Did you miss the story about the Shrine's Healing Mass on the news this past weekend? Check it out here.
A Special Ceremony at the Shrine
Did you miss the story about the Shrine's Healing Mass on the news this past weekend? Check it out here.
Fr. Robert Murray, O.S.A., Head of School at St. Augustine Prep, Shares His Journey
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From ‘A Conversation with the Head of School, Fr. Robert J. Murray, O.S.A., Ph.D.’, featured in the St. Augustine Preparatory School magazine The Torch. Sajan White interviews Fr. Murray.
Written by Fr. Murray and Sajan White.
Tell us a little bit about your family.
I am the youngest of three children. I have an older sister and older brother, both are married with children and grandchildren. I lost my mother when I was young, but am blessed to have my father who is in his ninety-seventh year and going strong.
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!
Can you talk about your experience in the field of education and how it took you to St. Augustine Prep?
After I was ordained a priest in 1983, I was assigned to teach Theology at Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, PA. I loved it. I have always enjoyed being a student, so while I was teaching at Bonner I was also working on a graduate degree in Counseling at Villanova. When I completed the Counseling degree I was given permission to pursue a Doctorate in Educational Psychology at Temple University which I completed in 1995. I then was permitted to pursue post-doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine…
The Shrine Grateful for $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.”
John Powell and John Cavallaro Sr. (center) present a donation on behalf of the St. Alfio Society of Pennsylvania to Jonathan Jerome (left), the director of the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia and Augustinian Father Bob Guessetto, the prior of the Augustinian community that ministers to the shrine in South Philadelphia. (Photo via CatholicPhilly.com)
Blessing of the New Novitiate House
Left to right: Fr. Gary Sanders, O.S.A., Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., Mary Colleran, James Colleran, Fr. Joseph Farrell, O.S.A. and Fr. Anthony Pizzo, O.S.A.
On Nov. 15, CatholicPhilly.com published Couple donates Radnor mansion to train Augustinian friars by Lou Baldwin. This story of gratitude begins with:
Provincials of the three Augustinian provinces in the United States came together Oct. 29 to dedicate a new novitiate building in Radnor for the preparation and initial formation of novices for their order.
Present for the dedication were Father Michael DiGregorio, O.S.A., prior provincial for the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, representing the East; Father Anthony Pizzo, O.S.A., of Our Mother of Good Council Province, representing the Midwest and Father Gary Sanders, O.S.A., of the Province of St. Augustine, representing California.
A profile in Augustinian leadership
On Thursday, September 26, 2019, three hundred and thirty guests came out on a beautiful evening to support the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova by celebrating the Augustinian leadership of Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., Villanova University Senior Associate Athletic Director.
On Thursday, September 26, 2019, three hundred and thirty guests came out on a beautiful evening to support the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova by celebrating the Augustinian leadership of Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., Villanova University Senior Associate Athletic Director.
'I Won’t Hurt You’ Meeting Christ in a Padded Cell
On October 15th, Commonwealmagazine.org published 'I Won’t Hurt You’ Meeting Christ in a Padded Cell by Fr. Paul Morrissey, O.S.A. This powerful story begins with:
“You took all of this on, Lord.” This was my prayer after I visited “Peter” in the mental-health unit in a prison in Philadelphia. The twenty-five-year-old man had murdered a neighbor in a fit of rage for unclear reasons. Since his arrest, he had been confined in prison, awaiting assessment to determine if he would stand trial. I was already at the prison visiting other inmates when the supervisor of the Catholic chaplaincy called to ask me to visit Peter.
I walked down the bare stone corridor to the mental-health unit. When I asked a nurse if I could speak with Peter, she and the other nurses gave me a wary glance. I knew this was a risky encounter; Peter’s mother Tracy had told me he was likely psychotic, and had been placed under suicide watch. I asked the nurse again, adding, “His mother wishes that I see him.”
Augustinians name layman new director of St. Rita Shrine
From Catholic Philly News: “A longtime university campus minister has been named the director of the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia.
Jonathan Jerome becomes just the second lay leader of the Shrine in South Philadelphia that is run under the auspices of the Augustinian Friars. He began his duties Oct. 7.
Augustinian Father Michael F. Di Gregorio, Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, said he was confident in Jerome’s leadership of the Shrine “especially as it expands its service to the local community with new senior housing at St. Rita Place and the wider national community who come to learn about and to pray to St. Rita,” he said.
The Shrine is in the News
Fr. Michael Sullivan is giving four nights of talks and prayers October 6th through 9th at the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia.
The retreat is focused on acknowledging God’s grace, understanding one’s search for meaning and forgiving oneself for missteps. Fr. Sullivan travels the country year round to provide parishes with the reminders of our journeys of understanding, which are at the heart of Augustinian spirituality.
He hopes his style of humor and seriousness will resonate with attendees and rekindle a perseverance they need for mature discipleship. In other Shrine news, submissions are being accepted now through April 30th for the third annual Peacemakers Art and Essay Contest.
The contest was started by former director Chesley Turner as a way for elementary and middle school students to showcase their creative talents in a tribute to St. Rita.
Pope to Augustinians: be witness to the charity of the Church
Augustinians from all over the world meet Sept. 13, 2019 in Rome to celebrate their General Chapter.
Augustinians from all over the world meet Sept. 13, 2019 in Rome to celebrate their General Chapter.
Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova presents Saint Augustine Medal
Ralph Giovannia; Dr. Pamela Abraham, who accepted the ward on behalf of the late Bishop Louis A. DeSimone; Prior Provincial Michael F. Di Gregorio, O.S.A.; and Madonna Sutter attend the dinner.
Father Michael DiGregorio, prior provincial of the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, recently presented the 2018 Saint Augustine Medal to Dr. Pamela Abraham, who accepted the medal on behalf of retired Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia Louis A. DeSimone, D.D.
The medal was awarded at a gala dinner at Philadelphia Country Club attended by more than 350 guests last month.
An affiliate of the Order of Saint Augustine and a Bridgeport native, DeSimone has been a close friend of the Augustinians for decades.
St. Thomas of Villanova prior provincial authors new book on Augustinian saints, servants
The Rev. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., the prior provincial of St. Thomas of Villanova.
With the sometimes frenetic pace of modern life, many people are searching for ways to slow down and to enhance their spirituality.
The Rev. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., the prior provincial of St. Thomas of Villanova, who leads 154 friars in the Eastern United States, one of three U.S. Augustinian provinces, recently published a new book, “Hearts On Fire.” The 311-page volume is full of short vignettes about the lives of 94 saints, blesseds and servants of God who are related to the Augustinian tradition.
“For many years, I have been spending a week or so with our novices [candidates to join the order] and teaching them about the lives of our saints,” Di Gregorio said. “I’ve collected a lot of information.”
SIUE alumnus devotes 10 months of service as Augustinian volunteer
Hank Niemerg
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Hank Niemerg is dedicating 10 months of service, relating to community and spirituality. Augustinian Volunteers are 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.
“The Augustinian Volunteer experience centers on relationships with Augustinian friars, fellow volunteers, service site partners, program staff and God,” said Joanna Bowen, director of the Augustinian Volunteers. “Through service to others, young adults have the opportunity to utilize their skills for the common good, while learning alongside the communities they encounter.”
I was in prison and you visited me
Welcome 20th Class of Augustinian Volunteers!
Welcome 20th Class of Augustinian Volunteers! Sunday, Fr. Arthur Purcaro, O.S.A. celebrated the Commissioning Mass as the 20th Class of AV's dedicated themselves to a year of service.
Channel 10 News team was there! Watch here: https://bit.ly/2ZmBsIW
Holy Spirit Radio interviews Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A.
Barbara Shinkle of Holy Spirit Radio recently interviewed Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., Prior Provincial about his new book of Augustinian Saints, Hearts On Fire and the history of the Augustinians. Listen here.
The right kind of poverty (Podcast: Part 2)
Poverty: It’s not what you think (Podcast: Part 1)
Augustinian friars to host a special mass and reunion for Our Lady of Good Counsel families
A saint in the family? Sister of Father Bill Atkinson thinks so
Joan Mullen was Joan Atkinson, a little girl almost 5 years old, when in 1946 her mother brought her third child, baby Bill, home from the hospital.
Joan Mullen was Joan Atkinson, a little girl almost 5 years old, when in 1946 her mother brought her third child, baby Bill, home from the hospital. She still remembers her initial disappointment. She had been hoping for a little sister because she already had a little brother.
Her disappointment was only fleeting. Little Bill was absolutely lovable, and she became like a second mother to him. But it would not have occurred to her in a million years that she would live to see a cause for sainthood opened for him.
