On Sunday, August 28^th, 2011, on the feast of Saint Augustine, the Assumptionists celebrated the fifth anniversary of their arrival in Sokode (Togo).

On that occasion, six young Togolese made their first commitment in the Assumptionist religious family. The celebration, presided by Fr. Michel Carrière, assistant to the Provincial of France, Fr. Benoît Gschwind, took place in the parish of Our Lady of the Assumption,·adminstered by the Assumptionists in the city of Sokode.

In the 1960s the Second Vatican Council made significant changes in the way Roman Catholics worship. These changes were long overdue and have been most beneficial. It is particularly important for congregations to hear the Word of God and respond to it in their own language.

So why does a group of Catholic lay people  continue learning and singing the ancient Latin chants of the Church? Doesn’t this contradict the pastoral thrust of Vatican II?

The Associate Missionaries of the Assumption is a lay volunteer mission program wherein the lives of a community of persons are rooted in the love of Jesus Christ and His Church. Their lives are marked by bearing witness to:

- a community life characterized by a commitment to personal and communal growth, the values of a simple lifestyle, the spirituality of the contemplative in action, and a spirit of trust;

- a prayer life deeply rooted in Jesus and Mary, the celebration of the Eucharist, and the celebration of prayer in community;

-  a life in mission impelled by the faith to work for the Christian transformation of society, which comes from faith.

For more information on the program and recent photos of volunteers on mission, check out the AMA web site: www.AssumptionVolunteers.org

The Assumptionist Center in Brighton, MA recently welcomed six new residents. Though classes were well underway for those enrolled in degree or sabbatical programs, the Orientation Day began on Sunday, September 11^th with a con-celebrated Liturgy with Fr. Claude Grenache, A.A., superior of the house, as principal celebrant. Fr. Claude warmly welcomed the new and returning residents, our two resident families, employees and the Center’s staff on behalf of the local community of Assumptionists. In his homily, Fr. Claude challenged those gathered to live the message of the Sunday gospel, that is, as followers of Christ we must be men and women of faith and forgiveness. Committed to prayer and the Eucharist in our community setting, we have as our models the lives of St. Augustine and Fr. d’Alzon. At the Liturgy’s conclusion, the new residents were invited to come forward to receive the Prayer of Christians, the congregation’s Rule of Life and a special blessing conferred by all. The poignancy of the Liturgy was greatly enhanced by the cantor, musicians and the full bodied voices of the congregation.