Question and Answer Series #18

Author: Cindy A. Perazzo, T.O.Carm.
Called to the Family of Carmel

Carmelite Q&A #18

Called to the Family of Carmel | Lay Carmelites | PCM

Christmas is less than two weeks away! Soon we will be experiencing the great O Antiphons of Evening Prayer. Relish them and savor them in whatever still of the evening you can find for yourself. They will lead into wonderful prayer time.

Cindy A. Perazzo, T.O.Carm., Coordinator of Lay Carmelites
for the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary

I’m at the Lay Carmelite Office in Darien IL this week. I woke up to snow on Tuesday and what a treat for someone from California. Today I’m sitting at my desk writing this greeting to you and your community members and as I look out the window of my office a squirrel sprints by with an acorn in his mouth. The last scurrying before the real snow hits the mid-west. Although we too may scurry this time of year let’s all remember to rest as well.

Enjoy your final days of Advent!

PS... The pictures in the slideshow above are from the Museum and Shrine of St. Thérèse here on the Carmelite Campus. It is decorated so beautifully for the season.


QUESTION:

Are we allowed to print Carmelite Business Cards for evangelization purposes?

ANSWER:

Carmelite Media has approved brochures, business cards, bookmarks, posters, banners and other evangelization tools for Lay Carmelite communities. I say approved but most items can be customized and modified to suit your community ideas. Ken Pino, who I have mentioned before, is a very creative person and loves to work with Lay Carmelite communities. Ken’s contact information has been emailed to your director. Please contact your director if you would like to get in touch with Ken.


QUESTION:

How much information should be given to a perspective candidate such as books required, length of phases, etc.? How much is too much/too little?

ANSWER:

It is quite easy to overwhelm an inquirer with all of our good information but it is vital that he/she knows what will be expected at some point PRIOR to actually entering the Phase I formation program. While the inquirer is attending the three (3) required meetings before receiving an Application for Admission (Forms A-1,2,3) a few details should be shared such as: the 6 year initial formation process and up-front cost of materials to start. This should probably be discussed by the Formation Director or another designated member.

The next opportunity that makes the most sense to me would be during the one-on-one Interview after the Application is completed by the inquirer and reviewed by the Director and Formation Director. Attendance requirements, introductory book reading recommendations, offer of tapes (such as Nine Themes of Carmelite Spirituality by Fr. Patrick McMahon, O.Carm.)

I think it is important to be firm and clear up-front on all of our requirements very early on in the discussions and these discussions should be in the form of special meetings and interviews with the Candidates so that nothing is missed and everything is understood.