young members of Mexican Assumption and pilgrims arriving on the eve of Guadeloupe Feast

On December 12, 2017 the Assumptionists religious provided 87 prayer services and Masses to celebrate the most important religious event for the Mexican Catholics.  Twenty five Assumptionist brothers and fathers have gathered in the Mexico City communities of San Andreas, Casa Manuel and Emperatriz visiting churches, chapels and private homes from 8 am till 8 pm serving thousands of people. Celebration included all day fireworks, music, dancing and meals. During the same time millions of pilgrims have traveled to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City. Father Alex Castro, Brother Dagoberto and Tomasz Jaster had an opportunity to visit and observe the preparations at the Basilica on the eve of the feast. They were struck by the number of people gathering in the areas, which were setting up tents, blankets or were just sleeping on the ground in order to be present at the Basilica on the day of the feast. Mexicans are very grateful for the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe for their country and love to express their love to her very generously.

Fr. Dennis Gallagher, provincial, places a cross on newly accepted postulant, Matthew Mary Onyemaechi Okerete

On Wednesday evening, December 6, Matthew Mary Onyemaechi Okereke was accepted into the postulancy program of the North American province by Fr. Dennis Gallagher, the provincial, who is currently attending meetings of the Congregation's Plenary General Council in Rome. Matthew Mary is a native of Nigeria who is in his last year of theology studies at the Angelicum (Pontifical University of St. Thomas) in the Eternal City. Matthew Mary completed his undergraduate studies in philosophy at the Dominican University in Ibadan, Nigeria. In Nigeria, he was involved for many years in youth ministry. He met the Assumptionists in Rome two years ago and began his period of candidacy last spring. He is interested in teaching one day. Matthew Mary's family resides in Lagos, where he has two married sisters and a brother who is still at home with their widowed mother. Matthew Mary is living at the general house in Rome where he will complete his period of postulancy. In his spare time, Matthew Mary enjoys spending time as a guide in Rome for English-speaking tourists.

Assumption High School in Nairobi, Kenya

During his recent visit to the United States, Fr. Jacob Barasa, AA came to Brighton an shared with us his work at Assumption High School in Nairobi, Kenya. A member of St. Monica’s Parish, Fr. Jacob is the director of the school which serves both mixed boarders and day students, with seven teachers and five support staff.

It was originally the idea of Fr. Wilibrand, AA and a visionary project of the congregation, before he returned to Belgium. Giving witness to the charism of the Assumption, this successful year will be expanded next year with exciting plans for growth.  For this to come to fruition, mobilizing fund raising efforts is critical, according to Fr. Jacob.

The school is particularly concerned in reaching out to the poor, especially children from the slums and from single parent homes who need to beg for food and clean water.  Large numbers suffer from poor health and prostitution is a problem among the youth. Hopefully, it is education that will significantly help to break this cycle hopelessness and despair.