On Friday, December 5, 2014, in the magnificent Palazzo Bonaparte in Rome, the home of the French embassy to the Vatican, an all-day colloquium was held to honor a unique Assumptionist priest on the occasion of a recently published biography by French historian, Ms. Françoise Paoli, who had also become a friend of Fr. Wenger in his later years. The colloquium, co-sponsored by the French embassy, where Fr. Wenger served as a cultural attaché, and by the Assumptionists, brought together an array of scholars, journalists, diplomats, and fellow religious.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Digodigo is found near the Kenyan border to the northwest of Arusha beyond Lake Natron and the Ngorongoro Crater

Assumption in Africa continues to grow in Tanzania. In response to a request from the archbishop of Arusha, Most Rev. Josaphat Lebulu, the Plenary General Council of the Congregation approved the opening of a new parish, St. Augustine’s, in Digodigo. The official inauguration took place in Digodigo this past August 28 on the feast of St. Augustine. Archbishop Lebulu presided the ceremony during this year that the Assumptionists are marking their 25^th anniversary in East Africa. Joining the archbishop were the regional superior, Fr. Simon Njuguna, the new pastor, Fr. Melchior Vanzwa, other Assumptionist confrères from Tanzania, some Oblate Sisters of the Assumption, who have communities nearby in Loliondo and Wasso, and many parishioners.

A darkened world of war and strife,
Where hate and poverty ran rife,
Awaited a Savior, announced of old,
To warm so many hearts grown cold.

He came but not as a king with power
Or as a bold, strong, and fearless leader;
He came to us simply as a newborn Child,
The Man-God and King, humble and mild.

Our world is again dark with evil and strife
Even as we remember his Birth and his Life.
Will we as disciples now dare to offer his Love
And share with all his Light from above?

A HAPPY AND HOLY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

December 25, 2014 Eugene LaPlante, A.A.