With the Feast of the Assumption approaching on August 15th, Paulist priest, Fr. Jack Collins, CSP, was sent out into New York City to find out the Assumption IQ of citizens on the street. The first of many ventures of Jack hitting the streets...

Many from the US region gathered for the annual Fourth of July cookout hosted by the Brighton community. The weather could not have been better, and the celebration was enhanced by the presence of some of our brothers from the "diaspora:" Fr. Teddy Fortier from our community in Athens, Greece; and Frs. Luc Martel and Oliver Blanchette from our mission in East Africa. We were joined also by our Sisters from Worcester, the Religious of the Assumption. As part of the occasion, Fr. Dennis Gallagher, Regional Superior, offered some words of thanks on behalf of the community to Fr. John Franck, for his nine years of generous service to his brothers as Provincial Superior.

In the chapel of the Assumptionist general house in Rome, a Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, October 12, in memory of His Excellency Charles Mbogha, A.A., Archbishop of Bukavu, who died on Sunday, October 9. The Mass was presided by His Excellency, Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Archbishop of Kisangani and president of the National Conference of Bishops of the Congo (C.E.N.CO.), accompanied by four other Congolese bishops: His Excellency, Tharcisse TSHIBANGU, Bishop of Mbujimayi and Vice-President of the National Conference of Bishops of the Congo (C.E.N.CO.), His Excellency, Nestor NGOY, Bishop of Kolwezi, His Excellency KABONGO, bishop emeritus of Luebo, and His Excellency GAPANGWA, bishop emeritus of Uvira. The first three are participating in the current synod of bishops on the Eucharist being held in Rome. Concelebrants included the members of the Assumptionist general curia and twenty or so Congolese diocesan or religious priests. There were also in attendance many Congolese religious and lay-people.

Homily by the Very Rev. Richard Lamoureux, AA (standing), Superior General of the Assumptionists

In spite of a foot of snow, our Filipino Christmas Concert took place in the Assumption College Chapel on Sunday, December 7 (featuring Assumptionist novices and candidates, Assumption Sisters and members of the College Choir Chapel). About 50 people (from as far away as New Jersey) enjoyed a great show for the benefit of the Assumptionist-Foundation-in-the-Philippines Project.

::PICTURE GALLERY