“Cultivate the habit of being grateful
for every good thing that comes to you….
And because all things have contributed to your advancement,
you should include all things in your gratitude.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dear Friends,
The theme for our 37th Provincial Assembly in Kearney June 2-4 was “Drawing All Peoples Near” and at one time or another during those three days close to 200 Precious Blood people from Sonoma to Rome came together to reflect, pray, and celebrate our charism of reconciliation. As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ this weekend, we are mindful of the many people who provided for us the “cup of blessing that we bless” and reminded us again how it is “a participation in the blood of Christ.”
We are grateful to Brother Daryl Charron and Companion Elizabeth Huele for their leadership as co-chairs of this year’s Assembly. An Assembly of this size has so many details to attend to, but with the help of many volunteers from the province and the parish of the Annunciation, their servant leadership brought us all together.
Special thanks to our communications director, Margaret Haik, for coordinating the publicity of our Assembly and publication of the Assembly booklet. We also want to thank Companion Virginia Miller who volunteers at the Provincial Office on Mondays for her help in getting things ready for the Assembly.
We want to recognize and express our gratitude to the wizard of technology, Father Timothy Armbruster, whose expertise was essential in setting up the multimedia presentations for our presenters; and to Father Keith Branson who recorded the presentations which are now available on our website. We also want to thank Father Keith for his interview with Father Larry Cyr that was shown during our Jubilarian banquet.
Once again we are grateful to Father Dave Matz for planning the prayers and liturgies for the Assembly along with our many talented musicians, cantors, prayer leaders, presiders, preachers, and acolytes for their service of the Word, Sacrament, and song.
Of course, we are indebted to Father John Wolf, the companions, and all the people of Annunciation Parish in Kearney who embody the spirit of hospitality and welcomed us with open arms. Many of the parishioners and companions from Kearney served us throughout the week in setting the table and serving the wonderful meals prepared by our incomparable chef, Lucia Ferrara. From those who tended bar to the youth who served us at the Jubilarian banquet, we are most grateful for your kindness and hospitality!
And thanks to all of you who gathered the first week of June to reflect on the call and challenge of reconciliation for our day and time. Our speakers, Sister Joyce Rupp and Father David Kelly, engaged our minds, enflamed our hearts, and enlivened our witness to be ministers of mercy and ambassadors of reconciliation in our church and world. May these summer days bring you some rest and refreshment for body, mind, and soul. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the 38th Provincial Assembly that will be held at Kearney April 13-16, 2015! Since it is an Electoral Assembly, the 200th Anniversary of the Congregation and 50th Anniversary of the Kansas City Province, our Assembly next year will begin on Monday evening, April 13, and conclude on Thursday noon, April 16.
Until we meet at next year’s Assembly or at one of the many events being planned leading up to it to celebrate our Bicentennial, may we continue to meet in prayer and dwell in possibility!
With peace,
Joe Nassal, C.PP.S.
Provincial Director
For the Leadership Team