We welcome the four pre-novices at Casa del Carmen in Mexico City, Mexico

Luis Jesus Paz Acosta, (left) 22, comes from Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico where the Carmelites serve in Transfiguration Parish. Currently, he is in his second year studying philosophy at Inter-Continental University in Mexico City. Luis lists his hobbies as playing basketball, chatting on the internet and exercise.

Alejandro Muro Aguilar (second from left) like Luis, is also a native of Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. Alejandro has aspirations to be a contributor to the Order in its expansion in Latin America. A soccer fan, Alejandro enjoys reading scripture and cites his favorite passage as 1 Kings 17; 7-16 (Elijah and the Widow).

Carlos Verde Garcia,(second from right) 34, who has always lived in Mexico City, celebrates life with his two sisters, Guadalupe and Maria Eleanor and half brother, Hector. He is currently studying philosophy. His hobbies are collecting “hot cars,” playing football, reading, listening to music and going to celebrations.

Mario Ignacio Cadena Perez, (right) 36, hails from San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco, Mexico. He is the seventh child of the seven boys and three girls that make up his family. He lists his hobbies as spending time with friends and helping others whenever possible. He also loves to listen to music.

We welcome the two pre-novices at Saint Eliseus Priory in Harrison, New Jersey

Joseph Dong Tran Van, 25, was born in Vietnam. Joseph holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from the Chi Minh University of Foreign Language and Information Technology in Vietnam. He began his candidacy program in 2003 and came to the United States in 2005 to participate in the pre-novitiate program at Saint Eliseus Priory. Here he will study English and Pre-Theology at Seton Hall University. He lists his hobbies as Athletics.

Anthony Trung Nguyen Van, 27, grew up in North Vietnam. He entered the Carmelite candidacy program in 2000. While in the candidacy program Anthony attended Ha Noi University of Foreign Languages, where he studied English. In the pre-novitiate program at Saint Eliseus Priory, Anthony continues to take language courses in English and in Spring will begin his Pre-Theology program at Seton Hall University. He lists his hobbies as Soccer and Swimming.

We welcome the five pre-novices at Casa Santa Teresita in Houston, Texas

	Edgar Lopez, 28, originally from Guatemala, came to the Order from the Carmelite Parish of Saint Jane’s in North Hollywood, California. He is a daily jogger, an avid animal lover, and loves movies, especially California comedies. Edgar is in his last year of studies for a bachelor’s in psychology.	Guido Van Hemelryck, 26, was born in Belgium but raised in Lima, Peru. He is finishing a degree in international studies at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston. He loves soccer and plays on the university team.
Joseph Maides, 34, is from Mayville, North Carolina, but became acquainted with the Carmelites at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Darien, Illinois, while completing a residency in pediatrics in Illinois. He is an avid cyclist and a big Steelers fan.
Timothy Swenson, 35, originally from Michigan, was raised in the Houston area. He joined the Order from a vocations search. He is a physical therapist by training. He is an avid reader and especially likes classical literature.
	Dominic Manh Nguyen, 32, is originally from Vietnam but has lived in Phoenix for ten years. He became acquainted with the Carmelites through the Discalced Carmelite Order. He likes to sing in the church choir, loves to read romance novels, and is a computer “geek.”