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Coralis, a Maryknoll missioner, chose to spend her three-month “rest” period before renewing her commitment to Maryknoll in El Paso volunteering as close to Gaza as possible. She traveled to Beirut, where she served at a center run by the Jesuits. Coralis left for Lebanon in early January and was scheduled to return to El Paso today. Well, war broke out last week.  The center where she lives and works has been turned into a shelter for foreign workers.

Day Two of the Father Vincent Machozi Colloquium at Boston University brought together scholars, students, and guests for a day of reflection, dialogue, and shared learning inspired by the legacy of Fr. Vincent Machozi. The gathering created space for thoughtful conversations on justice, peace, and collective responsibility in today’s world.

Hey Hounds!
Happy Spring Break! This past week, we hosted our annual Black History Month Ecumenical Service in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. We are so grateful for the Kuumba singers, who lead us in worship, and Conway Campbell, VP for Student Success, who gave the sermon. Additionally, members of the Assumption community attended Boston College’s “Law, Conscience, and Migration Today” conference.

The inaugural Fr. Vincent Machozi Colloquium at Boston University’s School of Theology opened with a day of thoughtful dialogue and shared commitment to justice and peace. Scholars, practitioners, and faith communities gathered to reflect on the intersections of climate change, environmental justice, and conflict transformation across the African continent.

It was with exuberant joy that the Assumptionist community and beyond recently celebrated the Rite of Perpetual Profession of Bro. Aloysious Musoke, A.A. in St. Columbkille’s Church, Brighton, MA. The Liturgy reflected and embraced the familial heritage of Bro. Aloysious’ home country and village in Uganda. The principal celebrant was Fr. Chi Ai Nguyen, Provincial of our North American Province and representative of Fr. Ngoa Ya Tshihemba, Superior General of the Augustinians of the Assumption. Concelebrating with brother Assumptionists and other priest friends, was Fr. Dinh Vo Tran, Superior of the Local Community, Bro. Aloysious’ Formation Director and our gracious host for the day.

Hey Hounds!
This past week in Campus Ministry, we began the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. As students, staff, faculty, and other members of the Assumption community lined up to receive their ashes, they each heard the command, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Members of the Assumption Campus Ministry team participated in Boston College’s “Law, Conscience and Migration Today” conference on Thursday and Friday. We certainly heard the call to repent many times as Bishop Mark Sietz of El Paso shared remarks on his experience at the border. 

On this Ash Wednesday, we begin the sacred season of Lent — a forty-day journey of prayer, repentance, and renewal as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter. This solemn day invites us to pause, reflect on our lives, and return to God with humility and faith. Marked with ashes, we are reminded of our need for conversion and the mercy that God continually offers us.

A Sacred Parish in Fiskdale, Massachusetts
Located in Fiskdale (Sturbridge), Massachusetts, St. Anne’s & St. Patrick’s Parish & Shrine is a beautiful parish run by the Assumptionists. As a place of pilgrimage and prayer, it welcomes visitors seeking peace, devotion, and spiritual renewal. The parish and gift shop are open seven days a week, inviting individuals and families to visit, reflect, and experience the beauty of this sacred space.

Dear Assumption Community, 
Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 18, we celebrate Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent—a forty-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Below you will find the Ash distribution schedule as well as several opportunities to lean into the Lenten season in meaningful ways:

Hey Hounds!
This past week in Campus Ministry was full of grace-filled moments. We gathered for the first Chapel Talk of the semester Food for the Heart with the Bridget and Christophet Klofft. We also hosted the first of many Come to the Table retreats led by Deacon Elmer and we partnered with the Campus Activities Board for Dusty Boots Dance Night. We hope all who attended found these experiences joyful and fruitful.