Mystery Creates History

"IS ANYTHING TOO MARVELOUS FOR THE LORD TO DO?" – Gen 18:14

Beginnings in Newark (4 of 14)

After three months, my quest for a bishop led me to Newark, New Jersey. Through friends, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, an appointment was made for me to meet Archbishop Peter L. Gerety. The Archbishop welcomed me graciously. As I spoke to him of Carmel's prophetic, hermit call and of the fire that burned in my heart, he listened attentively. I told him that we were to be financially independent and not a burden to anyone. After prayer and consideration, he gave his permission and blessing to begin this journey of faith and love. Archbishop Gerety had stipulated that I must have a companion. That blessed companion was Sister Julie Souza. Not to be forgotten is Miss Tutti, a calico kitten, which persevered for 19 years in Carmel.

After several unsuccessful attempts to find a suitable location, I met Monsignor Robert T. Lennon, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Westfield, New Jersey who offered us an empty convent, rent-free. He befriended us then and remains our good friend to this day. We quickly put up our cardboard sign, “The Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,” over the front door for all to see. On October 23, 1976 at 3:00 P.M., Monsignor John Murphy celebrated the first Mass in the convent’s beautiful chapel. Our joy was unspeakable! We chose St. Paul’s words to the Philippians as our guiding star “Maintain your unanimity, possessing the one love, united in spirit and ideals. Never act out of rivalry or conceit; rather, let all parties think humbly of others. Each of you looking to others’ interests rather than his own” – Phil 2:2b-4.

In each phase of our journey, we deepened our understanding of what it means to be Hermits of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. One Day while cleaning a medicine cabinet, $100 fell from its top. When I presented the money to Monsignor Lennon, he simply said, “Cast your bread upon the waters and it will come back a ham sandwich!” That saying has become a community proverb.

Father Michael Desmond took me to two banks, one to open a checking account, the other a savings account. One bank gave us a loan for one year, without any collateral, to by a car, a second-hand silver Skylark Buick. With the help of God, the loan was paid in full within four months.

During a blizzard in January 1977, a young friend, Claudette Des Bois, came from a great distance to visit. Shortly afterward, she called “I feel God is calling me to Carmel. May I enter the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary?” Her pre-entrance program consisted of phone calls and meetings until her entrance day June 3, 1978.

< Previous • Next >