Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish History
The Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a vibrant and compassionate community of Catholic Christians, united in our mission to proclaim the Good News and live 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, dedicated to serving one another in harmony and mutual respect. Together, we worship, serve the needs of others—especially those who are less fortunate—and make the Good News of Jesus Christ visible through our Christian witness. We strive to be faithful stewards of God’s creation by caring for the environment and generously offering our time, talent, and resources for the greater good.
Founded on October 1, 2000, as a mission of Epiphany Cathedral to serve the growing community in the Osprey and Nokomis areas, we became an independent parish on March 1, 2002. Initially gathering in a storefront building on Route #41, our growing community soon moved to the Pine View School Auditorium for weekend liturgies. We acquired property for a permanent facility, and the groundbreaking ceremony took place on February 22, 2004. The first Mass in the new building was celebrated in October 2005, and the dedication of the facility occurred on January 15, 2006. Currently, our parish hall serves as our worship space, and plans are in place for a dedicated church building in the future.
Our parish is served by the Carmelite Order, whose timeless charism of prayer, community, and service shapes everything we do. Following the Carmelite tradition, we honor Mary as both our mother and sister, drawing inspiration from her contemplative spirit of humble service and love—first for her Son and then for the Church. The Order is blessed by the spiritual legacy of great saints such as St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, and the modern martyrs of the Nazi concentration camps: Blessed Titus Brandsma, O. Carm., and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross O.C.D. (Edith Stein).
We invite all to join us on our journey as we seek the Kingdom of God.
Father Anthony Armstrong
Pastor
Patroness
The Church joins the sacred memory of the Mother of the Redeemer to Mount Carmel, a mountain range in modern Israel that in biblical times was made holy by the prophets Elijah and Elisha nine centuries before Christ. During the 1100’s A.D. a number of westerners settled on Mount Carmel in imitation of the Old Testament prophets and other holy people who over the many centuries had lived there as hermits. They formed a community and were given a rule of life approved by the Holy See. In the center of their rough dwellings was a chapel dedicated to Mary as “The Lady of the Place,” their patroness and protector. In time she was called, and devotion was given to her, as “Our Lady of Mount Carmel.”
The Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16th each year. The Carmelite Family observes this day as a “solemn commemoration” for the countless graces Our Lady has brought to her spiritual sons and daughters associated with the Carmelite Order. By long tradition, July 16 is also associated with the gift of the brown scapular to Saint Simon Stock in 1251. The Church has strongly encouraged the preaching of the scapular. Indeed July 16th is often known as “the scapular feast” – the scapular is a miniature Carmelite habit. The wearer associates himself or herself to the fully professed members of the Carmelite Family, confident that the Mother of Christ will keep those devoted to her close to Jesus her Son. Scapular wearers are encouraged to live an even more generous Christian life.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel encourages us as a loving mother, guards us as a powerful patroness, and walks with us as a faithful sister.
Entrance Doors
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus
Prayer is the aspiration of the heart. It is a simple glance directed to heaven. It is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy.
St. John of the Cross
In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.
St. Theresa of Calcutta
Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.
St. Titus Brandsma, O. Carm
He who wants to win the world for Christ must have the courage to come in conflict with it.