Assumption College has been awarded a NetVUE Chaplaincy Implementation Grant to help students deepen their commitment to vocational discernment through the expansion of an existing reflective retreat as well as the inauguration of a Ministry Internship Program. Both are components of a broader co-curricular program at Assumption that asks sophomores to consider “big questions” of meaning, value, and purpose.

These two programs will be funded by the $13,395 grant and administered through Assumption’s Office of Campus Ministry. The grant will address the need to provide students with periods of reflection to focus on vocational discernment. To that end, an on-campus, one-day retreat called “Crossroads”—which has been held four times over the past five years—would be expanded to a 24-hour, overnight, off-campus format. The retreat has provided groups of 20 sophomores per year with an opportunity to reflect on three foundational vocation questions: what brings you joy, what are you good at, and what does the world need you to be. It has been facilitated by a campus minister, a Residential Life staff member, a career counselor, and a young alum.

Pavel House came into being officially on August 9^th, 2015, but in fact our last member arrived just a few days ago, on Monday the 17^th.  On that day, Bro. Sagar arrived from India and a two-month home-visit. Now all six of us have arrived:  Blair, Jonathan, Joseph, Richard, Ryan and Sagar.  During these first days together, we’re fortunate to have a fairly light schedule.  That’s allowed us to buy the last few pots and pans we’ll need for the kitchen and in general to equip the house to receive an active community:  chapel, community room, dining room, kitchen, personal quarters…  After a quiet celebration of the Assumption at home, we’re planning the renewal of vows ceremony on August 28^th (at 11am in the chapel of what we’re fondly calling “the big house”, the Assumptionist Center), and then two days of thinking and praying about our life together in the year to come (our “Local Chapter”).  Variety will be the name of the game for us this year:  six brothers from five different countries; studies in three different schools (BC, St. John’s Seminary, and the Theological Institute for the New Evangelization; and ministry in more than a few different places.  We hope you’ll visit.  In fact, you can expect some direct invitations.  We count on your prayers.

O God, who through human labor never cease to perfect and govern the vast work of creation, listen to the supplications of your people and grant that all men and women may find work that befits their dignity, joins them more closely to one another and enables them to serve their neighbor.
(Collect from Monday's Liturgy - Labor Day)