"The only possible happiness lies in letting God love us, and everything that has happened and will happen is only for that purpose."
Ruth BurrowsSUPPORT ON THE JOURNEY
The Carmelite Centre Melbourne seeks to provide a contemplative space to facilitate spiritual journeys, growth and community by encouraging contemplation, independent and free thinking, and an attitude of simplicity, humility and grace. It offers support on the journey through Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Supervision. The resources of the Carmelite Library are also available for personal study, learning and development. Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Supervision are offered within the Carmelite tradition of contemplation, service and hospitality. The Carmelite tradition honours the individual, embraces community and welcomes people who seek spirituality and personal enrichment.
The Carmelite Centre Melbourne seeks to provide a contemplative space to facilitate spiritual journeys and personal growth. Spiritual Direction is one of the supports offered by the Centre to those interested in developing and deepening their spiritual life.
Spiritual Direction is a series of conversations about your life and prayer in the light of your faith or values. The focus is on your spiritual journey through the day to day experiences of your life. These conversations assist discernment of what is life-giving for you, and what is binding you or holding you back from becoming all you have the potential to be – all that God created you to be. With greater clarity and self-knowledge you can then choose the way forward on the spiritual journey with greater freedom.
There’s more information on the flyer below which we hope answers some of the question you may have. Please contact one of our spiritual directors if you have further question and/or to arrange an appointment time.
We currently have three spiritual directors available – Brother Geoff Whitefield, Pia Pagotto and Bernadette Micallef. All three are members of the Conference of Spiritual Directors Australia. The Australia Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction provides the Code of Ethics for Spiritual Directors. Catholic Religious Australia recommends a fee range from $78 – $156 per hour. The Carmelite Centre asks for $75 per session however this can be discussed with your spiritual director if it will cause financial hardship.
MEET OUR SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS
Geoff Whitefield
Br Geoff Whitefield is a Christian Brother who has ministered in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, as well as in Papua New Guinea. He has been a Spiritual Director since 2009 and was trained through the Siloam Formation Program, Heart of Life, Box Hill, followed by further studies in Formation at Loreto House, Dublin, Ireland. He has been spiritual director to people from all walks of life, of various faith traditions and of a range of ages.
Pia Pagotto
Pia is available for zoom or phone sessions or in person for the Lysterfield area. She can be contacted directly by email.
Pia Pagotto has a long association with the Carmelite Centre after completing the Siloam program at Heart of Life in 2011, an experience which Pia says continues to reverberate for her a sense of privilege and deepening of faith. Pia, an experienced spiritual director, knows how valued Spiritual Direction has been in her own life and desires to “hold well” and companion others in the same way. Family life is important to Pia in all the ups and downs and shapes and forms it takes. With a background in teaching, Pia still works in schools with sacramental preparation with the Presentation Family Project.
Pia’s favourite scripture is John10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Bernadette Micallef
Bernadette is available via zoom and in person in her home office in Mount Waverley and at The Carmelite Centre in Middle Park. She can be contacted directly by email.
Bernadette Micallef completed the Siloam Formation program at Heart of Life in 2011 and has been working as a Spiritual Director at The Carmelite Centre since 2012. She is married with three sons (two daughters-in-law and two grandchildren) and has been a member of the Carmelite Order since 1991. In 2021 she returned to study to complete a Masters in Spirituality.
Bernadette’s favourite scripture in relation to Spiritual Direction is Acts 7:33. Take off the sandals from your feet for the place where you are standing is holy ground. She believes that the here and now of our day-to-day lives is where we encounter God and finds it awesome to witness God’s work in another.
Spiritual Direction can be particularly helpful if you feel a need for change in your life in response to a calling to a deeper spiritual life; or feel stuck and dissatisfied in your spiritual journey; or when you are dealing with difficult circumstances; or when you feel a desire to talk at a deeper level than day-to-day conversations allow; or have a persistent yearning for a more intimate relationship with God. Speaking about what’s happening, receiving the undivided attention of another, focused on what matters to you, can in itself be most helpful, supportive and encouraging on your spiritual journey.Is Spiritual Direction different from counselling?
The main focus in Spiritual Direction is your spiritual journey. The main focus of counselling is problem solving. Both deal with the concrete reality of your experience of life and both encourage deepening self-knowledge. In counselling such self-knowledge serves the purpose of dealing with the problem or on-going difficult life situation. In Spiritual Direction such self-knowledge enables greater freedom to respond to the fullness of life to which God is calling you, that is, to more fully become the unique person you are created to be. With an appropriate counsellor, counselling can certainly facilitate this journey too without being the primary focus.
Spiritual Director qualification
The qualification of ‘Spiritual Director’ is through a Graduate Diploma which involves both theory and practice. Spiritual Directors themselves receive regular Spiritual Direction and also Professional Supervision.
Getting to Middle Park by public transport
No. 12 Tram from Collins St to stop 135 (on Mills Street) then 220m walk down Richardson Street.
No. 96 Tram from Bourke St to stop 129 (on Canterbury Rd) then 450m walk down Wright Street.
PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION
Professional Supervision with Damien Peile
Supervision provides professional and personal support to people working in Church ministry. Offered in a trusting and confidential setting, the benefits can include improved workplace relationships, renewed sense of vocation, clarity of roles, support and managing stress.
For many years I have worked as a spiritual mentor, counsellor and social worker. During this time, I have met with many people working in Church communities including ministers, pastoral workers, students of theology and volunteers.
In a culture of ‘quick fixes’ with pressure to succeed in the work place, little time is left to step back, and reflect and ponder on what is being done or why it is being done. My approach to supervision includes contemplative practices such as stillness and silence, prayer and meditation. I have found that these practices add a rich source of inquiry to the thinking mind in dealing with problems in ministry, by creating a space to take time out to reflect and ponder on what needs attention.
Contact Damien for further information by phone 0419503421 or email. Damien is available for face-to-face or on-line meetings.
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Damien is a member of the Australasian Association of Pastoral Supervision.
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Wayne Stanhope OCarm is also available for pastoral supervision. Wayne can be contacted via email
ABOUT PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION
Listen to Damien’s podcast on Supervision. (Podcast Music Bed – Music@Kevin MacLeod)
THE CARMELITE LIBRARY OF SPIRITUALITY & MYSTICISM
Please note that the Carmelite Library is currently closed to members of the public whilst the new library team from the University of Divinity is getting established.
If you wish to BORROW resources during this period, you can arrange to do so by emailing [email protected] with the details of the requested resource. Resources can be provided by post or can be picked up from the Mannix Library (278 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne).
If you wish to RETURN resources during this period, you can hand-deliver to the Provincial Office at 75 Wright St, Middle Park or you can hand-deliver (or post suitably wrapped and protected materials) to the Mannix Library at 278 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne.
Please note that access to the Library will remain available for all scheduled Carmelite Centre activities.
Further announcements in respect of ongoing access arrangements will be announced prior to the Library re-opening in February 2024.
The catalogue is available on the library website. A library blog contains information about recent events at the Carmelite Centre and much more.
The Carmelite Library is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Theological Library Association Ltd. This Association seeks to foster the study of theology and religion by enhancing the development of theological and religious libraries and librarianship.
The Carmelite Library of Spirituality & Mysticism
Library Opening Times
Closes Thursday 28 September 2023
Re-opens February 2024
Library Contact Details
Building entrance
Front desk in Library
Largest Collection of Spiritual Books in the Southern Hemisphere
Ancient Text
Rare Collection of Books
Rare and Ancient Volumes
Between the Shelves
Extensive Collection
