His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales among members of the Assumptionist Community in Brighton and their guests

The Assumptionist Center in Brighton opens its doors to many visitors. On Saturday afternoon and evening (September 30), we were happy to receive the visit of Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, the Archbishop of Manila, Philippines. The Cardinal was in the Boston area to visit and pray with his brothers and sisters in the Filipino-American community and to promote his Pondo ng Pinoy program to feed the poor and provide for the needs of the disadvantaged.

“Can we continue to work as we have until now to spread far and wide the Catholic spirit, open to all people, to all rites, to all traditions? My father, I believe so, in spite of all the difficulties.” (Pavel Djidjov)

The feast of our three martyrs is approaching and once again we are called to reflect on the meaning of their witness, on the importance of this event, today, for the entire Assumption Family.
The road to holiness is not a solitary road, but rather it is written in a long history where God’s grace is revealed through our relationships, through places or people who prepare the ground for us, who show us the way.
One cannot understand the witness of faith of our three Bulgarian fathers, Kamen Vitchev, Pavel Djidjov, and Josaphat Chichkov, without recalling all the men and women religious who preceded them and who created the conditions that fostered the flourishing of their faith.
This feast of November 13 invites us to expand our horizons. It is necessary to acknowledge with gratitude that the “Mission d’Orient” (Mission in Eastern Europe) is the fruit of self-giving of numerous priests, brothers, and sisters (coming first of all from France and, then, particularly from the Province of Lyon, which extended well beyond the borders of France) and that this mission to Eastern Europe continues its history thanks to the generosity of the Province of France.

At the invitation of Fr. Dennis Gallagher, NA Provincial and on behalf of Fr. Richard Lamoureux, AA Superior General, a group of lay people gathered Sunday, February 11th, 2007 at the Assumptionist community residence in Worcester.

The gathering included friends of the Assumptionists through connections to the college, prep school, Cassadega, St. Anne’s Parish in Fiskdale, and Brighton communities. Fr. Lamoureux animated the discussion by citing the General Council’s commitment to developing bonds with the laity and citing Fr. D’Alzon’s intention from the beginning to involve the laity in the life and spirit of the Assumptionists. Several people expressed affection and gratitude for role the Assumptionists have played in their lives and a desire to work toward realizing the vision of the General Council.

In attendance:

Roland Malboeuf, Al Gaulin, Kip Muldoon, Richard Gallant, Richard Donais, Tomasz Jaster, Tomasz Kierul, Frank (Harry) Aubuchon

Discussion/Decisions:

• New members were brought up to date, contact lists, Alumni Update document and Associates program description were passed out
• 
  Names and original home addresses of class of 1970 was passed to all
• 
  More work needs to be done to track down students from other classes
• 
  Summer reunion will be held on Sunday August 26th at St. Anne in Fiskdale to hopefully attract those who are away during the summer
• 
  Kick off will be earlier (9am) to allow for more "reunion time"
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  Separate Mass for just Cassadagans and guests
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  Catered lunch for 50-75 people targeted at $10-12 per head
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  Activities during the day to possibly include, volleyball and/or bouncy bouncy (with medics standing by), Trivial Pursuit (Cassadaga style), "skits" honoring some of our "favorite" priests/brothers/classmates, ping pong and chess
• 
  Formal announcement regarding Associates of the Assumptionists - info will also be pre-mailed
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  Email blast to hold the date will go out in the next few days, and post card follow-up shortly after
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  Regional reunions will be planned for 2008 and 2009 to be followed by a giant anniversary reunion in 2010 (50 years Cassadaga, 150 years death of Fr. D'Alzon)

• more at www.cassadagaseminary.org