Carmelites make first professions

Published September 27, 2022

The Carmelite Monastery in Little Rock recently accepted the first professions of two sisters. Born Lynne M. Purkey, Sister Marie Therese of Christ the Redeemer made her first profession Aug. 6. Her brother Gary Purkey and friends from southern California joined her for the Mass celebrated by chaplain Msgr. Lawrence Frederick and concelebrated by Father Jerome Early, OCD, Father Bonaventure Sauer, OCD, and Father Ed Graves. 

A native of California, Sister Marie Therese took care of her ailing parents for 15 years before joining the convent. She has a master’s degree in counseling 

Born Marisa Joly Butler, Sister Josefina Rose of Jesus made her first profession Sept. 10. Her parents Tom and Jeanne Butler, seven brothers and sisters, a sister-in-law, niece, nephew and aunt attended the Mass celebrated by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor and concelebrated by Msgr. Frederick, Father Graves, Father Early and Father Sauer.

Sister Josefina Rose of Tempe, Ariz., was a caregiver before she entered the Carmel of St. Teresa. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Arizona State University in 2005.

Sister Marie Therese and Sister Josefina Rose can make their final profession in five years.