REPORT OF THE OUR LADY OF DIVINE GRACE OCDS COMMUNITY MISSION OUTREACH
Date: 11 October 2026
Venue: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church,Talegaon and Prerana Bhawan Wakad(MC Sisters), Pune.

Fourteen members of the Our Lady of Divine Grace OCDS Community, Ramwadi, Pune, visited Talegaon on 11 October 2026 for a day of prayer, spiritual enrichment, fellowship and mission outreach under the guidance and direction of their Spiritual Assistant, Rev. Fr. Lancy Mendonca, OCD.

The day began with the recitation of Lauds, followed by the Holy Mass at 8:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Talegaon. The Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, OCD, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Lancy Mendonca, OCD. During the Holy Mass, our community member Mrs Teresa DCruz was formally admitted into the formation stage of Aspirancy.

After Mass, the members interacted with the parishioners, sharing information about the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) and encouraging interested members to explore the Carmelite vocation. The community members also shared their personal experiences of being part of the OCDS, highlighting its spiritual benefits and how it has helped them grow in faith and deepen their Carmelite spirituality. The members then gathered for breakfast.

A spiritual session was conducted by Rev. Fr. Pawan Saldanha, OCD, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Talegaon, offering the members an opportunity for spiritual reflection and growth on the topic “The Mission of the OCDS”.

The mission outreach continued with visits to three communities of the St. Anne of the Providence Sisters in Talegaon: the elderly sisters, the special school and the novitiate house. These visits provided opportunities for fellowship, interaction, and sharing the joy of community life. Following the visits, Mrs. Jennifer proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to Rev. Fr. Pawan Saldanha, OCD, for his warm welcome, hospitality, and support. The members then gathered for lunch.

In the afternoon, the community visited the destitute home run by the Missionaries of Charity in Wakad. Groceries purchased with contributions collected from OCDS members were offered to support the residents. The visit also included fun activities and moments of joyful interaction, bringing warmth and companionship to those cared for at the home. Mrs Teresa DCruz proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the Missionaries of Charity for welcoming the community and providing an opportunity to share moments of joy and fellowship with the residents.

The day was a meaningful expression of Carmelite spirituality through prayer, vocation promotion, fellowship, and service to others. It reminded the members of the importance of living their faith through acts of love, compassion and generosity.

The mission outreach programme concluded with hearts filled with gratitude to God for the opportunity to grow in faith and serve others as a community.