MADRID, 23-27 SEPTEMBER 2013

PRESENT:   Marcelo Marcial,  Jimena Garcia, Francisco (Paco) Rentero, Claude Grenache
Not able to attend:  Marie-Claire Rouquet, Silvan

OVERVIEW OF THE ALLIANCE IN THE CONGREGATION

Clearly the Province of Africa outnumbers all the others with over 300 Lay Assumptionists.  All the groups are accompanied by a Religious.  There is a great deal of diversity in these groups.  In accordance with the General Chapter #72, they have petitioned to be recognized officially as a Society of lay people and presented us with a seven page document containing a proposal for the Statutes of the Association. Unfortunately, Silvan received his Visa too late and was unable to attend the meeting.

For this month’s Sunday ‘Conversations…,’ at the Assumptionist Center in Brighton, the community, residents and guests welcomed Dr. Francesco Cesareo, President of Assumption College. However, his purpose in coming was not so much due to his role at the college but to address the focus, goals and challenges of the National Review Board of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, of which he is currently the chair. This board is charged with overseeing and monitoring the bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” which was drafted in response to the sexual abuse crisis in the Church. This completely lay board of thirteen members from all regions of the United States serves as a consultative body to the bishops. It provides an important function in the Church’s effort to restore trust and to bring about healing among the faithful.

The novitiate community, gathered from far and wide once again, recently held their short and concise local chapter during which they proposed some goals and schedules for the year which consist of: classes, talks meetings and prayer. In addition there are other routine activities that make up daily life. Needing a breather, the community decided to take a three day venture up to New Hampshire and drive the famous Kancamagus Highway to enjoy the marvelous colors of this fall season. Needless to say, this greatly impressed those who have come from Asia and Africa.

THIS POOR ONE CRIED OUT
AND THE LORD HEARD
Psalm 34 :7

One winter's evening in 338 at Amiens, Martin is 18 years old and a soldier in the Roman army. This illustration depicts him sharing his coat with a poor fellow benumb with cold. This 19^th century water-color painting shows him tearing

Letter # 2 of the Superior General
Fr. Benoît Grière

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