Statement on Little Flower, Oklahoma City
Dear families and parishioners of Little Flower, today I share the sad and painful news of the impending departure of the Discalced Carmelite Friars from Little Flower Parish of Oklahoma City. Over the last decade we have prayed and worked diligently to discern God’s will for our Semi-Province of St. Thérèse. Throughout this time, but especially throughout the last triennium, we realized that difficult decisions were necessary because of the fewer Friars available for ministry and community life.
In leaving Little Flower we are answering the call to strengthen our life as religious by living out more intensely the communal and contemplative aspects of our Carmelite Vocation. Though Little Flower has been our most beloved home since the 1920s, the call of our Order to return to the essentials of our charism and the zeal of our origins has led us to decide that it is time to fully entrust the vitality of this Parish to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. This thoughtful and spirit-led transition will take place over the next 12 months. I pray you will embrace this decision and support this important endeavor. On behalf of myself as Provincial, the Provincial Council, and all the Discalced Carmelite Friars of the Semi-Province of St. Thérèse, we thank you and the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City for allowing us the privilege to serve you and this community. Our work here at Little Flower Parish has always been done with love for you, God’s people. Even when we have not been the perfect servants, your collaboration, dedication, and faithfulness to God, the Church, and to us, the Carmelites, has been a great gift for our Semi-Province and the Order. Your support and friendship in our ministries over the nearly 100 years have transformed many generations and many lives, including ours. Please know that you will never be forgotten and will remain an important family member with a special place in the hearts of all the friars.
As we prepare to transition the care of Little Flower into the hands of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, we are thankful to God for calling us here to serve our brothers and sisters. Our history in the state of Oklahoma has been long and joyous, and we are glad to have shared with you the beauty of Carmel. With gratitude to God for past and present generations of this Parish, be assured of our continued prayers for you and your family!
In Carmel,
Fr. Luis Joaquín Castañeda, O.C.D.
Provincial
*This statement was originally issued in person at Little Flower Parish, Oklahoma City, on Saturday, July 29, 2023