(East London is a melting-pot of individuals from the four corners of the world. At the center of the Bethnal Green neighborhood is located the Assumptionist parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, which has been at the forefront of an effort to create a welcoming climate for all, no matter one’s religion, race, ethnic origin, economic status, or level of education. It has been and continues to be a long-term project.)

As he arrives at St. Elizabeth Elementary School, Fr. Tom O’Brien sets his umbrella down and begins to shake hands with the parents of some of the students, with teachers, and with members of the staff.  Then he’s off at a brisk pace to the school’s gymnasium. On this gray Thursday afternoon, the Assumptionist pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Bethnal Green will spend two hours with the school’s 300 students.….. some blonds, some brunettes, a few redheads; some Caucasian, some African, some Asian. Even a few veils can be seen. They are all waiting for Fr. Tom to celebrate Mass at the end of one hundred days of prayer for peace.

The Church of Saint Monica, Nairobi, rocked to typical African liturgical music with songs sung by a choir of over 70 people wearing red anniversary shirts, dancing as they sang. This was but one sign of the abundant joy that marked the celebration of the Assumptionists’ 25 year presence in East Africa. The archbishop of Nairobi, Cardinal John Njue, accompanied by some 20 priests led the overflowing congre-gation of over 800 worshippers to mark this anniversary but also to witness the diaconal ordination of two young brothers: Jacob Barasa of Kenya and Jean-Marie Mutulirano of DR Congo.  The A.A.’s were joined by many sisters of the A.A. family: Oblates, Orantes, Religious and several lay assumptionists were also on hand.

To Our Fellow Religious in the Congregation and Friends of the Assumption

Dear Friends,

The Assumption in Madagascar became a province at the recent vice-provincial chapter presided by the provincial, Fr. Etienne Ratalata Rafanambinantsoa, and honored by the presence of the superior general, Fr. Benoît Grière. We wish to give thanks to the Lord for the existence of the Assumption and for having placed in the hearts of so many missionaries the desire to implant the Assumptionist charism in Malagasy soil.