The Secular Discalced Carmelites of the Diocese of Austin will hold a workshop on contemplation and prayer at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Pflugerville in honor of the 500th Anniversary of the birth of Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Jesus (St. Teresa of Avila), Carmelite reformer and co-foundress of the Discalced Carmelites, to share her teachings on prayer to benefit the larger community.
The charism of the Order of Discalced Carmelites is prayer, and the Apostolate of our community is to share the spiritual treasures of Carmel with the wider Church and with the world.
The Discalced Carmelite Shield
We will have seven speakers on topics ranging from the basics of prayer to distractions in prayer, to deepening prayer. Three workshops and the keynote address will be offered in both English and Spanish.
St. Teresa’s teachings on prayer are both beautiful and practical. Rather than intimidating or overly esoteric, her spiritual richness is accessible, simple and wise like the homespun advice of a good mother.
Elizabeth Korves, O.C.D.S., who is organizing the event, said the program is for anyone who wants to learn more about prayer and spirituality.
St. Teresa said, “The Lord is within us, and we ought not leave Him there alone.”
St, Teresa of Jesus
The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) is a part of the Oklahoma Province of Discalced Carmelites. Under the direction and spiritual guidance of the Discalced Carmelite friars, the local communities meet monthly to learn and grow in the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, and in the practice of the Beatitudes according to their individual states in life, married or single. Following the teachings of the founders of the order, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, the order is a school of prayer assisting those desiring to grow closer to God through the Carmelite spirituality, living lives that are disposed to contemplation while being engaged in the world. In the Diocese of Austin, there are three OCDS communities; in Austin, Killeen and Georgetown.
Pope Francis has said, “You must realize that studying without prayer is no use. We must pray to Jesus to get to know him better. The great theologians did their theology while kneeling. Pray to Jesus! By studying and praying we get a bit closer… But we’ll never know Jesus without praying. Never! Never!”
Prayer is the nourishment, the breath and life of the Christian soul. Communion with God is for everyone. We all stand in God’s presence. We only need to prepare the soil and the Sower will sow the seeds of prayer in our hearts.
photo by Shawn Chapman
The most important thing to know about this event is that no experience is necessary, and there will be something for everyone who wants to pray. There will be topics of interest for those who already have a serious prayer life, as well.
The schedule is as follows:
How Does Your Garden Grow:
Sowing the Seeds of Prayer and Contemplation
in Your Daily Life
Saturday, March 7th, 2015
8:30 am to 12:30 pm
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
1520 N Railroad Ave, Pflugerville, Texas 78660
8:30 a.m. Bilingual Mass
9:30 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. English Keynote Presentation
by Fr. Ralph Reyes OCD
Spanish Workshops – Choose One:
• Basics of Prayer – Rafael Quintanilla OCDS
• Deepening Prayer – Fr. Luis Belmonte OCD
• Distractions at Prayer – Sandra Heyl
11:00 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. English Workshops – Choose One:
• Basics of Prayer – Shawn Rain Chapman OCDS
• Deepening Prayer – Jo Ann Murphy OCDS
• Distractions at Prayer – Hank Hurley OCDS
Spanish Keynote Presentation
by Fr. Ralph Reyes OCD
To register send a check for $5 per person, made payable to OCDS Austin, to Jo Ann Murphy, 14305 Montour Dr., Austin, TX 78717. Please also provide your name, telephone number, email address, and your first workshop preference to help with planning.
For additional information, visit this link: https://www.facebook.com/AustinOCDS
Thank you for the quote by Pope Francis! It is very timely! We have 59 men in a 5 year formation program and this is exactly what we want them to do pray and study. Would you please send the date of this quote so that I can look up the rest of the document? Thanks.
Oh no! I wish I could even remember it for you, but I don’t! 🙁
Hey Shawn, I signed up and am really looking forward to this event. I remember you telling me once something like how contemplative prayer was not only intended for personal spiritual growth but also, and perhaps mainly, to lift up the Body Of Christ- the Church. That really stuck with me and thanks for sharing that. And you probably put that to me way better than I just said it.:)