News from Mt. Carmel

Fr. Arnie Boehme, OCD celebrated his Ruby Jubilee or forty years as a Carmelite priest. He was ordained in Washington, DC on June 8, 1968. The first celebration was with his classmate, and now the Provincial of the Washington Province, Rev. Fr. John Sullivan, OCD. A thanksgiving mass was held at the Shrine Chapel ot Holy Hill, Wisconsin last June 7, 2008. A special meal was served at noon for the Carmelites and other guests. In the evening a steak dinner for the Friars was the perfect ending for the Jubilee celebration.

Fr. Arnie had his second celebration at his home parish in Bird Island, Minnesota. Many relatives, town mates and classmates joined the thanksgiving mass and dinner reception. This was the day after the high school Class 1958 reunion.

Last, but not the least, another celebration was held here at Mt. Carmel Shrine. It was dubbed “40 years a priest, 40 years serving the Philippine Church, and 68th birthday.” Many Carmelites and other priests joined the mass with, Fr. Arnie as the main celebrant and Fr. Chito Reyes, OCD, Provincial, as the preacher. A dinner party was held afterwards in the Fr. Mark Horal Hall for more than three hundred persons. A wonderful time was had by all. The Jubilee celebration also brought in five hundred thousand pesos for the Foundation for Carmelite Scholastics.

Brother Niel will soon be Rev. Niel on November 14th. Nathaniel Maravilloso, OCD of our community will be ordained a deacon. Niel is from Maasin, Iloilo. He will have plenty of work here with preaching, baptisms and blessings.

Brother Dominic, OCD is doing better in his struggle with cancer. He has just finished six sessions of chemotherapy. He is also drinking plenty of vegetable and fruits juice. With this and the TLC of his care-givers and the community he is gaining weight and feeling stronger. Let us continue to pray for him.

We have had two important visitors recently: Fr. Michael Fitzgerald, OCD from Ireland and Fr. Kevin Culligan, OCD from the Washington Province.

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