April 11, 2020 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews The Augustinians Extend To You the Blessings of Easter Joy and Hope "Christ made himself an example of the life we live now by his labors, his temptations, his sufferings, and his death. In his resurrection he demonstrates the life we will live after death. Without him, all that we would have known about human life is that we are born and we die. We would not have known that anyone could rise from the dead and live forever. He took upon himself the human condition that we all knew and gave us a proof of the resurrected life that we did not know. This is why he has become our hope in distressful times."      - Saint Augustine, On Psalm 60, 4 Easter Sunday Mass Augustinian Friars in formation from the St. Augustine Community, Chicago, will celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii.   Tune In on Easter Sunday! Easter Sunday Homily Francis A. Sirolli, O.S.A.  St. Thomas Monastery Villanova, Pennsylvania " A young boy was walking through a wooded area near his house when something caught his attention. It was a silky pouch on the branch of a tree that seemed to have activity within. He walked very close to it and could make out what seemed to be the head of a large insect struggling to emerge. “This looks like a hopeless task,” the boy said to himself. “If that thing is trying to get out it will never make it.” He watched it for a while longer, but when the struggle subsided a bit, he took out his pocketknife and cut a slit along the side of the pouch hoping by his action to assist the process. This freed the insect..." Keep reading United in Prayer - Tolle Lege Day The Augustinian Friars invite you to submit your prayer intentions and experience the power of united prayer both to sustain us in this pandemic crisis and to plead for its end. In the days leading up to April 24th, what would have been the Augustinians’ first-ever giving day, prayer intentions will be posted on the Tolle Lege Day website and remembered each day. The friars’ prayer initiative will culminate with a live-streamed Mass on April 24th, the feast of the Conversion of St. Augustine. We invite you to  follow  the Province on social media so that you can share our posts regarding Tolle Lege Day. Please Share!  Submit your prayer intentions! Fr. Gordon E. Marcellus, O.S.A. March 2, 1934 – March 27, 2020 Gordon Eugene Marcellus was born on March 2, 1934, in Greenfield Center, New York, the son of Artell Marcellus and Amelia Pero. He had two brothers and three sisters. He was baptized on March 26, 1941, at Saint John the Baptist Church, Schaghticoke, New York, and attended Schaghticoke Elementary School and Hoosick Valley Central High School, Valley Falls, NY, from which he graduated in 1950. Continue reading  An Introduction to the  Confessions  of Saint Augustine  Book II  Please share and look forward to receiving  Book III next week! Bishop Daniel Turley, O.S.A., Retires On April 2, 2020, it was announced that Pope Francis had accepted the resignation of Bishop Daniel Turley, O.S.A. from the pastoral care of the diocese of Chulucanas, Peru, on having reached the age of retirement. Reverend Cristóbal Bernardo Mejía Corral, of the clergy of the diocese of Lurín, Peru, has been named his successor. Keep reading Holy Spirit Radio Interview with Fr. Jack Deegan, O.S.A. Fr. Jack Deegan, O.S.A., Director of Justice and Peace, speaks to Barbara Shinkle of Holy Spirit Radio about the online interactive community building webinar where they collaborate together on important social issues. Listen here Justice and Peace Interactive Webinar Part 2 Mark your calendars!! Join us for Part 2 of  A reflection on Augustine on Catholic Social Teaching as Applied to Restorative Justice with an emphasis on Prison Ministry  on April 22nd, 7:30-8:30 PM. Presenters: Br. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. and Fr. Paul Morrissey, O.S.A., Founder of Adeodatus Ministry. If you have not already done so, register here! Merrimack College Austin Scholars Serve Despite Pandemic Sixty-seven Merrimack students who are members of the Austin Scholars living learning community joined with a faculty member to produce a video they could share with people they would ordinarily be joining for service but are now unable to meet with in person due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Austin Scholars Program is the oldest existing living learning community at Merrimack and provides service on campus and to many people around the Merrimack Valley.  Family shares the importance of an Augustinian presence found at  Malvern Preparatory School ‘Q & A with Brian Riley P’21’26, Malvern Prep Trustee and Parent’ featured in the Malvern Preparatory School magazine. What was your first introduction to the Augustinians? We first met the Augustinians when our son, Jack, enrolled at Malvern Prep. We realized that the Friars were going to be instrumental in our son’s faith formation. In a society where messages can pull our youth into different directions, we began to see the Augustinians as our partners in raising our children in their Christian faith. Continue reading April 11 SAINT STANISLAUS “The fullness of faith is to believe that Christ is both man and God. (Thomas) was offered the scars of his Savior to touch and when he touched them he exclaimed ‘My Lord and my God!’ He touched the man, he recognized God.” - Sermon 258, 3 Connect daily with Augustine Be the Difference, Donate Today  Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! ‌

March 28, 2020 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews From the Prior Provincial Even, and perhaps especially, in times like these, we're reminded that we have Good News to proclaim, indeed, that we are to be that Good News for one another and for the world. Through understanding and compassion, encouragement and attentiveness, generosity and mercy, we make the world a better place for those around us. We friars keep all of you in prayer and we say with Saint Augustine: Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels and saints charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones.  Pity your afflicted ones.  Shield your joyous ones and all for your love's sake. Amen.    - Saint Augustine New Video Series: An Introduction to the Confessions of Saint Augustine You are invited to accompany Augustine on his journey “home” by means of a personal and communal reflection on your own journey, drawing you closer to God, to yourself, to others and to the magnificent manifestation of our loving God in nature.  The journey begins with this introductory video and will be followed, weekly, by a video meditation on each of the 13 books of St Augustine’s master work: The Confessions.  Join the legion of saints and searchers throughout sixteen centuries who have found, in Augustine, a spiritual companion on the path toward a more personal relationship with Christ. God is the source and origin, Jesus himself is the path, the Way, and the Spirit is our common guide. Tolle Lege Day: Postponed and Re-Imagined Friday, April 24, 2020 Given all that is taking place, we have postponed Tolle Lege Day as originally conceived. We have a plan for a “Re-Imagined Tolle Lege Day”, however, that will include an initiative of spiritual support throughout these next weeks, rather than a day of financial support. In the days leading up to Tolle Lege Day, all those who are part of our Province will submit prayer intentions, reflections and words of encouragement that will be posted on the Tolle Lege Day website and remembered each day. This initiative of prayer will culminate in a live-streamed Mass celebrating the Conversion of Saint Augustine on April 24th. Let us experience the power of united prayer both to sustain us in this crisis and to plead for its end. Learn more Turning Lemons Into Lemonade by  Augustinian Volunteers Sitting down to write this blog seems like a precarious use of my time. The world is currently enduring through a remarkable period full of unknowns. Yet that is entirely why I want my blog to respond to the question “Where have you seen God present in your week?” This question holds new meaning for me as I struggle with the changes I have seen in the world around me. Normally, my volunteer responsibilities are split between assisting in Campus Ministry’s initiatives at Merrimack College and at Hands to Help, a community resource center operated by the college in Lawrence, MA... Keep reading Augustine and Catholic Social Teaching We thoroughly enjoyed the presentation of Fr. Kevin DePrinzio, O.S.A. and loved having all of your comments and questions. Thank you so much to all who participated and to those who will participate by viewing this video. Mark your calendars for: Part 2: A reflection on “Augustine on Catholic Social Teaching as Applied to Restorative Justice with an emphasis on Prison Ministry .” April 22, 7:30-8:30 PM Presenters Br. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. and Fr. Paul Morrissey, O.S.A ., Founder of Adeodatus Ministry If you have not registered and would like to join us, click here! Lenten Challenge Representative from A.D.R.O.P. This week’s Lenten challenge representative is Susan Killeen. Sue has spent much time developing her forgiving nature and shared some of that experience with A.D.R.O.P. and the readers. “When I hear the word, forgiveness, I think of forgiving others as God has forgiven us,” Sue stated. “There have been various times in my life I feel people have hurt me, so it really has been a lifelong experience to learn how to truly forgive.”... Keep reading Facebook post from A.D.R.O.P. March 28 SAINT SIXTUS III “Let God be enough for you, because he doesn’t desert you. He thought about you before you existed, and won’t he think about you so that you can stay alive? You have already come to believe in him, you have praised him, you have placed your hopes in him, and will you lack what he knows we all need?” - Sermon 107A, 5 Connect daily with Augustine Be the Difference, Donate Today  Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! ‌

March 14, 2020 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Announcing Tolle Lege Day! Friday, April 24, 2020 The Augustinians invite you to participate in our first-ever Augustinian giving day on Friday, April 24, 2020. During this 24-hour fundraising event, we will come together as a religious and lay community with one mind and one heart to celebrate the Augustinian charism and all those who share in it with us.  Listen  to Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., Prior Provincial , share the significance of our giving day date and name. Serve as an ambassador, make a challenge gift/Tolle Lege Day gift, share your Augustinian connection story or offer a prayer intention to participate in Tolle Lege Day. Learn more CORONAVIRUS AND US What to do when life is interrupted?   Certainly, we are living an extraordinary moment of time! The coronavirus pandemic, by definition, has reached the far corners of the earth and the challenges, fear and sorrow it causes unites us all in a common awareness of vulnerability. May suffering, once again, show its capacity to bring us together. From shared adversity can come shared compassion, acts of attentiveness, increased consideration for the common good and heartfelt prayer arising from profound awareness of our common human need. When life is interrupted, let us remember God’s continuous presence. Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A. Lent: Week 3 Let Me Know You: Steps in Discovering The Hidden God Presented by Donald X. Burt, O.S.A. Introduction: Climbing the Mountain Three of the four gospel writers tell the story of the first time human beings were called to ascend a mountain to see the transfigured Jesus-God. Matthew gives the following description of the event: Six days after his first prediction of his passion and death, Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. And his face shone as the sun, and his garments became white as snow. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking together with him. Then Peter addressed Jesus, saying, “Lord it is good for us to be here!” Matt 17:1-4 Keep reading Resources Page Go to our homepage to check out our Resources page! Learn more about St. Augustine, read the most recent homilies, and more. View here Justice and Peace Online Community You are invited to join the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova in a special webinar where, together, we will explore how Augustine might have reacted to a number of relevant issues of today. Any clubs, groups or parishioners who might be interested in attending this event are encouraged to organize a watch party. This could be a group of parishioners sitting around a laptop together or the webinar could be projected so that a larger group might watch together. We hope to see you there!   What: Augustine and Catholic Social Teaching, presented by Fr. Kevin DePrinzio, O.S.A. Date: March 18 th  at 7:30pm. Register here NewsHub Our NewsHub is a place to follow the latest news and information about the Augustinians of The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. There we’ll share news covered by the media as well as stories written by the Augustinians themselves. Be sure to check out our magazine and sign up for our e-newsletter. View here March 14 SAINT MATILDA “Since nothing is more contrary to love than envy, and the mother of envy is pride, to cure our boundless conceit by a more powerful antidote, the Lord Jesus Christ, God and man, became both the proof of God’s love for us, and the example of humility among us.” - Catechizing the Uninstructed I,6,8 Connect daily with Augustine Be the Difference, Donate Today  Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! ‌

February 22, 2020 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Priors General of the Three Augustinian Orders Meet, Affirm Dialogue and Collaboration Joint Message of the Three Orders: Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.); Order of Augustinian Recollects (O.A.R.); Order of Discalced Augustinians (O.A.D.)  "Together and with one voice, we wish to give praise to the Lord for the grace of the living presence of the Augustinian charism in the heart of the Church. In the name of the three Orders, we send this message as an account of what the Lord is inspiring us to do.  On February 14, 2020, the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the three general councils of the Augustinians, Augustinian Recollects and Discalced Augustinians met together at the General Curia of the O.S.A. for a moment of sharing, celebration and fraternity..." Keep reading Augustine and Catholic Social Teaching Are you curious about how St. Augustine might have reacted to many of the major social justice issues of today? Join the Office of Justice and Peace for the first in a series titled: Augustine and Catholic Social Teaching on March 18th from 7:30-8:30 pm. Fr. Kevin DePrinzio, O.S.A. will give the first presentation and the entire program will be offered electronically, meaning that anyone with a computer and an internet connection can attend. So form a group of fellow parishioners or friends and join us! Details and registration AUGUSTINIAN Winter 2020 The digital interactive copy of the Winter Augustinian Magazine is now available!  Br. Dan Madden, O.S.A. and Br. Elizandro Contreras, O.S.A. reflect on professing their solemn vows in our Vocation Motivation feature. Fr. David Cregan, O.S.A. dives deep into Catholic Christian spirituality in his article, Mind, Body, Soul . And learn about our newest Augustinian Affiliates in An Augustinian Thread of Common Good , by Fr. Joseph Genito, O.S.A. View stories Shrine Healing Mass is in the News! Did you miss the story about the Shrine's Healing Mass on the news this past weekend? Watch video Augustinian Volunteers Take Part in Community Retreats Pictured: the San Diego community on their retreat last week. (l-r) Jacob Robinson, Marty Palmasani, Keara McNulty, and Claire Leroux Each February, Augustinian Volunteers serving in Lawrence, MA; Philadelphia, PA; San Diego, CA; and Ventura, CA have the opportunity to take part in a small community retreat led by AV staff. These retreats allow for volunteers to focus on their spirituality, work on their relationships with one another, and explore a new region of the area in which they are serving. Learn more Augustinians Return to Southwest Florida The Augustinians gathered with over 140 friends for a Celebration of Mass and a reflection on Augustinian Spirituality in Southwest Florida. Although the Augustinians are not physically present in Florida, we are grateful for the many friends who continue to collaborate with us. View photos February 22 CHAIR OF SAINT PETER “The medicine for all the wounds of the soul, and the one propitiation for the offenses of men is to believe in Christ … They who believe in him become the children of God; because they are born of God by the grace of adoption, which is by faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Sermon 143.1 Connect daily with Augustine Be the Difference, Donate Today  Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! ‌

February 8, 2020 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Friars Celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life (l-r) Br. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A., Fr. Dave Kelley, O.S.A. and Fr. Joe Narog, O.S.A. at St. Mary's in Waterford, NY Fr. Joe Narog, O.S.A. , Province Vocation Director, and Br. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. , one of our students in formation, joined the Augustinian Community in Waterford, NY, the weekend of February 1-2, to help celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life.  At the invitation of Fr. Dave Kelley, O.S.A. , Pastor of St. Mary’s in Waterford and St. Augustine’s in Troy, NY, Fr. Joe and Br. Jeremy spoke about Augustinian religious life and vocations at all the Masses in each parish. They also had the opportunity to interact with a number of parishioners and share a variety of materials, including vocation posters and the “Prayer in the Augustinian Tradition” pocket prayer folds. View More Photos Newly Released Video: I discovered Saint Augustine. Then I found the Augustinians Br. Michael Riggs, O.S.A. , a 27-year-old from Long Island, made his first profession of vows as an Augustinian in 2019. Hear how, after being transformed by the conversion story of St. Augustine, he sought out the priests and brothers who followed his way of life. New Photos! Br. Dan Madden, O.S.A. Ordained to the Diaconate NEW PHOTOS! On January 11, 2020 the Augustinian Bishop Ro bert Prevost, O.S.A. ordained Br. Dan Madden, O.S.A. to the diaconate at St. Rita Parish in Chicago. View All Photos A Special Ceremony at the Shrine From a CatholicPhilly.com article, Retiring from the service, he embarks on new service to church : “An unusual event occurred early this month at the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia in South Philadelphia. A special ceremony Jan. 2 in St. Rita Church on South Broad Street, which closed as a parish in 2014 but remains as the home of the shrine, featured First Class Petty Officer Michael Anastasi of the United States Coast Guard who marked his formal retirement from military service after 20 years active duty..." Keep Reading ADROP Sixth Annual Mass and Brunch March 15, 2020 Come celebrate the Eucharist, enjoy brunch with friends, and support ADROP in their work to build community in South Philadelphia and beyond through wellness, education and justice. The Mission of ADROP is to build bridges between providers, recipients and community leaders across economic, political and religious spectra. We are encouraged by your continued support and hope to celebrate with you at this event. RSVP Here Justice & Peace Online Community Join Us! beginning March 18, 2020 for an interactive community building webinar where we collaborate together on important social issues. More information to come! February 8 SAINT JEROME EMILIANI "Why (God) should ask us to pray, when he knows what we need before we ask him, may perplex us if we do not realize that our Lord and God does not want to know what we want (for he cannot fail to know it) but wants us rather to exercise our desire through our prayers, so that we may be able to receive what he is preparing to give us. His gift is very great indeed, but our capacity is too small and limited to receive it. " - Letter 130, 8 Connect Daily With Augustine Augustinian Mass Cards The Augustinian Guild (Mass Cards) was established as a ministry of prayer so that we might share with others the spiritual riches of our religious community. Individuals enrolled in the Guild, both living and deceased, share in our Masses, prayers and works. Donations to the Guild, in turn, assist us in our Province Mission, in the care of elderly and infirm friars, and in the education and training of our newest Province members. Praying is one of the ways in which we Augustinians are united in petition and thanksgiving with family, benefactors and friends.   Order Mass Cards Be the Difference, Donate Today  Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! ‌

January 25, 2020 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Br. Dan Madden, O.S.A. Ordained to Diaconate Pictured (l-r): Br. Jack Tierney, O.S.A., Br. Dan Madden, O.S.A., Bishop Robert Prevost, O.S.A., Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., Prior Provincial and Fr. Omero Sanchez, O.S.A. (Pastor of Saint Rita Parish) On January 11, Br. Dan Madden, O.S.A. was ordained to the diaconate at  St. Rita of Cascia Parish Chicago . Prayerful good wishes to Br. Dan! Ordination of Bishop Edinson Farfan, O.S.A. Pictured (l-r): Fr. John Lydon, O.S.A. and Bishop Edinson Farfan, O.S.A. On Saturday, January 4, beginning the new decade of 2020, in the city of Cuzco, Peru the first Peruvian born Augustinian in over two centuries was ordained a bishop.  Bishop Edinson Farfan, O.S.A. , a member of our Augustinian Vicariate of Chulucanas, was named by Pope Francis as the bishop of Chuquibambilla, a large geographical area outside of Cuzco. The prelature of Chuquibambilla was founded by the Italian province in 1968 and until last week, its previous bishops had been from Italy. Bishop Edinson just celebrated his 45th birthday and is now the youngest bishop in Peru.  Keep Reading Domestic Augustinian Volunteers Send Off International Volunteers The domestic AVs recently made a video to send off the two international AVs who will be serving in Peru. Our prayers are with them as they start their volunteer service. Watch the video here! The Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova serves the Augustinian Volunteers program: recent college graduates who feel called to spend a year in service to others while living in an intentional community and committing to personal and spiritual development. St. Augustine Legacy Society Invitation We invite you to join the members of the St. Augustine Legacy Society who have made known their intention to include the friars in their estate plans. We want to ensure a strong presence of Augustinians in our schools, parishes and ministries now and into the future. With a simple gift through your will, trust retirement plan or life insurance policy, your legacy becomes the friars' future. Learn More Something For Your Valentine! Hearts on Fire by Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A . Hearts on Fire is a collection of short biographical sketches of saintly men and women venerated by the Augustinians. The entries follow the general calendar of the Order in 307 pages and recount the lives of 94 Saints, Blesseds and Servants of God who practiced Augustinian Spirituality in the pursuit of holiness. This volume is a valuable companion for those who celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours according to the Augustinian calendar. The best sources available have been used to present profiles which are historically accurate, clear and up-to-date. Order by February 7th to receive in time for Valentine's Day! January 25 CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL "Let us confidently acknowledge and openly declare that Christ was crucified for our sake, proclaiming it with pride and joy, not with fear and shame. The apostle Paul saw in this reason for boasting. He could have told us many great and holy things about Christ: how as God he shared with his Father the work of creation, and how as man like us he was master of the world. But he would not glory in any of these wonderful things. God forbid that I should boast of anything, he said, except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Sermon 218C Connect Daily With Augustine  Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! ‌

January 11, 2020 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Two Friars Solemnly Professed Pictured: Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A.,Prior Provincial (standing, left), receives the solemn vows of Br. Dan Madden, O.S.A and Br. Elizandro Contreras, O.S.A. (kneeling, left) . On Saturday, December 21, 2019, Fr. Michael Di Gregorio , O.S.A. , Prior Provincial received the solemn vows professed by Br. Dan Madden, O.S.A. and Br. Elizandro Contreras, O.S.A. Family and friends gathered at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church for a beautiful liturgy. Br. Dan is to be ordained to the diaconate at Saint Rita’s Parish in Chicago, on January 11, 2020. Solemn Profession Video Join us in Florida this February! Augustinian Spiritual Gathering February 13, 2020 Join  Fr. John Deary, O.S.A., Fr. Michael Hughes, O.S.A. and Fr. Michael Sullivan, O.S.A.   on February 13, 2020 for our Augustinian gathering in Southwest Florida!   We invite you to join us for the Celebration of Mass followed by reflection, prayer and a buffet supper. To R.S.V.P. by February 6, 2020, please click here   or contact Andrew McKeough at (610) 527-3330 ext. 260. We look forward to seeing you in Florida!   Details And Registration Lay Augustinian Retreat February 14- 16, 2020 On February 14th- 16th, Fr. John Deary, O.S.A . will give three talks on  Augustine and Memory,   Augustine and Friends,  and  Augustine and Interiority  plus Guided Reflections, Daily Eucharist & Common Prayer at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center. Registration closes January 25th, 2020! Details and Registration A New Video From the Shrine Enjoy a new welcome video from the National Shrine of Saint Rita, created to encourage the offering of values and witness of Saint Rita of Cascia; a healer, reconciler, and peacemaker. This video was created in collaboration with the Augustinian Friars , along with Jonathan Jerome, Director of the Shrine and Yulianna Saputro, Development Coordinator. Healing Mass Schedule A.D.R.O.P. Celebrates Annual Christmas Party A.D.R.O.P. celebrated their annual Adeodatus Christmas party on December 13 th . Adeodatus and Mary Mother of Captives participants and volunteers were joined by guests from The Last Stop and The Open Door. A new tradition of an “indoor snowball fight” was enjoyed by all and can be seen pictured here! A Conversation with the Head of School,  Fr. Robert J. Murray, O.S.A., Ph.D.  By: Fr. Robert J. Murray, O.S.A., Ph.D. and Sajan White Below is an excerpt from this story, as featured in the Winter 2019 edition of The Torch. What drew you to the priesthood, most specifically the Order of St. Augustine?  As is true of many who are called to religious life and ordained ministry, the call to serve God is something that I remember considering as a young boy. I was an altar boy in my parish and I found myself drawn to a life of service in the Church. My home parish was served by Diocesan priests, but we had Augustinians who assisted on weekends, which is where I was introduced to the community. Also, I always wanted to be involved in education and I knew that Augustinians, among other ministries, were involved in education. After high school, I attended Villanova for a year as a lay student. It was there that I came to know and appreciate the Augustinians. I found the Augustinians very down to earth, very real. I applied and have never looked back!  Keep Reading January 11 Saint Eugene "Don’t let Satan creep up on you, saying what he customarily says: ‘Enjoy yourself in God’s creation. Why did he make those things if not for you to enjoy them?’ And they get drunk, and they ruin themselves, and they forget their creator. As long as they use created things not temperately by inordinately, the creator is disdained. Of such persons the Apostle says, ‘They adored and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever.’ God doesn’t forbid you to love those things, but you must not love them in expectation of blessedness. Rather, you must favor and praise them in such a way that you love the creator." - On the First Letter of John 2,11 Connect Daily With Augustine Be the Difference, Donate Today  Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! ‌

December 14, 2019 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Fr. Bill Atkinson Presentation at St. Augustine Prep On November 20, the St. Augustine Prep community had the chance to experience a presentation by Fr. Bryan Kerns, O.S.A. and three of Fr. Bill Atkinson's siblings: Joan Mullen, Al Atkinson, and Pat McCaffrey. To begin the morning, Fr. Bryan Kerns, O.S.A. , made a brief presentation to the students on the canonization process. And in preparation for the presentation, all of the St. Augustine Prep students viewed  Step of Faith: The Father Bill Atkinson Story   in their theology classes. Later, Mrs. Mullen spoke mostly to her brother's life, and when the students had questions, she was ably assisted by her brother and sister. After the presentation, the Atkinson family had lunch with some Prep students, Bonner graduates on the faculty, and Augustinians. Augustinian Family Educators' Congress 2019 Last month the Asia Pacific Augustinian Conference held the Augustinian Family Educators' Congress 2019 themed  Truth, Unity, Love: Typically Augustinian Family Values  in Bacolod, Philippines. Fr. Gary McCloskey, O.S.A.  attended and gave the keynote address. Also in attendance was Fr. Masaki Imada, O.S.A. of the Vicariate of the Japanese Martyrs of the Villanova Province, who discussed the intercultural and interfaith challenges.   National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia Receives $50,000 Donation From Catholic Philly News: “The National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia had reason for thanksgiving last week as the St. Alfio Society of Pennsylvania gave a $50,000 donation to the shrine to further its mission and ministry in South Philadelphia. The Nov. 25 donation was given with a prayer that it be “used to better the lives of those (the shrine) chooses to help, both young and old, and that ultimately it helps to make the world a better, safer, and more peaceful place.” Full story Celebrate Your Faith Give a gift of inspiration this Christmas HEARTS ON FIRE is a collection of short biographical sketches of saintly men and women venerated by the Augustinians. The entries follow the general calendar of the Order in 307 pages and recount the lives of 94 Saints, Blesseds and Servants of God who practiced Augustinian Spirituality in the pursuit of holiness. This volume is a valuable companion for those who celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours according to the Augustinian calendar. The best sources available have been used to present profiles which are historically accurate, clear and up-to-date. Order by December 18th to receive in time for Christmas! “The Random Creativity of Kindergartners” Travis Vermulm, the Augustinian Volunteer at A.D.R.O.P., wrote a series of blog posts entitled, “The Random Creativity of Kindergartners”. Check out the series at www.rightsofthepoor.org/news  to learn about his interactions with the St. Anthony of Padua Regional Area Catholic School kindergarten class where he volunteers part of the time. December 14 Saint John of the Cross “Do not be slow to make a vow, for it is not through your own power that you will keep it. You will be found wanting if you trust in yourselves, but if you trust in him to whom you make your vow, then make a vow and you will keep it safely.” - Exposition on Psalm 75, 16 Connect daily with Augustine Support the Augustinians As we near the end of the 2019 tax year and as you consider your year-end charitable giving, please consider a gift to the Augustinian Fund. The Augustinian Fund was established in 2006 to build a reliable source of annual revenue to assist the Province in meeting its financial responsibilities. Years ago, the friars’ earned salaries were sufficient to cover all our expenses. Today, however, with fewer friars in active ministry and salaried we must rely on the generosity of friends and benefactors to help us sustain and grow our way of life and the ministries we perform. If you are 70 1/2 and own a traditional IRA, you qualify to make a tax-free gift today in support of the Augustinians. Learn more! | Be the difference, donate today!  Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! ‌

November 23, 2019 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Fr. James G. Glennon, O.S.A. February 11, 1925 — November 9, 2019 Fr. James G. Glennon, O.S.A. was born on February 11, 1925, in Boston, Massachusetts, one of three sons and one daughter of John J. Glennon and Elizabeth Norton. He was baptized on March 1, 1925 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Boston, and attended Cheverus Grammar School, Jamaica Plains, and Mission High School, West Roxbury, graduating in 1943. He spent a year as a postulant at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, and was received into the Augustinian Order as a novice on September 9, 1944. After a year at Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, he professed simple vows on September 10, 1945. He then attended Villanova College, and received his BA in Philosophy in 1949. He professed solemn vows in the Order on September 10, 1948, and pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 1952, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., by Bishop John McNamara... (Keep reading) Br. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. Shares his Vocation Story On November 10th, Br. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. shared his vocation story at the St. Thomas of Villanova Parish during the Province's Vocation Awareness Week. Br. Jeremy is currently a student in formation, who’s serving his pastoral year in the parish. Recruitment has Begun for Augustinian Volunteers Believe it or not, recruitment for our next volunteer class has begun! Many thanks to the alums who have represented the Volunteers at fairs across the country, or will do so in the coming weeks. We would love to make new connections this fall and winter.  Please let us know if there is a parish, high school, college, etc in your area where we could recruit for the AVs. We are happy to send you fliers and other materials! AugustinianVolunteers.org Saturday Morning Homilies Reflections on the New Testament By: Fr. Thomas Dwyer, O.S.A. This book by Fr. Thomas Dwyer, O.S.A. offers the reader the benefit of his knowledge of Jesus' message, refined during his 52 years as a missionary in Japan. In these 95 pages he has provided guidance to help the reader grow and know Jesus better. You my request a copy of this book by contacting Fr. Dwyer, however, a donation of at least $10.00 is requested to cover the cost of packaging and shipping. Please include your name and address and make any checks payable to Fr. Dwyer. To contact him, write to:  Fr. Thomas Dwyer, O.S.A. St. Thomas Monastery 800 E. Lancaster Ave. Villanova, PA 19085 Support Our New Province Members The journey to become a solemnly professed Augustinian Priest or Brother is a lifelong commitment to God, the Church, and the Augustinian Order. Learn more about Augustinian Vocations and Formation and how your generosity can impact our theologians, novices and pre-novices. Donate to the M. Louise Fitzpatrick Fund for Formation and make a difference today! Support our friars in formation! Villanova Students Visit Catholic University of Trujillo A delegation of Villanova University engineering students visited the Catholic University of Trujillo for their school break. Together with engineering students of the Catholic University, they organized a STEM workshop for students in an extremely poor area of Trujillo. They also went to a mountain town to help install wind turbines so that electricity could be generated in places were there is no electrical grid. Students were accompanied by Villanova Engineering Faculty member Al Ortega and Fr. John Lydon, O.S.A. Fr. Robert Murray, O.S.A. Welcomes Superintendent of Catholic Schools (Left to Right) Fr. Robert Murray, O.S.A., Head of School at St. Augustine Preparatory School pictured with Dr. William Watson, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Camden, New Jersey. On Wednesday, November 6, 2019, Dr. Watson graciously joined the St. Augustine Prep Community for the school’s weekly Mass. Grandparents of the Class of 2023 were in attendance.  This Holiday Season, Make a Difference While You Shop!  The holidays are fast approaching! Did you know that you can support the Augustinians while you shop on Amazon? Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible  AmazonSmile  purchases directly to the Augustinian Fund. Same products, same prices, same service.   Learn More About AmazonSmile! November 23 Saint Clement “Why did he permit himself to be tempted, if not to teach us how to resist the tempter? The world promises the pleasures of the flesh; answer it: ‘God is ore delightful than that.’ The world promises secular honors and high office; answer it: ‘The Kingdom of God is higher than all that.’ The world promises superfluous, even damnable spectacle to our curiosity; answer it: ‘God’s truth alone does not err.’” - Sermon 284,5 Connect Daily with Augustine  Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! ‌

November 9, 2019 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Vocation Awareness Week Talk on Facebook Live The Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova Vocation Awareness Week begins this weekend! Masses will be held at Villanova Saturday, the 9th – 5pm Vigil in the Rosemont Chapel; Sunday, the 10th – 7:30am & 10:30am in the Villanova Church; and Sunday, the 10th – 9am in the Rosemont Chapel.  Informational tables will be set up at both locations.   Join us on Facebook Live at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, November 10th to watch Br. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. share his vocation story. Br. Jeremy is a student in formation serving his pastoral year in the parish. Did You Know...  "86% of those being ordained in the U.S. reported being inspired to consider or answer the call by someone in their life - usually a priest, brother or sister, or a family member or friend." - Fr. Joseph L. Narog, O.S.A., Director of Vocations Learn more at beafriar.org Affiliation Ceremony Two couples from Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish, Villanova Pa, were affiliated to the Augustinian Order on November 3 rd . They are Ellen and Anthony DeCarlo and Anne and Dennis Murphy. Both couples are long-time parishioners who have been closely allied with the Augustinians not only in the parish but also in the Augustinian Missions, Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor (ADROP), Saint Rita Shrine and fund-raising projects for the Province. A.D.R.O.P. Welcomes New Board Members On October 26th, Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor ( A.D.R.O.P.) had its first board meeting of the year and welcomed four new board members: Clockwise from top left: Helen Lafferty, Kate Giancatarino, Sr. Ellenrita Purcaro, O.P. and Kristin Bray. They come from a variety of backgrounds and are sure to bring important perspectives to the A.D.R.O.P. board. Save the Date! 2020 North American Lay Augustinian Retreat When: February 14-16th, 2020 Where: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, Venice, FL Led by:  Fr. John Deary, O.S.A. Theme:   "Friendship in the Experience and Writings of St. Augustine." Cost:  $185 p/p, Double Occ., ($50 Deposit) Contact email: jfdosa@yahoo.com Join the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 for  #GivingTuesdayOSA! On this global day of giving, make a gift to the   Augustinian Fund in support of the M. Louise Fitzpatrick Fund for Formation  which supports the education and training of new province members. Join the Movement! Get Your Daily Dose  Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! ‌