Secular Order Discalced Carmelites
Raleigh, North Carolina 1989
In 1989 the community was blessed to have either Fr. Regis or Fr. Philip visit almost every month. One month when Fr. Regis could not come, he sent a video presentation in his place as an experiment. The presentations for the year focused on the Interior Castle after an overview of St. Teresa's Life. At the same time members continued individual reflections on the articles of the Rule of Life with an emphasis on the meaning of the Promise. These short presentations were very well received.
The community had two days of recollection, (April and October) at St. Mark Convent in Sanford. The day included Mass, Exposition throughout the day, time for private meetings with Fr. Regis, and closed with Benediction and Evening Prayer.
In June the community said good bye to Fr. Philip who left to spend a year at Covenant House in New York.
The second Seminar entitled “Prayer and Friendship in the teaching of St. Teresa of Avila" was hosted at UNC-CH in July. Again it was well attended. The mood was more retreat-like and less academic. That change was well received. The community formed five separate committees to run the Seminar: Liturgy, Hospitality, Religious Goods, Registration and Publicity. Each committee was headed by at least one volunteer.
Word of the Seminar spread and two other OCDS Communities, one in New Hampshire and one in Virginia contacted Raleigh for help in putting the Seminar on themselves. Fr. Regis worked on Seminar II in Raleigh in July and Seminar I in August in New Hampshire. The Raleigh Community was getting noticed.
In 1989 the community began to feel that it was getting on the map. Fr. Theodore Centala OCD the new Provincial Delegate for the Secular Order came for a visit with the community. Among other things he suggested that the community be listed in the Diocesan Directory.
It was decided that it was time to start paying the Provincial dues even though not a recognized community. The dues were $14 a year and only paid by those who could afford it. Anyone on fixed income was exempted by Fr. Centala. Also, as suggested by Fr. Centala the community started collecting monthly dues of $2 a person.
In 1989 one new member, Margaret (Peggy) Verkon was received. Kevin Salmon and Helen Godwin both withdrew bringing the membership down to thirteen. The nuns from Sanford continue to attend the meetings. Kathy Smith was appointed Director of Aspirants.