May the Lord protect our brothers, Fr. Peter and Fr. Ron, and renew in all of us a sense of trust in His glorious plan, during these initial stages of founding a community in El Paso. May the Holy Spirit grant us the wisdom to understand in what ways he is calling us to serve those in need at the border and the courage to follow where he leads.

"God the Father has given me His Son, who in turn has given me both Himself and the Love between Him and His Father; He has made my heart a temple, a holy place, in which is enshrined the Love who is God. What then must my heart be? Could it ever harbor any thought which cannot be set ablaze with the love of God?" - Venerable Emmanuel d'Alzon

By Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A., the provincial superior of the North American Province of the Augustinians of the Assumption

The article was first reported by Catholic Digest Magazine.

Can you describe the difference between meditation and contemplation? I’ve heard those terms used interchangeably, but I don’t think that is correct. Can you help me understand the differences in these kinds of prayers? – Anonymous

Dear Anonymous:

You are right.  These two kinds of prayers are not the same and the terms should not be used interchangeably.  One way of making sense of the difference is to understand that, according to our Catholic tradition, those who enter heaven will spend all of eternity contemplating God.  This suggests that contemplation represents a fulfillment of all of our efforts to deepen our personal relationship with God.   It has the character of a gift:  we are given the grace of gazing lovingly on the very source of our life.

Before going any further, please remember that the goal of all types prayer is to help us grow in our relationship with God. We should not be so preoccupied with the particular kind or method of prayer that we lose sight of the reason for praying in the first place.  As with all relationships, it requires concentrated effort, but it also an openness to receive from the other.  Amid the many distractions of our daily lives, growing in intimacy with God will not happen without putting aside time each day to focus on the essentials of our lives.  For us Catholics, this means focusing on the God who has created us for Himself and who, through his beloved Son, has redeemed us from our sins.   By first giving attention to the relationship, you may then be prepared to discover what form of prayer suits you best.

Now to your question.

The following is Fr. Dennis’ Sunday homily for the Memorial of Sts. Anne & Joachim, given at the closing novena Mass at St. Anne Shrine in Fiskdale, MA, this past Sunday. The Assumptionists have ministered at the shrine and parish since 1955.

In my encounters with students over the years at Assumption University in Worcester, I’ve had occasion to observe the relationships they had with their grandparents. It’s a time in their life, as they look for more independence, when the relationship with their parents can be complicated, a pitched battle sometimes. It was different with grandparents: it was less complicated, more peaceful. You sensed that there was real appreciation and gratitude. Sometimes they would lose a grandparent during their four years, and as it was often their first loss of this kind, they felt it acutely. I think it also served to ground them in the importance of their family.

Read more...

The article was first reported by The Catholic Free Press.

By Tanya Connor

STURBRIDGE – The Augustinians of the Assumption observed their 175^th anniversary differently than planned – and the St. Anne Novena was altered – because of coronavirus restrictions.

“I call it a blessing in disguise,” said Assumptionist Father Alex Castro, pastor of St. Anne and St. Patrick Parish and director of St. Anne Shrine there.

Because of crowd limitations, ethnic communities that usually help lead the annual novena at the shrine were not invited, he said.

An average of 75 people attended weeknight Masses and there were more than 100 the first and last nights, which were on the weekends, Father Castro said.

The Assumptionists’ June plenary general council, a highlight of the jubilee year to be held at Assumption University in Worcester, was cancelled, Father Castro said. Because of the virus, the university was closed and the superior general and his council in Rome, and provincial superiors from around the world, could not come.

Dear Assumption Family,

As you may know, the annual Novena to St. Anne will conclude this Sunday, July 26^th. I invite you to join us at the closing celebration as we ask for St. Anne's intercession, commemorate the 175^th Anniversary of our Foundation, and reflect on our vocation to life in the Assumption.

Closing Celebration Details:
5:30pm Confessions
6:30pm Rosary
7:00pm Closing Mass led by Provincial Superior Fr. Dennis Gallagher
Address: St. Anne Shrine Pavilion, 16 Church St., Fiskdale, MA 01518

I hope to see you there!
Fr. Alex

A while back, one of the priests here during the penitential rite at the beginning of Mass would ask forgiveness for our “limitations.” I don’t wish to personalize my reaction to this - this priest was not a native English speaker - but the substitution of limitations for sin is worth thinking about.

Read more

Dear Friends,

This is the Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of the Philippines published this evening.

It will be read tomorrow in all the churches of the Philippines in the different languages of the country. In churches, where only 10% of the faithful are allowed after a four-month closure.

This letter, written and signed by our friend, Bishop Ambo David of Kalookan and Vice-President of the Conference of Bishops of the Philippines, describes well the current social and political climate of the country as we feel it. Thank you for your solidarity and prayers.

Very cordially. Bernard.

 A PASTORAL LETTER AND A CALL TO PRAYER - PDF file

You are all invited!

We are inviting all of you to our 133rd Novena to St. Anne. This year’s novena will be an opportunity for us to reflect on the 175th year of foundation of the Augustinians of the Assumption. Every night, an Assumptionist will lead us into a reflection on our Assumptionist identity, vocation, and mission at the service of God’s Kingdom. Attached is the poster and the prayer leaflet for the Novena.

 133rd Annual Novena to Saint Anne - PDF file

 133rd Annual Novena to Saint Anne - PDF file

We ask for your prayers as Fr. Ronald Sibugan travels to El Paso, TX. Fr. Ron will be forming part of our new Assumptionist community, as we continue to discern our mission and explore how we can serve the material and spiritual needs along the U.S.- Mexico border.

"A vocation is a response to a call. It is neither the choice of a career nor some kind of professional training. It is the gift of our person so that the Lord may make of us what he desires. At the heart of this response which we give to the Lord, there is availability" - Fr. Benoît Grière, Superior General