The recent retirement of our inaugural staff members, Irene Hayes and Damien Peile, after sixteen years’ service has provided the Province with the opportunity to reflect on the work of the Centre, its significance to the Province as a deep expression of who the Carmelites are, and our capacity to continue to resource the work of the Centre.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Working Party who came together to consider some of these issues. They carefully reviewed the current environment, and the future challenges and opportunities, facing the Centre and developed the new role descriptions and governance frameworks. Those members brought a deep understanding of what participants value about the Centre and I thank them all for their energy and expertise: Bernadette Micallef, Clare McArdle, Daryl Moresco O.Carm, David Hofman O.Carm, Denis Andrew O.Carm, John Stewart, Joe Konynenburg, Michael Murray and Patricia Chaves.
The Province is keen to affirm its appreciation of the work of the Centre, and to confirm its ongoing support for this important ministry moving forward.
In that spirit, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Luke Edwards as the new Leader of The Carmelite Centre. Luke comes with a background in education, spirituality and psychology. He has been responsible for designing a range of creative formation and pastoral care programs in schools, hospitals and other church entities.
I am also pleased to confirm the appointment of Br Daryl Moresco O.Carm as the Carmelite Delegate for the Centre. Daryl, recently returned to Australia after 25 years in the US, has worked in education, formation and spirituality ministries. Most recently he served as Managing Director of the Centre of Carmelite Studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
A management committee, to be appointed after the forthcoming Provincial Chapter, will support Luke and Daryl in their ministry at The Carmelite Centre. I am sure that both Luke and Daryl will bring many riches to the ongoing work of the Centre.
Thanks also to the team of volunteer program leaders who have maintained the operations of the Centre over the last six months as we began this process of reflection and transition. They have been ably supported by the staff of the centre, Bernadette Micallef and Natalie Chubaty, whose efforts have kept everything operating seamlessly.
I wish all of you the very best as the Centre moves into this exciting new phase.
Yours in Carmel,
Bruce Clark O.Carm
Prior Provincial