The last “Conversations at the Center” recently took place at the Assumptionist Center in Brighton and focused on such questions as: why even think about transformation vis-à-vis the Church, is it part of community, discipleship, and/or mission, or what leadership qualities does transformation call forth in and around Church?

The presenter and discussion facilitator was Dr. Eileen Daily, director of the Doctor of Ministry degree program in Transformational Leadership at Boston University’s School of Theology. Dr. Daily is especially interested in how technology can and should mediate theological and religious education.  Her other research interests are in interfaith religious education, public religious education and religious education through visual art.

Fr. Thierry recently returned to Rome from his visit to the United States, to resume his position of General Assistant and his responsibility for the North American Province and the Near Eastern Mission which encompasses Athens, Jerusalem, Bulgaria and more. He is also chairperson of the International Commission of the Lay/Religious Alliance.

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo forty-nine years ago, Fr. Thierry spent the month of March in the U.S. to “see the faces of the people I have been charged with” and to learn English. Though officially residing in Pavel House while studying, Father was also able to attend the Council of the Province which met in Worcester and update the members on several recent developments in the congregation and was present for the discussion on future structures.

In addition to meeting folks in Brighton and Worcester, Fr. Thierry visited St. Anne and St. Patrick’s in Sturbridge and attended the funeral of Fr. Leo Brassard, A.A. Also of significance to him was to attend the parish Lay Assumptionists meeting one evening. Thanks to Fr. John Franck, A.A. who acted as translator, Fr. Thierry caught the “spirit” of the group through the sharing of information, discussion and prayer. When asked about the political conditions on the Congo, Father expressed his serious concerns about the violence and danger everyone is exposed to and the need to keep the people, especially the youth, and our Assumptionist brothers in our prayers.

“My life was abandoned from the time I joined the congregation”

“You must begin to fight against your own violence”

Sr Paul-Hélène Saint-Raymond

With those sentences pronounced by Sister Paul-Hélène, the silence enveloping the loss of so many women and men who have given their life for the cause of the Gospel is again united today with the silence of Peace and Communion of the Holy Martyrs.  Our brothers and sisters, who have gone before us in the faith, have passed along a difficult path of persecutions and of escapes, so as to live in the service of the Word and die as a witness: their testimony is that strength which transcends time.

Our memory proclaims the life, the mission and the death of many persons who have courageously done their best in an ordinary life, offering simple gestures in the service of human dignity.

A seed thrown on to Mother Earth, plunged in dampness and gratitude, begins silently and mysteriously to develop and to explode… and then an extraordinary, inexplicable and indescribable force, gives life to the depths of the earth …  The blood of the martyrs, fallen on the dry earth, moistens and soaks the life of so many persons who have shared their testimonies, their courage in life through many liberations.

To celebrate our martyrs of the Assumption family is to leave the latent memory of those simple people who, in their ordinary daily life, were living what was extraordinary in the faith; “To lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John, 15:13)

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It was a day of grand celebration for the Assumption Family on Easter Monday. At Old English Road, Fr. Dinh and the local community graciously welcomed their other local communities, Lay Assumptionists and guests to a lovely luncheon wherein all celebrated joyously.

At the same time in Brighton, the resident community at the Assumptionist Center hosted  an equally festive luncheon for the staff of the house. Later that evening, the Assumtionists and residents celebrated their Easter dinner together in their usual grand style, thanks to Michelle.  True to Assumptionist tradition, the family continues to celebrate the Octave of Jesus' Resurrection! Alleluia!

Greetings at Easter from the Assumptionists in the North American Province. Happy Easter!

Easter is the exclamation point, the definitive affirmation of the life shining forth from the Gospel accounts of Jesus. It gives the stamp of approval, the AMEN to a life given over to the humble service of others. In our world of bluster and self-promotion, Easter shows us the way to becoming more generous and more joyful. May its power insinuate itself into our hearts.

-Father Dennis Gallagher, A.A.

It’s clear that the early Christian community was shaken to the core by what Judas did. It’s one thing to deal with opposition from without - the religious and political authorities of the day. It’s another thing to see that the hour of darkness is precipitated by one of their own, a man in whom the Master had confided the mysteries of the kingdom. Nothing is quite so damaging to the trust upon which all human communities must rely.

Thus the drama enacted around the table. “One of you is about to betray me.” Jesus says. One after the other, each of the twelve responds, “Surely it is not I, Lord.” Everything depends on the tone of that response. How do they speak these words? Are they men full of indignation that such a thing could happen in their ranks and exonerating themselves in the process? “SURELY, it is not I, Lord!” Far be it from me to do such a thing! Or do they speak the words more haltingly, perhaps with trembling in their voices, “Surely, it is not I, Lord??” Instead of keeping the possibility of betraying Jesus at arm’s length (how scandalous!), they speak as men chastened by their own weakness and not presuming on their strength. 

Radek Jaster Films
High-quality recording of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, filmed ten days before the fire. A tribute to this breathtaking piece of architecture and symbol of French history, literature, and art.
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Vidéo de haute qualité de la cathédrale Notre-Dome de Paris, filmée dix jours avant l'incendie. Un hommage à cette magnifique pièce d'architecture et symbole de l'histoire, la littérature et l'art français.
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MUSIC: The Kite String Tangle & Dustin Tebbutt - Illuminate
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