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., G’15 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