Carmelite Community of the Word

Our Life

Common Life
The Carmelite Community of the Word holds living together in community to be a priority. Community life is valued as a means for each sister to access the support and encouragement needed to be faithful to the life style of women religious. The day of the local community members begins with gathering for the morning prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours. We believe that our gathering together for prayer, which is repeated in the evening, strengthens the bonds of sisterly support as well as connects us to the entire Church. In spite of the fact that each sister is engaged in different ministry settings, the time for prayer unites all members and is considered an important responsibility. Daily attendance at the Eucharistic liturgy takes place at a Sister’s place of ministry or other local parish community. The local community also gathers for at least one meal each day, during which the joys and challenges of the day are shared around the table.

The communal life of the Carmelite Community of the Word is rather ordinary. Each member is engaged in the daily labor of her assigned ministry. Each Sister is expected to contribute to the up-keep of the local convent, to share cooking responsibilities and to do whatever is necessary to maintain an environment conducive to “sharing all things in common” as described in scripture. Just like these tasks can be burdensome to the ordinary Christian maintaining a home, a family and a job, the Sisters are invited to accept the simple tasks of life as part of the human condition and a source of connection with all the people of God.

Life in community provides each sister the opportunity for sisterly support and care. Knowing that one share life with like-minded women who support a common mission is only one blessing of communal life. Whether a Sister is ill or is away from home, whether she encounters difficulties in ministry or receives some sort of acknowledgement of her work, she can be assured of her community’s willingness to walk with her. Sharing times of recreation and relaxation are also considered pivotal in forming the bond of community. The Carmelite Community of the Word seeks to live a simple ordinary life, based upon the Gospel values of Jesus. We accept the challenges and feel blessed by the joys afforded to us by our shared life.

Our Ministries
We feel particularly called to the ministry of evangelization. We engage in apostolic works which foster Catholic spiritual and human development, educational formation of youth and adults, Christian and social responsibility and the interior life of prayer. Our ministry utilizes the gifts of each sister.

The ministries that we engage include but are not limited to:

Pastoral Ministers
Directors of Religious Education
Chaplain of Federal Prison
Sexual Abuse Victim Advocate
Catholic Schools
Reaching Out to the Poor by staffing a Diocesan Mission and a case worker for Catholic Charities (these ministries include food, clothing, financial help, counseling, emergency housing, etc.)

Membership
Catholic women who are free of all canonical impediments and who are motivated and capable of following our way of life are welcome to seek admission to the process of formation required of members. The process of incorporation into the community includes a period of initial discernment during which the community and the individual has the opportunity to consider her suitability to begin the formal formation process. Spending time with the community, participating in functions of local and general community, and visiting local communities provide the means for gaining a clearer picture of our way of life.

The formal formation process begins with a period of Candidacy, which normally lasts for one year. The purpose of this time is to provide the individual with an experience of community life. Novitiate follows the time of Candidacy and consists of two years. The first year is spent in study of the evangelical counsels as lived according to the constitutions of the Carmelite Community of the Word. Personal prayer, spiritual direction and faith formation as well as the study of scripture are some of the areas included in this year of intensive formation. The second year of Novitiate is designed to introduce the novice to the Apostolic works of the community. At the completion of the novitiate, the Sister makes temporary vows for periods of one to three years for a maximum period of nine years, after which she is eligible for perpetual profession.

Society of the Incarnation
Who is a member of the Society of the Incarnation? A member of the Society of the Incarnation is an individual who knows the Carmelite Community of the Word and feels an affinity with our charism and the spirituality of the Carmelite tradition as they seek a deeper relationship with God.

Members identify within themselves the relevance of the mission of the Carmelite Community of the Word and believe that membership in the Society of the Incarnation enables them to bring that mission to bear fruit in their lives. Thus they support the ministries of the Carmelite Community of the Word in prayer and action.

The Carmelite Community of the Word supports members of the Society through prayer, enrichment and ministerial opportunities and personal support.

Members of the Society of the Incarnation are: Catholics in good standing and supports the teaching and mandates of the Catholic Church. Women and men of at least 21 years of age, and willing to commit to the formation process for membership in the Society and on-going expectations of participation.

Education
Sisters are expected to pursue the education required to qualify for positions of ministry of the Church. Each Sister is also encouraged to enhance her talents and skills by continuing her education beyond basic degrees. At times Sisters participate in workshops and seminars which increase her effectiveness in ministry. Sisters are also encouraged to pursue avenues of study which expand her knowledge and understanding of Carmelite spirituality, religious life and personal human growth and spirituality.

Prayer Life
In addition to participation in times of communal prayer, each Sister is expected to set aside an hour each day for contemplative prayer and study of scripture. Each month, the Sisters set aside a longer period of time for reflection and prayer either privately or as a local community. Each Sister especially values the annual opportunity for an eight day retreat, as a special time apart with God. Throughout the year the Sisters engage in spiritual reading, occasional group gatherings for faith sharing and other experiences of deepening their relationship with Jesus.



"Christmas Reflection" Two passages from Scripture that have always stirred my soul during the Advent/Christmas season are ". . .Be it done unto me according to your Word." (Luke 1:38) and " . . .He shall be called Emmanuel, God is with us." (Isaiah 6:14) Click here to read more... "Christmas Prayer " When Jesus came to us as man, He scattered the darkness of this world, and filled this holy season with his glory. Click here to read more... "Haiti Update... December 2007 " Haiti continues to be a country of drastic contrasts. In the midst of dire poverty and scarcity of resources there appear glimmers of hope and progress. Click here to read more... 2008 Spring Schedule Days of Reflection Retreats Classes Click here to read more...	COMMON LIFE OUR MINISTRIES MEMBERSHIP SOCIETY OF INCARNATION EDUCATION PRAYER LIFE Our Life Common Life The Carmelite Community of the Word holds living together in community to be a priority. Community life is valued as a means for each sister to access the support and encouragement needed to be faithful to the life style of women religious. The day of the local community members begins with gathering for the morning prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours. We believe that our gathering together for prayer, which is repeated in the evening, strengthens the bonds of sisterly support as well as connects us to the entire Church. In spite of the fact that each sister is engaged in different ministry settings, the time for prayer unites all members and is considered an important responsibility. Daily attendance at the Eucharistic liturgy takes place at a Sister’s place of ministry or other local parish community. The local community also gathers for at least one meal each day, during which the joys and challenges of the day are shared around the table. The communal life of the Carmelite Community of the Word is rather ordinary. Each member is engaged in the daily labor of her assigned ministry. Each Sister is expected to contribute to the up-keep of the local convent, to share cooking responsibilities and to do whatever is necessary to maintain an environment conducive to “sharing all things in common” as described in scripture. Just like these tasks can be burdensome to the ordinary Christian maintaining a home, a family and a job, the Sisters are invited to accept the simple tasks of life as part of the human condition and a source of connection with all the people of God. Life in community provides each sister the opportunity for sisterly support and care. Knowing that one share life with like-minded women who support a common mission is only one blessing of communal life. Whether a Sister is ill or is away from home, whether she encounters difficulties in ministry or receives some sort of acknowledgement of her work, she can be assured of her community’s willingness to walk with her. Sharing times of recreation and relaxation are also considered pivotal in forming the bond of community. The Carmelite Community of the Word seeks to live a simple ordinary life, based upon the Gospel values of Jesus. We accept the challenges and feel blessed by the joys afforded to us by our shared life. Our Ministries We feel particularly called to the ministry of evangelization. We engage in apostolic works which foster Catholic spiritual and human development, educational formation of youth and adults, Christian and social responsibility and the interior life of prayer. Our ministry utilizes the gifts of each sister. The ministries that we engage include but are not limited to: Pastoral Ministers Directors of Religious Education Chaplain of Federal Prison Sexual Abuse Victim Advocate Catholic Schools Reaching Out to the Poor by staffing a Diocesan Mission and a case worker for Catholic Charities (these ministries include food, clothing, financial help, counseling, emergency housing, etc.) Membership Catholic women who are free of all canonical impediments and who are motivated and capable of following our way of life are welcome to seek admission to the process of formation required of members. The process of incorporation into the community includes a period of initial discernment during which the community and the individual has the opportunity to consider her suitability to begin the formal formation process. Spending time with the community, participating in functions of local and general community, and visiting local communities provide the means for gaining a clearer picture of our way of life. The formal formation process begins with a period of Candidacy, which normally lasts for one year. The purpose of this time is to provide the individual with an experience of community life. Novitiate follows the time of Candidacy and consists of two years. The first year is spent in study of the evangelical counsels as lived according to the constitutions of the Carmelite Community of the Word. Personal prayer, spiritual direction and faith formation as well as the study of scripture are some of the areas included in this year of intensive formation. The second year of Novitiate is designed to introduce the novice to the Apostolic works of the community. At the completion of the novitiate, the Sister makes temporary vows for periods of one to three years for a maximum period of nine years, after which she is eligible for perpetual profession. Society of the Incarnation Who is a member of the Society of the Incarnation? A member of the Society of the Incarnation is an individual who knows the Carmelite Community of the Word and feels an affinity with our charism and the spirituality of the Carmelite tradition as they seek a deeper relationship with God. Members identify within themselves the relevance of the mission of the Carmelite Community of the Word and believe that membership in the Society of the Incarnation enables them to bring that mission to bear fruit in their lives. Thus they support the ministries of the Carmelite Community of the Word in prayer and action. The Carmelite Community of the Word supports members of the Society through prayer, enrichment and ministerial opportunities and personal support. Members of the Society of the Incarnation are: Catholics in good standing and supports the teaching and mandates of the Catholic Church. Women and men of at least 21 years of age, and willing to commit to the formation process for membership in the Society and on-going expectations of participation. Education Sisters are expected to pursue the education required to qualify for positions of ministry of the Church. Each Sister is also encouraged to enhance her talents and skills by continuing her education beyond basic degrees. At times Sisters participate in workshops and seminars which increase her effectiveness in ministry. Sisters are also encouraged to pursue avenues of study which expand her knowledge and understanding of Carmelite spirituality, religious life and personal human growth and spirituality. Prayer Life In addition to participation in times of communal prayer, each Sister is expected to set aside an hour each day for contemplative prayer and study of scripture. Each month, the Sisters set aside a longer period of time for reflection and prayer either privately or as a local community. Each Sister especially values the annual opportunity for an eight day retreat, as a special time apart with God. Throughout the year the Sisters engage in spiritual reading, occasional group gatherings for faith sharing and other experiences of deepening their relationship with Jesus.

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