The Solemnity of St Joseph, Wednesday 19 March, was a special day for the community at the Wood Hall Carmel, near Wetherby. On this day Sr Melanie and Sr Philomena celebrated respectively their Golden and Diamond Jubilees as Carmelite Sisters.
To mark the day, the Sisters welcomed Cardinal Arthur Roche, Bishop Marcus and invited friends and guests to join them for Mass in their chapel. Cardinal Roche travelled from Rome especially for the occasion and preached the homily at Mass. In part this was a reflection on his own long-standing association with the Wood Hall Carmel, stretching back over forty years.
Every Carmel has a title of special dedication and Wood Hall is under the patronage of Christ the Good Shepherd. This was at the request of Bishop Wheeler, the Bishop of Leeds at the time of its Foundation in 1969. He was anxious to have the prayers of the Carmel for Ecumenism, a work that was very close to his heart during his episcopate. As a young priest the Cardinal served as Bishop Wheeler’s secretary from 1978-82 and has been a frequent visitor to the Carmel ever since, not least during his time as Bishop of Leeds.
Many congratulations to both Sr Melanie and Sr Philomena. Ad multos annos!
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