Living with Christ, a monthly missal published by Bayard, has gathered a team of editors and managers from different countries in an effort to consolidate their efforts into becoming an international brand and mission. This meeting was held in New London, CT last December 4, 2013.

Jean-Marie Montel, head of Bayard’s religious division, convoked this meeting. Those who attended the meeting were: Christophe Mauratille (Director, Bayard Africa and Asia), Dan Connors (Editor, LWC-US), Nina Silvestri (Managing Editor, LWC-US), Karem Bustica (Editor, Prions en Eglise France), Danielle Bean (Editor, Catholic Digest), Br. Blair Nuyda (Assumptionist and Editor, LWC-Philippines) and Pam Brown (Director of Marketing).

Each of the delegates had the chance to present the strengths and challenges of their respective editions. While it is certainly encouraged to adapt each edition to the unique local church and local culture, there is also a need for a global strategy and system of collaboration. Currently the monthly missal is available in these editions: France (Prions en Eglise, Prions en Eglise Junior), United States (LWC), Canada (Prions en Eglise and LWC), Philippines (LWC), and more recently– Africa (Prions en Eglise).

Brother Blair, now based in Worcester, continues his work as editor of LWC Philippines. In addition to this, he helps in facilitating Bayard’s internship program for students of Assumption College. He frequently travels to New London to collaborate with the LWC United States team. He brings to the team a young Assumptionist spirit of mission and sponsorship.

Other Assumptionists from the Province who regularly collaborate with Bayard are: Fr. Richard Lamoureux (LWC-US), Fr. Alex Castro (LWC-Philippines), Fr. Roland Guilmain (Catholic Digest). Recently, some Assumptionists were also asked to write commentaries on the daily mass readings: Fr. Claude Grenache, Fr. Sal Musande and Fr. Donald Espinosa. Fr. Peter Precourt is a member of the Board of Trustees.

Bayard Asia rises to the challenge

The various Bayard groups in Asia have met in their first regional meeting last November 2014. Led by Christophe Mauratille, director of Asia and Africa, some ideas were shared and strategies for growth and collaboration were discussed.

Representatives from Hong Kong, Philippines and Vietnam where Bayard exists attended the said meeting. The crucial issue of starting projects with limited resources and personnel remains but so is the big challenge of new evangelization, especially in this part of the world where there are so many young people thirsting for the Word of God.

Fr. Bernard Holzer and Br. Blair Nuyda continue to be in contact with the more-established Bayard teams in the United States (New London, CT and St. Louis, MO) to discuss future projects.