We have entered Lent: a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is a time of spiritual renewal as well. For us, Africans, this year, we do so as we experience the particular reality of the northern half of our continent, Arab Africa, as we often call it.  Unprecedented events are taking place there and we all worry whether they will lead to lasting democratic changes or to a simple “cosmetic makeover” which will soon reveal the wrinkles that come with age.  Food for thought!

(Fr. Alain Thomasset is an Assumptionist currently teaching theology this Spring 2011 semester at Assumption College in Worcester. He is "on loan" from the Region of South Belgium where he is a member of the Maranatha community. Fr. Alain holds a doctorate in theology from Louvain University. He dedicated his doctoral thesis to the work of  Blessed John Cardinal Newman.)

Conversations at the Center - Sunday, March 6, 2011

The lay volunteer program, Associate Missionaries of the Assumption, was the focus of the latest in a series of “Conversations at the Center” in Brighton, MA. Sponsored by the Religious of the Assumption and the Augustinians of the Assumption and as stated in their mission statement, “AMA is a lay community of persons whose life and mission are rooted in the love of Christ and His Church.”

New London, Conn. (February 28, 2011)—Bayard Magazine Group has acquired all future publication rights to Faith & Family magazine from Circle Media, a publishing apostolate of the Legionaries of Christ.

Faith & Family, a magazine for young Catholic families, is the center of a Christ-focused community of like-minded mothers who encourage and support one another in the joyful, challenging, important work of Catholic living. This sharing of wisdom and inspiration takes place in the pages of the magazine as well as on its vibrant website - www.faithandfamilylive.com.