Force behind Assumption College's Mexico Mission

William (Bill) Sadd, former professor at Assumption College, writes of the extraordinary experience of knowing Sr. Lupita Lama, RA. With his permission, we share his memories with you.

In Memory of Sr. Guadalupe Eugenia Lama, R.A.
1916 - 2011

1. Mother of God of Tenderness

Also known as Eleousa (Virgin of Tenderness, Tender Mercy). The icon can be recognized by the arm of the Child around the neck of the mother. The face of the Virgin that is looking towards us is full of warmth and human comprehension, but also with deep sadness. It is among the best known in the Western World. It's one of the oldest icons of the type.

Location - Emmanuel House (an Assumptionist Community at Assumption College), Worcester, MA

by Fr. Protais Kabila Kalondo, A.A., Regional Superior, East Africa

During our recent provincial chapter, we reaffirmed our commitment to open a mission in Uganda, this nation of martyrs. We will be in the diocese of Lugazi, in a town called Kyavakadde, which means "village of the elders." It is here that we will open a new parish, St. Augustine's. At present, two young Assumptionist priests, Pierre Kisangani and Gilbert Paluku Maghese, are learning the local language of the region since everyone speaks Luganda alone. Together with the bishop, we decided to place them in separate locations for the time being so that they could master the language better and more quickly.

The pioneers of the first foundation of the Assumptionist Mission in Uganda have arrived in Kampala from the D.R.Congo. Gilbert Maghese will be the Pastor of the new parish in Uganda. In his message Gilbert writes: “We are in Uganda, Kisangani and myself since Saturday, January 15, 2011. We live in two different parishes for learning the local language Luganda. Kisangani is in Mukono Town, 25 km (15.5 miles) from Kampala city, and I at 10 km (6 miles) from there in the Parish of Naggalama, which will give birth to our own. The county where the future Parish will be built is called Kyavakadde. We will open our parish when we are able to speak Luganda. That is our concern now. We count on your prayers.”

This is a new missionary adventure of the Assumptionists in the Province of Africa at this time of the global recession and difficult financial moment in the congregation. If the mission is successful, the Assumptionists will now be in the three main African English-Speaking Countries where we hope to get vocations to supply our English-speaking missions around the world in the future. The brothers have to study the local language and English before opening the parish. They have arrived in Uganda with a group of four Oblate religious sisters (the feminine branch of the Assumptionists) who are also going to open a new mission in the same country.