Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

On September 6, 2025, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Winter Park welcomed six lay Carmelites after a year of formation. This marks the initial step toward their temporary profession, with five more years of study ahead before final profession.

Maria Balisado, a lay Carmelite involved in forming the group that includes members from age 21 to seniors, explained the process. “I know it seems rigorous but if one is called to this vocation, usually one attains desired status for the glory of God,” she said. She noted that perseverance comes from faith.

Geoffrey Brooks is the youngest among them. His involvement began by accompanying his mother, Waleska, to monthly meetings. “Since I was already with her, I got an idea of what they did in this (apostolate) and more and more I began familiarizing myself and thought I would give it a shot,” he said.

As an engineering student in college, Brooks shared how participation changed his approach to life. “But being a part of this apostolate forced me to go beyond that and dig deeper than just surface level,” he said. “Now I have a different outlook on life. Now I have to slow down more. Before everything was fast paced. Now I have a chance to sit down and reflect.”

Brooks described how joining required intentional changes due to commitments such as praying the Liturgy of the Hours, reading Scripture, and attending lessons.

He spoke about looking forward to his final profession in five years: “I feel like I will have a different perspective and will look at the world in a different way as compared to other people my age.” He also expressed hope for further healing following the loss of his older brother ten years ago.

Healing is also significant for Waleska Brooks after losing her son Ruben at age 30 due to systemic and psoriatic rheumatoid arthritis. Geoffrey was born eighteen years after Ruben; Waleska calls him her “miracle baby” because she did not expect another child. She felt Geoffrey’s birth helped her endure Ruben’s death and now finds sharing the Carmelite journey with him meaningful.

“My heart was broken. It still is,” said Waleska about Ruben’s passing. “But enriching myself in the stories (the Carmelites) share and what we discuss and how we would apply it to our life is helping me heal. Although I’m not healed completely, it helps me enrich my faith to look at things in different ways,” she said. She added that it encouraged her “to slow down and live with less.”

Both mother and son are active in service through rosary ministry and church functions. Geoffrey also assists the deaf community using American Sign Language, plays saxophone for Central Florida Community Arts Symphony Orchestra, and studies photonic engineering at University of Central Florida.

They plan to attend the regional gathering of lay Carmelites in October at St. James Cathedral.

The Diocese of Orlando was established in 1968 and covers Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties with 79 parishes, 11 missions, two basilicas, and 43 Catholic schools under Bishop James Noonan’s leadership.

For those interested in joining or learning about Lay Carmelites or Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites locally, contact information has been provided by parish representatives.