History Of Our Study Group

History Of Our Study Group

Our Carmelite Spirituality Study Group arose from the Ministry Fair held at St. Helen's in Georgetown, TX on August 2002. Prior to this, Dora Zavala, Formation Director of the San Antonio Secular Order of Discalced Carmelite Community approached Father Michael Mulvey, pastor of St. Helen's concerning the possibility of starting a discussion group on Carmelite Spirituality. Father Mulvey and Father Early OCD (Spiritual Director of the San Antonio OCDS Community) gave their permission to start a discussion group. The group was stared in September 2002 by Dora Zavala, Lois Vasquez and Paula Boyd. All three were members of the San Antonio OCDS Community. Under the guidance of Father Mulvey and Father Early the group begins studying St. Teresa's "The Way of Perfection".

Six people attended the first session and to this day the group continues to grow. The first session is open to parishioners. The second session is only for clothed members. A short meeting follows the second session.

In June 2003, our Provincial Delegate (Father John Michael Payne from Arkansas) came to visit the group. At this visit the Provincial clothed 14 aspirants. A month later Father Michael Mulvey clothes two more aspirants. These aspirants will study for two years before making their 1st Temporary Promises and three years for their Definitive Promises. The provincial also appointed a Formation Direction, President and Two Council Members. These offices have made their Definite Promises. The Provincial also recognized the group as a Carmelite Spirituality Study Group.