Lent 2010

My friends:

The season of Lent is upon us.  Lent means Springtime – a time for growth.  While the daffodils are still reluctant to pop out of the ground here in Niagara, I dare to share with you the growth that is taking place here at Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre.

Our Spring and Summer Program is ready with descriptions of retreats that call and help you to deepen your intimacy with God.  The Preached Retreat in June and again in July is entitled:  The Mountains of God:  Intimate Encounters with the Holy One.   As God revealed his love for many in the Scriptures on mountains – you will travel to these special places and hear what God has to say to you.  Directed Retreats are special to many, and our staff will be available 06-21 August during which you can decide the dates that will fit your schedule. 

Therese of Lisieux and John of the Cross are great Carmelite saints who have shown us how to encounter the love that God has for each of us.  Two Carmelites, Father John Russell and Father John-Benedict Weber, will lead you to a deeper understanding of these two saints and the God whom they experienced with the hope that you too will experience this loving and ever-faithful God.

Music at Mount Carmel will begin on Palm Sunday, 28 March, with Josef Haydn’s work entitled the Seven Last Words of Christ.  Ron Mainse of 100 Huntley Street will share his reflections on the seven last words of Christ upon the Cross and the Gould String Quartet will provide the musical settings.  The Sunday after Easter, 11 April, Paul Pacanowski and friends will lead a Jazz Vespers concert.  These church services started in New York for musicians who had worked all Saturday night – to come together and pray in their medium.  And Alexander Sevastian and his accordion will entertain you along with the Gould String Quartet with music for Spring.  Call the Centre for tickets.

Those who come to Mount Carmel will notice the many good things that the maintenance staff has done to enhance the beauty of the Monastery to make your stay more memorable. 

Mark Friday, 04 June, for our second Gala celebration of Mount Carmel.  You are invited to join us for an evening of fine food and great entertainment, all to benefit the Mount Carmel Foundation.  This foundation ensures that the historic qualities of Mount Carmel will be preserved and it continues programs in the arts and culture.

Lent is a time to be with the Lord.  These forty days help us to concentrate on the essentials of life.  By pruning what is dead in us, we have the opportunity to ensure greater and fuller growth.  I especially invite you to join the Carmelites in the various celebrations of Holy Week in the Monastery chapel.  You may wish to stay with us on retreat as we Walk with Jesus from Calvary to Easter Glory.  

On behalf of the Carmelites I hope that you will find these Lenten days and the Easter days approaching  filled with grace, peace and steady growth.

Sincerely,