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.
Father Frederick J. Tillotson O. Carm.
Pastor