| 1 June 2010 |
Diamond Jubilee of Sr. Mary Gabriel |
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On Tuesday 1st June, with great
joy and thanksgiving, we celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Profession of Sr.
Mary Gabriel of the Annunciation. The day began with a beautiful Mass
celebrated by Fr. Joe Mothersill O.Carm, one of our chaplains, which was
attended by our regular Mass-goers as well as some friends of the Community.
Fr. Joe gave an inspiring homily which included a memorable description of our
journey to God being like a river flowing to the sea; a river that can go
around many obstacles to form beautiful lakes and waterfalls!!
Later in the morning we had some private Community
time of Eucharistic Adoration to thank God for Sr. Mary Gabriel’s life of
service and dedication, including the 5 years she spent helping with the new
foundation in Lithuania.
This was followed by a celebration dinner for the Community. A special jubilee
cake was made and expertly decorated by Sr. Mary Immaculata for the occasion!
The celebrations continued for the rest of the day, and the following day also!
It is always wonderful to celebrate these milestones, which remind all of us of
the great gift of our vocation to Carmel.
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| 2 Feb '10 |
Day for Consecrated Life |
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We marked this special day for consecrated life with a simple community prayer service based on the chosen theme for this year:
"Take care, then, that the light in you not become darkness" (Luke 11)
We
focused on the need for the light of Christ to enter the many areas of
darkness in our world. We finished with a simple individual renewal of
our religious consecration.
This
is always a special day for us to unite in prayer with all consecrated
persons around the world, especially in our Dublin Diocese, and to
thank God for the gift of our contemplative vocation.
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| 18-25 Jan '10 |
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity |
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Evening
prayer was offered daily from 18-25 January for the great intention of
the heart of Jesus, that we "all may be one". Many people came to pray
with us as we reflected on the theme chosen for this year by the
churches of Scotland:
"You are witnesses to these things" (Luke 24).
Several days we had invited guest speakers of different denominations:-
Fr Martin Harte CC (Kilmacud Parish)
Rev. Jeremy Nicholl (Dundrum Methodist Church)
Rev. Ian Gallagher and Rev. Ruth (St. Brigid's Church of Ireland Parish)
Fr. Ciaran O'Carroll (Vicar for Evangelisation, Dublin Diocese)
On
the other days a short reflection on the theme was given by Sisters in
the community. A big thank you for all who came along during the week
and those who united with us in spirit. |
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8 Jan '10 |
Sr Mary Philomena enters eternal life |
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Dawn rose in a new way on Friday 8th January for
our beloved Sr. Mary Philomena of the Immaculate Heart of Mary when God
called her swiftly Home. Just like the day she first entered Blackrock
Carmel - on 2nd February 1945 - a blanket of snow covered the country!
Sr.
Mary Philomena spent most of her life at Blackrock Carmel, and upon
closure of that monastery in 1997 she chose to come to Kilmacud along
with Sr. Mary Kevin. Since then she contributed greatly to our
community - her gratitude, trusting faith and childlike simplicity were
an inspiration to us all. She helped a lot with altar-bread packing and
we marvelled at the beautiful embroidery work she created. Sr. Mary
Philomena had enjoyed Christmas and lots of visits from family and
friends. On 6th January she entered into community recreation for the
Feast of Epiphany. Although her health had been deteriorating
noticeably in recent years, little did we expect she would slip
away so quickly two days later.
We miss her smiling presence among us but are so happy for her. She was 83 years old and professed 63 years.
We extend sincere sympathy to Sr. Mary Philomena's remaining sister Terry and all her family and many friends.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. |
© 2009
Carmelite Sisters,
Kilmacud