Welcome to the 2012 OCDS Congress website!  We are glad you have found your way here, but will be even MORE thrilled if you find your way to Wakefield, Massachusetts next summer!  Your Congress Committee has been hard at work organizing what we know will be a wonderful Congress focusing on Our Lady and all that She means to our beloved Carmelite Order. 

In addition to Fr. Aloysius Deeney (General Delegate for the OCDS), Carmelite friars and Secular Order speakers, we have been fortunate to engage Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC as a Guest Speaker.  Father Calloway’s incredible vocation story has been the topic of a book, a DVD and numerous worldwide appearances on television, radio and the Internet.  Due to his very busy schedule, he was only available to speak at 7:00 PM on Thursday evening: the opening night of the Congress.  You won’t want to miss his dynamic presentation, so please make every effort to be at the Congress that evening!  You can read more about Fr. Calloway on his website: www.fathercalloway.com.

To register for the Congress, please download the registration form (click here), fill it out and sent to the address indicated, along with your non-refundable (but transferrable*) $150.00 deposit.  Please remember that each registrant needs to send in his/her own form.  Early registration is highly recommended as our Province has over 4,000 Secular members and the Congress is limited to 300 attendees due to the venue space.  In addition, many Carmelites from other parts of the country are planning to attend.  If you register before May 15, 2012, the total cost of the Congress is $300.00; registration after that date will be an additional $50.00.   The Congress fee includes all meals except Thursday and Friday evening (on your own, but buffet or restaurant options available at the hotel; those going to Boston Harbor on Friday night will find plenty of places to eat at Faneuil Hall!)

 

Congress attendees are responsible for making their own hotel registrations for the Sheraton Colonial in Wakefield.  (See link next page.)  Please call (888) 627-7205 and ask for the OCDS Congress discounted group rate of $109.00 per room per night, (not including taxes and based on availability.)  Each room has two queen beds, so theoretically up to four people could share a room (thus splitting the cost of the room.)  This rate is guaranteed until July 16, 2012 and includes the nights of August 14-19 (for those who may arrive early or stay one more night.)  Please note: Because the Congress must meet its contracted room and board quota, priority for confirmed registrations will go to those staying at the hotel.  Confirmations will be sent via e-mail, phone or postal mail on a first-come, first-served basis.  Once the hotel quota is reached, commuter applications will then be processed and confirmed in the order in which they were received, depending on space available.

 
The final schedule has yet to be determined, but Congress activities also include:

            Saturday morning Mass with Cardinal Seán O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston

            Optional Friday evening bus trip to Boston Harbor, historic Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market

            Optional visit to the Danvers Carmelite Monastery (on your own)

            Vendors of Carmelite/religious items including ICS Publications, Clarion Communications, and Living Vine