Carmelite Conversations :: 8 April 2026

A LONGING HEART

Our desire for God

There are seasons in every human life.

Some pass quickly.

Others seem to linger.

Some arrive unexpectedly

— moments of longing, restlessness,

or quiet searching.

Have you ever felt that desire for something more?

A deeper meaning… a fuller life… a sense that something is missing?

The Carmelite tradition recognises this longing as essential to who we are.

• We are made to seek.

• We are made to desire.

• We are made for God.

Wednesday 8 April 2026

7.00pm – 8.30pm (Melbourne Time)

Together, we will explore:

• The restlessness at the centre of the human heart

• The deeper meaning behind our desires

• How longing leads us toward God

• The invitation to a life of prayer and transformation

“Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” — St Augustine

Schedule: Each of the five seasons of the heart will be presented twice. One presentation will be presented in the morning online and the same presentation will be repeated a month later, but in the evening.

Format: the morning presentation will be online only. The evening presentation will be online and in-person.

Carmelite Conversations throughout 2026 will explore the “Seasons of the Heart” as a way of facilitating spiritual journeys. Based on the writings of Fr Jack Welch OCarm, we will focus on the following seasons of the heart:

1. A longing heart – a desire for God

2. An enslaved heart – the worship of false gods

3. A listening heart – contemplative prayer

4. A troubled heart – the tragic life

5. A pure heart – the transformation of desire.

Each session integrates a presentation of the core ideas and some time for contemplative reflection and conversation.

The Carmelite Centre

214 Richardson Street

Middle Park VIC 3206