Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites Nottingham Diocese
Carmelite News Autumn 2020: Carmel and Covid!
Despite the many difficulties and hardships of this year because of the pandemic, the Secular Carmelite group in Nottingham has continued to grow and indeed, through God’s grace and care, to thrive. Although we are saddened to be unable to meet physically as we usually do at St Frances’s Church in Long Eaton, we have been able to continue our regular Saturday monthly meetings of prayer and study on Zoom (whilst remaining in touch by phone and letter with the one member sadly unable to attend).
In July, our annual weekend retreat which had been planned to take place at Buckden Towers in Cambridgeshire had to be cancelled, but we were able to successfully transfer the retreat online.
We have also introduced the new idea of meeting weekly on Zoom for Morning Prayer and to support each other on a Friday, for those that can make it. And we have been delighted to welcome new members and enquirers… more below. If you are interested in finding out more, we would be really pleased to hear from you.
On Saturday 14th November 2020 Karen Jones from Lincoln, Michael Green from Bourne and Dana Rinaldi from Nottingham were formally welcomed and received into formation by the St Elizabeth of the Trinity Community of Secular Carmelites. Their petitions were received by Deacon James Hunter from Lincoln, a member of the group, on behalf of the Superior of the Carmelite Order during a moving Liturgy of the Word celebrated on Zoom at our regular monthly meeting.
From the ritual booklet
Deacon -The Lord has called you to live an evangelical life in the world as brothers and sisters. He brings us together today to receive those who have expressed their desire to begin formation in the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. This stage of formation, with God's help, will lead to an evangelical commitment. Let us ask the Lord always to give them the grace of the Holy Spirit so that they may persevere in their purpose. May he also enable us to support them along the way…
Candidates -Trusting in the mercy of God and in the fraternal help of all of you, we ask to be admitted to the period of formation in the Community of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. We wish to live our baptismal consecration according to the ideal of life of the Teresian Carmel, and to collaborate in fulfilling the mission of Camel in the Church.
The readings chosen were from the Mass for the Presentation of Mary in the Temple:
- Zechariah 2; 10-13. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion!
- Psalm - Magnificat. The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy is his name!
- Matthew 12: 46-50. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother sister and mother.
The homily was given by Deacon James asking How do we do the will of my Father? which, by kind permission, you can read here
Michael introduces himself here.
By Louise Aldred Nottingham group
Louise lives in Beeston, and is a member of the group who made her final promises in Sept 2019.