Carmelites, St Elias Province

St Simon Stock-St. Joseph Parish in the Bronx, New York celebrates 100 years.

FINAL DAY OF THE PREACHED NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH - On Friday, March 19th, the Feast of St. Joseph, Very Rev. Mario Esposito, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the Carmelites of the St. Elias Province, celebrated the 11:30am Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Middletown, New York. It was the final day of the Preached Novena to St. Joseph. Father Mario reflected on "St. Joseph, Intercessor and Protector." The following is an excerpt from his homily: ... "St. Joseph, the man who did his part, and faithfully fulfilled all God asked of him, models for us trust and faith in God's plan and a love and acceptance of God's providence. St. Joseph shows us obedience, faithfulness to the demands of life and creativity in adapting to changed circumstance, which is a real virtue. St. Joseph shows us single heartedness and the reward of total giving. Finally, St. Joseph models for us the ability to be in relationship to another without the loss of self, and the relationship itself brings out the best in Joseph, and not a loss of self, a hard lesson to learn. May St. Joseph pray for all of us, family, community and the world."

ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND DIACONATE IN VIETNAM - On Saturday, March 13, 2021 three Carmelite Brothers - Joseph Dat Cao, O.Carm., Joseph Thinh Tran, O.Carm. and James Thien Tran, O.Carm. - were ordained to the Priesthood and Diaconate respectively, in a ceremony at Tan Dinh Church in Saigon. His Excellency, Most Reverend Louis Tuan Anh Nguyen, Auxiliary Bishop of the Ho Chi Minh Diocese was the ordaining prelate. Attendance was limited to about 50 individuals in observance of ongoing safety measures and social distancing protocols because of Covid, but the ceremony was nonetheless a beautiful and holy event. We congratulate our three Brothers on their ordination and wish them many years of service in the Church and among God's people in Vietnam.

NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH - NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL - The Year of St. Joseph gives us a chance to not only highlight the life of beloved St. Joseph, but the indoor Shrine of St. Joseph was also illuminated in his honor. Thanks so very much to Brother Jonathan Steele, O.Carm. for his assistance in helping with the decorating, planning and coordination of the Preached Novena in honor of St. Joseph. The novena prayer and Litany of St. Joseph that we are using... for the Preached Novena can be found on the National Shrine website https://www.ourladyofmtcarmelshrine.com/ - listed under "Special Events" as well as the daily schedule of Carmelite friars and St. Joseph themes for each Mass. The Carmelite Gift Store is also selling large St. Joseph votive candles which are already a popular item during this special year. St. Joseph, pray for us!

THE YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH: The Carmelites of the Saint Elias Province will honor The Year of Saint Joseph with a Preached Novena at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, New York. Please see the attached poster for details.

"In the Desert with Mary" The Carmelites have long held Wednesday Devotions to Our Lady. In that same spirit, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, NY has been hosting "Carmelite Wednesdays" every 3rd Wednesday of the month from October 2020 to May 2021. Today, Fr. Paul Denault, O.Carm. continued that series, leading us into Lent with his talk on the topic, "In the Desert with Mary."... GOING INTO THE DESERT A short, daily Lenten Prayer: Find someplace where you can be quiet. Ask Mary to help you be open to God's will. Remember: I have nothing; I rely on God alone for help. Read the Gospel passage of the day. Ponder, with Mary, what is God saying to me? What is God asking of me? Is there anything that holds me back from embracing that will? Ask God for the grace to accept his will for you. Thank God for having this time of prayer. The link to Father Paul's talk is below: https://www.facebook.com/234329656677399/videos/335479261092320

DIACONATE ORDINATION - Here are a few more photographs of Brother Marlon Beharry's ordination to the Diaconate last Saturday, January 9 in Washington, DC.

Brother John Viet Nguyen, O.Carm. and Brother Joseph Long Bui, O.Carm. were solemnly professed in Saigon on Saturday morning, January 9th in Chau Binh Church. We offer our brothers our prayers and good wishes, and ask Mary and St. Joseph to strengthen and bless them in their Carmelite vocations.

SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL: "CARMELITE WEDNESDAYS" A special series of presentations on the following days: January 20, 2021 Carmelite Rule for Everyday Life - Fr. Francis Amodio, O.Carm.... February 17, 2021 In the Desert with Mary - Fr. Paul Denault, O.Carm. Both events will take place at 10:00am in the Shrine church Please call to reserve a space. Masks are required and space is limited with social distanced pews. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- UNDERSTANDING THE MASS Tuesday evening series. Dates: January 19, 26; February 2 & 9 - 2021. Time: 7:00pm - Shrine church. Presenter: Fr. James Sidoti, O.Carm Please call to reserve a space. Masks are required and space is limited with social distanced pews. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- MONTHLY HEALING MASS & Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 - 7:00pm - Shrine church. Healing Masses are held on the last Thursday of every month at 7:00pm. National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel A Ministry of the Carmelite Friars 70 Carmelite Drive Middletown, NY 10940 www.ourladyofmtcarmelshrine.com Carol Bezak, Shrine Director - 845-343-1879 [email protected]

ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE - Whitefriars Hall, Washington, DC Congratulations to our new Deacon, Rev. Brother Marlon Beharry, O.Carm. who was ordained to the Diaconate this morning at Whitefriars Hall by Bishop Mario Dorsonville, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. From Left to right - Fr. Justin M. Cinnante, O.Carm., Brother Von Erick Sandoval, O.Carm., Brother Gregg Durham, O. Carm. (in back), Rev. Brother Marlon Beharry, O.Carm., Bishop Mario Dorsonville, D.D., Very Rev. Mario Esposito, O.Carm., Prior Provincial, and pre-Novice Schafer Knostman.

Brother Marlon Beharry, O.Carm., one of our Trinidadian friars will be ordained to the Diaconate this morning in Washington, DC. Congratulations to Marlon and may God bless him always! https://www.facebook.com/events/2398704840274777

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. It is also the end of the Liturgical Year and we are moving into the Advent Sea...son. Join us here at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as we prepare our hearts and minds for Jesus' coming into our lives. A Festival of Lessons & Carols will be held Wednesday, December 2nd beginning at 6:45pm. All are welcome to attend. Pews are marked for social distancing - please remember to wear a mask. There is no fee to attend, but a free-will offering will be accepted. Mark your calendar early and plan to join us in prayer and song!! See more

4th ANNUAL SIMBANG GABI SA SHRINE - The Fil-Am Catholic Community of the Hudson Valley will celebrate the 4th Annual Simbang Gabi Sa Shrine on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. See attached flyer for more information.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL - Middletown, New York - Our Christmas celebration at the National Shrine was very joyful and especially grace-filled this year. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses were well-attended and though socially distanced, people were eager to share Christmas greetings with one another. The music was exceptional and the Shrine radiated with love and warm fellowship. Wishing you, your family and all loved ones near and far away a blessed Christmas season and many good wishes for a happy, healthy New Year.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADLUPE - Shrine event ..... Please see attached the CORRECTED flyer for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12th at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, New York.

ALL CARMELITE SOULS MASS The Carmelite Friars of the Province of Saint Elias celebrated its 60th Annual Mass in honor of All Carmelite Souls on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown. This annual Mass is offered on behalf of all of the deceased Friars of the Province, as well as our deceased Lay Carmelites as well as former students of St. Albert's Preparatory Seminary. Under beautiful skies, but somewhat reduced numbers ...due to Covid-19 restrictions, a beautiful Mass was offered. Father Mario Esposito, O.Carm., Prior Provincial, was the celebrant and homilist and music was provided by a small group of student friars singing under the direction of Maxine Martin, Shrine Music Director. After Mass, a procession led to the Carmelite Cemetery where prayers were offered, the Litany of Carmelite Saints sung, and each grave blessed. May all of the deceased members of Carmelite Province rest in God's good peace.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL - (See attached flyers). Carmelite Wednesdays - Wednesday, November 18, 2020 - 10:00am followed by 11:30am Mass... "Carmelite Stained Glass Windows" - with Bro. Jonathan Steele, O.Carm No charge to attend - call to make a reservation. Advent Morning of Reflection - Friday, December 4, 2020 - 9:30 - 11:00am "Awaiting the Promise" with Fr. Tim Ennis, O.Carm. - Cost: $15pp - conference followed by 11:30am Mass Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Saturday, December 12, 2020 - 12:00noon Spanish Mass with Fr. Nicholas Blackwell, O.Carm. Mass collection will be taken. Feast of St. John of the Cross - Monday, December 14, 2020 - 9:30 - 11:00am "Lives on Fire: Thomas Merton and St. John of the Cross" with Fr. Jim Hess, O.Carm Cost: $15pp - conference followed by 11:30am Feast Day Mass Please call to make a reservation or visit our website www.ourladyofmtcarmelshrine.com Masks are required and space is limited with social distanced pews. Call Carol Bezak, Shrine Director at 845-343-1879 or email [email protected] to reserve a space.

This morning at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Brother Jonathan Steele, O.Carm. spoke on "The Dogmas of Mary" - the first in a series of "Carmelite Wednesdays" - Please see the schedule for upcoming presentations below the video.

32nd Annual Padre Golf Tounament Raffle - Live Draw

Yesterday's Feast of St. Therese here at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was uplifing and beautiful. Here are the links for both the 11:30am and 7:00pm Mass - enjoy! https://venue.streamspot.com/video/fce14ed7f7 https://venue.streamspot.com/video/5dd7fcf217

CARMELITE FRIARS PADRE GOLF TOURNAMENT & RAFFLE

On Thursday, September 17, 2020, the Feast of St. Albert of Jerusalem, the Lawgiver of Carmel, at St. Eliseus Pre-Novitiate in Harrison, New Jersey, the Province of St. Elias welcomed its newest Pre-Novice, Vincent LoBiondo, into the Formation Program. During a ceremony in which he received the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Vincent affirmed that he will cooperate fully in the formation process of the Carmelites, as the Carmelites promised him the support and care he needs in his vocation. Father Mario Esposito, O.Carm., Prior Provincial, led the Evening Prayer Service during which all of the professed friars also renewed their vows. God bless Vincent, and may Our Lady of Mount Carmel watch over him always.

Please see the attached flyer for the Closing Mass for the Year of Vocations.

FATHER BEDE MULLIGAN, O.CARM. - OBITUARY Reverend Bede Mulligan O.Carm., a member of the Order of Carmelites of the North American Province of St. Elias, died on August 31, 2020 after a brief illness. He was 86 years old. May he rest in peace. John Kevin Mulligan was born in the Bronx, NY on June 14, 1934 and raised in Woodhaven, Queens, New York. He was predeceased by his parents John P. and Ethel C. Gerahty, brothers and sisters, David Noel, Gregory, Patricia and Carol....Continue reading

FOUR CARMELITE FRIARS PROFESS SOLEMN VOWS: In the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel yesterday, August 29th, four Carmelite Friars pronounced their solemn vows: Brother Marlon Beharry, O.Carm., Brother Henry Soto, O.Carm., Father Jon Moore, O.Carm., and Father Justin M. Cinnante, O.Carm. The Very Reverend Mario Esposito, O.Carm., Prior Provincial, was the celebrant of the Mass, homilist and received the vows of the Brothers. Brother Marlon is in the final year of the...ology at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Brother Henry and Father Jon are Carmelite hermits, members of Annunciation Hermitage in Austin, Minnesota, and Father Justin Maria is the Chaplain at Iona Prep and Grammar School in New Rochelle, New York. Each brings a unique history and special gifts to their Carmelite vocation. The beautiful ceremony was made extra special by the presence of four Bishops: Bishops Gerardo Colacicco and Peter Byrne of the Archdiocese of New York, and Bishops Octavio Cisneros and James Massa of the Diocese of Brooklyn, friends of the newly professed. Even with all due health precautions, the ceremony was joyful and solemn. God bless these newly professed Friars of the St. Elias Province! See more

MASS CELEBRATED AT THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF KNOCK.... The Carmelites celebrated an open-air sacrifice of the Mass on Monday, August 17, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock on the grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, NY. Father James Sidoti, O.Carm. was the celebrant. The Carmelites’ love and devotion to the Blessed Mother knows no bounds. Those bonds were further strengthened when the Blessed Mother appeared with St. Joseph and St. John th...e Evangelist in the little town of Knock, Ireland in 1879. Pilgrims from all over the world flocked to the site to pray at what was to become the Irish Shrine of Our Lady of Knock. In 1948 the Irish Carmelites in New York worked diligently to elevate the Shrine to the shrines at Lourdes and Fatima. Their success spawned the birth of a number of shrines to Our Lady of Knock around the world. The Carmelite’s Shrine of Our Lady of Knock has a long history. Although the Shrine in Middletown was dedicated in 1991, the beautiful Shrine’s first home was at the Carmelite’s Our Lady of the Scapular (OLS) church on 28th Street in Manhattan. The Shrine of Our Lady of Knock remained at OLS until the church added a parish center in the late 70s, at which time the statues were placed in the care of the Irish Christian Brothers at Iona College. When the Carmelite property at Brandsma Priory in Purchase (NY) was redesigned, the Our Lady of Knock statues were installed there. When the priory was closed, the statues found a new home at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Credit to the Our Lady of Knock Shrine in Middletown was due to the efforts of three Irish brothers, Fr. Brendan Hourihan, O. Carm., Fr. Emanuel Hourihan, O. Carm, and Msgr. James Hourihan. Thanks to Fr. Michael Kissane, O. Carm,, Fr. Francis Amodio, O. Carm., and Fr. Paul Feeley, O. Carm. for providing the history on the Lady Of Knock Shrine.

Congratulations to St. Jude Parish in Boca Raton, Florida on the dedication of the new Frank & Vera Ferola Education Center & Gymnatorium!

CARMELITE LATIN MASS. On Sunday, July 19, 2020, the Feast of St. Elias, Father and Leader of Carmel, was celebrated at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown according to the Ancient Carmelite Rite of the Holy Sepulcher. The Mass was well-attended in the light of social distancing, and face masks were quite in evidence. The music was provided by a magnificent Schola formed for the occasion, and the liturgy was live-streamed. ... The celebrant was Father Lucian Beltzner, O.Carm., Prior of St. Joseph's Priory in Troy, New York. The deacon was Father David Kloster of the Diocese of Bridgeport, and the subdeacon, Mr. James Griffin of the Durandus Institute. Father Nicholas Blackwell, O.Carm., was the Preacher. This Mass was one of the events of the Year of Vocations prepared by the Vocation Department of the St. Elias Province. Gratitude goes to Brother Von Erick Sandoval, O.Carm., Brother Gregg Durham, O.Carm., and Carol Bezak, Shrine Director, for all their efforts in preparing this Mass. Father Mario Esposito, O.Carm., Prior Provincial expressed the gratitude of the Province in his remarks at the end of Mass.

SOLEMN COMMEMORATION OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL. The Carmelites of the Province of St. Elias celebrated the Solemn Commemoration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel today at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, NY. Bishop Gerardo Colacicco, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York celebrated the 11:30 AM Mass which was well attended. Congregants were required to follow safety measures by wearing face masks and by observing social distancing, with som...e people having to stand outside of the chapel doors so as not to overcrowd the Shrine chapel.Following the Mass, there was a procession for the crowning of Mary. After Mass the Bishop and Father Mario Esposito, Prior Provincial joined other Carmelite friars for a light lunch provided by Shrine Director, Carol Bezak, after which the Bishop returned to the Shrine Chapel for Exposition, Scriptural Rosary and Benediction from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM. We are most grateful to Bishop Colacicco for coming to the Shrine to celebrate the Feast Day with the Carmelites and with all the faithful who attended today's Mass. Credit also goes to Father Joseph Nguyen Do, Brother Gregg Durham and those others who created the beautiful floral arrangements for the Shrine Chapel and for the platform holding Mary's statue. (see all pictures attached). Thanks also to Vincent Begley and Brother Gregg for the photographs.

The solemnly professed Carmelites of Vietnam, priests and brothers, gather together for their annual retreat. The retreat was given near Dalat City by Father Tinh, SJ in the Retreat House of the Benedictine Sisters.