At the beginning of the month of December, after a nine-hour journey, the novices, along with Fr. Richard and Fr. Alex, arrived in Quebec and were warmly welcomed by the local Assumptionist community. Though the novices were far away from home, the novitiate program continued in only slightly altered form for the week in Canada: two classes on the Sermons of Saint Augustine regarding poverty, with reference to the recent letter of our Superior General on the same theme, and one class to review novitiate practices as outlined in the handbook called “Guidelines for the Novice”.

From August 23 to 27 the community of Riobamba organized its second annual vocation retreat at Copalillo--- a time to meet God in the wilderness, surrounded by God's gift of nature. Br. Alejandro Godoy Vásquez, the vocation director, together with a steering committee, prepared the event. Over 50 young people from the two parishes that we run participated in the camp this year. Our pastor, Fr. Marco, commented: “For young people this camp is an opportunity to grow in their faith and at the same time discover what it is that God is calling them to in their lives."

Living with Christ, a monthly missal published by Bayard, has gathered a team of editors and managers from different countries in an effort to consolidate their efforts into becoming an international brand and mission. This meeting was held in New London, CT last December 4, 2013.

Jean-Marie Montel, head of Bayard’s religious division, convoked this meeting. Those who attended the meeting were: Christophe Mauratille (Director, Bayard Africa and Asia), Dan Connors (Editor, LWC-US), Nina Silvestri (Managing Editor, LWC-US), Karem Bustica (Editor, Prions en Eglise France), Danielle Bean (Editor, Catholic Digest), Br. Blair Nuyda (Assumptionist and Editor, LWC-Philippines) and Pam Brown (Director of Marketing).

O God, who in your kindness begin all good things and bring them to fulfillment, grant to us, who find joy in the Solemnity of the holy Mother of God, that, just as we glory in the beginnings of your grace, so one day we may rejoice in its completion.
Through Christ our Lord.
(Prayer Over the Offerings)

BLESSINGS FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Author Unpacks What Pope Francis Means by the Term

By Marie Meaney

ROME, December 05, 2013 (Zenit.org) - In his homily during his daily Mass the other day, Pope Francis warned against the spirit of worldliness. He called it “a fruit of the devil who makes his way forward with the spirit of secular worldliness”. These are strong words, and we have seen so far that Pope Francis is not afraid of calling the devil by his name nor speaking about the momentous choices each one of us has to make.

But is the “world” really that dangerous?

« Haraminè » : this is the name of our new house in Gwangju where four disabled adult men, aged 20 to 31, live in residence with the community, in a section of the house adapted to their needs. The name of the house means: "those sent by God". These four young men have varying degrees of disability and personal autonomy. The eldest, Chong Shil Park, works in a refrigerator assembly shop, is in good physical shape, but has cognitive disabilities. The second, UttUm Kim,  has Down Syndrome (he is one in the photo below giving the archbishop a bouquet); he works in a 'closed shop' run by the Sisters of Saint Paul de Chartres.

Today a light will shine upon us,
for the lord is born for us;
and he will be called Wondrous God,
Prince of Peace,
Father of future ages:
and his reign will be without end.
(Isaiah 9:1, 5; Luke 1:33)

The Assumption Family

This was the topic of our workshop the weekend of November 29-30 at Saint Mary’s Monastery in Petersham, MA. Brothers in formation (from the newly professed to the newly ordained brothers) and the territorial Formation committee members got together to talk about their experience of prayer. In fact, our Rule of Life reminds us that “Prayer is difficult for everyone” (RL #51). Recognizing this difficulty should be a reminder for each of us, sons of Fr d’Alzon, to take prayer seriously at the community level as well as at the personal level, putting in the time and the effort it needs.

November 21, 2013
(Presentation of the Blessed Very Mary/Feast of Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon)
Chapel of the Institut d’Alzon where Emmanuel d’Alzon is buried in Nîmes

We have the pleasure of celebrating the feast of the Presentation of Mary this year under the patronage of Fr. Emmanuel d'Alzon. We are happy to join not only the members of the Assumptonist community here in Nîmes but also Fr. Marcelo Marciel, assistant to Fr. General, and Fr. Julio Navarro, postulator of the cause of Fr. d'Alzon).