On Wednesday night July 12^th, 2017, the staff of the Center and the community celebrated more than 50 years of faithful service of the more than 20 priests who have traveled far and wide on behalf Mission-Co-Op. The celebration took place at Volturno's Restaurant in Worcester. During the delicious dinner, the folks shared many stories and experiences in visiting parishes around the country, A map of the U.S. was mounted on a story board with push pins to note and indicate the location of parishes. This visual was very powerful. Fr. Alex, our provincial treasurer, echoed  our warm welcome and gratitude! Many thanks to all!

On Friday, July 7, 2017, 50 high school sophomores and staff members from three Assumptionist institutions in South America arrived on the Assumption College campus for a month's immersion program. They hale from Buenos Aires, Argentina Instituto San Roman, Colegio Nuestra Senora de Lourdes), and Bogota, Colombia (Colegio Emmanuel d'Alzon). In addition to daily English classes, the students have an opportunity to visit a number of sites (Boston, several times; NYC; Old Sturbridge Village; Newport, Rhode Island, among others) as well engage in lots of American "things" (shopping, cookouts, a professional baseball game, learning how to make and eat 'smores, etc.).

Tuesday, July 4^th, saw the gathering of many of the Aussumpion Family religious and lay members, (ranging from 2 mos. to 101 years,) in our backyard at the Assumptionist Center in Brighton. I think that it would represent 5 generations!  In coming together, it gave us the  honor of officially welcoming Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A. as our new Provincial and thanking Fr. Miguel Diaz, as our former Provincial. I addition, we remembered Fr. Claude Grenache, A.A. who began this noteworthy event and for whom we hope to carry on this tradition.

Thanks to Michelle's expert cuisine no body went home hungry!

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English pilgrims visit the chateau of Lavagnac (Fr. Tom O’Brien, A.A., in the center)

It was a first that took place this past June 10 when a group of lay and religious pilgrims arrived from the other side of the English Channel here at Lavagnac in order to walk in the footsteps of their founder, Fr. Emmanuel d'Alzon. Accompanied by several Oblate Sisters from Nimes, they were under the direction of Fr. Thomas O’Brien, pastor at Our Lady of the Assumption in East London. The Oblates arrived in England at Charlton in 1903 where they opened a school, three years after the arrival of the Assumptionists. This group of pilgrims had come to the 'Petit Versailles’ of Languedoc, as the chateau of Lavagnac has been dubbed, to recall the memories of the d'Alzon family who had lived here for so many years, but which has now fallen into a sad state of disrepair. On this sunny day, Mr. Bernard Bals, members of whose family worked for the d'Alzon's and who himself has maintained a love for the family, especially its most distinguished son, Emmanuel d'Alzon, led the pilgrims along their way, giving the history of the chateau and explaining the life of its occupants, especially that of Emmanuel whose parents moved here when he was quite young. He related how d’Alzon returned here often once ordained and once he had founded the Assumptionist Congregation, in order to visit his family and just relax. As Mr. Bals explained, Fr. d’Alzon proved himself in many ways to be a prophet, a man well ahead of his time in so many ways.

Father, who have molded into one our nation, drawn from the peoples of many lands, grant, that as the grains of wheat become one bread and the many grape one cup of wine, so we may before all others be instruments of your peace.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.  

(Liturgy for Independence Day - Prayer Over the Offerings)

On June 21, 2017, after consultation with the Assumptionists throughout the North American region, Assumption College Vice President for Mission Father Dennis Gallagher, A.A. was appointed Provincial Superior of the North American Province of the Augustinians of the Assumption by Fr. Benoît Grière, A.A., Superior General of the Congregation.

As Provincial of the North American Province, Fr. Gallagher will oversee Assumptionist communities in the three geographical areas of the Province: United States, Mexico and Quebec. He will collaborate with a team of Councilors to advance the mission of the Province, and will serve as an agent of unity in the midst of diverse cultures and apostolic orientations, with a special regard for the two “mobilizing works” in the Province: Assumption College and Bayard Press. In addition, he will serve on the General Plenary Council, comprised of the Superior General and his Council, and the Provincial Superiors of the five other Provinces in Europe, Africa, Brazil, the Andean Province and Madagascar, who help to provide leadership for the Congregation.

 INDOOR/OUTDOOR HOBBIES - pdf file

To: Assumption College Community

From: Dr. Francesco C. Cesareo, President

Re: Death of Fr. Claude Grenache, A.A.

Date:   20 June 2017

It is with sadness that I inform the College community of the death of Fr. Claude Grenache, A.A., a member of the Board of Trustees, who served the Assumptionists in a variety of capacities for several decades.  A graduate of Assumption Prep in 1955 and Assumption College in 1959, he earned his theological degrees from the Universite Catholique de Lyon in France.  Fr. Grenache served in various educational and pastoral ministries in Quebec, New York City, and Mexico City.  He served at Assumption College from 1989-1996 initially as the College’s first director of multi-cultural education and then as Vice President for Religious Affairs and Director of Campus Ministry.  From 2000-2011 he served as both Director of Spiritual Life and Chaplain at Bentley University.  Fr. Grenache was a member of the U.S. Territorial Council from 2011-2013 and was also a member of the International Commission for the Assumptionist Lay-Religious Alliance.  In recent years, Fr. Grenache served as the Local Superior and Director of the Residency Program at the Assumptionist Center in Brighton.  He was a member of the Board of Trustees from 2007 until his death.

Funeral arrangements for Fr. Grenache are as follows. 

On Thursday evening, June 22^nd, there will be a wake and wake service from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Assumptionist Center, 330 Market Street, Brighton, MA. 

On Friday, June 23^rd at 9:00 am there will be a wake in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on campus, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 am in the Chapel.

We extend our prayers and condolences to the Assumptionist community and to Fr. Grenache’s family during this time of loss and sorrow.  May God give them comfort during these days.  As a community of faith we pray that Fr. Grenache now dwells in the loving presence of God.  May his soul rest in peace.

It is with great sadness and yet with the belief that we are all called to a resurrected life with Christ, that we pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Claude Grenache, A.A.

The community would like to share with you the following arrangements.

This coming Thursday evening, June 22^nd, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM there will be a wake service at the Assumptionist Center, 330 Market Street, Brighton, MA.

On Friday, June 23^rd, at 9:00 AM there will be a wake in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Assumption College on 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA.

The funeral Mass will follow at 10 AM in the Chapel.
Burial will take place after the funeral at Saint Anne Cemetery in Sturbridge, MA.

Please continue to pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of Fr. Claude's family and community.