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CHARIOT OF FIRE Carmelite Vocation Newsletter of the Province of St. Elias

Winter 2009 Fall 2009 Autumn is beautiful. Outside our offices, surrounding the National of Our Lady of Mount Carmel are the usual oaks, poplars, and maple trees stretching their limbs into the air with brilliance. The colors of Fall are always spectacular and it never seems to get old. Many of our experiences just become routine. It becomes laborious to suit up and begin again. Our time quickly becomes lost in exams and all the noise that the world has to offer. However, no matter how many times Summer begins to slip into Fall, I am always taken aback. As a boy growing up in East Tennessee, we always made a Fall trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. It was a formative experience in my life. I could sense something greater than this world leading me on a journey of discovery. One filled with mystery and intrigue. I experienced many things, but none that really filled the space left deep within me for knowledge about this world and . As I ex- plored this God and the Church, I came to believe in Jesus Christ, as the revelation to humanity of the new and everlasting covenant. Reading Scripture and the lives of people that were touched by the Son of God, made the hunger grow deeper. Yes, I do believe, but what now was my deep felt yearning. I prayed. I prayed, a lot. The beauty of Creation was a strong influence on St. Therese of the Child Jesus. St. makes use of images of God from nature to signify love between creature and Creator. As I began to look back on my life, and those early days when I was “blown away” by the beauty of the great Appalachian chain of “A“A chariot chariot of rugged mountains, I thank God for leading me into the of firefire appeared appeared land of Carmel. Discerning a call to an organized andand Elias Elias went went religious group may seem odd in this age that we live. Br. Robert E. Bathe, O.Carm. upup to to heaven heaven in It was the only way I could continue what started in me a whirlwind.” when I was young. A life lived, albeit with struggles and joys, in search of the living face in a whirlwind.” of God. are mostly spiritual people strengthened and nourished by the past, but still living as God has called us to search and to discover Him as we proclaim a Kingdom of (2Kings(2Kings 2:11) 2:11) peace, joy and happiness. A search worth the risk and cost. A search for glimpses of life beyond this world into a new world, a new creation.

Peace and blessings in Christ our Lord.

Taken from the Holy Father’s comments about vocations at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the in Washington, DC.

“In the Gospel, Jesus tells us to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send workers. He even admits that the workers are few in comparison with the abundance of the harvest (cf. Mt 9:37-38). Strange to say, I often think that prayer - the unum necessarium - is the one aspect of vocations work which we tend to forget or to undervalue! Nor am I speaking only of prayer for vocations. Prayer itself, born in Catholic families, nurtured by programs of Christian formation, strengthened by the grace of the sacraments, is the first means by which we come to know the Lord‟s will for our lives. To the extent that we teach young people to pray, and to pray well, we will be cooperating with God‟s call. Programs, plans and pro- jects have their place; but the discernment of a vocation is above all the fruit of an intimate dialogue between the Lord and his disciples. Young people, if they know how to pray, can be trusted to know what to do with God‟s call.”

2 From the Provincial Very Rev. J. Mario Esposito, O. Carm.

I am happy to write to you during this month in which the Church and Order of Carmelites honors two very famous and doctors of the Church, St. Therese of the Child Jesus and St. Teresa of Jesus. During this beautiful Fall season in which we also honor the Rosary, these two Carmelite holy women remind us of our primary vocation in Carmel, prayer. The witness of their lives and writings are always alive and fresh, as their experience of the spiritual journey to union with Christ lights our path as well, teaching us to move forward with loving trust for our St. Therese of the Child Merciful Father, walking in the way of Jesus with a pure heart and good conscience.

Since being elected Prior Provincial for a second time on June 11, 2009, my life has been busy. Meeting all of the friars again, re-adapting to life in the United States, and immersing myself in the day to day challenges and joys of the St. Elias Province have never left me idle. Besides my life here, I had the privilege of attend- ing the Council of Provinces of our Order in San Felice del Benaco, , from September 3 – 12, 2009. The theme of the meeting was Carmelite community, especially community life as built upon and sharing in the theological virtues of faith, hope and love. This meeting gathered all of the superiors of the Carmelite Order from around the world where Carmelite friars, nuns, sisters and lay members St. Theresa of Jesus are present in over 40 countries. Our Order is experiencing phenomenal growth in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In so many places on every continent, we continue to live our vocation of contemplative service and presence in the midst of the people with the zeal of the Prophet Elias our Father, and the tenderness and love of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. The Order also faces many struggles, of course, especially in areas of great pov- erty and injustice, ethnic struggles, and religious indifferentism that demand new solu- tions and approaches for our whole Church and her religious.

Pray and trust – these could be the code words of our two St. Teresa‟s. God bless you always, and Mary keep you in every way, as together we continue to serve God and find our place in His great plan for creation.

3 Prison Ministry by Rev. Gus Graap, O. Carm. I worked with our Lay Carmelites for screen and the TV was dominated by a four years and afterwards I was ap- big, young, bully-type of guy. But when proached by our Provincial who asked if 4:00 came around Mark stood right up I might be interested in part time prison and changed the channel to the game ministry. We received a call from a local and sat down. The big guy stood up and in the Middletown area who switched back to the music. So Mark needed to find a to work with him went to the bulletin board, pulled off and with a second deacon in another the notice about the game and read it to prison in order to be hired on as a all the guys. He turned the TV back to Catholic chaplain. I said 1'd give it a try, the game and sat back down. The big he beat the guy over the head with a and told the deacon that I would commit guy got up again and switched it right beer bottle and sent him to the hospital myself for one year. That was fourteen back to the music. Then Mark, by his where he died. He barely remembered years ago. (And, interestingly, both of own account, got up, went to his "cube" what had happened when the police the prisons where I work used to be and put his sneakers on - his fighting came to pick him up the next morning. boys reformatories and were served by sneakers. He had a perfect record in j ail When Charlie was released he returned Carmelites back in the 50's and 60's.) for about 18 years and would probably to the lower East Side of Manhattan and get himself pretty banged up, but he picked up the pieces of his life - espe- Prison ministry is a lot of different didn't care. He walked back into the cially his wife and two boys. One day things, but perhaps I can sum up what room and was poised to attack when a about a year later I ran into Charlie as I makes this ministry so special by way friend from our Sunday group was coming home from helping out at of two stories. The grabbed his arm and Bellevue Hospital. He asked me if 1'd first is about Mark said, "Hey, man, what like to have dinner with him and his fam- Graham who en- are you doing?" Mark ily sometime when I was in the City. I tered the prison said, "That's when I said 1'd love to and we set up a date. It system at 17 years woke up ~ thank was a wonderful occasion and I got to of age on a 20-to- God!" (He smiled.) He meet his third son who was about six life bid. He was a continued, "I went back months old at the time. After dinner his little guy ~ about to my cube, took off wife and kids went their own way while 5'2" and 125 my sneakers, and I Charlie and I sat down to talk. He said pounds with a fasted from TV for that he had a story that he wanted to smile that reached three weeks because of share with me and hopefully with the from Middletown what it almost did to guys still in prison. He said that he had to his home in me." Mark was released just moved into this new apartment Manhattan. from prison after his building and things were going great. He told me of this first appearance at the Then one night somebody new moved incident that hap- parole board (a minor into the apartment next to his. The man pened in prison: It was Superbowl Sun- miracle) and is now working for an worked until midnight and when he day and there were notices throughout agency in New York City that helps peo- came home he switched on a sound sys- the prison that the game should take ple just getting out of prison. tem that could be heard from 29th. St. to precedence over any other TV pro- the World Trade Center. Charlie's grams. (About 40 guys share a TV in Charlie Murray (not his real name) is whole family woke up and the baby each unit.) Mark walked into the TV another story. He did a ten year bid for started to cry. His wife begged him to room about 5 minutes before the game killing a man in a bar when he was stone tell the guy to turn the thing down but ready to settle in for some fun. How- drunk. The victim was gay and had ap- Charlie said he'd talk to him the next ever, there was Rock music on the proached him. He was so enraged that day. He did so, but the same thing hap-

4 pened the following night, so he had to and failures. And it's wonderful to hear get up in the middle of the night and from them when they're "back on the pound on the man's door to tell him to street" that something you said or did turn the thing down. Things were quiet while they were "behind bars" had such for a few weeks, but then it happened an impact on their lives. It has also again. Charlie was so enraged that he been great to have other Carmelites pounded on the guy's door again until he work with me from time to time like answered it at which point Charlie Brother Jim who joined me on Sundays barged into the guy's apartment, grabbed for almost 10 years as well as a few of the guy by the collar and pinned him our novices. It's a joy and a privilege to against the wall. He told him about his do prison ministry, and I can say with- time in prison and about the last guy he out reservation that some of the men had killed. He swore that if he ever are the greatest guys in the world. blasted his system again he "would be history." It never happened again! At the end of the story Charlie said to me, "Here's what I want you to tell the guys, Fr. Gus: if I was drunk that night I would have killed another person and gone back to prison. Thank God for what I learned in prison, and for AA. "

People learn, and part of our role as chaplains is to help them and support them in the learning process through prayer, Scripture and personal conver- sation. Being there also helps me to follow one of the goals of the Carme- lite Order throughout the world, namely to have "a fundamental option for the poor." And prisoners are defi- nitely poor.

I hate it when people come to talk to us chaplains as a group and begin by saying" I really admire what you people are do- ing." What are we doing? We‟re just working with people, and the two dea- cons and I know that under different circumstances anyone of us could be "wearing green" rather than black cleri- cal attire.

Yes, prison ministry is a lot of different things. For me the most important part is celebrating Mass with the guys and hearing their confessions. The rest is talking with them, loving them, sharing their joys and heartbreaks, their hopes

5 The Call To Be A Friend By Rev. Emiel Abalahin, O. Carm.

Standing outside of the important to help them to develop relationships between them, church, dressed in to help them to know that they are not alone in their faith. Liv- vestments too warm ing here in the Bible belt, and also amongst the fifth largest Jew- for the weather, I ish population in the world, being Catholic can feel rather isolat- waited for the people ing, especially at an age where feeling like part of a group is an to leave the Mass that important stage of development. At the same time, they are has just finished. As I extended my hand to shake hands with the young people looking for mentors. I see my interaction with adults or to high five the kids, I was greeted with, “Good morn- these young people as helping to meet two of these important ing, Father,” and “Father, that was a great Mass!” and inevitably needs. with, “Father, can I talk to you?” The question is always the Our Hispanic ministry has also grown by leaps and bounds in the same, but the inquirer always different: man, woman, young last few years. In this ministry, it has been essential to help form child, older person. This is part of ministry in Florida. a sense of community, because many come alone, or feel iso- One of the greatest lessons I have learned from being a Carme- lated because of language and cultural barriers or age. Some are lite is how to strive to be a friend of God. It is the supreme wealthy, while others are poor. And in these times of immigra- goal, as it were, of our charism. In order to achieve this goal, tion reform, fears and anxieties have increased. To minister to there must be freedom and truth, mercy and justice, challenge these people, I have come to recognize that I must also be a and love. And all of these elements I have attempted to incor- friend who cares about their personal welfare, as well as the porate in my own ministry, to help others to also be friends of community‟s well being. God. But this is not always easy, because at times it requires patience and the acceptance that I will not always get to see the fruits of my labors, while it always means recognizing that the good achieved was not because of my doing, but because God chose to use me as his instrument. And there is certainly much work for God to do. Part of my work involves ministering to the people of our parish of St. Jude. It is a fantastic place to work because we have a tremendously active and involved laity, and because there is so much potential here. Among my varied responsibilities, I work with our youth, young adults, and Hispanic ministries. It would be a mistake to think that serving these communities means sim- ply celebrating Mass. It is really about building community. Our young adult ministry is the newest and one of the most For our teens, we have a Mass especially designated for them, exciting ministries to be started in the parish. As its director, I followed by an evening of reflection and fellowship. And we am in awe at the response of these people. They are enthusiastic fundraise, so that each year, our youths can participate in Steu- and excited, looking for a connection to one another and to benville Florida, a youth conference aimed at Catholic teens. I their faith. As the minister to this group, it means being able to am amazed at the growth of the ministry over the years, and listen patiently and respond in truth and love to the many ques- inspired by the young people I have come to know. It has been tions and challenges that being a young adult in this era present.

6 In 2006, shortly after I was ordained to the priesthood, the bishop asked if I would be a chaplain at John Paul II high school. I was not terribly excited at the prospect, especially as I was a new priest who was just trying to get used to my new role, but how could I say „no‟ to the bishop who had just ordained me? So now I am also a part-time chaplain, try- ing to hear God‟s call in serving our Catholic, and non-Catholic, teens. One of my desires for the school was that it would really take on a strong Catholic ethos. To that end, I, together with the full-time chaplain, have developed an extensive program of worship that in- cludes monthly worship services, as well as the opportunity for weekly Mass and weekly confession. But my work is not limited to the youth and young people. As part of my parish duties, I have been assigned to minister to a nursing home and a rehabilitation center. On the surface, it would appear that I simply celebrate Mass. But in my experience, I have been able to be part of something much deeper. At the nursing home during the academic year, the chil- dren from our elementary school come to celebrate Mass with me, and the ex- perience enlivens the residents, and at In June 2009, students from our Carmelite parish times moves them to tears, to see chil- in Boca Raton, FL participated in the dren who care in a place where they oth- Steubenville Florida Youth Conference along with the erwise feel lonely. The children, on the St. Jude Community of Carmelite Friars. other hand, have an experience of real The vision of the conference is to lead teens to Christ and give them a deeper understanding Christian charity in connection with the and love for their Catholic faith. (Continued on page 8)

7 (Continued from page 7) brother Carmelites. I also Mass. In the rehabilitation give days of recollection to center, my presence is a various groups, helping sign of hope, and the Mass them to reach new horizons is a sign that God in Christ in their Catholic faith is really with them, helping through our rich and deep them through that chal- Carmelite charism. And lenging time. finally, I accompany people One of the great pleasures on a personal basis as they of living here in South make their own journeys of Florida is the variety of faith to the Father, whether ethnicities that call this The St. Jude Community of Carmelite Friars with their Prior Fr. Richard through the sacrament of place home. And as minis- Champigny, O. Carm. and friend Sr. M. Eulaliae Angeline, O. Carm confession, or through one- at the Steubenville Youth Conference ter, it is exciting to experi- to-one conversation. ence the various expressions of faith and love for God that peo- Catholic or non-Catholic, young or old, God has invited me to ple share. As a Filipino-American, it has been wonderful to get be an instrument to help them to discover his deep and abiding to know, and to pray with the Filipino community here. Hav- love, expressed so eloquently in Jesus Christ. It is especially in ing been to and come to love Trinidad, I enjoy getting together this capacity that I appreciate my call to be a religious, as much with the Trinidadian community here to pray and to enjoy one as my call to be a priest. another‟s company. And as one who had the great honor of The Carmelite journey in ministry for me has been a fascinating living and studying in the Eternal City, , and getting to one thus far, not always easy, not always pleasant, but always know some of the wonderful who live there, it is al- blest and awesome. And I would not have it any other way, ways a great pleasure to minister to our local Italian commu- because in this experience, I have come to know my friend nity. God in ways I could never have imagined. When I arrived here in Florida in 2005, I was greeted by one of the parishioners with a small green form. It was an application to join the Knights of Columbus. I have been a proud knight since then, but because of scheduling conflicts, I am unable to attend the meetings. So I serve the Knights by being chaplain to their sister organization, the Columbiettes. I am chaplain to two councils here, and through this organization, I have been blessed to know and be inspired by some incredible women. But in the end, I am a Carmelite, and the real heart of my min- istry is to live out my Carmelite identity. To that end, I am chaplain to our Lay Carmelite community of . It is a great community, full of people who just want to learn how to live as true Carmelites in this day and age. Their desire and thirst, their joy and sense of welcome, humble me. I am proud to know them, to serve them, and to call them sister and

8 Carmelites and Scripture By Rev. Paul A.M. Denault, O. Carm.

+Maria

Bible Study classes for adults and chil- tice first defined by Benedictine monks dren. As each religious order made the more than a thousand years ago, Lectio attempt to return to the source of its Divina is now emphasized once more charism, Carmelites found that the in our formation programs and in “Let all you do have very heart of the Carmelite charism is community meetings. It is more a way the Lord’s word for a deep love for the Word of God. of approaching the Scriptures rather accompaniment.” than a hard and fast method. One The Carmelites have always felt a comes to a text of the Word of God These words tucked into the middle of strong affinity with the Hebrew Scrip- seeking to learn and understand what the Carmelite Rule show how we tures, the Old Testament, especially God is saying to the individual through strive to immerse ourselves in the since the Prophet figures so pre- the text. One seeks to let the words Sacred Scriptures. Indeed, the Rule of eminently in the tradition. Since they on a page enter into the heart and set- St. Albert of Jerusalem is overflowing see themselves as the inheritors of tle down there deeply, like a stone in a with Scriptural quotations and allu- Elijah‟s prophetic spirit, Carmelites pond, so that it might fill the heart sions. By entering into the words of are keenly interested in what the with knowledge, light and wisdom. Scripture, Carmelites seek to fulfill Scriptures say about the role of a Whether done individually or in a another dictum from the Rule, “Each prophet. While many people think group, Lectio Divina involves prayerful one of you is to stay in his own cell or that the role of a prophet is to go reading of the text, times of silence for nearby, pondering the Lord’s law day and about predicting the future, actually listening to the words underneath the night and keeping watch at his prayers the prophets of Israel were those who text and prayerful responses of love to unless attending to some other duty.” Even announced to people what God God who comes to us in such a won- the reference to “pondering the Lord’s wanted. They could do so because of derful way. law day and night,” is an allusion to the their close, intimate relationship with very first psalm in the Book of Psalms. God. In our desire for God, Carme- Scripture holds a most esteemed place The early hermits kept watch by recit- lites strive to learn in our hearts the in Carmelite spirituality; there is no ing the psalms over and over until the truth of God. We strive to be open to substitute for it. Our prayer rises out praises of God became part of their God‟s will and in that way come to of Scripture as incense rises from the very being. know “what God wants.” As the censer, going up to the heavens. At prophets lived always in the presence the same time, Scripture enters the Most people know that since the Sec- of God, Carmelites aim to have that mind and heart so that in all we say ond Vatican Council there has been a same intimacy with God. and do, we may renewed emphasis on the Scriptures. The Church insisted once again that In recent years, Carmelites have “have the Lord’s word Scriptural readings must be a part of turned once again to an ancient, al- for accompaniment.” every celebration of the sacraments. most forgotten, way of praying the Parishes were encouraged to offer Scriptures called Lectio Divina. A prac-

9 FALL Carmelite Feast Days

St. John St. Theresa St. Therese St. Nuno of the Cross of Avila of Lisieux Alvares Pereira December 14 October 15 October 1st November 6

Venerable Angelo Paoli nears

Angelo Paoli, known as In 1781, the virtues of Angelo Paoli were declared to “the father of the poor” be heroic by Pope Pius VI. At the general chapter of the was born in Argigliano in order held in Rome in 1908, his cause for beatification the Tuscan region of Italy was introduced. A presumed miracle attributed to Paoli in 1642. Born into a occurred in 1927 and the process towards beatification modest farming family, began in 1932. Although it remained inactive for many he developed a deep years, on May 29th, 2009, the Ordinary Congregation of prayer life and devotion Cardinals and Bishops gave their positive opinions on this to Our Lady. As a young miracle, a key step towards beatification. July 3rd, 2009 man, he spent many brought further progress when Pope Benedict XVI au- hours teaching Catholic thorized the Archbishop , SBD, Prefect of doctrine to the poor children in his town. In 1660 he the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, to proceed in became a Carmelite and was ordained in 1667. He served the preparation of the Degree concerning the miracle in various houses in the Tuscan province until he was attributed to the intercession of Venerable Angelo Paoli. called to Rome by the Prior General Paul of St. Ignatius. We now await the date and place for the Beatification, As bursar of the community in the last step before . Rome, where he lived until his death in in 1720, he was Each year, on January 20th, the anniversary of his death, in daily contact with the hungry and sick who often came the Committee for Venerable Angelo Paoli organizes a to his door. Throughout his life he was committed to Eucharistic celebration in the parish of his birthplace. His serving the disadvantaged, organizing services for them, spiritual devotion and work with those in need can serve feeding hundreds of people a day, a ministry which con- as an inspiration for us in today‟s world, where so many tinues today though the Carmelite community. He in- are struggling and often overlooked. So relevant are his spired countless others to serve the poor and sick of the actions that in 2005, over 100 people met at the former city, organizing the first hospital for convalescents in Carmelite monastery of Cerignano, Italy to explore the Rome. meaning of for today of Angelo Paoli‟s life.

10 St. Theresa of the Sacred Heart By Samantha Gonzalez, 7th Grader, St. Simon Stock, Bronx, NY Each year, our Carmelite Middle Schools are invited to participate in an essay contest about the saints and their message to live God’s call.

The that I have chosen for this essay would be St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart. The reason for my choice is because I feel that she had a deep love and faith for God. Her entire life was driven to love God and become a faithful follower. Many of the other saints also may have had a deep love for God, but St. Teresa Margaret had questioned the love of God since a very early age. Not because she did not believe in him, but because she wanted to know the true meaning of his love. Many of us now a days, have forgotten the true meaning of why God has set us on this Earth. So, with this essay, I hope it will not only give you information about St. Teresa, but it will allow you to question yourself: what qualities do I attain and how can I become a better person? St. Theresa of the Sacred Heart was born on July 15, 1747. Her birth name was Anna Maria Redi, until she joined the Carmelite monastery of St. Teresa. As a young child, St. Teresa was always devoted to staying away from sin and always had such cheerfulness. Her constant spiritual vibe lead her to the Carmelite monastery of St. Teresa in . There, at the age of sixteen, she had decided to devote her life to God in the Carmel. In 1764, St. Teresa was accepted to the monastery and had had the permission of her mother and father to complete her life in God. Her favorite saying, "God is love." had become popular. On March 4, 1770, St. Teresa had had a premonition of her sudden death. That same day, she received a confession and asked her confessor if she could receive Communion. On March 7, 1770, St. Teresa of the Sacred Heart had died at the young age of twenty-three and was buried on March 22, 1770. Her body remains uncorrupted to this day and she was canonized in 1934 by Pope Pius XI. St. Teresa had many qualities. She was dedicated, faithful, delightful, tenderhearted and strong. Many of these qualities could not only help my-school and I, but they could also help everyone. I think her love for God was very inspirational. She was grateful for eve- rything that God had put in her life and was always praying. This attitude could affect everyone in a positive manner. These qualities could help the students in my school because, we would be devoted to our very best on everything we set our minds to, we will have a better under- standing of life and God because of what he has done for us and most importantly, we will not take things for granted. Many people believe that my generation does not see how much we have and do •not appreciate the things in life, but I do. Such people as St. Teresa have inspired me with her attitude, to become a better person. Not because of the reaction I will get from people, but because of the love I have for God. One quality I admire most of her is her dedication. If we were all dedicated to God, we would all have great futures~ I believe that not only can we learn from St. Teresa, but we can strive to do our very best. God gave us a mind to think and a voice to speak up for what is right and what is good. She Was a Saint not because of her kindness, but because of her true faithfulness in God. She did not do any marvelous deeds, but in her adoration for God, she showed us how we should live. No one is perfect, nor will we ever be, but in God, I believe everything is possible.

11 FALL Vocation Discernment Weekend

Nov. 6, 7 & 8, 2009

St. Eliseus Priory Harrison, NJ

Contact Br. Robert Bathe, O. Carm Vocation Director (845) 344– 2225 Elias Our Lady of Mount Carmel

www.carmelitefriars.org

Vocation Office P.O. Box 3079 Middletown, NY 10940