On Sunday, November 20^th, 2016, Fr. Peter Precourt, A.A. celebrated his fortieth anniversary as an Assumptionist priest. The concelebrated Mass took place at St. Anne/St. Patrick Parish in Sturbridge, MA where Fr. Peter is Pastor and also Regional Superior for the U.S. Territory of his congregation. Gathered for the liturgy were many of his brother Assumptionists, his sister and her husband, parishioners, friends and guests. In his homily, Fr. Peter focused on the feast of Christ the King and how essential it is for us as baptized Christians to allow Jesus to be the most important priest, prophet and king of our lives on a daily basis. In addition, Fr. Peter expressed his heartfelt gratitude to God for the many graces bestowed on him during these forty years of serving His people. Following Mass there was a bountiful reception in the parish hall where the celebration and fellowship continued into the afternoon.

Congratulations, Fr. Peter!!!

 A Conversation on Mission to the Poor - PDF file

God all-powerful, your gifts of love are countless and your goodness infinite; as we come before you on Thanksgiving with gratitude for your kindness, open our hearts to have concern for every man, woman, and child, so that we may share your gifts in loving service. Amen.

( Collect, Mass for Thanksgiving Day)

A very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to you from the Assumption Family!

Fr. Protais Kabila, provincial, and Br. Dubois, headmaster, at grand opening Mass

My dear friends,

It is with great joy that I share with you news of the official grand opening of the Beni school, the result of the generosity and prayers of so many of you. The school has been operating for two months now but the Assumptionists in the Congo wanted to highlight the importance of this school and its significance. On Monday, November 7, 2016, students, teachers, parents, friends, political authorities, and many Assumptionists gathered for a Mass of Thanksgiving.

In his homily, the provincial of the Assumptionists in Africa, Fr. Protais Kabila, underlined the raison-d’etre of the school: “education for peace, justice, reconciliation, and tolerance among people, in a word, educating for human dignity in the spirit and the tradition of the Assumptionists. In the footsteps of Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon, our founder, we are investing in education wagering that it is a leaven that has the power to transform society, accompanying people ‘until Christ be formed in them’. That is why this school has taken as its motto: ‘Discipline, Peace, Excellence’.”

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Donations can be sent to:
The Assumptionists
Attn: Beni School Project
330 Market Street
Brighton, MA 02135

Part of the novitiate compound, Toliara, Madagascar

On the feast of the Assumption, August 15, all of the Assumptionists in the diocesan see of Toliara gathered in the novitiate chapel to officially welcome six new novices from different regions of the ‘big island’: Colbert Maric from the diocese of Antsiranana, Patrick from Antsirabe, Fidèle from Miarinarivo, Jean Emilien, Bernardin and Christian Fabrice from the diocese of Fianarantsoa.

At this ceremony each novice presented a symbol of his choice to mark his entrance into this new year and a brief explanation. « My vocation is symbolized by a battery that does not work if it is not charged.  In other words a vocation needs to be charged if it’s going to produce a current. This ‘charging” consists in the moral, intellectual, and, above all, spiritual formation which our formators, outside speakers, and spiritual directors will provide.” Colbert Marick

Last week the International Lay/Religious Alliance Commission of the Augustinians of the Assumption came to the U.S. for its annual meeting. Established by the last General Chapter of 2011, the commission was charged to provide guidance to the many alliance groups around the world. The commission, chaired by Chile native Fr. Marcelo Marciel, AA, an assistant to the Superior General and now living in Rome, has   provided a rule for Lay Assumptionists entitled, “Way of Life for Lay Assumptionists,” which is based on the rule of its vowed members. In addition, a guide for the formation of lay leaders has also been produced. Fr. Marcelo reminded everyone of the need to always be grounded in scripture and that we are never alone but part of a greater community.

The commission consists of members from various countries where the alliance is well established and fruitful: Fr. Claude Grenache from Boston, MA, Victoria Prada from Bogota, Colombia, Francisco (Paco) Rentero from Almeria, Spain and Marie-Claire Rouquet from Toulouse, France.

by: Jonathan Bishop

The article was first reported by The CRUX.

In order to truly understand this election, we have to look backward.

No, not in a reactionary way. Rather, we need to study the past because republics-and human beings-have faced batty, crude, and even alarming periods before. Nothing is new.

So how far should we go? Rome?  Let’s try 19^th-century France and pull a figure from it:  Emmanuel d’Alzon, founder of the Augustinians of the Assumption.

D’Alzon’s time was much like our own. In an 1835 letter to Alphonse de Vigniamont, a friend, d’Alzon discussed the importance of ideas and education in shaping human character, a truth already beginning to fade. His thoughts are worth quoting at length:

“The more I look at the world from this point of view, the more I am disgusted with politics, which I consider to be a dead end. There is no life there, only death convulsions, powerless attempts to organize, vain efforts, unless Catholic thought penetrates it with charity, justice, and the spirit of Christian liberty, which regardless of what they say is completely suffocated in our day. I have made up my mind, and it is confirmed each day as I read the second psalm, which I urge you to meditate.

WORCESTER, MA (November 1, 2016)—University of Notre Dame professor Richard Garnett, J.D., will address the Assumption College community on religious freedom and how, despite growing challenges, respecting and protecting these freedoms is essential for all.  Professor Garnett’s lecture will be held on Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Salon of Assumption’s La Maison building, located at 500 Salisbury Street.

Professor Garnett’s lecture, entitled “The Past, Present and Future of Religious Freedom in America?”, will thoroughly examine the meaning and limits of religious freedom, often called America’s “First Freedom,” and how they are becoming increasingly controversial and unclear. As America’s communities are becoming more diverse and as the sphere of government action and regulation grows, the challenge of respecting and protecting religious freedom for all is becoming more difficult. He will also examine freedoms of speech, association, religion, and constitutional law’s relationship to one another.