– Would you share with us a bit of your family’s background and your early education?

Dr. Cesareo – My parents came to the U.S. as immigrants from Italy after World War II and settled in Queens, NY. What was most important to them, as newcomers to this new land and second only to their faith in God, was the high value they placed on education, both of which they passed on successfully to their children. As a family living in Queens, we belonged to St. Margaret’s Parish. When it came time for high school, I went to Cathedral Prep Seminary and then on to the college in Douglaston, NY. During that time however, it became clear to me that I was being called to be a teacher but not necessarily as a priest.

– Where did your higher education and pursuit of teaching take you from there?

Dr. Cesareo – From Douglaston, I went to Fordham University for my Master’s and Ph.D. in history, after which I won a Fulbright scholarship to study in Rome with a focus on the religious orders of the Catholic Reformation of the 16^th century.

The annual Novena to St. Anne took place on July 18th - 26th at St. Anne's Shrine in Fiskdale, MA. The nine day novena, which focused on the theme "Teach Us To Pray," drew pilgrims from many different cultures including: Polish, Vietnamese, Hispanic, African and Eastern Orthodox.

Each evening the Rosary was recited followed by Mass with a guest presider each night. On the final morning, the feast of St. Anne, an Anointing Service and Mass was celebrated for the sick. In the evening, the novena concluded with a Mass and candlelight procession.

Next year will be the 125th anniversary of the novena.

CAMPUS MINISTRY DIRECTOR – ASSUMPTION COLLEGE

– Would you share with us a bit about your background and education?

James – Coming to Assumption College was a surprise for me but providentially has become an excellent ‘fit’ for me. I believe this because of the preparation I had with the Benedictines in high school in Kansas and then in their minor seminary in California. For a time, I was also a novice with them.

Bayard Press Canada is a ministry of the Augustinians of the Assumption/Assumptionists. Worldwide one of the specialities of Bayard Press is its children's publications. In Canada, Owl, Chicadee, and Chirp are three well-known magazines for young people, ages 3-13.

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