My Visit To Kirk Edge

[Yaatee]

I must say that I was very impressed by the Quidenham website, especially considering that Carmelite websites usually aren't very elaborate, especially in the UK. I was particularly impressed by the "Becoming a Carmelite" section

For those possibly interested:

[url="http://www.quidenhamcarmel.org.uk/"]http://www.quidenhamcarmel.org.uk/[/url]

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='Yaatee' timestamp='1305658067' post='2242884']
I must say that I was very impressed by the Quidenham website, especially considering that Carmelite websites usually aren't very elaborate, especially in the UK. I was particularly impressed by the "Becoming a Carmelite" section

For those possibly interested:

[url="http://www.quidenhamcarmel.org.uk/"]http://www.quidenhamcarmel.org.uk/[/url]
[/quote]


A lot of time, effort (and money!) went into that website and we all had a chance to see it and comment before it went live - any changes were discussed in community meetings and agreed. I'm the postulant in a couple of the piccies!

[OnlySunshine]

Thank you for sharing you experiences! It is really wonderful to hear that you had a great time, and that you recognize that it is not the right place for you. Acknowledging that you are looking for an experience like the previous one and knowing that you won't find one exactly like it is important. We must trust that God knows what we need, much better than we do. It sounds like you had a very painful parting with your old Carmel, and I hope that the next Carmel you enter (God-willing) will be the correct one for you. Sometimes, it is difficult to trust God in these times when we've lost something so dear to us (believe me, I know all too well), but the important thing to remember is to try to forget the past and focus on the issue at hand. Try not to compare the two Carmels or you might end up being disappointed everytime. I know that is probably easier said than done, but each monastery has its differences, that's why they call them autonomous. Though they are part of the same charism, each monastery has its own interpretation of how things should be done. That's not only in Carmels or monasteries, either. I've witnessed it in different convents of the same order.

I wish you all the best in your future discernment and I'll be saying some prayers for you during my 9-day novena to St. Joseph.

[LaPetiteSoeur]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1305628340' post='2242726']
Theyre not easy are they? I now have a standard one for my emails, but this is a little different as I know the prioress and she actually asked me to consider them, so I need to say yes okay lets see.
[/quote]

The only thing harder is phoning them. I almost give myself heart attacks!

[Yaatee]

Apparently Golders Green and Preston will merge with Upholland...?

So they'll end up at Upholland?

Well, Upholland looks very nice. Here is their (brief) website:

[url="http://www.carmelite.org.uk/Upholland.html"]http://www.carmelite.../Upholland.html[/url]

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='Yaatee' timestamp='1305830801' post='2243633']
Apparently Golders Green and Preston will merge with Upholland...?

So they'll end up at Upholland?

Well, Upholland looks very nice. Here is their (brief) website:

[url="http://www.carmelite.org.uk/Upholland.html"]http://www.carmelite.../Upholland.html[/url]
[/quote]


I think Upholland is the 3rd community but I might be wrong, and I have no idea of their current plans for location - at one point they were talking about a new building but that could have changed (yet again!!) Progress is always slow in the church, and Carmel seems the slowest of the lot!

[Yaatee]

The main site for the UK Carmels is:

[url="http://www.carmelnuns.org.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=13&MMN_position=17:17"]http://www.carmelnun..._position=17:17[/url]

I just went through the websites one by one, and two other Carmels, in addition to Quidenham and Notting HIll, that I was especially impressed with (with good websites ) are:

Ware Carmel [url="http://www.warecarmel.com/"]http://www.warecarmel.com/[/url] and

York Carmel [url="http://www.carmelite.org/thicket"]http://www.carmelite.org/thicket[/url]

I was especially impressed with York. They have a new modern ecologically designed monastery, have active association with the Carmelite friars, Anglicans and lay people, (the Anglicans gave them their bell, "St. Joseph"), and were actually able to leave the monastery to go to the York Minster (cathedral) for the 800th centenery of the Carmelite Order and the visit of St. Therese's relics.

[faithcecelia]

Quite a lot of Carmels went to see Therese's relics - Liverpool, St Helens and Birkenhead actually had a private all night vigil at Liverpool Cathedral. At Quidenham we had been asked to go to Walsingham but decided as a community that it was not appropriate to go out for this reason - Therese herself knew the value of enclosure and we felt she would have considered it inappropriate too. That said, I actually did see them at Liverpool as I have left about a fortnight earlier.

As it happens, neither of those Carmels appeals to me! Ware say the little hours in private. I can see benefits for this - longer periods of solitude, taking less time, etc - but I like the ebb and flow of Carmel, the constantly coming together and then going back into solitude.

I know a former sister from York and while I hope the situations that led to her leaving after being there 11yrs I am a tad wary. That said, I wouldn't try to disuade anyone going there who believes it is right for them, I don't believe it is a bad community. And I *think* they have ensuite cells!!! Glasgow have ensuite definately!

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Sr Marianne' timestamp='1305572927' post='2242404']
Thank you for sharing the story of your visit. Holding you in prayer as you continue to discern. Have you heard about the Invocation weekend that is coming up in June? I would strongly recommend it for anyone in discernment in the UK - a national event with over 400 attending last year. It includes all kinds of vocations to the consecrated life of all spiritualities.
[url="http://www.invocation.org.uk/home.html"]http://www.invocation.org.uk/home.html[/url]

I went last year it was very good - maybe I'll see some phatmassers there this year.
God bless.



[/quote]

For you, or any Phatmassers who will be attendng the Invocation weekend-- as you may know or remember, former Phatmasser Laetitia Crucis (Sadora) is a postulant with the Domincan Sisters of St. Joseph in Lymington, England (near Southampton). I recently heard from her, and she and other members of her Community will be at the Invocation weekend. Sr. Marianne--If you have a spare moment, try to introduce yourself--Sadora would LOVE to meet a current Phatmasser! Do Communities have booths or displays or something set up? If so, Sadora is the only postulant in the community, and her postulant garb is the same as the Nashville Dominican postulants (long black skirt, black sweater--I THINK it's a sweater as opposed to a jacket--white blouse. BTW--In her Community, posulants are not called "Sister"--she is simply Sadora. (She will take the title "Sister," along with a new religious name, at her clothing as a novice.) If you think you might meet her, Sadora's picture is even posted her on VS somewhere, from back in October when she entered, if you wanted to recognize her when you saw her. Sadora said she is VERY excited about the Invocation weekend.

This suggestion is not just for Sr. Marianne. If any other Phatmassers will be at the Invocation, I know Sadora would love to meet you. She misses Phatmass!

Edited May 20, 2011 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[MargaretTeresa]

Sometimes I wonder if I'm meant to be in Carmel because of how much I love to just sit and pray. But then, at others, I have to think about how much I love to go see people and talk about God and stuffs...and I'm like oh! FSP!

I need to save some money and go visit...