Both a joyful and sad ceremony marked the “Carmelite Legacy” April 20th as parishioners of Saint Bernadette Catholic Church in Clear Lake bid farewell to Father J.J. McCarthy, their pastor for the past 12 years, Father Adrian Wilde, associate pastor for 10 years and other Carmelite priests who had served there over the past 31 years.

The announcement that the Carmelite Order, after decades of serving in Houston, was permanently leaving the parishes of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston came more than a year ago.

Father McCarthy said his final moments with his 3,200 parish families here have been to “be present with the people as they deal with the grieving process.” He’s been asking his congregation to “be patient, ultimately trusting in God—He will take care of them.”

Even former parishioners, including astronauts from nearby NASA and others traveling from as far as San Diego, California, came to wish the Carmelites well. An exhibit was set up in the parish hall displaying photos, scrapbooks and other mementos, including the Carmelites signature brown robes, and a shiny shovel used for Saint Bernadette’s groundbreaking in 1977.

Saint Bernadette parishioner Debbie Mitchell, viewing the exhibit, said she grew up with the Carmelites since as a child she attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in east Houston where the Carmelites left last summer after more than 50 years there.

“I hate to see them leave. Change is hard and we have a lot of history and memories with the Carmelites,” Mitchell said.

“When it was first announced a year ago, we were all shocked. But we know it’s not really their choice either and at least we will always have this time together,” she said.

Last year, the Very Reverend John Welch, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the Carmelite Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, announced the Carmelites’ decision to withdraw from the Houston area. He traveled to Houston from the Carmelite headquarters in Chicago to reassure area parishioners that the only reason for the withdrawal was because of a lack of manpower with their priests.

The Carmelite Order is one of the oldest, formed as far back as 800 years ago deriving from the hermits living on Mount Carmel in Israel identifying with the prophet Elijah as its spiritual founder. Although the Order now numbers more than 4,000 around the world, the numbers in the U.S. and Canadian Province have dwindled to 250. Of those men, 111 are turning 70 years-old within a 6-year period with only 35 men in formation for ordination within that same time period.

Father J.J., is scheduled to remain at Saint Bernadette until July. Associate pastor Father Adrian Wilde, will become pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi parish in Grove City, Florida. Parishioners also await the Archdiocese’s announcement of who will be assigned to Saint Bernadette once the Carmelites leave.

A large plaque was dedicated to all the Carmelite priests and brothers who have served the parish as a tribute to their Carmelite legacy that will live on.

Parishioners Ron Kaczmarek and his wife Janet Schell, attending the festivities, reminisced about how they met each other at Saint Bernadette’s and were married by Father J.J. Ta king photos of the “Carmelite Legacy” celebrations for the church, the couple said they could have “knocked people over with a feather” when the initial announcement of the Carmelites’ departure was made.

“The fact that we’ve had more than a year to handle it has helped. We’ve been praying as a community and putting our faith in God,” Schell said.

The tears were wiped away as the choir sang “Flower of Carmel” in Latin and Father J.J. in his homily thanked the filled church for the “honor and privilege of allowing us to serve you for 31 years…sharing those sacred moments of God in your lives.” The congregation rose and applauded in a standing ovation.

A barbecue dinner and a tribute program followed where a special plaque was presented to Father J.J. in honor of his support of the Christian Action Office. That office has been renamed to be the “McCarthy Christian Action Center” with the plaque in dedication to “Father J..J. McCarthy, O.Carm., for his deep care and concern for those in need and avid interest in social justice issues.” Father Adrian was also awarded a plaque which will hang in the Titus Brandsma Building for his dedication in seeing that project through from start to completion. A final plaque for that building describes the life of Blessed Titus Brandsma, a Dutch Carmelite priest who defended the freedom of Catholic education and press against the Nazi regime before being executed in the Dachau concentration camp. He was beatified in 1985 by Pope John Paul II.

The Carmelite Legacy grand finale came with NASA Captain Christopher Ferguson, longtime parishioner and commander of the upcoming STS-126 Space Shuttle flight scheduled for the fall. Ferguson spoke to parishioners as they released hundreds of balloons which floated away in honor of the Carmelites and their own upcoming journeys.

Barbara Aubuchon, Saint Berna-dette’s elementary coordinator of religious education and a committee member who helped organize the Carmelite Legacy events, said, “Our Legacy Committee wanted to convey and put together for the parish a celebration of what the Carmelite priests and brothers have brought to our parish these past 31 years.”

She added, “The day was meant to be more of a celebration of joy over their accomplishments rather than just sadness of their leaving, and I feel we accomplished that. It was a phenomenal celebration that exceeded our expectations, and it will live in our hearts and memories for years to come.”