LAY CARMELITES OF ONTARIO AND NORTH WEST NEW YORK
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
CONTACT US
"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 below:
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: Eva
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.
early October 2021
Annual Regional Retreat
Plan A
Fri, Oct 1 - Sun, Oct 3, 2021
Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre, Niagara Falls
More details closer to the date.
Plan B
Fri, Oct 1, 2021
St John of the Cross Church, Mississauga
More details closer to the date.
MAY 2021 ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Anniversaries
Happy Birthday to:
Lidia, Adrianne
May 7: Reception (2016 ... 5 years) for Bernardine and Stephen
2. Dues are Due
If you haven't done so already, please submit your dues for 2021. Provincial dues are $55 USD. Regional dues are $20 CAD. We recommend one payment of $100 CAD so there is about $8 CAD for the community.
For more information: contact Bernardine
3. Final Professions
Congratulations to Bernardine and Stephen, who expect to make their Final Profession in a private ceremony this month. More details closer to the date.
4. Reception
Congratulations to Adrianne, who expects to be Received in a private ceremony later this month. More details closer to the date.
QUICK LINKS
Christian Prayer and Lectio Divina:
Regional Ordo and Events (Google calendar)
Rubric for Morning Prayer (PDF)
Rubric for Evening Prayer (PDF)
Rubric for Lectio Divina (PDF)
Saturday Prayer:
Structure for Online Community Meetings (PDF)
10th Anniversary: