On Thursday, August 22, 2013, Fathers Salvator Musande and John Franck had an extraordinary opportunity to present the work of the Assumptionists in the eastern Congo to a wide variety of personnel from governmental and non-governmental organizations. The meeting was arranged through the good auspices of Dr. Steve Morrison, the brother of Assumption business prof, Bart Morrision, Dr. Steve Morrison is currently the vice-president and director of the Global Health Office at CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies), one of the largest and most influential think tanks in Washington, D.C. Present at the meeting were officials from the State Department and the Department of Defense, members of various offices at the CSIS (Africa, Global Health, Conflict Resolution, etc.), several representatives from humanitarian organizations, a recognized expert in current Congolese affairs, and two former United States ambassadors to Africa countries.

Yesterday we went to the Thai National Museum and to “Chitralada,” a sort of royal compound (we were informed in advance of the dress code in force there because of the close connection of Chitrilada to the king) where a large number of projects, undertaken personally by His Majesty “for the welfare and happiness of his people,” are on display.

During the reign of the earlier kings in the Chakri Dynasty (the last nine kings have been of that dynasty), the projects under taken by them for the advancement of Buddhism were a central feature of each king’s legacy.

By Fr. John Franck, A.A.

August 6, 2013
First Vows
Feast of the Transfiguration
Assumption College, Worcester

Bishop McManus, fellow Assumptionists and members of the wider Assumption family, both religious and lay, Cristian, Eddy, Hoang, German, Renju, Ryan, friends one and all.

A couple of months ago I received the June issue of my favorite magazine, National Geographic, and quickly turned to the featured article entitled “The New Explorers: The Mystery of Risk” and subtitled “Risk-taking: Why do we do it?”

The author goes on to claim that (quote), “risk underlies any journey into the unknown, whether it’s a ship captain’s voyage into uncharted seas, a scientist’s research of dangerous diseases, or an entrepreneur’s investment in a new venture.” (unquote)

And yes, perhaps some disciples’ choice to climb an isolated mountain in galilee with their Master, or even six young men’s pledge to commit their lives to God by listening to a message spoken in the deepest recesses of their heart, to, as our Rule of Life says, “risk their whole lives in the adventure of encountering God.”

By Tanya Connor

WORCESTER – Life is changing for the Augustinians of the Assumption, as their numbers rise again with men coming here from various countries, and modern technology poses new challenges to the formation process. Tuesday six men from six countries made their first vows during the “Rite of First Religious Profession” at  Mass at Assumption College.

Father Richard Lamoureux, their novice master, said the size of the group was encouraging for everybody. The 71-year-old, who is also director of formation for the Province of North America and the Philippines, said he thought that there were seven men in his novitiate 51 years ago, that the province’s biggest class had 10, and that the only bigger class – 15-20 members – was in Democratic Republic of the Congo.