March 2012

On March 3, 2012, our community organized a road trip to Carmelite sites in San Antonio.  We toured the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower and visited the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of San Antonio.

February 2012

On February 11, 2012, our spiritual assistant Fr. Jerome Earley, OCD, visited our community and gave us a wonderful introduction to our 2012 study of St. Teresa of Avila’s Book of Her Foundations.




In the photo above from left to right, are formation director Maron Burke, president Diane Gray, spiritual assistant Fr. Jerome Earley, OCD, and councilors Birdie Ehrenfeld and Marianne Gonzales.

January 2012

At our January Meeting, President Diane Gray introduced the presenter for our day of reflection -  Father Robert Becker, Pastor of St. Helen's Catholic Church. Father's topic was 30/30 - 30 minutes of prayer for 30 days for sending out healing love to an individual.



We also want to offer a warm welcome to our new aspirants to our community: Lee Burns, Hugo Estrada, Veronica Estrada, Sandra Leal and Anne Verstraete

2012 Meeting Schedule

8:00 8:30 Morning Prayer and Meditation

8:30-9:00 Mass

9:00-9:45 Fellowship and Breakfast

9:45-10:30 Formation Groups

10:30-10:45 Break and Fellowship

10:45-11:30 On-going Formation

11:30-11:45 Angelus and Prayers

11:45-12:30 Formation group - Questions and Answers/Lectio Divina, Definitive Group - Discussion

12:30-12:45 Business Meeting

12:45-1:00 Clean Up

December 2011

On December 10 2011, at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, the Triumph of the Cross Carmelite Community celebrated the first promise of Carole Lockamy and Kim Lawlis, the renewal of first promise of Cindy Johnson and the Definitive Promise of Steve Hardin. A reception followed afterwards at the St. Rita Activity Center.

In the photo from left to right, are Cindy Johnson, Carol Lockamy, Kim Lawlis and Steve Hardin.

October 2011 Meeting: Priest Talk

On October 2011, we had an excellent presentation at our OCDS meeting by our community's spiritual assistant Fr. Jerome Earley, O.C.D. of Mt Carmel Center in Dallas. His talk was on St. John of the Cross spirituality.

September 2011 Meeting

On September 2011, our community had a visit from Dorothy Mansen from Provincial Council.  Our community also finalized the 2011 study of the Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila.

Dorothy made a presentation to us on Leadership in Your Community. She began with “There is always a call for leadership…”  She talked about the meaning of leadership, what is called for in members, and the growth of a community experienced through good leadership; that is servant leadership. Dorothy spoke about the formation of good leaders, training formation leaders to discuss service leadership skills, and some of the reasons people have been unwilling to serve.  Dorothy said, “It is important that all members contribute in some way to the Carmelite life in Community.” She ended her talk with a quote from Jean Vanier’s book, Community and  Growth, “It is Him that we serve when we serve others.”

Maron, our formation director, introduced The Way of Perfection project we would be discussing in our general formation today.  Maron showed the new board to the community.  Each member provided a quote from St. Teresa’s Way of Perfection which he found most transformational (or simply made his life better) and a picture of him or herself to be placed on the study group board. Each member shared his quote and what it meant to his life.

July 16, 2011: Our Tommie is with the Angels!

Our dear friend, Tommie Solis, went to be with God this morning at 6:35 A.M. It was a peaceful death, and it is a joy to know that she is in the arms of our Lord.

I have learned that her funeral will be on Wednesday morning at 10:00 A.M.at St. Helen Catholic Church. We are asking that everyone that can attend the mass. The Carmelites will be providing the desserts for the bereavment dinner, so bring your desserts to the St. Rita Activity Center before the mass.

The rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Ramsey Funeral Home, 5600 Williams Drive, Georgetown.

Please pray for the sweet repose of Tommie's soul and for her family.

God bless,

Birdie

July 2011: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Celebration

On Saturday, July 16, 2011, we celebrated Our Lady of Mount Carmel Solemnity at St. Helen's Catholic Church in Georgetown, TX.  The celebration started at 8:00 AM with Morning Prayer followed by Mass at 8:30 AM.  Our community then gathered for breakfast at a nearby restaurant.

Local Council and Officers

Current Local Council and Officers:
Diane Gray — President

Birdie Ehrenfeld - Council

Marianne Gonzales - Council
Maron Burke – Formation Director

Kim Lawlis – Secretary
Mary Weaver - Treasurer

2010 Council:
Vi Sulsona — President
Claire Bloodgood – Formation Director
Cindy Johnson – Council/Secretary
Lansing Prescott - Council
Marianne Gonzales — Treasurer

2009 Council:
Dora Zavala – Formation Director
Lois Vasquez — President
Cindy Johnson – Secretary
Diane Gray — Treasurer

Maron Burke - Council
Birdie Ehrenfeld - Council
Tommie Solis - Council