Carmelite Events

Story and Photos contributed by Kathy Drufke - Mother Angeline McCrory Manor

The Nurses Week was celebrated nationally on May 6-12, 2017.  The Nursing Staff of Mother Angeline McCrory Manor and The Villas At Saint Therese were honored with a blessing of hands by Fr. Raymond Maher, O.Carm. and a special Italian luncheon. Gifts and a raffle were added to the enjoyment of all.  There were approximately 45 nurses in attendance. The Statue of Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa was dedicated and blessed as part of the celebration. The following was the prayer that Fr. Raymond Maher, O.Carm. offered for this dedication:

Mother Mark, members of the General Council and other Carmelite Sisters attended the blessing of Carmel Manor's  new East Wing, the newly renovated St Joseph's Terrace and the outdoor memory garden.  The memory garden was donated by the Verst family.  Most Rev. Roger Foys of the Archdiocese of Covington, KY was the main celebrant.  Carmel Manor in Fort Thomas, Kentucky is one of the Homes sponsored by the Carmelite Sisters.

https://goo.gl/photos/QJpDJPtAA3sVSBjK8

by Sister Joachim Anne, O.Carm.

On April 10 – 12, 2017, twenty Little Sisters of the Poor from various locations within the Baltimore and New York Provinces came to Altoona, PA to attend a professional workshop, which was also being attended by Carmelite Sisters Sr. Jacinta Mary and Sr. Joachim Anne.

In the spirit of Hospitality, the Sisters were invited to attend daily Mass at Garvey Manor during their stay, and on the evening of April 11, they joined the Carmelite Sisters’ Community in Carmel Hall at Garvey Manor for dinner. It was very enjoyable to meet so many of the Little Sisters, to share stories and compare experiences from our mutual heritage through Mother Angeline Teresa. A few ‘French’ tunes were even sung – favorites of the Little Sisters and of our Foundress Mother Angeline Teresa.

On September 6 - October 1, the Annual Renewal Program for the  Carmelite Sisters will be held at Saint Teresa's Motherhouse in Germantown, New York. The program runs for a month with Retreat being held at the last week of the program.  During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Session I opens with reflections on "The Wideness of God's Mercy: Year of Mercy and Saint Faustina" given to us by Sister Caterina Esselen, O.L.M .  Sister Caterina is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy to which Sister Faustina belonged.  Sister has been proclaiming the message of Divine Mercy at conferences, in parishes, schools and prisons.  On the second week of the program (Session II), Very Reverend Mario Esposito, O.Carm. will speak on the topic of "Daughter of Carmel- Carmelite Spirituality in the Life of Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa."  Father Mario is the current Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa and was recently appointed General Postulator for the Order of Carmelites effective 2017.  Reverend Leopold Glueckert, O.Carm . closes the program with his two-day talk on "The Carmelite Mystics ." Father Leo was a member of the Historical Commission for the Process of Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa's Cause from 2004-2005.  For over 30 years, he has taught Carmelite history to the Novitiate in Middletown, NY.  During Session III, Sister Kelly Connors, P.M, JCD will be our speaker.  The title of her conferences is "Companions on the Journey- Tools for Successful Community Living."  Sister Kelly is a member of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, United States Province.  She serves as canonical consultant to various dioceses and religious institutes and speaks nationally and internationally on Canon Law and Religious Life.

The Renewal Program will close with a week-long Retreat preached by Reverend Peter DiMaria on October 1, Feast of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus.

SEPTEMBER 12-14, 2016- SESSION II: "DAUGHTER OF CARMEL- CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY IN THE LIFE OF VENERABLE MARY ANGELINE TERESA-    VERY REV. MARIO ESPOSITO, O.CARM.

SEPTEMBER 6-9, 2016: SESSION I: "THE WIDENESS OF GOD'S MERCY"- SISTER M. CATERINA ESSELEN, O.L.M

  Relic of Saint Faustina.

  Sister M. Caterina Esselen, O.L.M

  Participants of the 2016 Carmelite Renewal Program with the Temporary Vow Sisters

Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa (center) and her Six Companions

In 1929, Mother Mary Angeline Teresa pioneered a different approach to the care of the elderly and infirm. In addition to fulfilling physical and spiritual needs, she stressed the importance of a home-like atmosphere that encouraged residents to maintain their personal sense of dignity and independence. To that end Mother Angeline founded a new religious community - the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. With six other Sisters she set about making her vision a reality. From this relatively new beginning the work of the Congregation flourished and the Community was invited to work in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and as far west as Iowa. We currently serve in 20 facilities in the United States and Ireland. Mother Angeline Teresa’s philosophy of care is the keystone of the Carmelite commitment. The Sisters labor to make each Carmelite Home a genuine haven of love and Christian joy, serving each guest as if ministering to Our Lord Himself. Through their lives of prayer and in concert with the dedicated men and women who share their commitment to serve the elderly, the Carmelite Sisters share the Gospel message with the people of God and bring His love and healing to the Aged entrusted to their care. We are grateful to God for the continued grace of being able to minister to our beloved residents.  In these times of vocational and healthcare challenges, we continue to hope and pray, that the work began 87 years ago will continue to bear fruit and flourish for the greater glory of God and His Church!

"Foundation Tree" displayed in the Sisters Dining Room to celebrate the day.

Cassandra Tritto is the artist of the "Foundation Tree" and current employee of St. Teresa's Motherhouse.  Great job, Cassandra!

Foundation Day Photo Board display outside the Sisters Chapel at St. Teresa's Motherhouse

Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of Saint Therese, are now Saints of the Catholic Church! The Carmelite Sisters representing St. Teresa's Motherhouse in Germantown, NY and Teresian House in Albany, NY were invited to participate in a prayer service held at All Saints Catholic Church in Albany, New York on October 18, 2015.  The event was organized by Mrs. Janice Smircich.  Janice is a long time friend of the Carmelite Sisters and member of Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa's Cause and Charism Commission.  The celebrant was Father Tom Lawless.

by Sister Joachim Anne, O.Carm.

In celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life, Sisters from several religious communities serving in ministries in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown joined together at the invitation of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm at Garvey Manor, in Hollidaysburg on Saturday, September 19^th for Mass, celebrated by Rev. Monsignor Paul D. Panza, followed by a luncheon.  Pictured are sisters who were present, representing the following Communities:  Carmelite Community of the Word, Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, Little Sisters of Jesus, Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of Saint Ann, Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Not able to be present, but also serving in the Diocese are Sisters of Saint Joseph and Sisters of Saint Francis.

This recently was published in our local Catholic Newspaper, The Catholic Register.

by Sr. M. Sean Damien, O.Carm.

Father Christopher J. Waitekus  (Father CJ), the pastor of St. Ann’s Parish in Lenox, MA, St. Patrick’s Parish in West Stockbridge, MA and St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Lenox Dale, MA wanted to make his parishioners more aware of the various Religious Congregations in the Church in celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life.  Father has been having a member of a different congregation speak at the Masses the first weekend of each month.  I was privileged to have been invited by Father CJ to speak the first weekend of May about the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged & Infirm.  Father asked that I address the history and charism of the Congregation as well as my own vocation story.  Since I’d been to St. Ann’s on a few occasions I knew it was a very welcoming community making it easy to say yes to Father.  Father says five Masses each weekend; 3 at St. Ann’s; one each at the other two churches.  I spoke at four of the Masses.  There was a First Communion at the Mass at St. Vincent de Paul.  Father and I agreed the focus should be on that. 

The people were as welcoming as always and a great many thanked me after Mass for sharing our story and my story.  I was able to attend a “Coffee Hour” between the two Sunday Masses and visit with the parishioners.  They were very interested in what I had shared and in learning more about us.  Most people I spoke with thanked us for our service to the Church and as so often happens, commented on how nice it was to see a Sister in a habit.  Masses were well attended and it was particularly nice to see so many families worshipping together.  I spoke at a 4 PM Mass at St. Ann’s followed by a 5:30 PM at St. Vincent de Paul’s on Saturday and then a 9:45 AM and 11:15 AM at St. Ann’s on Sunday.  It was a pleasure and a privilege to share with this faith filled people the story of our Congregation.  I brought with me many of the printed materials we have about the Congregation as well as vocation materials.  Perhaps a seed will be planted in the mind of some young woman and we will see our first vocation from Mount Carmel Care Center at some time in the future!

It was reported that 20,000 people were gathered at New York City's Madison Square Garden on September 25th when His Holiness Pope Francis celebrated Holy Mass as part of his pastoral visit to the United States.  Among those present were five Carmelite Sisters- Sr. Christopher Jude, Sr. Helena Therese, Sr. Pia Ignatius, Sr. Julie Michael and Sr. Melissa-  who braved the crowd and were thrilled beyond words to have this exceptional opportunity of being with the Holy Father during this very special event.  Sr. Pia Ignatius, ever quick with her camera, took these photos to share with her Carmelite Sisters!

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OZANAM HALL AT THE AIRPORT WITH THE POPE; PHOTOS BY SR. MADELINE ANGELINE, O.CARM.

 by Sister Katherine Theresa Twitchell, O.Carm.

A "Homeless Jesus" was  on display at the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs for the 130th anniversary of the North American Shrine in Auriesville, NY. Renewal Sisters, Novices and Postulant visited the shrine and were all very moved by the life size sculpture of the "Homeless Jesus." Timothy Schmaltz who is the artist of the statue was present at the celebration and telethon. Timothy explained that the sculpture which was inspired by the Gospel message in Matthew 25 suggests Christ being with the most marginalized in our society. This sculpture will be in its way to NYC next week to be blessed by Pope Francis.

 PHOTO GALLERY