Meets

2nd Saturday, 10am to noon, Parish Center

“Every Lay Carmelite is like a spark of love thrown into the forest of life: they must be able to enflame anyone who approaches them.”

— Lay Carmelite Rule, Chapter 11 #44

About the Community

Third Order Carmelites (TOC) are lay people who are 18 years or older. A candidate must be a Catholic fully participating in the sacramental life of the Church. They are called to live more deeply with their baptismal promises. The lay Carmelite follows the mission of Carmel (which is also the mission of the Church) which is to transform the secular world after the teachings of Jesus. This is accomplished through the Carmelite charism and dedication to prayer, community and service. Most important is to remember that being a lay Carmelite is not just a devotion added to life; it is a way of life—a vocation.

Practices

• To participate in the daily celebration of the Eucharist when possible
• To spend about ½ hour in meditation each day, reflecting on the Scriptures, using Lectio Divina, or some other appropriate method of personal/reflective prayer
• To pray the Liturgy of the Hours – Morning and Evening Prayer – in union with the Church throughout the world
• Spending some time doing spiritual reading each week
• To attend the monthly community meetings and other (periodic) community activities
• To wear the Brown Scapular daily as a sign of dedication to Mary, trust in her motherly protection, and as an expression of one’s commitment to live in allegiance to Christ by serving others.

History

The Carmelite way of life began in the Holy Land at the end of the 12th Century on Mount Carmel near a spring known as the ‘Fountain of Elijah’. The original Carmelites were hermits who asked the Patriarch of Jerusalem, St. Albert Avogadro for a formal rule around 1206.

The Carmelite brothers moved from Mount Carmel into Europe. Once settled as a mendicant order of the Church they welcomed lay people to join them. Blessed John Soreth, Prior General at the time, opened the way for others to be part of the Carmelite Order. With the Bull Cum Nulla issued by Pope Nicholas V on October 7, 1459, he established the second and third orders of Carmel.

Leadership

Secretary: Patricia DaSilva, Dasilva.patricia@gmail.com

Treasurer: Tina Spinelli

Provincial Office

Provincial Office of Lay Carmelites

PO Box 3079, Middletown, New York 10940

Phone: (845) 344-2474

Meets

Wednesdays, 9am to 1pm, Thomas Merton Center, Bridgeport

About the Community

You’ll be placed on a team and serve once a month. If you have a few hours to spare, your hands and your smile can make a real difference to our neighbors in need.

Practices

• Details coming soon.

History

Details coming soon.

Leadership

Mark Rowan, markrowan2729@gmail.com

Meets

2nd Sunday of the month, 11am, Religious Education Office.  In addition to the Support Group meetings and additional one-on-one assistance, special events are held with a speaker.

About the Community

Today I am grateful for all those things that are missing in my life because their absence reminds me of how blessed I am to have had them all.

Sends letters of condolence and helpful materials to grieving families, offers support between meetings including one-on-one assistance, and keeps a full lending library of bereavement books. In between meetings, families may call for help.

Practices

• support to the bereaved family members of St. Lawrence Parish who have lost loved ones.  This will be accomplished in a caring, compassionate environment.
• assistance upon request with daily activities
• the vision of the Bereavement Ministry is to continue expanding the services as our ministry grows in a spiritual, caring and social atmosphere.
• Letters of condolence, along with a packet of helpful bereavement material, are sent out to each family that has lost a loved one.
• In between meetings, families may call for help.
• A full library of bereavement books is available.

Leadership

Also home to Transitions, a grief support group; contact Jim Linden at 203-561-3410 or Mickie Hope 203-929-8499.

Meets

8-week program, Monday mornings after 9am Mass and Tuesday evenings

About the Community

Details coming soon.

Practices

• Details coming soon.

History

Details coming soon.

Leadership

Details coming soon.

Meets

The 3rd Thursday of the Month at 7:00 pm in the Knights Hall.

About the Community

Council 14014

The Knights of Columbus is a Fraternal benefit society based on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity.  The Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their church.

Council 14014 is actively involved in raising funds to support local charities, such as Special Olympics, Spooner House, Merton House, Homes for the Brave, St. Catherine's Academy, Msgr. Potter's Brazilian Mission, St. Vincent DePaul, and many other local charities.

Some of the events we sponsor each year include pancake breakfasts, dinner dances, special olympics, an Easter Egg Hunt, free throw contest, poster contest, Knight's Grill (Suburban League Basketball).

Practices

• Details coming soon.

History

The Knights of Columbus began in 1882 at St Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, when Father Michael J. McGivney founded a fraternal society to support Catholic families, especially widows and orphans. It took the name “Knights of Columbus” to express both Catholic faith and American patriotism and has grown into an international organization of Catholic men, guided by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, serving parishes and communities around the world.

Leadership

Grand Knight: Derrick Champagne

Deputy Grand Knight: Carlos Perez

Financial Secretary: Brian Smith

Treasurer: Greg Marty

Trustees: Tony Minopoli, Ben McGorty, Jeff Sninsky

Contact:

Carlos Perez

203-395-8086 or carlosperez@remax.net

Meets

1st Thursday of the month, 7pm, September through June

About the Community

Activities include guest speakers, an annual Communion Breakfast, May Crowning, spiritual evenings, and donation drives for school supplies, Easter baskets, food, and clothing, along with baby showers for families in need. All women of the parish are welcome.

Practices

• Details coming soon.

History

Details coming soon.

Leadership

Phone: 203-929-0527

Meets

8-week program, Monday mornings after 9am Mass and Tuesday evenings

About the Community

Details coming soon.

Practices

• Details coming soon.

History

Details coming soon.

Leadership

Details coming soon.