News

Welcome to the issue of our Newsletter! As we walk through Ordinary Time, may we become more attentive to God’s grace and his presence in our daily life. We hope this issue offers you inspiration, encouragement, and a deep sense of faith. Thank you for reading. We will pray for you. Thanks!

Pilgrim onions!
It was with this surprising image that Fr. Chi Ai caught our attention in his homily yesterday morning on “the salt of the earth and the light of the world”… Indeed, according to our gourmet preacher, onions go well with most dishes, but no one talks about them; they are discreet, almost disappearing into the dish… Christians, who must be pilgrims of the Gospel, must therefore be like pilgrim onions, adding flavor in many different contexts…

At each PGC, we have a few unavoidable topics, that is, discussions relating to the responsibilities of the PGC as defined in our Rule of Life (where we refer to the Council of the Congregation) and in our Chapter Rules (CR 194-197). These include the opening/closing of communities; the approval of provincial formators or CIFA or major houses of formation; formation programs; first apostolic appointments, etc.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Sr. Evelyn Strahl, Religious of the Assumption, for her guidance and support during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic. As my spiritual director, she offered wisdom, kindness, and compassion, helping me navigate uncertain times.

This Saturday morning, the work continues with the final presentations by the general treasurer. He presents the consolidated accounts for the entire congregation. This is a major undertaking, which highlights the main sources of expense and income for each province and ultimately for the entire congregation.

When addressing economic issues, it is good to refer to the title of this topic in the acts of the General Chapter: “The economy at the service of charism and mission.” This provides perspective and meaning to the work accomplished. It is therefore the preliminary work of the CEC (Congregation Economic Council), a council made up of the General Treasurer and the Provincial Treasurers, that allows these issues to be addressed in the PGC.

As I reflect on my time serving the Latino students at Assumption University from 2019 to 2022, I am filled with immense gratitude for the Assumptionist community. Dennis Gallagher, A.A.’s invitation to collaborate with these students was a call I joyfully accepted, and it has been a privilege to work alongside Richard Lamoureux, A.A., my other Assumptionist brothers, and Deacon Paul Covino. In 2022, I relocated to the Brighton community to pursue a master’s degree in Ministry and Theology at Boston College.

Following the work carried out in the General Chapter and during the last PGCs, as you know, we currently have six works recognized as mobilizing works for the congregation: Bayard; the Saint-Pierre-Saint-André Center in Bucharest (Romania); Assumption University in Worcester; the University of the Assumption in Congo-DRC; the Network of Schools in Tulear (Madagascar); and the Notre-Dame de Salut Pilgrimage Work.

In memory of Carlos Antonio Felipe Di Pietro and Raúl Eduardo Rodríguez. Forty-nine years ago to the day, on June 4, 1976, brothers Carlos Antonio and Raúl, brothers in formation, were kidnapped in the neighborhood of “La Manuelita” (San Miguel, Buenos Aires) and disappeared forever. They were victims of the violence that ravaged Argentina under the tyranny of the “National Reorganization Process.”

The second day of our PGC, on the feast of the martyrs of Uganda, was mainly devoted to sharing news about our Provinces. The Vice-Province of East Africa, the Province of Madagascar, the Andean Province, the Province of North America, and finally the Province of Africa were able to share with us important elements of the life of their provinces since the last PGC.