St. Paul’s – Worcester Parish, Berlin
On December 2, 2019, the Commission on Ministry hosted Sister Teresa Irene and Sister Barbara from the Episcopal Carmel of St. Teresa for an interesting and delightful talk on their personal journeys to become Carmelite nuns, and the opportunities for prayer and retreat that they offer others at their monastery in Rising Sun, Maryland. The ministry of Carmelite nuns is one of prayer for the Church and the world. In addition to their daily life of prayer in the context of silence and solitude, they offer spiritual direction and lodging to those seeking a quiet and beautiful location for retreat. In fact, Bishop Santosh wrote his book while on retreat in Rising Sun!
You may have seen Sister Teresa Irene and Sister Barbara at our Diocesan Conventions. Their visit with the Commission on Ministry was a way of beginning the conversation of how the Commission may help the Diocese know more about the Religious Life and many religious communities within the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.
There may be members of our Diocesan Family who have felt a call to live a life of full time prayer in community under the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Perhaps God is calling some of us to explore the religious communities in the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion.
If you would like to know more about the Episcopal Carmel of St. Teresa, you can visit their web site (https://www.episcopalassetmap.org/dioceses/diocese-easton/list/episcopal-carmel-st-teresa-monastery) or you can find more information about Religious Orders in the Episcopal Church (https://episcopalchurch.org/religious-orders-and-faith-communities)