January 23, 2021 - Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Congratulations! View images from the Diaconate Ordinations of Deacon Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A., Deacon Bill Gabriel, O.S.A. and Deacon Sam Joutras, O.S.A. View Images Here R.A.W. An Evening of Reconciliation, Adoration & Witness Join the Friars and the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia Staff on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, from 5-6 pm for an evening of Reconciliation, Adoration and Witness. More Information Digital Magazine Option! Be among the first to read the AUGUSTINIAN Magazine; no need to wait for your copy to come in the mail. Each digital AUGUSTINIAN can be read from any device and includes links that enhance your reading experience. Visit Here to Receive Your Digital Copy in your Inbox! A.D.R.O.P. News The new edition of Voices from Prison and the Edge is now available. Read Here The Augustinian Guild The Augustinian Guild shares with others the spiritual riches of the Augustinians. This sympathy Mass card features the words of Saint Monica at the time of her death, “Only this I ask of you, remember me at the altar of the Lord.” The cover illustrates an icon of Saint Monica, written by the late Richard G. Cannuli, O.S.A.  Order Mass Cards JANUARY 23 SAINT JOSEPHINE MARY OF BENIGANIM, O.S.A. "In these two women [Martha and Mary] two lives are typified: the present life and that of the future, the life of toil and that of peace, the wretched and the blissful, the temporal and the eternal. Both are blameless, both, I say, are praiseworthy; but one is laborious and the other leisured. Martha was the image of things present, Mary of things to come. In Martha’s employment we share, for Mary’s we hope. Let us work well at the one that we may fully possess the other."  -Sermon 104 Connect Daily With Augustine Follow the latest news and information about the Augustinians of The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. NewsHub ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Download the Augustinian Journey App Today! Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! Be the Difference, Support Our Mission ‌

January 9, 2021 - Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Events of this week in the United States Capitol have brought shock and sorrow to so many of us, not only in the violence, injuries and loss of life that we have witnessed, but also in the stinging blow to our beliefs and hopes as a people. As we seek to address this painful situation, let us not neglect the role of faith, and pray with ever greater conviction for this republic of ours that out of this tragedy we may become more perfectly "one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all." - Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., Prior Provincial Click Here For Livestream Link Re-airing of extraORDINARY: The Father Bill Atkinson, O.S.A. Story We are pleased to announce the re-airing of extraORDINARY: The Father Bill Atkinson, O.S.A. Story on  Philadelphia's WHYY PBS station,  Sunday, January 10th, 2021 at 7:00pm! Please note the viewing time which was originally set at 7:30pm has changed to 7:00pm Access livestream here at WHYY.org! Nationwide Schedule Augustinian Volunteers Come Together for a Virtual Mid-Year Retreat This past week, the Augustinian Volunteers kicked off the second portion of their volunteer year with a Mid Year retreat, held virtually via Zoom. Although they were not able to gather in person, there was still ample opportunity for volunteers to reconnect with one another, and reflect on their spirituality, community life, and experiences in service. Volunteers will resume their service next week once they complete their quarantine. Learn More In case you missed it, be sure to check out the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia's virtual Christmas Mass. Fr. Bob Guessetto, O.S.A., served as the celebrant and homilist for this special recording of the celebration of the Eucharist from the Shrine for the Nativity of the Lord. View Christmas Mass Here | Next Healing Mass  A.D.R.O.P. Christmas Newsletter Now Available A.D.R.O.P. recently released a Christmas newsletter online. Check it out for a special deep dive into their Mary Mother of Captives Ministry! Read Here Thank You for Your Impact! The Augustinian Friars are grateful to our many friends and benefactors who have given so generously during the first half of the fiscal year and especially during this Christmas season. Because of you, our friars are able to serve the Church and be a light to God’s people. Prayerful blessings for a new year filled with good health, peace and prosperity. JANUARY 9 SAINT JULIAN "We already know the head and the body. He is the head and we the body. When we hear His voice we must understand it as coming from the head and the body, because the whole suffered. We also suffered in him and, what we suffer. He suffers in us. If a man’s head suffers, can we say that the hands suffer not? Or, if the hands suffer, can it be said that the head suffers not?"  -Exposition on the Psalms 62,2 Connect Daily With Augustine Follow the latest news and information about the Augustinians of The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. NewsHub ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Download the Augustinian Journey App Today! Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! Be the Difference, Support Our Mission ‌

December 19, 2020 - Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Father Michael's Christmas Message "extraORDINARY, The Bill Atkinson Story" is coming to your area! Calling our Denver friends! "extraORDINARY, The Bill Atkinson Story" is coming to your area! PBS KBDIDT Denver, CO December 20th at 9:30 pm December 21st at 2:30 am PBS Nationwide Schedule Watch Week 4 of St. Augustine Prep's Spiritual Preparation for the Advent Season. Justice and Peace 2020 Webinar Series All Videos Now Available Watch, listen and learn in this year's interactive community building webinar series where we collaborated together on important social issues. Stay tuned for more information about the next Justice and Peace webinar series. Watch Here Make an Impact on the Care of Our Elderly and Infirm Friars! Fr. Tom Dwyer, O.S.A. spent 52 years as a missionary in Japan where he did pastoral work and was a Kindergarten principal for 26 years in Fukuoka. He returned to St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery in 2010 where lives comfortably in community with his brothers while he continues to publish his memoirs. Gifts to the Fr. George F. Riley Fund for Augustinian HealthCare support the highly-professional and loving care of Augustinians like Fr. Dwyer. Learn more about the care of our elderly and infirm and how you can make a difference in their lives. DECEMBER 19 "Upon the love of friends, I readily cast myself without reservation, especially when chafed and wearied by the scandals of this world; and in their love I rest without any disturbing care: for I perceive that God is there. … When I perceive that a man is burning with Christian love and feel that thereby he has been made a faithful friend to me, whatever plans or thoughts of mine I entrust to him I regard as entrusted not to the man, but to God."  -Letter 73, 20 Connect Daily With Augustine Follow the latest news and information about the Augustinians of The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. NewsHub ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Download the Augustinian Journey App Today! Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! Be the Difference, Support Our Mission ‌

December 5, 2020 - Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Augustinian Journey App Featuring Audio Advent Homilies Augustinian Journey App is now featuring Advent Audio Homilies from the Augustinian Friars at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia . Download the Augustinian Journey App today! "extraORDINARY, The Bill Atkinson Story" is coming to your area! Calling our Denver friends! "extraORDINARY, The Bill Atkinson Story" is coming to your area! PBS KBDIDT Denver, CO December 6th at 9:30 pm December 7th at 2:30 am PBS Nationwide Schedule Watch Week 3 of St. Augustine Prep's Spiritual Preparation for the Advent Season. In the News From CatholicPhilly.com: 'Two Augustinian brothers profess solemn vows in order'. Continue Reading December Healing Mass at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia Do you find yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, or emotionally burdened? The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia invites you to join us for our next Healing Mass! We will gather on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. in the Upper Church to pray for Saint Rita’s healing intercession, and to offer a special blessing with Saint Rita oil. Fr. Joe Murray, O.S.A. will serve as the celebrant and homilist. Confessions will be offered beginning at 11:30 a.m. We hope to see you there! Check out the Shrine in a recent Philadelphia Citizen Article! Make an Impact on the Care of Our Elderly and Infirm Friars! The newly re-named Fr. George F. Riley Fund for Augustinian HealthCare provides caring support and quality healthcare for our retired and infirm friars in the Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery as they live a life of Augustinian spirituality and fraternity. Learn more about how you can be the difference in these friars' lives. DECEMBER 5 "O Lord my God, my one hope, listen to me lest out of weariness I should stop wanting to seek you, but let me seek your face always, and with ardor. Do you yourself give me the strength to seek, having caused yourself to be found and having given me the hope of finding you more and more. Before you lies my strength and my weakness; preserve the one, heal the other. Before you lies my knowledge and my ignorance; where you have opened to me, receive me as I come in; where you have shut to me, open to me as I knock. Let me remember you, let me understand you, let me love you. Increase these things in me until you refashion me entirely."  -On the Trinity 15.51 Connect Daily With Augustine Follow the latest news and information about the Augustinians of The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. NewsHub ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! Be the Difference, Support Our Mission ‌

November 21, 2020 - Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Father Michael's Thanksgiving Message Livestream Funeral Mass of Fr. Dennis Harten, O.S.A., today at 10:30 am "extraORDINARY, The Bill Atkinson Story" is coming to your area! Calling our New York, Nashville and San Antonio friends! "extraORDINARY, The Bill Atkinson Story" is coming to your area! PBS WNEDDT New York, NY Nov. 21st at 6 pm PBS WNPTDT Nashville, TN Nov. 23rd at 11:30 pm and Nov. 28th at 12 am PBS KLRNDT San Antonio, TX Nov. 24th at 10 pm, Nov. 28th at 12 am and Nov. 29th at 3:30 pm PBS Nationwide Schedule Holy Spirit Radio Interview with Fr. Joe Narog, O.S.A. Fr. Joe Narog, O.S.A., is talking to Barbara Shinkle of Holy Spirit Radio about Augustinian Vocations and our individual vocation as to where God is calling us. Listen today at 11 a.m. and Monday at 7 a.m.  Listen Here New Profession Images! View images from the Solemn Profession of Br. Bill Gabriel, O.S.A. and Br. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. View Photos St. Augustine Prep's Spiritual Preparation Fr. Tony Burrascano, O.S.A., Assistant to the Head of School for Mission & Ministry at St. Augustine Prep in Richland, N.J., invited members of the student body and faculty to offer their reflection on the Feast of Christ the King and the four Sundays of Advent. After contemplation of the three Readings for each Sunday, the students and staff have offered their thoughts on the meaning of the Readings for the particular Sunday. Videos were recorded each week in the school chapel for your spiritual preparation for the Advent Season.  Access the First Video, Feast of Christ the King The Fall 2020 issue of the Peacemaker  is now available online! Want to know what's been happening at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia recently? You can now check out the Fall 2020 issue of the Peacemaker online! With articles about the new Cascia Center, our ministry to the sick and dying, and personal testimonies throughout, this issue looks to tackle what it means when "Life is changed, not ended."  Learn More Augustinian Volunteers Virtual Open House The Augustinian Volunteers are hosting a virtual Open House from December 1st - 3rd. Whether you’re causally considering a year of service or narrowing down volunteer programs, now is a great time to connect; the AV’s are here to answer your questions! Sign up for a time slot by clicking on the link below to receive a Zoom link for a 15 minute informal chat with a member of the AV staff. Sign Up Catholic Social Teaching in the Spirit of Augustine Part 4 Fr. Kevin DePrinzio, O.S.A. and Dr. Terry Nance gave an excellent presentation as the fourth installment of the Augustine and Catholic Social Teaching webinar series. If you missed it or would like to watch it again, find the link here. A.D.R.O.P.'s Unity Clinic Offers Free Flu Vaccine Volunteer nurses Kimberly Yoon, CRNP; Jill Murray, RN; and Tina Teofilo, RN gave their time and talents to serve at A.D.R.O.P.’s first, free flu vaccine clinic this year on November 9th. Members from the community came out to safely receive their flu vaccinations. Our second clinic will take place at neighboring church, St. Thomas Aquinas on November 18th. Learn More Support the Augustinians While You Shop for the Holidays! Remember the Augustinians while shopping on Amazon this holiday season! When you choose the Augustinian Fund as your charity on AmazonSmile, 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases will directly support our friars in formation, the care of our elderly and infirm friars, the Augustinian Volunteers as well as our Augustinian missions and A.D.R.O.P. More Information NOVEMBER 21 PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN "The Word of God took up our grass in order to make us gold. The Word of God, you see, which abides forever, did not consider it beneath him to be for a time grass; not in order to change the Word itself, but to bestow on the grass a change for the better. Yes, The Word became flesh and dwelt among us; and as the Lord he suffered for us and was buried, and rose again and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, no longer grass but now gold, undestroyed and indestructible."  -Sermon 113B, 2 Connect Daily With Augustine Follow the latest news and information about the Augustinians of The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. NewsHub ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Download the Augustinian Journey App Today! Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! Be the Difference, Support Our Mission ‌

November 7, 2020 - Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews November A Time to Remember Dear Friends, You responded eagerly when we invited you to send us the names of deceased loved ones whom you wished the friars to remember in prayer during the month of November. We have now posted these names on the scroll of the Province homepage which you can view at www.augustinian.org. Many blessings, Fr. Michael Vocation Awareness Week Begins Tomorrow! From November 8th to 15th, the three North American Provinces will be celebrating Vocation Awareness Week. The Vocation Directors will be promoting awareness both in person and virtually throughout our ministries.  Watch Video and View Schedule! Join us for an evening of Augustinian Prayer in Everyday Life! Join the Augustinian Friars on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 4:00 PM EST to learn more about our Augustinian charism and Augustinian prayer in everyday life. Via a live Zoom broadcast, Prior Provincial, Fr. Michael F. Di Gregorio, O.S.A., will offer words of welcome after which Fr. Francis J. Doyle, O.S.A., will speak on the Augustinian value of interiority. Fr. David A. Cregan, O.S.A., will follow with guidance on silent prayer and practice. We will end the evening together with night prayer. Please register by November 9th and a Zoom link will be emailed to you the morning of November 10th. Register Here Part 4: A Presentation on “Augustine on Catholic Social Teaching as Applied to Racism/Black Lives Matter” If you have not signed up for the series, it is not too late to join us. Register Here and Access Pre-Session Materials! Advent Reflections The Office of Mission and Ministry at Villanova University is offering Advent reflections digitally daily to those who sign up.  Sign Up Here Apply Today to the Augustinian Volunteers Applications are now being accepted for the 2021-2022 volunteer year. Learn More Latest Updates from the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia partnered with the Sisters of Life to host a Forty Hours Devotion Saturday, October 31, 2020 through Tuesday, November 3, 2020.  Continue Reading Do you find yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, or emotionally burdened? The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia invites you to join us for our next Healing Mass! We will gather on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. in the Upper Church to pray for Saint Rita’s healing intercession, and to offer a special blessing with Saint Rita oil. Fr. David Cregan, O.S.A., will serve as the celebrant and homilist. Confessions will be offered beginning at 11:30 a.m. We hope to see you there! NOVEMBER 7 BLESSED GRATIA OF KOTOR, O.S.A. "If a man in poor circumstances becomes a monk, he should not think that he is doing the same work as he did before, if in fact he has made the passage from a love of increasing his private possessions by even a little to the charity of the common life, in which he no longer looks to his own interests but to those of Jesus Christ. He has passed into the fellowship of those who have one soul and one heart intent on God, among whom no one calls anything his own but everything is held in common."  -On the Work of Monks Connect Daily With Augustine Follow the latest news and information about the Augustinians of The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. NewsHub ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Download the Augustinian Journey App Today! Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! Be the Difference, Support Our Mission ‌

October 24, 2020 - Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews November A Time to Remember The month of November, in our Catholic tradition, is a time of special remembrance of our beloved brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Accordingly, we wish to invite all of the family members, friends and benefactors of our Province to send us the names of the deceased whom they wish the friars to remember in prayer throughout the month of November. To send us the names of those you wish us to remember please click here. Nationwide Premiere of  extraORDINARY, The Bill Atkinson Story The nationwide premiere of “extraORDINARY, The Bill Atkinson Story,” a powerful documentary on the life and impact of Augustinian Friar, Fr. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A., the first quadriplegic priest in the history of the Catholic Church will be aired on PBS station WHYY in Philadelphia on All Saints Day, Sunday, November 1 at 5 p.m. In 1965, a tobogganing accident left 19-year-old Bill Atkinson paralyzed from the neck down. He was hospitalized, spending a year rehabbing in Philadelphia. After the year of rehab, Atkinson expressed his wish to continue as an Augustinian.     extraORDINARY, The Bill Atkinson Story is coming to your area! Nationwide PBS Schedule | Watch Promo Clip and Access WHYY Link Augustinian Friars of North America Celebrate Vocation Awareness Week November 8-15, 2020 November 13th , the birthday of Saint Augustine and the Feast of All Saints of our Order, is also a Day of Prayer for Augustinian Vocations. The three North American Augustinian Provinces will observe Vocation Awareness Week from November 8th through the 15th. The Vocation Directors for the three Provinces will be promoting awareness in person, where possible, as well as virtually, particularly in the ministries where we serve. Please continue to check the Augustinian Vocations website (beafriar.org,) our Province website, and social media for more information. Everyone can participate by remembering – “Pray. Share. Invite.” Individually and communally, we can pray for vocations, we each can share our own stories, as well as vocation-related materials, and we can invite others to consider where God may be calling them in their lives - this week and always.  Continue Reading  Welcome to Augustinian Journey where we invite you to explore, learn and share experiences in the company of Saint Augustine. Augustine envisioned communities united in mind and heart, on fire with God's love. Following his lead, we have established this virtual community to reflect on a spirituality that calls us together to know and love God, each other, and the world we share. Join us on this journey! Download the App: Augustinian Journey today. New Ordination Images View images from the Ordination Mass of Fr. Daniel L. Madden, O.S.A., and Deacon Elizandro M. Contreras, O.S.A., who were ordained on Saturday, October 10, 2020 by Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Pérez at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the campus of Villanova University. Please pray for Fr. Dan and Dcn. Elizandro as they continue their journey.  View Photos AUGUSTINIAN Digital Fall Magazine Access digital magazine to expanded content and more! View exclusive photographs of the Cascia Center Groundbreaking by Fr. Dan McLaughlin, O.S.A. Listen to the Mind Quieting Meditation presented by Fr. David Cregan, O.S.A., from the Mind Body Soul feature. Effortlessly register for the November 10th event; Augustinian Prayer in Everyday Life, with Augustinian Friars, Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., Prior Provincial, Fr. Francis Doyle, O.S.A., and Fr. David Cregan, O.S.A. The AUGUSTINIAN Digitally! Nostra Aetate, Non-Christian Religions, and Interfaith Relations, edited by Fr. Kail Ellis, O.S.A. In November 2019, Fr. Kail Ellis, O.S.A. organized a conference at Villanova University on Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on the Church’s Relations to non-Christian Religions. More Details Announcing the Fr. George F. Riley, O.S.A. Fund for Augustinian HealthCare The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova is pleased to announce the newly-named Fr. George F. Riley, O.S.A. Fund for Augustinian HealthCare. The Fr. Riley Fund will continue to support the care of our elderly and infirm friars living in Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery. Fr. Riley has lived in the Villanova Monastery during his almost sixty years in ministry at Villanova University and where he now resides in its skilled nursing unit. We will commemorate the re-naming of the fund and honor Fr. Riley at an in-person celebratory dinner once it is safe to do so. More Information Catholic Social Teaching in the Spirit of Augustine - Part 4 Join us November 11, 2020 at 7:30 pm for Part 4 of our series, "Catholic Social Teaching in the Spirit of Augustine." More Information Here! An Introduction to the Confessions of Saint Augustine Book XII in Spanish Fr. Arthur Purcaro, O.S.A., presents An Introduction to the Confessions of Saint Augustine Book XII in Spanish. Access Spanish | Access English OCTOBER 24 SAINT ANTHONY MARY CLARET "I see that when you praise love you shout out. But just as it pleases you when you praise love may it so please you that you preserve it in your heart. Love is praised by you; it pleases you. Well, have it, possess it! There is no need for you to consider buying it. It stands available at no cost. Take hold of it, embrace it. Nothing is sweeter than love. If it is delicious to talk about, what is it like when it is possessed?"  -Commentary on the Epistle of John, 7.10.2 Connect Daily With Augustine Follow the latest news and information about the Augustinians of The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. NewsHub ‌ ‌ ‌ Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! Be the Difference, Support Our Mission ‌

October 10, 2020 - Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Join us via LIVESTREAM on Saturday, October 10th at 10:30 am Fr. MICHAEL DI GREGORIO, O.S.A. PRIOR PROVINCIAL and the AUGUSTINIAN FRIARS of the PROVINCE OF SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA cordially invite you  to the diaconate ordination of ELIZANDRO MARTÍN CONTRERAS, O.S.A. and the priesthood ordination of DANIEL LEO MADDEN, O.S.A. through the Imposition of Hands and Prayer of Ordination by THE MOST REVEREND NELSON PÉREZ Archbishop of Philadelphia Livestream Link Fr. James T. Spenard, O.S.A. October 4, 1946 – October 8, 2020 James T. Spenard was born on October 4, 1946, in Waterford, New York, one of two sons of John Spenard and Marie Alma Baillargeon. He was baptized on October 20, 1946 at Saint Mary’s Church, Waterford, and attended Waterford Public School from 1951 to 1953 and Saint Mary’s School, Waterford, from 1953 until 1960. He then attended LaSalle Institute in Troy, New York, from which he graduated in 1964. Jim entered Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York on September 9, 1964, and professed simple vows on September 10, 1965. Following religious profession, he attended Villanova University and graduated in 1969 with a B.A. in Philosophy. He made his profession of solemn vows on September 14, 1968 at Villanova. During the summers between 1969 and 1971, he took graduate classes in education and sociology at Villanova. He pursued theological studies at the Washington Theological Coalition from 1969 to 1972 where he received an M.A. in Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1972 at Saint Mary’s Church, Waterford, by Bishop Edward J. Maginn.  Continue Reading SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA FEAST OCTOBER 10 Prayer of Saint Thomas of Villanova I will love you Lord in every way and without setting limits to my love. You set no limits to what you have done for me; You have not measured out your gifts. I will not measure out my love, I will love you, Lord, with all my strength, with all my powers, as much as I am able. -   Sermon on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene Today, the Augustinian Order celebrates the Feast of Saint Thomas of Villanova, patron of the eastern province, as well as of a number of Augustinian communities throughout the country, including Villanova University and Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish, both located in the town which also bears his name. Saint Thomas’ relevance for the contemporary Church is especially striking thanks to his simple lifestyle, leadership skill and attentiveness to the poor and marginalized. He demonstrates the power of reform and renewal from within, presenting a symbol of hope in the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation. Continue Reading You’re Invited! Join the Augustinian Friars to learn more about our Augustinian charism and Augustinian prayer in everyday life. Prior Provincial Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., will offer words of welcome after which Fr. Frank Doyle, O.S.A., will speak on the Augustinian charism and interiority. Fr. David Cregan, O.S.A., will follow with guidance on silent prayer and practice. We will end the evening together with night prayer. Register and Receive Access to the Zoom Link Province's Vocation Advisory Board Welcomes New Member The Province’s Vocation Advisory Board welcomed its newest member, Br. Elizandro Contreras, O.S.A., at its most recent meeting, held on September 16th, 2020. Br. Elizandro graciously accepted the invitation to serve in the position reserved on the Board for a friar in initial formation. He was preceded by Br. Bill Gabriel, O.S.A. and Br. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A.  Br. Elizandro looks forward to building on their valuable input to the Board’s work and assisting with a greater focus on vocation outreach to Hispanic Catholics. The Board joins the whole Province in congratulating Br. Elizandro on his ordination to the diaconate!     Save the Dates! Augustinian Provinces of North America Vocation Awareness Week November 8th through the 15th Celebrated by all three U.S. Provinces Catholic Social Teaching in the Spirit of Augustine - Part 4 Join us November 11, 2020 at 7:30 pm for Part 4 of our series, "Catholic Social Teaching in the Spirit of Augustine." Details below: Topic: A Presentation on “Augustine on Catholic Social Teaching as Applied to Racism/Black Lives Matter.” Presenters: Terry Nance, Associate Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, Villanova University and Fr. Kevin DePrinzio, O.S.A., Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Villanova University More Information An Introduction to the Confessions of Saint Augustine Book X in Spanish Fr. Arthur Purcaro, O.S.A., presents An Introduction to the Confessions of Saint Augustine Book X in Spanish. Access Spanish | Access English OCTOBER 10 SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA, O.S.A. "The entire life of a good Christian is a holy desire. What you desire, however, you don’t yet see. But by desiring you are made large enough, so that, when there comes what you should see, you may be filled."  -Commentary on 1 John 4 Connect Daily with Augustine Follow the latest news and information about the Augustinians of The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. NewsHub ‌ ‌ ‌ Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! Be the Difference, Donate Today ‌

September 26, 2020 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews Announcing Augustinian Ordination You are invited to celebrate the ordination of two friars of the Province via live stream! Deacon Daniel Madden, O.S.A. will be ordained to the priesthood and Br. Elizandro Contreras, O.S.A. will be ordained to the diaconate on Saturday, October 10, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the campus of Villanova University. Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Pérez will be the ordaining bishop.  For more details and to access the link for the live stream after October 1, 2020, please click here. Memorial Mass Schedule A Memorial Mass has been scheduled for: Fr. John J. Byrnes, O.S.A. on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 St. Thomas of Villanova Church, Villanova, PA Visitation: 7:00 pm Memorial Mass: 7:30 pm Save the Dates! Augustinian Vocation Awareness Week Celebrated by all three U.S. Provinces November 8-15, 2020 National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia Cascia Center Update Great progress is being made on the Cascia Center at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia in South Philadelphia! In the month since groundbreaking, the construction team from Domus and the architects from Cecil Baker + Partners have made quick work of the excavation... Continue Reading Merrimack College Named in U.S. News & World Report’s Best College Rankings Merrimack College announced it has been named, for the third year in a row, a “Top 50 Comprehensive College,” by U.S. News & World Report, while remaining one of the top 10 “Most Innovative” schools. The College’s steady ascent in these rankings is a great external endorsement of its strategic vision. Read More Diaconate Ordination in Peru l-r: Pepe Carrasco, O.S.A., Bishop Daniel Turley, O.S.A. and Edwin Castillo, O.S.A. In early September two new deacons were ordained for the Vicariate in Peru. Pepe Carrasco, O.S.A. and Edwin Castillo, O.S.A., were ordained by Bishop Daniel Turley, O.S.A. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance had to be limited. View Photos Latest Updates from A.D.R.O.P. Augustinian Volunteer, Sheena Cadua, began work at A.D.R.O.P. (Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor) on Monday, 9/14. She is from San Diego, California, she is a graduate of the University of San Diego, and she is a huge fan of Legos! She is excited to serve with the various ministries at A.D.R.O.P. and to explore the city of Philadelphia... Continue Reading Receive the AUGUSTINIAN Magazine digitally! Visit our website to choose how you would like to receive your next edition. Digital Sign Up! An Introduction to the Confessions of Saint Augustine Book VIII in Spanish Fr. Arthur Purcaro, O.S.A., presents An Introduction to the Confessions of Saint Augustine Book VIII in Spanish. Access Spanish | Access English Professional Development Seminar at St. Augustine Prep (l-r) Fr. Robert J. Murray, O.S.A., Ph.D. Head of School, Fr. Francis X. Devlin, O.S.A., Fr. Arthur Purcaro, O.S.A., Fr. Joseph Girone, O.S.A., Fr. Anthony Burrascano, O.S.A., and Fr. Stephen Curry, O.S.A, Ed.D. Fr. Arthur Purcaro, O.S.A. presented to the school community at St. Augustine Prep during a recent Professional Development seminar attended by faculty, staff, and administration.  SEPTEMBER 26 SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN "Whoever goes to Christ goes from fear to love."  -Confessions IV, 14, 22 Connect Daily with Augustine Follow the latest news and information about the Augustinians of The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. NewsHub ‌ ‌ ‌ Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! Be the Difference, Donate Today ‌

September 12, 2020 — Augustinian eNews

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Augustinian eNews The Turmoil of Job Loss: Support, Strength and Self-Empowerment By: Fr. Jim Paradis, O.S.A. There are few things that bring a person down to a low point as much as the loss of a job, whether it’s through being “fired,” “furloughed,” or “laid off.” And there are plenty of folks—millions, in fact—under each of these monikers, especially with the lingering impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Maybe you are one of them. Losing one’s job can be devastating. It attacks everything: one’s physical, emotional and spiritual health, including self-confidence and self-esteem. New life and opportunity come not from denying the pain or grief or emotional strain, but from naming it, embracing faith and taking charge. At the National Shrine of Saint Rita we are offering two avenues of help... Continue Reading Next Healing Mass at the Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia Learn More ADROP Awards Scholarships to Four Students Thanks to a special grant from the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, ADROP recently awarded four students scholarships for the Villanova Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies Training For Advocates (VIISTA). After completing the program, they will all be able to work as accredited representatives, representing people in immigration court. The chosen scholars are: Dora-Leigh Lewis, Pius Okoth, Nelson Sierra, and Deborah Torres. Congratulations and good luck to all of them! Learn More about the Ministry of Justice and Peace Merrimack College's An Augustinian Examen In the summer of 2019, the staff of the Grace J. Palmisano Center for Campus Ministry at Merrimack College gathered for their yearly staff retreat. As part of their reflection and prayer together, they asked what an Augustinian version of St. Ignatius of Loyola's' "examen of consciousness" would look like. An Augustinian Examen, developed over the course of the following months, is their answer to that question.  Access An Augustinian Examen An Introduction to the Confessions of Saint Augustine  Book VI in Spanish Fr. Arthur Purcaro, O.S.A., presents An Introduction to the Confessions of Saint Augustine Book VI in Spanish. Access Spanish | Access English Augustinian Volunteers Commission their 21st Class of Volunteers Pictured: The San Diego Community, Carolyn Dreyer, Madi Jones, and Ryan Henderson, lead participants in the Responsorial Psalm. On Sunday, September 6th, the Augustinian Volunteers commissioned their 21st class of volunteers in an untraditional manner. Due to the pandemic, volunteers were unable to gather in person. Instead, volunteers, alumni, friends, family, friars, and AV staff, gathered on Zoom for a virtual Mass. Volunteers each shared their commitment statement, an expression of their goals and motivations for their year of service. This year, volunteers will be serving in Philadelphia, PA, San Diego, CA and Ventura, CA. While this year will certainly be different, they are excited for the opportunity for a meaningful experience of service, community, and spirituality. Learn More Receive the AUGUSTINIAN Magazine digitally! Visit our website to choose how you would like to receive your next edition. Digital Sign up! The CARES Act The CARES Act was signed into law in March 2020 to provide increased tax incentives for charitable giving for individuals and corporations with the intent to stimulate philanthropy throughout the United States. More Details SEPTEMBER 12 BLESSED THOMAS ZUMARRAGA “God wants you to pray so that you may experience desire, itself a gift from him, and thus, having this desire satisfied by him, you will not take for granted what he gives.” -Sermon 56, 3, 4 Connect Daily with Augustine Follow the latest news and information about the Augustinians of The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. NewsHub ‌ ‌ ‌ Please email Cher Rago, Director of Communications, at cher.rago@augustinian.org with any questions, comments or content ideas. Thank you! Be the Difference, Donate Today ‌