Assumptionist: Driving the Mission

Driving the

Assumptionists active on campus include bro. richard gagnon, Fr. mulumba kambale matsongani, Fr. Donat lamothe ’57, Fr. barry bercier ’65, Fr. roger Corriveau ’69, Fr. ronald sibugan, Fr. Dennis gallagher ’69 and Fr. Jerome lively.

16

Assumption College Magazine

Fall 2015

mission

photo: DAn vAillAnCourt

Assumptionists maintain profound BY T ROY WATKINS AND F RANK M AZZAGLIA influence on students’ lives

Assumption College Magazine

Fall 2015

17

Since its founding in 1904, the Augustinians of the Assumption have helped to guide Assumption College, from its early formation to its growth and prosperity, in its endeavors both inside and outside the classroom. Through changing times they remain a constant presence and continue to play a vital part in carrying out its mission.

As members of an institution that carries their name, they also serve as its heart. Eight Assumptionists play a vital role in the lives of undergraduates today, while 11 serve on Assumption’s 28-member Board of Trustees.

Venerable Father Emmanuel d’Alzon, founder of the Augustinians of the Assumption order in 1850, was an educator whose most cherished project was the establishment of a Catholic university. He sought to create an institution committed to the pursuit of truth and academic excellence through a dialogue between faith and reason. Most importantly he envisioned an education that would develop the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and wanted students to grow in the knowledge of the human condition.

Today, Father d’Alzon’s vision for an institution is embodied by the College’s faculty and staff, and realized in the development of the College’s students and the accomplishments, and values, of its alumni.

And, as always the Assumptionists have a special place in lighting the way.

Guiding Light To all those who taught in his schools, Fr. d’Alzon proposed the motto: “Until Christ be formed in you,” a charge his Assumptionists have fully embraced. In one way or another, every Assumptionist is actively involved in the sacramental and everyday life of the College.

That involvement is central to many students and differentiates Assumption from other colleges, even Catholic colleges. Samantha Baldwin ’17 liked the Assumption campus from the first moment she arrived from Colorado for orientation. She felt empowered by the College’s mission and its goal to create graduates of character. Baldwin, now a junior looking forward to a career as a physical therapist, credits the Assumptionists for building a campus-wide foundation that invites the College community to seek the truth and to find the very best in their inner selves.

“The presence of the Assumptionists on campus reaffirms Assumption’s identity as a Catholic institution,” said Baldwin. “They are present in the classroom and dorms which makes them more relatable to students. I often find that the homilies at Mass are very relatable and it’s obvious that the congregation cares about us and want us to succeed.”

Kaitlin Henry ’16, came to Assumption from a different perspective. A Baptist, she was relieved to find that her classmates, professors and the Assumptionists embraced her faith when she arrived on the Catholic campus. She was fully accepted by the group, who simply wanted to envelop her in as much love as they could.

“The Assumptionists influenced me in two ways,” she said. “First, I never felt as though I were pressured into believing a certain thing.

The atmosphere formed by their charitable nature allowed me to relax and actually think about my faith in a safe environment. Second, the

photo: gil tAlbot

“A hundred football players kneeling on one knee before a game is as pious a group as you will ever see.” – Fr. Dennis gallagher, A.A. ’69

18

Assumption College Magazine

Fall 2015

to all those who taught in his schools, Fr. d’Alzon proposed the motto: “until Christ be formed in you,” a charge his Assumptionists have fully embraced. in one way or another, every Assumptionist is actively involved in the sacramental and everyday life of the College.

photo: DAn vAillAnCourt

photo: tAmmy wooDArD

visiting Assistant professor of theology Fr. roger Corriveau, A.A. ’69

Fr. ron sibugan, A.A., meets with peer ministers, including ben irwin ’19

Assumptionists lived in a manner that constantly oriented themselves, and subsequently those around them, toward the Eucharist. It was by their example and way of life that I first realized the reality and power of the Eucharist.”

Last spring, Henry converted to Catholicism. “The Assumptionists didn’t convert me,” she said. “However, the people whose lives they touched had a powerful impact. She’s especially thankful for the insight provided by Vice President for Mission Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A. ’69 and Fr. Barry Bercier, A.A. ’65. “Fr. Dennis profoundly impacted my formation in the church,” she said. “He showed tremendous patience and enthusiasm through my conversion process. Fr. Barry assisted in my formation as a Catholic thinker, and I learned by his example that it is okay to explore the ‘why’ behind what I believe.”

Active influence Father d’Alzon wanted his order to be “men of our times” and to be attentive to the needs of the people around them. Rather than sequestering themselves from the world, they endeavored to immerse themselves in it. Following Fr. d’Alzon’s dictum to be “the person who God wants you to be,” each Assumptionist makes a determination as to how his specific gifts can best be put to the service of God and to humanity. At Assumption College, Assumptionists can be found on the College’s Board of Trustees, on the faculty, in Campus Ministry— and even at football games.

The Assumptionists’ involvement with the College takes on many different forms. “Sponsorship is closely connected to the soul of an institution,” said Fr. Dennis. “In this respect, sponsorship is more than the sum of its parts, more than the combined effect of a rather modest

Assumption College Magazine

Fall 2015

19

Following Fr. d’Alzon’s dictum to be “the person who god wants you to be,” each Assumptionist makes a determination as to how his specific gifts can best be put to the service of god and to humanity. At Assumption College, Assumptionists can be found on the College’s board of trustees, on the faculty, in campus ministry—and even at football games.

20

Assumption College Magazine

Fall 2015

number of Assumptionists working in various capacities at the College.

The corporate witness of the Assumptionists at Assumption College is to keep alive and to renew the animating vision of Fr. D’Alzon for a kind of education that enlarges the minds and the hearts of those who give themselves to it. In the face of disorienting changes and widespread uncertainties in the culture, in the academy, and in the landscape of Catholic higher education, sponsorship calls us to a common discernment that engages the deepest wisdom of our Catholic and Assumptionist tradition with the needs of today’s students.”

Michael Hoye ’16 is encouraged that so many students participate in the many spiritual programs provided by the Assumptionists. Hoye serves in Campus Ministry as a leader of Ignitus, a weekly program featuring contemporary music, meditation and discussions about living one’s faith.

“Basically, it’s all about seeking ways to be a true Christian,” he explained. “The Assumption environment promotes the beauty of a deeper faith and relationship with God. It then encourages students to seek out goodness and truth and to imitate the life of Christ.”

This ongoing process of discovery helps make an Assumption College education both distinctive and transformative. “The thoughtful and engaging homilies of Fr. Dennis and [former Trustee] Fr. Richard Lamoureux, A.A. ’64 have brought insight to what I was learning in class,” said Hoye who is discerning a vocation to the priesthood. “Without some of the key points they provided, I would not have seen the integration of faith and intellectual pursuits.”

Campus Minister Fr. Ron Sibugan, A.A. advises students serving as peer ministers, one of whom is assigned to each of the residence halls and/or to lead specific activities throughout the year. Guided by ongoing training, the peer ministers play an important role in providing students with easy access to someone they can talk with and go to for advice.

“Father Ron is very supportive and remembers each student he meets and cares for each student he comes to know,” said Baldwin.

Peer Minister Corinne Murphy ’17 praises the Assumptionists for being such an active part of everyday life at Assumption. “The Assumptionists have taken great care in laying the sacramental foundation of the College. Everything flows from that because everything they do is so Christ-centered.”

She is particularly fond of a monthly event called Agape Latte, which features various guest professors and staff members who talk about life and its meanings or personal challenges and how they relied upon their faith to handle them. By providing “real world” examples, their stories resonate with students making their own choices and finding their own paths. Agape Latte, like Assumption and the Assumptionists, welcomes students of all faiths to examine some of life’s deepest questions.

Fr. Ron has made himself a part of campus life in other ways as well.

As one of Assumption’s team chaplains, for instance, he offers pastoral and spiritual support to staff, coaches, players and fans by providing wisdom, encouragement and a sympathetic ear. “(The Chaplains) interact with students in a unique environment,” said Campus Ministry Director Paul Covino, “and develop relationships with the students. This can lead to good conversations about the ‘things that matter’ in life.”

“In addition to leading pregame prayers, the team chaplains are active in many athletics events and team gatherings,” Director of Athletics Nick Smith explains. “I think their involvement helps our

Continuing the Tradition While the days of an Assumption College taught entirely by Assumptionists have passed, today several religious still continue this fine tradition.

Fr. Barry and Fr. Roger Corriveau, A.A. ’69 both serve as visiting assistant professors of theology. Bro Richard Gagnon, A.A. is a transfer counselor in Admissions and Fr. Mulumba Kambale Matsongani, A.A. is an assistant in the Finance Office. Fr. Jerome Lively, A.A., superior of the Assumptionist community at Emmanuel House on campus, serves as a lecturer in theology and Fr. Donat Lamothe, A.A. ’57 is a part-time professor of music and the College’s archivist.

An Assumption graduate and long-time faculty member, Fr. Donat knows firsthand how influential the wisdom of the Assumptionists can be.

“Many of the Assumptionist from days past developed educational relationships with students that they remember very strongly,” he noted.

“Fr. Ernest Fortin, A.A. ’46 and Fr. Denys Gonthier, A.A. ’44 [the namesakes for the College’s Fortin and Gonthier Foundations of Western Civilization Program, endowed by Donald ’64 and Michele D’Amour HD’10] had a profound impact on the many students that they taught and counseled. They were brilliant men. I have a great deal of admiration for Fr. Denys for the help that he gave me in discerning my vocation.”

This lasting impact is still common. “In the Introduction to The Bible course I took with Fr. Barry, he had each student commit to memory Genesis 12:1-4, which is the call of Abraham, which really resonated with me,” Murphy recalled. “It made me think about what I am called to do in the both moment and the future. It brought a lot of things into perspective for me.”

photo: DAn vAillAnCourt

student-athletes understand what it means to be pursuing an education at a Catholic college, the history and tradition of the institution and the beliefs and the values accompanied by those teachings.”

Hoye, a member of the Greyhounds cross country team, agrees, “As proud supporters of the Catholic intellectual tradition, the Assumptionists have helped me learn that a life well lived is one that seeks to love every person as we ought to love Christ himself,” he said.

The Assumptionist spirit is especially present in the Campus Ministry-sponsored SEND service trips, which help move faith into action. These expeditions take students far beyond the campus borders to the mission field of Ecuador and to inner-city sites in the United States where students can live out their faith by assisting those who are in poverty or have been marginalized by society.

Colleen Putzel ’14 recently completed a year of service in Ecuador after travel there on a SEND trip as an undergraduate. “Assumption was a great starting point for me,” she said. “It made me interested in social justice, service and forming a relationship with God.” The relationship continues beyond graduation for alumni and, for many, the Assumptionists remain a substantial part of it. Each year, about a dozen weddings of alumni are held in the College’s Chapel of the Holy Spirit, and they often select an Assumptionist to celebrate their unity. Fr. Dennis explained, “The wedding liturgy is the culmination of nine months of preparation, which involves several meetings with the couple to discuss various aspects of sacramental marriage.

I appreciate the chance to either reconnect with alumni or to get to know them for the first time. To be part of this very special moment in their lives is a real privilege.”

michael hoye ’16 and kaitlyn henry ’16 with Fr. barry bercier, A.A. ’65

“I particularly recall one of the Assumptionists who said, ‘The great war between good and evil is not fought and won by armies but only with one person at a time,’” remembers Emily West CE ’05, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Fallon Health in Worcester.

“I wrote that down and I have never forgotten it. The idea of the dignity of each person made a lasting impression on me.”

“I found myself applying what I learned in my evening courses at work the next day,” she notes. “I was particularly impressed by the fact that faith and reason where never pushed on you, yet there are great ethical principles. They were things that stuck with you when you needed them most.”

For many, the Assumptionists themselves embody that ideal.

“When you see someone who has responded to this call to be set apart, to give up the things we hold in such high esteem by taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, it makes you stop and think,” Murphy believes. “Having the Assumptionists in the classroom, around campus, in the confessional, in the chapel makes a difference.”

Therein lies the true value of the Assumptionists’ presence as they seek to inspire and instill in students a desire to live their best lives: lives of meaning and faith and reason. Their credo “ … Until Christ be formed in you” describes a process in constant motion, one defined equally by moments of brilliant enlightenment and moments of companionship and support. Through their constant devotion to this process, expressed in so many ways and touching so many, they ensure that Assumption continues to change lives and form graduates known for critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship and compassionate service, just as they have since 1904.

Assumption College Magazine

Fall 2015

21