On Thursday, August 22, 2013, Fathers Salvator Musande and John Franck had an extraordinary opportunity to present the work of the Assumptionists in the eastern Congo to a wide variety of personnel from governmental and non-governmental organizations. The meeting was arranged through the good auspices of Dr. Steve Morrison, the brother of Assumption business prof, Bart Morrision, Dr. Steve Morrison is currently the vice-president and director of the Global Health Office at CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies), one of the largest and most influential think tanks in Washington, D.C. Present at the meeting were officials from the State Department and the Department of Defense, members of various offices at the CSIS (Africa, Global Health, Conflict Resolution, etc.), several representatives from humanitarian organizations, a recognized expert in current Congolese affairs, and two former United States ambassadors to Africa countries.

Yesterday we went to the Thai National Museum and to “Chitralada,” a sort of royal compound (we were informed in advance of the dress code in force there because of the close connection of Chitrilada to the king) where a large number of projects, undertaken personally by His Majesty “for the welfare and happiness of his people,” are on display.

During the reign of the earlier kings in the Chakri Dynasty (the last nine kings have been of that dynasty), the projects under taken by them for the advancement of Buddhism were a central feature of each king’s legacy.

By Fr. John Franck, A.A.

August 6, 2013
First Vows
Feast of the Transfiguration
Assumption College, Worcester

Bishop McManus, fellow Assumptionists and members of the wider Assumption family, both religious and lay, Cristian, Eddy, Hoang, German, Renju, Ryan, friends one and all.

A couple of months ago I received the June issue of my favorite magazine, National Geographic, and quickly turned to the featured article entitled “The New Explorers: The Mystery of Risk” and subtitled “Risk-taking: Why do we do it?”

The author goes on to claim that (quote), “risk underlies any journey into the unknown, whether it’s a ship captain’s voyage into uncharted seas, a scientist’s research of dangerous diseases, or an entrepreneur’s investment in a new venture.” (unquote)

And yes, perhaps some disciples’ choice to climb an isolated mountain in galilee with their Master, or even six young men’s pledge to commit their lives to God by listening to a message spoken in the deepest recesses of their heart, to, as our Rule of Life says, “risk their whole lives in the adventure of encountering God.”

By Tanya Connor

WORCESTER – Life is changing for the Augustinians of the Assumption, as their numbers rise again with men coming here from various countries, and modern technology poses new challenges to the formation process. Tuesday six men from six countries made their first vows during the “Rite of First Religious Profession” at  Mass at Assumption College.

Father Richard Lamoureux, their novice master, said the size of the group was encouraging for everybody. The 71-year-old, who is also director of formation for the Province of North America and the Philippines, said he thought that there were seven men in his novitiate 51 years ago, that the province’s biggest class had 10, and that the only bigger class – 15-20 members – was in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

July 26^th 2013, marked the end of the 126^th Annual Novena to Saint Anne and the end of a celebration year commemorating the 125^th Anniversary of Saint Anne and Saint Patrick parish. On July 18^th, the opening night of the novena, several children from our younger generation represented this year’s First Communion class by presenting a commemorative quilt which they helped make, to Bishop Robert McManus in order for him to bless it. The quilt is surrounded by self portraits of the children reaching out to each other around the quilt, which was put together by Tina Frechette, a parent of one of the children. The quilt was displayed in the outdoor pavilion each night of the novena and will find a permanent display place in the parish center, as a reminder of our 125^th Anniversary year.

July 20, 2013
Radio Moto
Butembo, Dem. Rep. of the Congo

After nearly two weeks in captivity in the territory of Beni, two women managed to escape from their kidnappers. These two women came into the regional government office in the town of Oicha (territory of Beni) this past Friday.

They claimed that they had been abducted during fighting between the FARDC (The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo/DRC, in French, Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo, the state organisation responsible for defending the DRC) and the Ugandan  rebels ADF/NALU (Allied Democratic Forces/National Army for the Liberation of Uganda) this past June 29 on the Mbau-Kamango road. These women said that they took advantage of  the fact that the rebel woman who was watching them fell asleep. They further said that certain hostages who became tired along the way were killed by their abductors. While in  captivity in the bush, they claim to have met several hostages who had been previously kidnapped. In order to get to the main road the escapees made it to BALIMANI before the FARDC forces based at Eringeti became aware of their absence. According to these women, there are places in the Virunga National Park where the ADF/NALU are supplied by helicopter. It's like a runway, they said. The three priests kidnapped last October are still alive, if one can trust what they say.

The UEA will hold a new session from August 21 to 25 this summer at the Assumptionist center in Lyon, France. About 300 participants are expected to attend: teachers, lay Assumptionists and other friends, religious in formation, those who support ecumenical dialogue, and many others. The format remains similar to that of years past. Under the direction of experts, there will be conferences, workshops, personal witnesses, etc.

A 13-member group of Assumption College community members will be among the approximately two million pilgrims at World Youth Day (WYD) July 23-28 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. WYD is the largest gathering of Catholic and other youth from around the world, and the Assumption contingent is expected to be the only Worcester Diocese-based group at the event. This will be the third WYD trip the college has participated in. The first was in 2002, in Toronto, Canada. The second, in 2011, was in Madrid, Spain.

For the past year, St Anne’s Shrine in Sturbridge, MA has been celebrating its 125^th Anniversary and the uninterrupted celebration of its annual Novena to Saint Anne which begins July 18^th and runs through her feast day on July 26^th.

Begun in 1887, visitors and pilgrims have come to honor Saint Anne as patroness, mother of the Blessed Virgin, grandmother of Jesus, and wife of Saint Joachim. Participants enjoy the beauty and rich tradition of this Catholic tradition in solidarity with many pilgrims of all faiths, diverse cultures and generations. They come seeking physical and spiritual healing, and in this peace-filled atmosphere they find hope, strength and comfort for themselves and their loved ones.