YORK CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY GROUP - a praying community serving all God s people -

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1 YORK CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY GROUP - a praying community serving all God s people PROGRAMME Events in bold are York CSG meetings and events Other events are organised for the wider Church & Carmelite Family and are open to members if they wish. Group meetings generally take place at 110 Lawrence Street beginning at 10.15am, preceded by optional Eucharist or Morning Prayer at 9.30am, and concluding with a bring-and-share lunch at 1pm. Come for as much of the meeting as you wish. ALL ARE WELCOME! In addition to these events the Elijah s Well discussion group meets regularly throughout the year. For general information please contact the convenor: Mr. Johan Bergström-Allen york@laycarmel.org For information about the meeting venue please call The Corpus Christi Carmelite Sisters Further information is available online at Leeds CSG s programme is online at Manchester CSG s programme is online at Regular times of prayer with the Carmelite Family in York Members of the Carmelite Family are welcome to join the Carmelite friars at More House Catholic Chaplaincy in Heslington at 5.30pm for the liturgies of Eucharist and Evening Prayer on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during University of York term times. Taizé Prayer is celebrated at 6.30pm on the fourth Sunday of the month. For details visit The Carmelite nuns at Thicket Priory in Thorganby welcome you to join them for Mass on Sundays at 9.30am, and during the week at various times. For details visit

2 Saturday 14 th January from 9.30am Meeting at Lawrence Street looking at the topic of CAFOD s Golden Jubilee with input from Carol Cross CAFOD (the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development) developed 50 years ago from a national fundraising initiative organised by Catholic women in Britain. To mark the charity s golden jubilee we will hear a presentation from Carol Cross, CAFOD s Officer in Middlesbrough Diocese th January Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Our little community includes Christians from a variety of Churches; please take the opportunity of praying especially for Christian Unity this week. Wednesday 25 th January from 7pm Winter Meeting of Churches Together in York Two members of York CSG (Elisa Main and Johan Bergström-Allen) are very involved in Churches Together in York, and encourage you to come to the organisation s Winter Meeting at the Salvation Army citadel on Gillygate. After refreshments from 7pm and a short ecumenical act of worship at 7.30pm, Jesuit Bible scholar Fr. Nicholas King will speak about The Biblical Roots of Christian Unity. Wednesday 8 th February at 7pm Ebor Lecture at York St John University by Dr. David Halpern. This series of lectures on Theology and Public Life is co-sponsored by the British Province of Carmelites. For details and free ticket bookings visit Wednesday 22 nd February Ash Wednesday Saturday 25 th February from 9.30am Meeting at Lawrence Street looking at the topic of Carmel: An International Family with input from Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm., and the novices based this year at Aylesford Priory in Kent Fr. Joseph Chalmers was Prior General of the Carmelite Order between 1995 and He is now Director of Novices at Aylesford Priory in Kent. He will be joined by novice friars at our meeting, reflecting on Carmel as an international family. What is universal across the Carmelite Family worldwide, and what is specific to certain countries and cultures? It is hoped that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will take place during the 9.30am liturgy. 27 th February 11 th March Fairtrade Fortnight: During this fortnight why not visit the Fairer World shop on Gillygate which supplies the Fairtrade Stall at our monthly meetings in Lawrence Street. The British Province of Carmelites is working towards status as a Fairtrade Province.

3 Friday 2 nd March Women s World Day of Prayer: Saturday 11 th March from 9.30am Meeting at Lawrence Street looking at the topic of Comparing Spiritualities: The Franciscans with input from Revd. Rowan Williams Knowing about the spirituality of different religious orders can help us better understand what is distinctive about Carmel, and what is common across the various orders of the Church. Reverend Rowan Williams is Anglican Chaplain at the University of York, and was previously a member of the Society of St. Francis. She is researching a doctorate on St. Francis companion St. Clare. Wednesday 14 th March at 7pm Ebor Lecture at York Minster by Baroness Warsi. This series of lectures on Theology and Public Life is co-sponsored by the British Province of Carmelites. For details and free ticket bookings visit Monday 19 th March Solemnity of St. Joseph, Principal Protector of Carmel Saturday 31 st March 10.30am-4pm York Quiet Day Group day of recollection. At Thicket Carmelite Monastery, Thorganby. Very Rev. Keith Jones, Dean of York Minster, will give input on the theme The way God loves us. Bring a picnic lunch. Cost 10; please send your cheque to C.J. Holland, 5 The Rowans, Skelton, York, YO30 1YX. Places are limited. For further details contact Jo Holland or For directions visit Friday 6 th April, 7.30pm (time to be confirmed) Good Friday Ecumenical Good Friday Service in York Minster Churches Together in York encourages all Christians to come together in prayer on the evening of Good Friday in York Minster. Sunday 8 th April Easter Sunday Saturday 21 st April from 9.30am Meeting at Lawrence Street looking at the topic of Carmelites and the Psalms with input from Nick Black, T.O.C. The Rule of Saint Albert, the foundational document of the Carmelite way of life, stresses that Carmelites should ponder God s Word in the Psalms, and today they form a part of daily prayer for thousands of Carmelites worldwide. We will learn about the Psalms from Nick Black, a member of the Carmelite Third Order who is part of the Carmel in the City Carmelite Spirituality Group in London.

4 Wednesday 2 nd May at 7pm Ebor Lecture at York Minster by Will Hutton. This series of lectures on Theology and Public Life is co-sponsored by the British Province of Carmelites. For details and free ticket bookings visit Sunday 13 th May at 4pm Leeds & York Carmelite Spirituality Groups pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of the Crag in Knaresborough. Fr. Tony Lester, O.Carm., will celebrate Mass with us in this ancient Marian chapel by the River Nidd. Monday 16 th May Feast of St. Simon Stock, Carmelite friar Saturday 19 th May from 9.30am Meeting at Lawrence Street looking at the topic of The Carmelite Brown Scapular our 6 th anniversary meeting The Brown Scapular is a sacramental that is massively popular across the Church, but few people really understand its symbolism or origins in the Carmelite Order. We will explore its history and its meaning today. The speaker is to be confirmed. Thursday 25 th May Feast of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi Sunday 27 th May Pentecost Wednesday 13 th June at 7pm Ebor Lecture at York St John University by Rev. Dr. Malcolm Brown This series of lectures on Theology and Public Life is co-sponsored by the British Province of Carmelites. For details and free ticket bookings visit Monday 4 th June Feast of Our Lady of Doncaster This feast has its origins in the Carmelite friary of medieval Doncaster. Today pilgrims are welcome to visit the restored Shrine in the Church of St. Peter-in-Chains on Doncaster s Chequer Road. For details contact Walter Whitman Tuesday 5 th June Carmelite NGO Day of Prayer & Action (World Environment Day) Check the calendar of events on for reflection resources. Saturday 9 th June at 7pm Mass in York Minster in honour of Saint William of York Our friends at York Minster are kindly allowing us to celebrate the feast of one of York s medieval saints, at the site of his shrine in the crypt. If the south transept is closed then entry will be by the door in the Chapter House Yard at the back of the Minster.

5 Friday 15 th Sunday 17 th June Northern Lay Carmelite Retreat at Minsteracres This retreat takes place at the Passionist Retreat Centre near Consett in County Durham. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with other Carmelites in the north. Contact Teresa Kelly for details Friday 22 nd Sunday 24 th June Midlands Lay Carmelite Retreat At Boars Hill Discalced Carmelite Priory near Oxford. All friends of Carmel are welcome to take part. Contact Margaret Williams for details Saturday 23 rd June from 9.30am Meeting at Lawrence Street looking at the topic of Blessed Titus Brandsma with input from Fr. Wilfrid McGreal, O.Carm. Titus Brandsma was martyred in Dachau Concentration Camp seventy years ago for his outspoken defence of the Gospel against National Socialism. We will hear about Titus from the Prior Provincial of the British Province of Carmelites, Fr. Wilfrid McGreal. His talk will be repeated at Wood Hall Carmel, Wetherby, the following day. Friday 29 th June Monday 2 nd July Bright Lights Youth Festival at Aylesford Priory, Kent Saturday 7 th July from 9.30am Meeting at Lawrence Street looking at the topic of Mary Our Sister with input from Fr. Kevin Alban, O.Carm. Carmelite friars are known as Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, and as such have for centuries referred to Our Lady as Sister. We will hear about Carmelites close relationship to Mary from Fr. Kevin Alban, a friar of the British Province who serves as Bursar General of the Order in Rome. Monday 16 th July Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Friday 20 th July Solemnity of the Prophet Elijah, Father of Carmelites Saturday 4 th August from 9.30am Meeting at Lawrence Street looking at the topic of Discerning Our Vocation with input from Br. Gerard Walsh, O.Carm. Carmelite spirituality places great emphasis on seeking to know and do the will of God. It is not always easy to discern what God is calling us to do. Brother Ged from the Carmelite friary in Heslington will reflect with us on ways we can be people of discernment. Tuesday 7 th August Feast of St. Albert of Trapani, Carmelite friar Thursday 9 th August Feast of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)

6 Wednesday 15 th August Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friday 24 th Friday 31 st August British Province of Carmelites Pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Catholic Association. Contact Johan Bergström-Allen for details Saturday 15 th Saturday 22 nd September International Lay Carmelite Congress in Rome This is a gathering of Lay Carmelites from around the world, reflecting on the topic Formation for the Apostolate. Details will become available via the Province website and Assumpta magazine. Saturday 15 th September, 10.30am-5pm Day for the Carmelite Family This annual event in St. Bede s Church, Carlisle is an opportunity for the Carmelite Family in the north of England and Scotland to gather for a day of prayer and friendship. For details contact John & Patricia Wilson or carlisle@laycarmel.org Monday 17 th September Feast of St. Albert of Jerusalem Saturday 29 th September from 11am to 3pm (times t.b.c.) Meeting at Thicket Priory looking at the topic of Carmelites and Mission with input from Fr. Kevin Melody, O.Carm. Carmelites, like all Christians, are called to be missionary in spirit. We will hear about the idea of mission from Fr. Kevin Melody, O.Carm., prior of the Carmelite friary in Walworth, south London, and Mission Coordinator for the British Province. This meeting will take place at the monastery of Carmelite nuns at Thicket Priory between Wheldrake and Thorganby. Nearer the time please check the calendar of events for the final timetable at Directions and public transport information can be found online at Monday 1 st October Feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Carmelite nun Monday 15 th October Feast of St. Teresa of Jesus, Carmelite nun Saturday 20 th October from 9.30am Meeting at Lawrence Street looking at the topic of St. Teresa s Four Waters with input from Sheila Grimwood Saint Teresa of Jesus (of Avila) was a Carmelite nun in sixteenth-century Spain. She was declared a Doctor of the Church primarily because of her profound insights into prayer. One of her most powerful metaphors for prayer is known as The Four Waters. We will hear about Teresa s teaching from Sheila Grimwood, a member of the pastoral team at Aylesford Carmelite Priory in Kent.

7 Saturday 27 th Sunday 28 th October St. Jude feast weekend at Faversham The Apostle s National Shrine served by the Carmelite friars in Faversham, Kent is well worth a pilgrimage! For details of the programme and local hotel/b&b accommodation contact the St. Jude Newsletter Office or visit Wednesday 14 th November Feast of All Carmelite Saints. Thursday 15 th November Commemoration of All Carmelite Souls. Saturday 17 th November from 9.30am Meeting at Lawrence Street on the topic of Saint John of the Cross with input from Rt. Rev. Terence Patrick Drainey, Bishop of Middlesbrough St. John of the Cross was a Carmelite friar who helped to reform the Order. He is particularly revered in his native Spain where he was studied in a particular way by Bishop Terry Drainey when he was Spiritual Director at the English College in Valladolid. Friday 30 th November Sunday 2 nd December Third Order retreat/training at Aylesford Priory in Kent This will be a gathering of Lay Carmelites from across the British Province, spending time in prayer and fellowship, and making plans for electing a Third Order National Council in the future. If you would be interested in taking part please contact Johan. Sunday 2 nd December First Sunday of Advent Saturday 8 th December from 9.30am Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Advent meeting at More House on the topic Mary: Woman of Most Pure Heart with input from Fr. Christopher O Donnell, O.Carm. Our Lady has long been revered by Carmelites under the title Woman of Most Pure Heart. On the Solemnity of her Immaculate Conception, leading Mariologist Fr. Chris O Donnell of the Irish Province of Carmelites will reflect on what it means to speak of Mary as Woman of Most Pure Heart, and describe how Carmelites have looked to Mary s example over the centuries. As usual our Advent meeting will include a festive bring-and-share lunch, and will take place at More House Catholic Chaplaincy in Heslington. For directions please visit Monday 10 th December Carmelite NGO Day of Prayer & Action (World Human Rights Day): check the calendar on for reflection resources. Friday 14 th December Feast of St. John of the Cross.

8 For general information please contact the convenor: Mr. Johan Bergström-Allen Carmelite Projects & Publications Office More House Heslington York YO10 5DX Further information is available online at