institution, the newspaper said, but the property is massive and desirable to builders — tallying 2 acres and stretching from Dorchester Street to Thomas Park. Sale brochures label it as “an unprecedented redevelopment opportunity” that’s located in one of “Boston’s most sought-after neighborhoods.”  FULL ARTICLE

RELATED ARTICLE

 

 

 

Saint Patrick's Home, Bronx, New York:

Sister Luke Mary Angeline made her Renewal of Temporary Vows at St. Patrick's Nursing Home where she is presently missioned.   Rev. Nicholas Blackwell, O.Carm. received Sister's vows in the presence of her local Prioress, Sister Bernadette Therese.

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Ozanam Hall Nursing Home, Bayside, New York:

Our Sisters celebrated our 89th year of Foundation with Bishop Neil Tiedemann, C.P. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2018.