The Carmelites (Australia & Timor Leste)

The Carmelites are a Catholic religious order of friars (priests and brothers). They have a focus on prayer and spirituality, and their history extends some 800 years to their origins as hermits on Mount Carmel in Israel. In Australia the Carmelites administer four parishes: Port Melbourne / Middle Park (VIC), Wenthworthville (NSW) and Coorparoo and Coorparoo Heights (QLD). They also operate a spirituality centre and library in Middle Park (VIC) and a range of smaller ministries across the eastern seaboard. Whitefriars College in Donvale (VIC) was founded by the Carmelites in 1961 and the Carmelites continue to support the College via the provision of a Chaplain. In Timor-Leste the Carmelites administer the parish of Zumalai in the Cova Lima Province. They also support the operation of the parish schools, including a boarding house, and development projects including improvements to water access and quality. Closer to the national capital of Dili, the Carmelites operate formation houses at Hera and Fatuhada to support the preparation of Carmelite priests and brothers. They also provide many scholarships each year to support the young men and women of Timor-Leste access a range of education and training programs.