The Regional Meetings—
Carmelites Look Toward “Forging the Future”

by Sal Lema, Director of Carmelite Communications

Carmelites of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province came from across the country to look to the future, to chart a direction, to seek the council of the spirit and to judge where this mountain of Carmel should prosper. The 225 men in the province were asked to present their thoughts in light of the expectations of new members and the insight that the current average age within the province is above 64 years. What do they understand their Chrism to be in the 21st Century? How can they truly live this chrism and where do they feel the church calls them to minister?

	Carmelites Richard Supple (far left) Terry Cyr (center) and Tom Hakala (right) visit during a break at the Eastern Regional Meeting

Three meetings were held in the three different regions of the country—all with the same agenda, and all with the same direction. The Western Region met in Phoenix, Arizona, the Eastern Region met in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and the Midwest Region met in Darien, Illinois. Each region shared their hospitality of togetherness, their commitment to community, their deep faith of our Blessed Mother and the Carmelite Saints.

Clockwise from left front: Carmelites Jose Cilia, Al Sieracki, Ed Ward, and Don Buggert during a small group discussion at the Midwest Regional Meeting

As someone not from the cloth of Carmel, it was an awesome feeling to join the three groups of about sixty each, in daily prayer, to be present at liturgies so beautiful you could almost feel the presence of Blessed Titus Brandsma, of Edith Stein, and of Saint Thérèse. They were in attendance with all of us, they were near for all the discussions, they were there looking towards forging the future.

	Western Regional Superior Stan Mackacinas relaxes at dinner hosted at Saint Agnes’ Parish in Phoenix

To assist the Long-range Planning Commission, the members met in small groups. In discussions each member stated their preference as to where the ministries of the province should be ten years from now. This led each small group to forming a Plan, as if each group were a Provincial Council of sorts, as to where in the United States and Canada this Province should either break ground or break camp. What place are we being sent from? What areas are calling us forth? Each participant reviewed a map that showed the ministries in place as they are now and were given the task to redraw the map in view of the projected personnel in the coming years.

When all had finished, the maps, done prayerfully, were collected to be reviewed by the Planning Commission who will then make recommendations to the Provincial Council.

During these meetings, besides the above-mentioned tasks-at-hand, anniversaries and new ordinations were celebrated, new buildings were toured, and the Carmelites enjoyed one another’s presence.