Our Lady of Mount Carmel Lay Carmelite Community
Third Order Carmelites of the Ancient Observance
Located in Bella Vista & Rogers, Arkansas

  • Who are the Lay Carmelites?
  • Group information
  • Schedule
  • Carmelite and Catholic Links
  • Interested in joining?
    		•

    Who are the Lay Carmelites?
    The Lay Carmelite Order is a secular branch of the Carmelite Order. It is a serious lifelong committment for laity who feel called to deepen their relationship with Christ through the charism of the Carmelite Order. We our celebrating the 800th year of the Carmelite Rule!
    Group Information
    We generally meet on third Sundays of the month at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista, alternating months with third Saturdays at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers. On community days, members share the rosary, Mass, morning prayer, a meeting, lunch, formation in Carmelite spirituality, and sometimes Adoration. Periodically we will have a Day of Recollection which involves more spiritual reflection.
    Schedule 2008
    January 20
    		 St Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers, Mass at 10:30am, meeting in the Hospital (old meeting time and place)
    February
    		 17
    		 St Bernard's Church in Bella Vista, Rosary at 8:30am
    March
    		 8
    		 (2nd Saturday because of Palm Sunday) St Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers, meeting at 1pm (NEW MEETING TIME AND PLACE) in the west side of St. Vincent's school
    April
    		 20
    		 Sunday, St Bernard's Church in Bella Vista, Rosary at 8:30am
    May
    		 17
    		 Saturday, St Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers, meeting at 1pm in the west side of St. Vincent's school
    June
    		 22
    		 Sunday, St Bernard's Church in Bella Vista, Rosary at 8:30am, Elections
    July
    		 14
    		 Saturday, St Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers as usual
    Celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
    August
    		 17
    		 Sunday, St Bernard's Church in Bella Vista, Rosary at 8:30am
    September
    		 20
    		 Saturday, St Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers as usual
    October
    		 19
    		 Sunday, St Bernard's Church in Bella Vista, Rosary at 8:30am
    November
    		 15
    		 Saturday, St Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers as usual
    December
    		No Meeting Scheduled for Advent/Christmas season

    There will aslo be a retreat for the local communities sometime in Fall 2008.
    Carmelite and Catholic Links
  • Lay Carmelite National Headquarters in Darien, IL
  • The Carmelite Website
  • Lay Carmel in Britain
  • The Carmelite Institute
  • Decor Carmeli, Studio of Sacred Art
  • Sisters of Carmel Gifts
  • Vatican Radio

    • Interested?
    If you are interested in visiting a meeting, contact the chapter director Larry Krugler at (479)925-1148 or formation director John Alspaugh at (479)855-3419. There are several groups belonging to the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary in the Northwest Arkansas region including Eureka Springs, Berryville, Cassville (MO) which is temporarily out of commission, and one just starting in Siloam Springs. Contact the regional coordinator Teresa Bowman at (417)847-5879 for more information on groups in Northwest Arkansas. For information on the new group that is itching to get started at St. Mary's in Siloam Springs, contact Eileen Baatz at (479)549-5725 or email her at eileenstudio at cox dot net.

    An overview of the process:
    If you are interested you are invited to come to meetings (just look for the brown scapulars!) and get a feel for the group. After deciding to seek reception, prospective members undergo "Phase 1" formation lessons for at least 9 months in preparation for Reception. Lessons continue in "Phase 2" for about 2 years until Profession at which point promises (not vows) are made. Professed Lay Carmelites continue to participate in ongoing formation through the group.
    This page was last updated Feb 22, 2008. You can email the webmaster at aserio at cox dot net.

    Lay Carmelite Seal