An enclosed community of Carmelite Nuns, in Goonellabah (Lismore) NSW, Australia

Flower of Carmel

"Hail, Flower of Carmel,

Blossoming Vine..."

From an ancient Carmelite hymn

to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

About Us Welcome... We are the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Goonellabah, Australia.We are an enclosed community of nuns, living in Goonellabah (Lismore) NSW. - We live according to the Rule of Carmel, which was first used by hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land.Our way of life was established by St Teresa of Jesus, at Avila, Spain, over 400 years ago. The Carmel at Goonellabah was founded in 1966. While outward circumstances of life have changed over the centuries, the message of St Teresa is very relevant for our times.We want to help all those who are seeking God, and those who are not, to find Him in a peace that will last forever.

Novitiate

A young woman called to Carmel may make a "live-in" of up to three months. This three month period may be divided into shorter periods, e.g., during semester breaks.

After entering Carmel definitively, the young person spends up to twelve months as a postulant.

After receiving the habit of Carmel, she spends twelve months in the novitiate, receiving detailed instruction in the ways of Carmel.

First Vows are taken for three years, then the great moment of Final Solemn Vows arrives.

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Our Treasure

Our eldest Sister, Sr Marie Anne, had a severe heart attack in July, one week before her ninetieth birthday.

Sister was expected to die within the following two days; but we still have the privilege of caring for her in our little infirmary.

The Sisters watch Sr Marie Anne around the clock, taking it in turns to be with her. This time of Sister's illness has been a time of rich blessings for our community.

Sister is still able to attend Mass sometimes, in her special chair. She receives her Lord daily in Holy Communion.

Sometimes she is able to spend time outdoors, wearing the special sun hat we gave her for her ninetieth birthday.

Prayer

Our Life We are hermits living in community. The hermits on Mount Carmel came together for liturgical prayer and assembled as a community on other suitable occasions. We, too, come together as a community for times of prayer, for meals and for times of recreation. The hermits lived in silent prayer, keeping their minds and hearts focused on God when occupied in necessary activity outside their cells. We, too, try to live in this way... St Teresa established small communities of Carmelite Nuns. She gave us a balanced way of life, with times for prayer, work, recreation and rest. She wanted her nuns to do simple work that would leave the mind and heart free for God. We know that a hidden life of ever deepening union with God will help people everywhere to find the happiness that each one is seeking.The longing that each human heart has for happiness is an often misunderstood longing for GOD. Only in God will each man, woman and child find a happiness and peace that will last for all eternity.

Prayer Besides the time spent at Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours each day, we spend two hours in silent personal prayer, and about one hour in spiritual reading.Throughout the day, we try to remain in prayerful recollection, in loving contact with God, Who dwells within us. In this, we try to imitate the faithful and silent love that the Mother of Jesus showed at all times, as she pondered the mysteries of God in her heart. We frequently ask the help of St Joseph, too: that wonderful silent saint who was so loved by Our Lord and who knows Him so well ! - "I know by experience, " said St Teresa of Jesus, "that the glorious St Joseph assists us in all necessities. I never asked him for anything that he did not obtain for me." Please scroll down for more...At every moment, we have the prayerful help of our guardian angels and all the angels and saints.* * * * * * *We find great encouragement and help in the writings of our Carmelite Saints. - St Teresa of Jesus (of Avila), St John of the Cross, St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (of Lisieux) and so many other Carmelites have left writings that continue to help people from all walks of life...

Saints St John of the Cross: "Preserve a loving attentiveness to God... Strive to preserve your heart in peace and let no event of this world disturb it. Reflect that all must come to an end."St Teresa of Jesus: "Christ helps us and strengthens us and never fails; He is a true Friend."Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity: "In heaven, my mission will be to attract souls, helping them to adhere to God by an all simple and all loving movement, and to keep them in this great inward silence that allows God to imprint Himself in them, to transform them into Himself....I would like to be all silent, totally adoring, in order to penetrate always further into Him, and to be so full of Him that I am able to give Him by prayer to the poor souls ignorant of the gift of God."

St John of the Cross

St Teresa

Blessed Elizabeth

St Therese

St Joseph

Angel

Carmelite Saints

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Our Life

Prayer

Saints

Please click on a sticker above.

3 sections. . .

Our History

Carmel of the Child Jesus of Prague and Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Goonellabah.We were founded on 25th April 1966 from Dulwich Hill Carmel. Goonellabah, meaning red flame tree, is an Aboriginal name for an attractive tree that flourishes in our area. Once farmland, Goonellabah has developed into a residential area, while retaining the beautiful scenery provided by the lovely northern mountains. The northern view from Carmel is of the Night Cap Range, part of the Great Dividing Range. Our monastery church is part of St Carthage's Cathedral Parish, Lismore, and parishioners come here daily for Mass. In 1966, the founding sisters travelled by train from Sydney to Casino, where they were welcomed by Father Donnelly on behalf of Bishop Farrelly, and by many local people. They completed the remaining 32 kilometres to Lismore by car. (Goonellabah is just outside Lismore, so often we are called "Lismore Carmel".) Because the building of the new monastery was not quite complete, the Carmelites accepted the generous hospitality of the Presentation Sisters before moving into their new home. After one week the move into the new building was possible, though many finishing touches had to be made! During this time, the sisters met people who were to remain friends throughout the years, many becoming members of the Friends of Carmel Auxiliary. Official Inauguration with the establishment of Papal Enclosure took place on 19th June, 1966.A timber cottage that had stood on our site for over 100 years was still in excellent condition in 1966, so was incorporated into the building. This cottage had been the venue for the first ecumenical prayer meeting in the area. The cottage provided us with space for a choir, sacristies and workrooms, as well as a room for visiting priests. It was demolished only when a new and larger church was built in 1991. Dedication of the new church took place on 22nd March, 1992. This was a day of great joy for us all.Over the years we have extended the area of our enclosure. In the 1980s a hermitage was built in our grounds. We have our own cemetery, in the centre of which stands a beautiful statue of Our Lady. Beyond the cemetery is an area that we call "Little King's Park" because at its centre is a shrine of the Child Jesus of Prague. Our trees are tall and strong, and include many Australian rainforest types.We are very grateful for the blessings we have received as the years have passed. Three of our foundresses have died, but the Lord has called young women to take their place. We thank Him in advance for the blessings of the future.

Old photos from the commencement of building in 1965. - Note the Enclosure Day Ceremony and the First Mass, 1966.

Daily Work

Altar Breads An important part of our daily work is the distribution of altar breads to the parishes. In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, this bread becomes the Body of Christ. Jesus Himself is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Candles & Cards We decorate candles for Baptisms, Confirmations, Advent, Christmas, Easter and many other occasions. A range of greeting cards, bookmarks, stationery sets, magnets, etc., is produced in our art room.We also have a small shop from which Anne, our helper, sells small religious items.

Other Work As we live our daily life, we know that each little moment can be of the greatest value when it is given to Our Lord, Who loves to transform our nothingness by uniting us with Himself.St Thérèse wanted to do even the smallest thing for love of Jesus. She expressed the meaning of her Carmelite vocation when she said, "My vocation is love... In the heart of the Church, my Mother, I shall be LOVE."As we do our work each day, we try to "live by love" as did St Thérèse. Please scroll down for more...The days pass very quickly in Carmel. Outside the times of prayer, there is much to be done: sewing, cooking, sweeping, gardening, etc.

Altar Breads

Candles & Cards

Other Work

Please click on each of the stickers above, to see more...

Happenings

Anne On 6th January, 2012, we welcomed Anne. She will be living outside the Enclosure and will help care for our little church and the front section of our monastery. Anne will meet the people who come here to pray in our church, or who wish to request prayers from our community. She will also attend to the little shop from which we sell candles and other religious articles. We pray that 2012 will be rich in blessings for Anne, for her family, and for all of us.

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Notices

16th July : The Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

1st October : The Feast of

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus. 15th October : The Solemnity of St Teresa of Jesus (of Avila).

On the above dates, there will be a special Mass at 10 am, followed by a cup of tea provided by the Friends of Carmel Auxiliary. -

The Friends of Carmel also will be holding a stall on each of those days.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered each morning, from Sunday to Friday, at 7 am. - On

Saturdays, Mass is offered at 8 am.

Also, on the third Sunday of each month, we have a Missa Cantata, using the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, at 11 am.

On 7th July, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued an Apostolic Letter, Summorum Pontificum, on the celebration of the Roman Rite according to the Missal of 1962. - Mass on each third Sunday is celebrated according to this edition, promulgated by Blessed Pope John XXIII during the Second Vatican Council.

Extra Photos

Mother Marie Aimee - Foundress

Anne

Notices

Extra Photos

Contact Us

Contact Us
Carmelite Monastery591 Ballina RoadGoonellabah NSW 2480AustraliaPhone: (02) 66 241240International: +61 2 66 241240

We regret that we are not able to answer all the messages that we receive. - Please be assured that you are in our hearts and prayers.

The Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Goonellabah, Australia

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Happenings

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