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. Covid-19 Update

August 27, 2020

Dear Friends,

I hope that you are all managing to keep your spirits up and your lives focused on the Lord's nearness to us during this continued separation. Both Father Richard and I pray for you daily and the staff at the parish is available to serve you in ways that we can. We don't want to lose touch and during these times, fear and separation can dull the appetite for community.

The Bishop has extended the dispensation from the obligation of Sunday Mass until the 1st of November. If you are able to get out to other public places during the week however, you might consider returning to the sacraments despite the dispensation. It's in your hands. We use a fogging system to sanitize the church after all the Masses with the same disinfectant that is being used in doctors and dentists offices and in the New York subways. We also have hand sanitizing equipment at the church doors.

If you still feel insecure or frightened or sick, we want to come to you on the weekend. To do this, we are starting to record the Sunday Mass and will make it available to you through our website. This Sunday will be our first attempt and I encourage you to join us. Just access our Webpage (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Osprey) and click here to view the Sunday Masses. We are also publishing a worship aid to help you assist at Mass. It is in our bulletin which is also online.

Thank you so much for continuing to send in your Sunday offerings. Your diligence and generosity have taken away the anxiety of keeping the parish going. If you have not yet made a pledge to the Catholic Faith Appeal, I ask you to consider it now. We are still about $10,000. in pledges away from meeting our assessment this year. I know that many wait until the end of the year to make their contribution and that is just fine.

I have also subscribed the whole parish to a very rich learning website produced by the Augustine Institute entitled "Formed". It provides a platform of learning resources that include talks about the Catholic faith, spiritual talks by renowned scholars and motivational speakers, bible study opportunities, books to download, movies to watch. It is most helpful for both children and adults. It won't cost you anything to register. I have already paid the parish registration fee. You only need to register for "FORMED" if you have not done so -
 
Registering for FORMED is easier than ever:: Go to 

1. https://signup.formed.org/
2. enter your parish name Our Lady of Mount Carmel or best to use just the zip code 34229 and click on our parish
3. enter your name and email
4. Check that email account for a link to begin using FORMED. That’s it!
5. Watch PRESENCE and use the guide for discussion in your family https://watch.formed.org/presence

Don't forget that we have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Friday from 8:30 am until 10:00 am. There is plenty of room in the church for social distancing and we keep sanitizing the church after every event so I think that it is safe.

The Knights of Columbus are recruiting new members even though their meetings are all virtual at the present. If you are interested please contact  Larry Kocen at lkocen@gmail.com

Blessings and best wishes to you,
 
Father Fred and Father Richard

 

WELCOME

The Parish of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is a caring and worshiping community of Catholic Christians, called to proclaim the good news and be a living witness as the Body of Christ in the Osprey and Nokomis areas of Sarasota County. We are a pilgrim people responding to the call of our baptism, serving each other in collaboration and mutual respect. We worship together, serve the needs of others especially the less fortunate, and make visible the Good news of Jesus Christ by our example of Christian living. We strive to be good stewards of God’s creation by protecting the environment and giving of our time, talent, and treasure generously for the common good.

Established on October 1, 2000, as a mission of Epiphany Cathedral for the growing community in the Osprey and Nokomis area, we became an independent parish on March 1, 2002. We first gathered in a store-front building on Route #41, but the growing community soon moved to Pine View School Auditorium for weekend liturgies. The property was obtained for a permanent facility and groundbreaking took place on February 22, 2004. The first Mass was celebrated in the new facility in October of 2005 and the dedication of the new facility was celebrated on January 15, 2006. The parish hall presently serves as the worship space and eventually, a dedicated church building will be constructed.

Our parish is served by the Carmelite Order whose ancient charism of prayer, community, and service influences everything we do. According to the tradition of the Carmelite Order, we call Mary our mother and our sister. Her patronage helps us in our striving to emulate her obedient and contemplative spirit expressed in her humble service and love, first for her son and then for the Church. The Order brings with it the spiritual traditions of some of the greatest saints including St. John of the Cross, St. Theresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, and more recently the two martyrs of Nazi concentration camps:  Blessed Titus Brandsma, O. Carm. and St. Theresa Benedict of the Cross O.C.D. (Edith Stein).

All are welcome to join us along the way as we seek the Kingdom of God.

Sincerely in the Lord,
Father Fred Tillotson, O.Carm., Pastor

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Monday - Thursday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Friday
8:00 AM - 12:00 Noon