THE LAY CARMELITES

BLESSED TRINITY LCC (#5815 - Thornhill, ON)

MEETINGS

2nd Saturday, 10 AM

No face-to-face meetings during the pandemic. Optional Zoom gatherings.

Normally at:

St Luke’s Catholic Church
39 Green Lane

Thornhill, ON L3T 6K5

Information Pamphlet (PDF)

"We are a community of Catholic laity and belong to the Lay Carmelite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our mission is to follow Christ in love, to seek the kingdom of God, to sanctify and to transform the secular world through the participation of Carmelite charism of contemplative prayer, community and ministry.

Our community was formed on November 30, 2010. Lourdes and Daniel are our founding members. To date, our community has grown to sixteen members.

We meet on the second Saturday of the month at St. Luke's Parish, 39 Green Lane, Thornhill, for prayers and ongoing formation.

If you feel you may have a vocation in Carmel, please browse this site, read our information pamphlet, join us for an online meeting, and contact us.

Blessings,

Eva
Community Director"

The Annunciation (cropped), by Leonardo da Vinci. License.

CALL TO CARMEL

"Then Mary said, 'Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.' "

- Luke 1.38, NRSV

"I wanted Carmel as soon as I knew about it. I find all the aspirations of my soul are fulfilled in this Order."

- St. Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul, Manuscript A, 54v

Many and varied are the ways (Rule, 2) in which God calls people to follow Jesus Christ. Read about the Carmelite journey of some of our members.

Read about the Carmelite journey

St Albert Presents Rule, (cropped) by Pietro Lorenzetti. License.

THE CARMELITES

"Now therefore have all Israel assemble for me at Mount Carmel."

- 1 Kings 18.19, NRSV

"All must be friends, all must loved, all must be held dear, all must be helped."

- St Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection (ICS) 4.7

The Carmelites are an 800-year old religious family whose members include revered doctors and saints of the Church, such as St Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross, Bl Titus Brandsma, and others. In North America, the Third Order Secular branch of the Order is commonly known as the Lay Carmelites.

Learn more about the Lay Carmelites

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (2020), by Ria. Used with permission.

For Members...

MEETING SCHEDULE

LCO, Feb 1, 2021: Follow state, local, and diocesan mandates regarding public gatherings. Virtual Monthly and formation meetings are permitted. Percent attendance adjusted if member is unable or uncomfortable with virtual meetings. No new Phase I candidates (see exceptions in Notice) until face-to-face meetings resume. For more information, see the Notice link below:

Notice (LCO, Feb 1, 2021)

We are holding meetings online via Zoom. We welcome Lay Carmelites from other communities to join us (use the Contact Us form above).

Monthly: 2nd Sat, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Inquiry: postponed until after pandemic
Phase I: 2nd Mon, 7 PM (may vary)
Phase II: 2nd Thu, 7 PM (may vary)

[Optional] Saturday prayer: every Sat, 10:00 - 11:00 AM

MINISTRY CONTACTS

Council

Director (Interim): Stephen

Councilor 1/Formation Director: Stephen

Councilor 2/Secretary/Treasurer: Bernardine

Ministries

Zoom meetings: Bernardine

Equipment donations: Lourdes

Web group: Daniel

UPCOMING EVENTS

In-person events may be canceled due to local COVID restrictions. Please check with the organizer closer to the date.

[Optional] Jul 11-16, 2021

Retreat in the Carmelite Tradition

In-person

More details closer to the date.

[Optional] Jul 19-21, 2021

Virtual Symposium

Online

Presented by CINA. More details closer to the date.

[Optional] July 16, 2021

Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

St Martin of Tours Church

In-person

Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel LCC is hosting a parish celebration on the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Lay Carmelites from around the region are welcome to attend.

St Martin of Tours Church, 1290 McBride Avenue, Mississauga, ON

Check with the parish closer to the date for COVID rules.

Sat, Jul 17, 2021

Reception and Final Pofession Ceremonies

Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre

Congratulations to Adrianne, Bernardine and Stephen.

early October 2021

Annual Regional Retreat

Location pending COVID

Plan A

Fri, Oct 1 - Sun, Oct 3, 2021

Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre, Niagara Falls