Discalced Carmelites in New Hartford celebrate 20 years
DC Group photo 600 no# (002)
Front row (from left): Ginny Chromczak, Sara Militello, Deb Bernhardt. Middle row (from left): Janet Larrabee, Carol Stapenback, Alice Browar, Helen Johnson, Joan Stephenson, Diane Evans, Maureen Mayer. Back row (from left): The late Father John Quinn, Katie Peck, Debra Lekki. Photo credit I Joan Nolan
By Kim Flood, OCDS
The Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Community of St. Joseph the Protector in New Hartford recently celebrated its 20th year. The Community was established on March 19, 2004. There were 14 Carmelites who transferred from Our Lady of Mount Calvary Community of Utica. Seven of the founding members remain with the community at this time. Many have been called home by God and some left the Order for various reasons. We have been very fortunate to have seen many vocations answered and presently have 23 members at various formation levels from Aspirant to Vowed.
It is quite a process to establish a new community. Initially, permission must be obtained from the Discalced Carmelite Friars, who want to be sure there are enough definitive promise members to complete a slate of officers to lead the group. There must be a qualified spiritual assistant, a director of formation, a president, three council members and a meeting place. Finally, the diocesan bishop must permit the group to begin.
As Discalced Carmelites, we continue our formation throughout our lifetime. Each member helps the other members on their spiritual journey. This could include helping members with meditation, especially during times of dryness, as well as assisting in the studies of our Carmelite founders and saints and teachings of the Catholic Church.
The OCDS Formation Program is the required formation for all OCDS communities in the United States. The formation unifies what each community studies and what each Carmelite should know and understand about the Order and its charism, its history and saints, especially St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Jesus (of Avila), St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of the Little Flower and Holy Face and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.
The community meets on the second Saturday of each month prepared to discuss assigned readings, pray the Morning and Evening prayer from the Liturgy of Hours (the Breviary), hold formation classes and review community business. Anyone interested in learning about our Discalced Carmelite life may contact Kim Flood at (315) 569-9738 or Alice Browar at (315) 527-8243 to discuss whether they might have a vocation. We welcome visitors who believe they have a calling to this vocation and who are serious about a lifetime commitment to a closer relationship with God.
