Founders Week Raises Awareness of Immigration-Centric Struggles

From September 6–12, Assumption held the first-ever Founders Week, a weeklong observance and celebration of the mission of the Augustinians of the Assumption who founded and sponsor Assumption. The week featured a number of events that provided an opportunity for community-wide reflection on the impact of the Assumptionists in Worcester and abroad.

“During Founders Week, a reference to the Augustinians of the Assumption that founded the institution in 1904, we as a community of learning and faith explored other dimensions of our rich mission,” said Fr. Richard Lamoureux, A.A., ’64, vice president for mission. “This year, focusing on the theme of immigration, the community prayed, reflected, became informed, and acted upon this issue, which is continuously impacting our nation, city, and our community.”

Founders Week began with the Annual Mass of the Holy Spirit, a tradition since Assumption’s founding in 1904, which was presided over by The Most Rev. Robert McManus, Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester. Fr. John Madden, a priest of the Diocese of Worcester who works with local immigrant communities, delivered the homily. The Mass was followed by a “Tastes of the World” luncheon during which members of the community explored different types of food from an international menu. Later in the evening, a community art exhibit opened in the d’Alzon Library. “Immigrate-Emigrate” featured the work of artists who have contributed their visual interpretations of the migration journey, either personally or culturally. The works presented were intended to spark conversation about immigration from a personal perspective.

Also as part of the Founders Week observances, Assumption students, faculty, and staff engaged in a service opportunity at Noonday Farm in Winchendon, which donates a significant portion of their harvest to local families in need. To raise awareness of the struggle of immigrants, a Migration Walk took place on the Assumption campus, in which the community learned about the challenges faced by those who leave their homelands and seek refugee status in the United States. Later in the week, members of the Assumption community took part in the annual United Way Day of Caring, an event in which more than 1,000 volunteers assist nonprofit organizations throughout Central Massachusetts.

The week of events also featured two lectures. Sister Mary Ann Azanza of the Religious Sisters of the Assumption served as the guest speaker at Agape Latte, in which she shared her personal journey, exploring the theme “Pancit, Pupusas and Pizza: An Immigrant’s Story.” The second community-wide lecture, entitled “Bracing for Impact,” featured a presentation by Associate Professor of Spanish Esteban Loustaunau, Ph.D., on Father Guy Leroy, A.A., who founded Accompagner (Accompany) in Brussels to provide assistance to immigrants and those living in poverty. Following the lectures, attendees explored seven different Assumption projects in the world that address the needs of immigrants. The event concluded with attendees gathering to discuss how they might impact the issue of immigration globally and on the Assumption campus.