On Sunday, April 3, 2011, the last session for the semester of “Conversation at the Center” took place at the Assumptionist Center in Brighton, MA. The topic “From Lutheran to Roman Catholic” was the focus of Erik Hesla’s presentation in which he shared his personal story and journey from Lutheranism to Catholicism. Erik, a graduate student at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, is a second year resident at the Center. He and his siblings, a brother and a sister, were born and baptized into a Lutheran family and church. Some years ago now, Erik’s family chose to enter into full communion with the Church.

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF ASSUMPTIONIST PRESENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES: AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DELEGATION'S SUPERIOR, REV. BERNARD HOLZER, A.A.

Question 1: Fr. Bernard, you recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Assumptionists' presence in the Philippines. Could you tell us a little about the celebration?

It was a really quite a simple celebration. We invited the entire Assumption Family present in Manila and Antipolo: the Religious of the Assumption who welcomed us here 5 years ago and whose help in getting us settled has been inestimable, sending us our first vocations, young men teaching in their schools…

A letter from the Vatican in which Archbishop Fernando Filoni extends greetings from his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI on Catholic Digest’s 75th Anniversary this year.

During the Papal audience on Wednesday April 6, 2011, a large delegation from Bayard Press, the Assumptionist-owned publication house,  lead by Father  André Antoni, A.A., a member of the Board of Directors, came to Rome to present to the Pope a publication of Bayard called “Fiches Croire," a real tool for the new evangelization that is so close to the heart of the current Holy Father.

In the United States "Fiches Croire" are called "Faith Matters" and are published by Bayard, Inc. Currently there 12 versions available: "The Bible: A treasure trove waiting to be discovers;" "Why should I go to confessions?" "Depression... How can I overcome it?" "Divorced: How do you rebuild your life?" "The Eucharist: A great mystery!" "I've lost my faith..." "How do you read the gospels?" " Living through the ordeal of illness;" "Face to face with suicide;" "Who is Jesus?" "Why do evil and suffering Exist?" "When we're shaken by death."

We asked Father André to talk to us about the project and its implementation.