On Sunday, September 8th the community and residents officially began another year at the Assumptionist Center in Brighton, MA. Beginning at Mass and during the orientation session, the new religious members and residents were welcomed and invited to introduce themselves. Continuing the celebration, everyone then enjoyed a cookout in the backyard with guests joining in on the fun and festivities!
Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 September 2013 15:45
On Sunday, September 1st, the community, residents and guests of the Assumptionist Center in Brighton, MA celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Fr. Donald, A.A.'s profession as an Assumptionist. Following Mass and during the social and lunch folks shared stories and living memories of the impact he has had on the lives of many during his years as an Assumptionist. All wished him many more years of God's choicest blessings!
Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 September 2013 15:34
Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected.
There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming.
As I jot down these first random thoughts on my experience here in Bangkok, echoing over the canal and rice paddies outside my window, the Muslim call to prayer is sounding: Allah, hu-akbar! I haven’t suffered from much jet lag, but just the same, hearing that call I have to take hold of myself and ask, “Where am I?” Suddenly I’m back in Jerusalem…where I was just a few weeks ago. But no, this is Thailand and I’m at a conference on the relation between Buddhism and Christianity!
For some years now I’ve been bringing students from Assumption with me to visit Israel. The Assumptionists have a place in Jerusalem where we can stay—it’s secure, inexpensive…and wonderfully located just outside the walls of the Old City. It serves as our base as we hike around the city. We visit the chief sites, especially those there linked to the Biblical texts—the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Western Wall, the Temple Mount-- places the students have all heard of, but which come awesomely alive as they walk about that city so dense with history. Right on our property in Jerusalem, for instance, there is a stone stairway, part of an ancient walkway between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives; it dates to the time of Jesus and was certainly used by him as he made his frequent treks between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount just opposite.
