Sunday, 19 November, 2023
Fr. Chi Ai celebrated the noon Mass at St. Anne’s, Fr. John Franck concelebrated.
In his homily, Fr. Chi Ai showed the congregation his Grandmother’s handkerchief and talked about what we wrap in our handkerchiefs, including our talents, faith and identity. We have a tendency to hide our talents and identify, but as Assumptionists, it is required that we get out of ourselves. We have a desire to make our identify known, and that will be confirmed in the Provincial document that will be released tomorrow. Fr. Chi Ai stressed that we must double our freely-given talents, as we are invited to be in the being of the Master. Additionally, he stressed that joy is fundamental. There is no question of us becoming a new person of joy. We are all heirs of our founder, Father Emmanuel D’Alzon, aa. As part of that family, we all use our gifts to find a new way of being transformed.
Fr. Chi Ai left us with this question: What do we do with the talents that we receive from God? The answer: We become new people of God with a daring spirit.
New Lay Assumptionists, Chris Williams and Roland Malboeuf were pinned by Sister Clare after saying their vows. Then all the Sturbridge Lay Assumptionists renewed their commitment, which is as follows: In the presence of our brothers and sisters, and before you, Father Chi Ai, for love of Christ and to extend his Kingdom, we promise to God to commit our lives to the spiritual path of love for Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Church, according to the Way of Life of the Lay Assumptionists.
After the Mass, the attendees enjoyed a meal in the Parish Center.
Read Fr. Chi Ai’s full homily here.
