I have Surely Remembered
(Exodus 3.16 )
by Fr. Dominic Borg, O.C.D.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Carmel,

When God appeared to Moses in the Burning Bush, He used these two important words (Pakod Pakadti), which according to the Jewish Tradition, contain the secret KEY which set in motion the redemption of the Jewish people from their enslavement !

We can rest assured that this Redemption is still alive in the life of each one of us, GOD IS WATCHING OVER US AND HE IS CONSTANTLY SENDING US people, who, like Moses, come to our rescue. These two words are repeated a couple of times in the Old Testament, and whenever we become conscious that God is watching over us, it instills joy in our lives. It replaces darkness with light, slavery with freedom, and fear with courage. At times we do have the tendency to think of situations that make us think of Defeat, but in the Jewish Tradition Defeat is only hitting rock bottom to bounce even HIGHER than we were before.

We are glad to know that Fr Henry is settling down at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Scarborough, and that both Fr Provincial and I, together with Fr Henry, had a very enjoyable meeting. Our Sisters in Zephyr too had a nice celebration, the Blessing of their new HOME, expressing their gratitude to Our Lord and Mary Our Mother, for all their Blessings.

On the 27th of September, 2007, I received a copy of a letter which Fr Luis Arostegui, OCD, Our Superior General, sent to Fr Provincial, Fr Victor Mallia. In this letter we received the information where it was stated that, after Fr General met the Provincial of Karnataka-Goa, and also met the Fathers and some members of the OCDS from B.C. in Seattle during his visitation of the Arizona-California in November 2006, THE MALTESE PROVINCE IS NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR PRESENCE IN B.C. The Karnataka-Goa Province are now in-charge and responsible for this Canadian -Civil-Province. We wish them God's Blessings and we are more than happy to offer them any spiritual assistance that they may need! It was a joy and a great blessing to work with the Fathers, and the OCDS.

Now that the season of Advent is at the door knocking, Teresa, the Secretariat and I are preparing to organize a Day of Reflection. We will keep you posted as soon as we finalize the preparation. God-willing, in January I will be visiting Malta, where I have been invited to give the annual retreat to our Fathers, and also another annual retreat to the O. Carm Fathers. Please keep me in your prayers. Fr Pius has been so kind as to come to take my place during my absence, and also to give a retreat to our Sisters in Zephyr, and help them in their Elections in December. Please remember them in your prayers as well.

The Feast of St John of the Cross is a blessing that comes to our rescue in Advent, so let us do our best to benefit from this opportunity to prepare ourselves for Christmas. One of the great Blessings that the Good Lord bestowed upon me was my recent visit to our Community of the OCDS in Thunder Bay. For sure the Lord is working hard and granting many Blessings to this part of Ontario. I was overwhelmed with joy and the great retreat which we had there with the OCDS. The preparations were fantastic, and the enthusiasm of the OCDS was contagious. Many thanks to Margaret Walsh and all the members.

The Carmel Lights magazine has been waiting for me for nearly two months. Time flies with such a speed, that I have no problem catching it going over the 50km speed limit!!! Christmas is here, and I want to take this opportunity to thank members of the Secretariat for all the help and support that they constantly demonstrate towards me personally and to the ORDER IN CANADA. May Mary, Queen and Mother of Carmel reward you all. We wish Fr Provincial, Fr Victor Mallia, Fr Henry, Fr Pius, our Sisters in Zephyr and ALL OUR FRIARS and SISTERS in MALTA, a Peaceful and Joyous Christmas full of God's Blessing of Peace. We also remember our Province as we prepare ourselves for the Provincial Chapter. We indeed thank whole heartedly our Fr Provincial, Fr Victor Mallia, and his Council for all the support that they have given us, and God-willing will continue to do so. May God reward all of you with His Blessings.

May Christmas find all of you ready to welcome JESUS joyfully in your hearts, and may the Song of the Angels: PEACE ON EARTH, find a place in your hearts and the hearts of your families and friends.

Have a HAPPY and JOYFUL CHRISTMAS!
In Carmel,


Fr. Dominic Borg, OCD