Last Fall, the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus opened a new residence  for women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. This is a new apostolate for the sisters, who previously ran a boys home on the site that began as an orphanage back in 1916. The building can house 15 independent and ambulatory women in beautiful apartments designed to give the women their independence while building community though the common eating area, work assignments and spiritual nourishment.

As parents age, their desire to find a safe and nurturing home for a daughter or son with special needs becomes a worrying issue. They are looking for a place where their loved one will be safe, happy, busy and spiritually nourished. This home addresses that concern and then some with activities, religious education, daily Mass, beautiful accommodations, and a community spirit, all under the watchful and loving care of the sisters whose convent is located on the same grounds.

They also plan on opening a Formation and Enrichment Center in the Fall for men and women with IDD, offering a wide range of programs and activities for adults seeking to grow to their fullest potential. Many thanks to Fr. Al Veik, OFM Cap., Sr. M. Rose Therese, Carmel DCJ, and Teresa for their warm welcome.

Please visit their website for more information or email:  srrosetherese.stjo@gmail.com

The charism of their Foundress, Mother Maria Teresa of St. Joseph, was to put the CONTEMPLATIVE spirit of Carmel into the ACTIVE SERVICE of the direct apostolate, aggregated with the First Order of Discalced Carmelites…. A gift to the Church and the world and a new branch on the Ancient Tree.