Editorial
My dearest Carmelite Brothers and Sisters,
Let us give thanks to God and praise him for all the goodness he has granted to us. We have felt that God has always been present among us, pouring out his grace. We believe that he is with us and will guide us during our next journey (Mt 28:20). Therefore, we have the courage to continue our Carmelite spiritual pilgrimage.
This ASOCINE of February 2011 informs us about how great is God’s love for us. In December 2010, some of our Indian Carmelites of the Saint Thomas Province were ordained priests. Last month, from the Commissariat of the Philippines, Br. Gilbert Billena, O.Carm., was ordained a priest and Bro. Fernando Lopez, O.Carm and Bro. Edgar Cayanan, O.Carm as deacons.
Even though there are many difficulties, we continue to build strong collaboration in the region. We are glad that an initial study on fundraising on a regional basis has been made. Our planning for the regional Carmelite student seminar on Formation and Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation, which will be organized in East Timor, is still on schedule. We hope that all provinces, commissariats, and delegations will participate in this seminar by sending their young Carmelites.
It would be better if each of us could greatly contribute in making our Carmelite presence better known in the region. I hope that all of the challenges and difficulties we are facing do not diminish our commitment. Saint John of the Cross said:”Those who grumble or complain are not perfect, nor are they even good Christians” (Sayings).
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, wishing you with many blessings and happiness to those Carmelite brothers and sisters who are celebrating it.
Albertus Herwanta
INDONESIA
Regional Fundraising Meeting
The Asia-Australia-Oceania Bursars meeting in Bali, October 2010, decided to work on fundraising on a regional basis. In order to realize this, a study-group needs to be set up. Its main role would be to study how the fundraising could be done.
On January 16-17, 2011, at Saint Mary Mother of Carmel Community, Jakarta, Indonesia, a study-group, whose members are James de Lauriers (Aus), Aris Escobal (Phil), FX. Hariawan and Alexander Agung Prasetijo Tjahjono (Ind), and Albertus Herwanta (General Councilor), met and discussed on this topic. A questionnaire about; who, what, where, when, why, and how of fundraising should be done will be sent to all regional superiors, bursars, and fundraisers. The agenda of the next Regional Bursar Meeting will be held in Manila on 17-22 October 2011.
PHILIPPINES
Ordination
On January 21, 2011 Rev. Gilbert S. Billena, O.Carm was ordained priest together with Bro. Fernando Lopez, O.Carm and Bro. Edgar Cayanan, O.Carm as deacons. The ordination was held in Mt. Carmel parish in Escalante City, Negros Occidental. The said occasion was well attended by the parents and relatives, Carmelite family, Basic Ecclesial Communities, and Parish Pastoral Council members of Mt. Carmel and St. Francis of Assisi parish.
A day after the ordination a thanksgiving mass was held in Escalante City and in the town of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental and Mambajao Camiguin province. The Carmelite community was very grateful to God for the gift of vocation through ordained ministry and to the people who supported in the said significant occasion.
AUSTRALIA
Br. Sean Keefe, O.Carm. honoured in Australia Day awards
Br. Sean Keefe, O.Carm. (Whitefriars College, Donvale) received Manningham Council's ‘Citizen of the Year Award’ at its Australia Day Celebrations on 26 January. For some time Br. Sean has had an outreach to the local area covered by Manningham Council. He is on a number of different committees and is especially involved with Rotary and Kiwanis (an organisation that originated in the United States). As well as being an active member of staff at Whitefriars College, Br. Sean has also been very involved in the development of the Carmelite Mission in East Timor. An outline of of his work both in East Timor and at Whitefriars College, as well as his involvement in Manningham Council, was given at the Award ceremony. Congratulations, Br. Sean!
Carmelite Councils meet
Members of the Carmelite Regional Council of East Timor, Fr. Augusto Sampaio, O.Carm., Fr. Augusto Galhos, O.Carm. and Fr. Berto Gagu, O.Carm. met with the Provincial Council on 21 January at the Province Centre, Middle Park. The meeting was chaired by Fr. Denis Andrew, O.Carm. (Prior Provincial). Also present were the members of the Provincial Council, Fr. David Hofman, O.Carm., Fr. Paul Cahill, O.Carm, and Fr. Bruce Clark, O.Carm. and Br. Sean Keefe, O.Carm. The agenda included Formation, Finances and personnel.
Formation for Formators
Fr. Augusto Sampaio, O.Carm., Fr. Augusto Galhos, O.Carm., and Br. Berto Gagu, O.Carm., members of the Carmelite Formation Team in East Timor, recently completed a three week formation course with Dr. George Bilotta of Formation Consultation Services. The course aims to develop skills for those charged with the formation of young Carmelites. Fr. Bruce Clark, O.Carm., Provincial Director of Formation, was also part of the course held at the Carmelite Province Centre, Middle Park.
Carmelite Liturgical Guide Now On Line
Carmelite Communications, the publishing office of the Province of Australia & Timor Leste, has published the 2011 edition of the Carmelite Liturgical Guide. The Guide is available in both printed and electronic form.
The Guide includes Carmelite feasts, memorials and celebrations which can be celebrated during 2011 and the dates of which they occur within the General Liturgical Calendar of the Church.
The Guide indicates the rank of each celebration (i.e. Solemnity, Feast, Memorial, etc) and provides information about the week of the Psalter, the liturgical colour of the celebration and directions to the Prayer of the Church for each celebration.
It's an ideal companion for those who pray the Prayer of the Church.
Asocine on the Web
The previous issues of Asocine are available on the website of the Order for those of you want to read them again. However, because the Asocine is only for Carmelite family members so it is posted in the reserved area.
To access Asocine, please follow the instruction:
Login into: www.ocarm.org/en/user
user: carmel
password: carmel
on the right there is a new bar called ASOCINE…
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