Fr. Bill Symposium Featured on Catholic Philly

Below is a selection from the article by Elena Perri. Read the full article at CatholicPhilly.com

Throughout his time on earth, Augustinian Father Bill Atkinson demonstrated an extraordinary amount of hope, perseverance, and patience. These virtues were a mainstay of his life following a tobogganing accident during his novice year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, in 1965 which left him paralyzed from the neck down with limited movement of his head, neck, shoulders, and arms.

Despite being a quadriplegic, Father Bill continued his studies and was ordained to the priesthood at  Saint Alice Church in Upper Darby on February 2, 1974. Father Bill, the first quadriplegic to seek ordination as a Roman Catholic priest, received a special dispensation from Pope Paul VI on August 1, 1973. Father Bill’s life of heroic virtue has put him on the path toward sainthood. He was named a Servant of God on October 19, 2021.

To continue sharing the extraordinary story of Father Bill’s life and his cause for canonization, the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova and Villanova University are sponsoring a symposium tomorrow, Tuesday, October 3 at Villanova University. The theme is “Overcoming Hardship with Faith, Hope, and Perseverance.”

“It’s the first event of this nature that we’ve done to promote awareness around the cause for canonization for Father Bill,” said Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. “This is not just remembering Father Bill. It’s also hopefully a catalyst for people to exercise their own faith in overcoming whatever is weighing them down and help others do the same.”

“We want people to understand that they have the tools within them, as Father Bill did, things like grace and the sacraments and relying on the good people that God puts in our life to help us carry the crosses that we carry today.”

Augustinians Leave Two Parishes in the Diocese of Albany

The Office of the Prior Provincial

September 22, 2023

Dear Parishioners of Saint Mary Parish and St. Augustine Parish,

Since the mid-1800s, when the Augustinians were invited by the Most Reverend John McCloskey to the Diocese of Albany, your communities at St. Mary of the Assumption in Waterford and St. Augustine in Troy, have been big parts of our Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. And so it is with a heavy heart that I inform you, after careful discernment, consultation with my Provincial Council and conversation with our friars in Waterford and Troy, that we will be withdrawing from the Diocese of Albany, particularly from the parishes of St. Mary in Waterford and St. Augustine in Troy on June 1, 2024. The aging population of our friars, infirmity, and the serious decline of new members to religious life make it impossible for us to maintain all of our ministerial commitments.

After meeting with Fathers David Kelley, Liam O’Doherty, and Jorge Reyes, we agreed that it is important for us to have the opportunity to dialogue and celebrate with you, our dear parishioners, the relationships that were formed in the 160-plus years of Augustinian ministry and presence especially in these two communities. From Rev. George Meagher, O.S.A. the first Augustinian pastor at St. Mary’s and Bishop Thomas Galberry, O.S.A. who was pastor at St. Augustine’s, many of our Augustinian brothers have called these communities: “home”. I know I share your deep gratitude and appreciation for the servant leadership, compassion, and pastoral care offered by our pastor Fr. David Kelley to countless members of our parish community for so many years.

I want to thank you for your faithfulness in walking this faith journey with us and for your support of our Augustinian community throughout these many years. I would also like to thank Bishop Edward Scharfenberger for his graciousness and his continued support of our community in the Diocese of Albany.

I ask for your prayers, especially for our brothers — Fathers David, Liam, and Jorge — during this time of transition. And please be assured of our prayers for you and the community during this time.

Sincerely,

Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A.
Prior Provincial

Brewin' Peace Coffee Cart Makes Its Debut at the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia

On September 21 (the International Day of Peace) the Augustinians officially launched the Brewin’ Peace Coffee Cart, a new Augustinian ministry co-sponsored by the National Shrine and St. Rita of Cascia and the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor which seeks to support formerly incarcerated people (returning citizens) as they prepare to re-enter the workforce.  

The 6-12 month program allows a returning citizen to gain valuable skills and mentorship while offering free coffee to pedestrians and visitors of the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia.  The coffee cart also serves as a place where people can gather to learn and dialogue about the issue of crime and mass incarceration and its impact on our city.  

The Augustinians have had a longstanding devotion to prison ministry, serving inside Philadelphia area prisons, operating a national pen pal program, and providing support groups to families of the incarcerated and those who are released.  The Coffee Cart is the latest addition and seeks to be an example to others of creative ways we can work as a community to implement more restorative forms of crime control while making a difference in the life of people impacted by crime and repeat crime (recidivism).  

We are excited to have Tommy Braithwaite as our first candidate in the program, and he was recently featured on Philadelphia’s Channel 3 news.

The Brewin’ Peace Coffee Cart was made possible by the generosity of the Albert & Elaine Borchard Foundation, donations made in memory of Barbara Micucci, and the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia.  To learn more or to support our new ministry, please visit the Brewin' Peace website.

Watch Live on September 30 as Archbishop Robert Prevost, O.S.A. Becomes a Cardinal

A member of the Order of Saint Augustine, Archbishop Robert Prevost, O.S.A., will be among 21 bishops who will become cardinals on September 30 during the Vatican Consistory.

As to his new appointment, Cardinal-designate Prevost recalled the words of Saint Pope Paul VI, saying that "being a cardinal is a mission of love with Christ, our Savior," and that "a cardinal is called to give his whole life in service to the Church." He also says, “I just pray to the Lord that I will be faithful in trying to fulfill what Pope Francis and the Church is now asking me.”

The consistory will take place on Saturday, September 30 at 10:00 AM in Rome (4:00 AM Eastern time). If you are an early riser we invite you to tune in and watch this exciting event for yourself. (More of a night owl? You'll be able to watch the consistory at the same link later.)

Read more about Archbishop Prevost, O.S.A. here.

Prayer Service Celebrates Golden Anniversary of Fr. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A.'s Dispensation

Story by Karen Knight of the Cape May County Herald.
Read the full story and see more photos on their website.

Family and friends gathered in Ocean City, NJ on August 1 for a 50th anniversary prayer service commemorating the date of the telegram from Pope Paul VI granting dispensation for the ordination of the world’s first quadriplegic priest in the Catholic Church.

Father Bill Atkinson, O.S.A., spent more than 45 years vacationing at his family’s summer residence on West Avenue, in Ocean City, and earlier on Asbury Avenue. At age 19, he was injured in a tobogganing accident during his novitiate and could not move a muscle in his body, but continued his studies to become a priest without any guarantee of being able to be ordained.

Fr. Bill needed the pope to override canon law to be ordained, demonstrating his life, development, health, and abilities were suitable for holy orders. That came Aug. 8, 1973, with just three words in a telegram from the pope – “Atkinson Dispensation Granted.” Nine years after the accident, Feb. 2, 1974, he was ordained at his hometown parish of St. Alice’s, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

“We knew we had to honor his memory and the best way would be to return to the town that he adopted as his second home, both as a normal, healthy child, at 16th and Asbury, and then as an adult at age 19, when he was injured during his novitiate year studying to be an Augustinian priest,” said Marie Keith. Keith came to know of Atkinson when her parish came together in a prayer service to ask for a miracle for her son, Cole, who was injured in a motorcycle accident.

After Atkinson’s accident, he spent his days on the Ocean City Boardwalk at 19th Street and under a pavilion at 20th Street, according to Keith, where he would chat with friends, relatives, and strangers on their way to the beach, hear confessions, or catch up with folks who would see him there each year.

Several people spoke at the Aug. 1 ceremony about how the effort for canonization began and its progress, and what Atkinson was like as a person. Several also talked about their recovery from serious medical conditions after praying to Atkinson.

“My heart is so full seeing all these people here,” Atkinson’s cousin, Mary Moody, said about the crowd of 100 supporters. She was instrumental in pulling together all the material required for the cause for sainthood. “After he (Atkinson) died, I knew we had to do something,” said Moody. “It’s taken us 17 years to get to this point, but I am so happy about where we are.”

Fr. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A Named Director of the Office of Peace and Justice

It is with great joy and excitement that the Province announces Fr. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A as the new Director of the Office of Peace and Justice.  

Fr. Jeremy currently serves as the Director of Evangelization and Discipleship at National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia. In his new role, he will lead and oversee the areas of social justice, evangelization and the strategic coordination of current Province ministries such as the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor (A.D.R.O.P.), the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, the Cascia Center, and other new Province initiatives.

Fr. Jeremy Hiers was born in Cincinnati, OH. He completed his undergraduate studies in Computer Information Systems and Mathematics at Thomas More College in 2003. He earned a Masters Degree in Management of Information Technology from the University of Virginia in 2007. Prior to becoming an Augustinian he worked for the Army as a program manager for 13 years in Washington D.C., where he oversaw the acquisition and implementation of various IT systems.

While he was raised Lutheran, he entered the Roman Catholic Church in 2010 during his time with the Army. Over the course of his career he discerned a call to religious life and entered the Augustinians in 2015. He completed his seminary studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and was ordained to the priesthood on June 26, 2021.

We are grateful to Fr. Jeremy for assuming this servant leadership role for our Province! Please join us in prayer for him as he takes on this important new role.

As Fr. Jack Deegan, O.S.A. steps down from his role as director of the Office of Justice and Peace, we express our gratitude for his years of service. Under his leadership, he designed programs for the community that promote justice for all based on a respect for the dignity and sanctity of human life.

In 2003, Fr. Jack founded the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor (A.D.R.O.P.) where he stepped into action to develop programs that responded to the needs of a low-income, immigrant population in South Philadelphia.

Fr. Jack comments, "The face of poverty is diverse, and it is of the utmost importance never to stigmatize and always to recognize the dignity of everyone and the beauty of every creation of God.”

God bless you, Fr. Jack. The Fr. John E. Deegan Fund for Justice & Peace will always serve as a reminder of your commitment to promote social justice.

Augustinian Friar Archbishop Robert Prevost, O.S.A. Named a Cardinal

A member of the Order of Saint Augustine, Archbishop Robert Prevost, O.S.A., was among 21 bishops named cardinals this week. He will be created a cardinal on September 30 during the Vatican consistory.

Archbishop Prevost, O.S.A. is originally from Chicago, Illinois. An alumnus of Villanova University, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1977. Upon graduating he entered the novitiate in the Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel in St. Louis and made his solemn vows in 1981. He studied at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, graduating with a degree in Theology.  After studying Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, he received priestly ordination in 1982. He received his Licentiate in 1984, then was sent to work in the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Piura, Peru while earning his doctorate.

He served in Peru for a decade and a half before returning to the States to teach and become Prior Provincial is his native Province in the Midwest.  Shortly thereafter he was elected Prior General of the entire Augustinian Order (a role he served for two terms) and was later appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru.

Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Prevost, O.S.A. the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January.  The Dicastery for Bishops is the department of the Roman Curia that oversees the selection of most new bishops, and traditionally has been considered one of the Vatican’s most powerful departments.

As to his new appointment, Cardinal-designate Prevost (how exciting it is to type that!) recalled the words of Saint Pope Paul VI, saying that "being a cardinal is a mission of love with Christ, our Savior," and that "a cardinal is called to give his whole life in service to the Church." He also says, “I just pray to the Lord that I will be faithful in trying to fulfill what Pope Francis and the Church is now asking me.”

Announcing the Fr. John E. Deegan, O.S.A. Fund for Justice and Peace

The Province of St. Thomas of Villanova is pleased to announce the re-naming of its Justice and Peace Fund to the Fr. John E. Deegan, O.S.A. Fund for Justice and Peace. We do so in recognition of Fr. Deegan’s dedication and service as the Director of the Province’s Justice and Peace Office and for all he has accomplished to further the mission of the Augustinians, particularly in the field of Justice and Peace.

During Fr. Deegan’s time as Director of the Province’s Office of Justice and Peace, he has created and offered webinars and conferences on issues such as racial inequality, immigration reform, and restorative justice. The Office focuses on designing programs for the community that promote justice for all based on a respect for the dignity and sanctity of human life. Fr. Jack comments, “The face of poverty is diverse, and it’s of the utmost importance never to stigmatize and always to recognize the dignity of everyone and the beauty of every creation of God.”

In 2003, Fr. Deegan founded the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor (A.D.R.O.P.) where he stepped into action to develop programs that responded to the needs of a low-income, immigrant population in South Philadelphia. Today, A.D.R.O.P provides a health clinic, English as a Second Language classes, assistance to the formerly incarcerated and their families, and a partnership with St. Anthony of Padua’s Catholic School. Located in St. Edmund’s Church, A.D.R.O.P. partners with Methodist Hospital and others to provide medical services to a largely Indonesian population in South Philadelphia.

We congratulate Fr. Deegan for advancing the mission of the Augustinians through his tireless efforts to promote peace and justice for all. We recognize his continuing years of service and leadership, his never-ending response to those in need, and for keeping Justice and Peace at the forefront of our Augustinian mission.

The Fr. John E. Deegan, O.S.A. Fund for Justice and Peace, now named in his honor, is a deserving legacy to an Augustinian Friar of 62 years who never stops working on behalf of the common good.

Without justice, there can be no peace.

Save the Date for Tolle Lege Day: Monday, April 24, 2023!

Join the Augustinian Friars on Monday, April 24, 2023 for our third annual giving day: #TolleLegeDay! Friends of the Augustinians will come together with one mind and one heart to celebrate the Augustinian charism and all those who share in it.

Listen to Prior Provincial Fr. Rob Hagan, O.S.A. share the significance of the date and name of our giving day. Please consider making a gift on Monday, April 24th—no matter the size, it will make a difference in the friars’ lives and their ministries.

Visit tollelegeday.org to learn more about this special day. Interested in helping to spread the word about Tolle Lege Day to your family and friends? Become a Tolle Lege Day Ambassador!

Transformative Gift from Barb and Brian Riley Creates the Barb and Brian Riley Fund for Mission and Ministry

The Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova is extremely grateful to Barb and Brian Riley for their transformative commitment of $6,000,000 in support of the Augustinian Friars to be made over a five-year period.

In recognition of the Rileys’ generosity, the Province has established The Barb and Brian Riley Fund for Mission and Ministry. The Riley Fund will advance the mission of the Augustinians through the direct support of Augustinian Friars in their spiritual ministries. It will provide annual operational support to our ministries in greatest need for programmatic and personnel needs. The Rileys’ kindness will allow us to strengthen our ministerial programs and to continue our work to preach the Gospel news and serve the people of God, particularly those struggling on the margins of society.

Prior Provincial Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A. shares, “We friars are humbled and grateful to Barb and Brian for this extraordinary gift that will strengthen our mission and allow us to create positive change in this world. The Barb and Brian Riley Fund for Mission and Ministry is a blessing to our Province and one which will impact society for many years to come.”

Barb and Brian Riley are no strangers to the Augustinians. Barb grew up in St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, attended St. Thomas of Villanova grade school, and currently serves on the Augustinian Advancement Council. Barb and Brian are Malvern Parents, and Brian also serves as a member of the Malvern Prep Board of Trustees. 

The Rileys are a faith-filled couple who have been blessed and wish to share their blessings with those in need. Barb Riley says of their gift, “We are all called to be a witness to God’s work and love, so we would like this gift to have the most impact possible and encourage others to do the same. In addition to supporting our Augustinian schools, we want others to be aware that we must also support the Augustinian Order which founded our schools and continues to sponsor them. We want people to recognize that were it not for the friars, our Augustinian schools would simply not exist. It is our responsibility to ensure the legacy of our Augustinian schools, but let’s not forget that the friars and their ministries need our help, too.” Brian comments: “We are grateful to the Augustinians, and we know that their Order and mission are focused on serving Jesus Christ and all of God’s children.”

The Riley Fund will support Augustinian ministries such as St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in the Bronx, New York which serves a faith-filled Hispanic and Vietnamese community, the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia which serves a diverse population in South Philadelphia, and St. Augustine Church in Philadelphia which is the first foundation of the Augustinians in the U.S. The Riley Fund will also assist other ministries such as the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor (A.D.R.O.P.) which serves an uninsured immigrant population that is primarily Filipino, our Augustinian Justice and Peace programs, and other special social justice initiatives. In addition, the Riley Fund will provide for continuing education for friars pursuing ministry in higher education. 

We are extremely grateful to Barb and Brian for their commitment to the Augustinian Order. Fr. Rob acknowledges, “We are inspired by the faith and trust that lies behind this transformational gift through which our Augustinian charism can continue to touch and heal hearts for generations to come.”

Save the Date for Tolle Lege Day! Sunday, April 24, 2022

Join the Augustinian Friars on Sunday, April 24, 2022 for our second annual giving day: #TolleLegeDay! Friends of the Augustinians will come together with one mind and one heart to celebrate the Augustinian charism and all those who share in it.

Listen to Vicar Provincial Fr. Francis Doyle, O.S.A. share the significance of the date and name of our giving day. Please consider making a gift on Sunday, April 24th—no matter the size, it will make a difference in the friars’ lives and their ministries.

Visit tollelegeday.augustinianfund.org to learn more about this special day. Interested in helping to spread the word about Tolle Lege Day to your family and friends? Become a Tolle Lege Day Ambassador!

Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A. Elected New Prior Provincial

The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova is pleased to announce that Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A. has been elected to a four-year term as Prior Provincial. His installation will take place during the Ordinary Provincial Chapter scheduled for June 12-17, 2022.

Provincial-Elect Rob Hagan, O.S.A. currently serves as Villanova University’s Senior Associate Athletic Director and team chaplain for the Villanova football and men’s basketball programs. Fr. Rob first came to Villanova in 2003 as the Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance and was promoted to his current position in July 2004. He was ordained to the priesthood in September 2003.

Fr. Rob is a 1987 Villanova graduate and earned a J.D. from the Widener University School of Law in 1990. He spent seven years as an attorney with Gillin and Associates, where from 1990-97 he served as Criminal Defense Counsel in addition to handling contract negotiations, arbitrations, and mediations. Father Rob is a past member of the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Delaware County Bar Association, and the Delaware County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Please join us in congratulating Provincial-Elect Rob Hagan, O.S.A. as he prepares to serve the province in this significant role. Let us keep our Provincial-Elect and the Province in prayer as we move toward the Provincial Chapter in June.