The Midwest Augustinian - Summer 2019

Augustinian

The SUMMER 2019

Midwest

Agustiniana

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Revista

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LETTER FROM THE PRIOR PROVINCIAL DEAR FRIENDS OF THE AUGUSTINIANS, While many of our friars take a brief break from their ministerial responsibilities and/or studying, the summer is a busy time for Provincial affairs! I have several topics on which to update you. This in no way, however, exhausts the constant ebb and flow of activity which takes up our day-to-day life.

On the Feast of the Pentecost, I received the Solemn Profession of Vows from Br. Nicholas Mullarkey, O.S.A. and Fr. John Arulthas, O.S.A. Br. Nick will return full-time as a teacher at Cascia Hall in Tulsa, while Fr. John has already been installed as the Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in King City, Ontario.

Meanwhile, Br. Jack Tierney, O.S.A., who made his Solemn Profession of Vows this past December, was ordained to the diaconate at St. Rita Shrine Chapel by Most Rev. Robert Casey, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago on Saturday, June 22. For his diaconate internship, he will be assigned to St. Turibius Parish in Chicago.

Since the beginning of the summer, two of our friars entered eternal life, Fr. Henry Maibusch, O.S.A. Br. Robert Schurman, O.S.A. You may read about them in the pages ahead. Although death always brings a dimension of sadness, our faith assures us of the blessedness of the life to come; therefore we pray that our beloved brothers may rest in the peace of the Risen Christ.

The Federation of Augustinians of North America (FANA) are facing a significant transition with the Novitiate Program. There was a farewell Mass at St. Rita Parish in Racine, WI on Sunday, June 30. Our brothers from the Province of St. Joseph in Canada founded this parish in 1925 at its original location on Douglas Avenue and helped build its current location, including a monastery and school, on the 40acre Horlick Farm, which has also served as the home of the Augustinian Novitiate for many years now.

In more recent years, the parish had been staffed by joint efforts of the Augustinian friars from both the Villanova and California Provinces. The Augustinian Novitiate (which serves all North American Provinces) is currently in the process of moving to a spacious new residence in Villanova, Pennsylvania, just outside the university campus.

The Province will also be exiting St. Gabriel’s Parish in Chicago as Fr. Tom Griffin, O.S.A., current Pastor, has been granted time away from the Province to help part-time in the Diocese of Las Vegas. The Archdiocese of Chicago will be assigning a new Pastor to St. Gabriel.

Incoming vocations, however, continue to point towards a bright future for our Order. Twenty-twoyear-old David Relstab, from Palos Hills, IL, has completed the pre-novitiate program at Villanova and will enter the year-long Novitiate program in August. He will be joined by an incoming novice from the California Province of St. Augustine. Please continue to pray for vocations to the Order.

By the time our next issue arrives, I will be able to report back from our Order’s General Chapter in Rome, where many critical decisions will be made concerning the Augustinian provinces of North America. Please pray for our friars and the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit. The General Chapter is scheduled from September 1 to 18 of this current year.

I urge you to keep updated through the Province website and Facebook pages. It is always a pleasure to communicate with you all and keep you informed.

God's Blessings to All,

Very Reverend Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A. Prior Provincial of the Midwest, Canada, and Chulucanas, Peru

THE MIDWEST AUGUSTINIAN SUMMER 2019

CONTENTS

SUMMER ISSUE 2019

The Midwest Augustinian is a publication of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.

For additional copies, or to unsubscribe, please contact the Province Office: Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel 5401 South Cornell Avenue Chicago, IL 60615 PHONE 773-595-4021 EMAIL sean@midwestaugustinians.org

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2019 SOLEMN PROFESSIONS OF BR. NICK AND FR. JOHN

WEB

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HOW I BECAME THE FIRST SRI LANKAN AUGUSTINIAN IN 500 YEARS

www.midwestaugustinians.org

By Fr. John Arulthas, O.S.A.

MIDWEST AUGUSTINIANS PRIOR PROVINCIAL

Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A. PROVINCE SECRETARY

Rev. Richie Mercado, O.S.A. PROVINCE TREASURER

Rev. James Halstead, O.S.A. FINANCE OFFICE

Sr. Mary Ann Hamer, O.S.F.

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"EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED": TWO DEGREES & LAUDATO SI

By Fr. Bob Dueweke, O.S.A.

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THE PASTORAL YEAR: A VITAL STEP IN AUGUSTINIAN FORMATION

10 THE RESTLESS HEART OF A YOUNG ADULT: PROFILE OF A VOLUNTEER IN PERU

By Adriana Moreno

12 REPORTINGS FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE PUEBLO

By Fr. Walter Enriquez Chugden, O.S.A.

Dn. Robert Carroll, C.P.A.

13 THE BERNARD HEEREY FAMILY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS ELDER AUGUSTINIANS

PROVINCE COUNSELORS

18 WHY GIVE TO THE MIDWEST AUGUSTINIANS

Rev. John D. Merkelis, O.S.A. Rev. Homero Sanchez, O.S.A. Rev. Robert Basler, O.S.A. Rev. James Halstead, O.S.A. Br. Joe Ruiz, O.S.A.

By Michael Gerrity

19 SEVENTH ANNUAL AUGUSTINIAN GALA 22 HOW ST. RITA BECAME THE UNOFFICIAL PATRONESS OF BASEBALL

By Fr. Tony Pizzo, O.S.A.

Rev. Richard Young, O.S.A.

23 IN MEMORIAM: BR. BOB SCHURMAN, O.S.A. & FR. HENRY MAIBUSCH, O.S.A.

PROVINCIAL OFFICES

24 MEET ONE OF OUR 2020 GALA HONOREES: MARK HACKER

DIRECTOR OF VOCATIONS

25 OUR NEWEST DONORS

Rev. Richie Mercado, O.S.A. CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER

26 IN HONOR OR MEMORY OF...

Mr. Michael Gerrity

UNA NUEVA SECCIÓN EN ESPAÑOL

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

14 ¿CÓMO SE CONVIRTIÓ SANTA RITA EN LA PATRONA NO OFICIAL DEL BÉISBOL?

Mr. Sean Reynolds ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATE

Ms. Adriana Moreno ADVANCEMENT ASSISTANTS

Mrs. Karon Basile Mrs. Anne Russell DATABASE MANAGER

Mr. Joseph Zurawski

Por Padre Tony Pizzo, O.S.A.

16 COMO ME CONVERTÍ EN EL PRIMER AGUSTINO DE SRI LANKA EN LOS ÚLTIMOS 500 AÑOS Por Padre John Arulthas, O.S.A.

17 LA MISIÓN EN MEDIO DEL PUEBLO Por Padre Walter Enriquez Chugden, O.S.A. DESIGN: SEAN REYNOLDS

SPANISH TRANSLATION: ADRIANA MORENO

2019 Solemn Professions Province welcomes two friars into perpetual vows

T

he Midwest Province commemorated the Feast of the Pentecost in a truly fitting fashion this year, as our friars welcomed vows from two men whose paths began in two very different cultures.

Prior Provincial Very Rev. Anthony Pizzo, O.S.A. presided over the feast day Mass and received the Solemn Profession of Vows from Fr. John Arulthas, O.S.A, a 44-year-old native of Sri Lanka, and Br. Nicholas Mullarkey, O.S.A., a native of West Des Moines, Iowa.

“Though we come from different parts of the world, with different perspectives, from different cultures, languages, and backgrounds, what we share in common is the same desire to live our lives together with a common purpose and a willingness to serve the Church as Augustinians,” Fr. Tony observed during his homily at St. Rita Shrine Chapel.

In an unusual circumstance, Fr. John, at age 44, joins the Augustinians after having been with the contemplative community of Rosarians since he was 16 years old. It was with the Rosarians that Fr. John first moved from Sri Lanka to Canada in 2013, and soon after he had heard about the Augustinian community of “active contemplatives” at Marylake Shrine in King City, Ontario.

“I look at our solemn vows and in the context of the Pentecost: Brother Nicholas is from Iowa, a different culture.

Myself, I am from Sri Lanka, I'm from another part of

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the world. This shows both cultures and nations … come together to say yes to the Lord, to the Augustinian way of life on the Solemnity of the Pentecost,” said Fr. John.

Since Fr. John has already gone through the requisite formation and education for priesthood with the Rosarian Order, he was able to enter directly into a new ministry position as an Augustinian. On June 23, just two weeks after his Solemn Profession, Fr. John was installed as the new Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, located on the Marylake Shrine campus.

The Solemn Profession also marked the close of the formation process for Br. Nick, whose call is solely to religious brotherhood. Before entering formation with the Augustinians, Br. Nick had studied for four years at the diocesan seminary in Des Moines, as he discerned a possible call to the priesthood. “It was a great four years with the diocese, but afterwards I discerned to be a brother,” recalled Br. Nick. “I appreciate the way that brothers serve the Order in ways that are not necessarily sacramental. They serve the Province, they teach, they perform social outreach. There are a variety of services that brothers perform that support and enhance the ordained minister, without themselves having to be the ordained minister.”

Br. Nick will return for the next year to Cascia Hall in Tulsa, OK, where he has taught and ministered for the past three years.

How I became the first Sri Lankan Augustinian in 500 years

By Fr. John Arulthas, O.S.A.

E

ach Augustinian has his unique path to the Order. My path of discernment took me from Sri Lanka, to the Order of Rosarians, through Canada, and finally to the Augustinians at Marylake Shrine in King City, Ontario.

I first entered religious life at the age of 16, when I was accepted into formation with the contemplative community of Rosarians, near my hometown of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. With this Order, I did my studies in theology and philosophy and was ordained a priest in 2006. Immediately following my ordination, I began to discern that I was not quite content with living a

contemplative life. For the first four years of my priesthood, I served in the formation house in Sri Lanka, until 2010, when my community moved to Canada. It was there that I began to take my discernment very seriously, feeling called to a more active ministry as a priest. Thankfully, I came to know about the Augustinians through a good friend of mine in Chatham, Ontario, who informed me of the community at Marylake Shrine.

In the spring of 2012, I went to Marylake for the first time for a week-long retreat. In the fall of the same year, I got permission to make one-month retreat directed by Fr. Henry Mc Erlean, O.S.A. From that moment on Fr. Henry became my spiritual director, mentor, and a friend during my journey with the Augustinians. After completing my one-month retreat—with the confirmation from the Lord—I departed from my contemplative call to join the Augustinians.

I remember praying in the church on the Feast of St. Augustine and reading the great passage from St. Augustine’s Confessions, “Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside.” These lines struck me and drew me closer to the Augustinian way of life.

On January 21, 2013, I moved to the Marylake Augustinian community. The Augustinians at Marylake had shown their support for me and my discernment. The transitional and transferring process took three years of waiting in patience, perseverance, and prayer. On February 7, 2016, I was released from my Rosarian vows by the intervention of the Congregation to the Consecrated and Religious Life in Rome, and, on August 15, 2016, I entered the Augustinian Novitiate in Racine, Wisconsin.

"Arulthas" continued on page 9

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By Fr. Bob Dueweke, O.S.A. “This is very odd. It is not right.

Where are the corn and soy crops?”

The farmland was barren with no signs of life; it had a Novemberfeeling: all brown and gray. In the month of June, the fields should be a lively green carpet anticipating a harvest in the fall. Corn should be knee-high by the Fourth of July,

"Everything is connected": according to the old farming adage.

But there is none of this. Water pools are everywhere in this raindrenched land.

As I drove through the Ohio and Indiana countryside to attend our Province retreat near Chicago, I contemplated the impact of torrential rains on the environment and farmers’ livelihoods. I am aware of the chemical fertilizer runoff into the lakes, streams, and river systems that are detrimental to plant and marine life. Research has demonstrated the connection between fertilizer runoff and the growth of massive toxic “guacamole-like” sludge of algae blooms that turn Lake Erie and Florida waterways into poison.

Changes in the environment might trigger the question: Is the American farmer the new climate refugee in a warming world?

My ministry with Augustinians International at the United Nations in New York has opened my eyes to many realities, especially the impact of climate change on the planet leading to food insecurity in developing countries. Many Augustinian communities are experiencing the ripple effects of climate change and violence in a direct way. Central Africa is especially hard hit with severe drought. The lack of fresh water and the surge of terrorism in the Chad Basin have forced people to migrate

into northeast Nigeria. Half of the country of Somalia, six million people, experience famine and are fleeing into northern Kenya. The communities in the Philippines continue to suffer natural disasters, like the 2013 super-typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan) that killed almost 10,000 people and left 14 million homeless. The Augustinians in the Philippine Province of Cebu have initiated construction projects for hurricane-proof shelters on Kinatarkan Island. Vulnerable populations and indigenous communities are the first to feel the impact of climate-related tragedies and probably will for years to come.

A vital question: Does anyone care?

Due to its global network in 46 countries, Augustinian communities are in a privileged position to raise awareness and to make a difference.

A greater focus on an “ecological conversion” can unite Augustinians and laity as one caring voice for our planet and be in collaboration with international institutions like the United Nations. The Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes confirms the role of Catholic organizations in promoting peace, justice, and solidarity. The document encourages such activity as “certainly appropriate for Catholics, and to the formation of truly worldwide solidarity and responsibility" (90).

A key word here is responsibility.

Are we responsible for exacerbating the damage of climate change?

two degrees & Laudato Si If so, what choices must we make regarding our lifestyle, system of economics, and the role of politics?

How will our choices today impact future generations? These are serious questions with far-reaching consequences. To be responsible implies making a response.

Pope Francis sounded the alarm with his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si: On Care For Our Common Home.

The most original insight in this encyclical is the view of the world that “everything is connected.” No one stands and lives isolated from the rest; we are all connected. Decisions made in one part of the world affect another part. St. Augustine had the same insight in his opening line in the Confessions, where he writes that we are all “a part” of God’s creation.

Pope Francis is calling for an ecological conversion of every person toward a new responsibility to “care for our common home.” Now is the time to fall in love with the world of the Creator. A new mission of care is emerging. It is an invitation to Augustinian communities to examine its lifestyle and to take seriously the vision of connection and communion as proposed in Laudato Si. Pope Francis has elevated climate change to the level of a moral issue.

However, many accept the shocks of a warming planet as a price to pay for so-called progress. One wonders if there is any hope that the nations of the planet will embrace and achieve

the two objectives of the Paris Climate Agreements.

Climate change, or better, climate disruption, is the cumulative result of decision-making that ignores the common good and how “everything is connected.” Corporations and powerful governments practice a "profit-above-all" ideology that results in unsustainable global economic systems and a politics void of any sense of compassion. These private and public organizations plunder environmentally-sensitive regions for their own gain while ignoring the harm they cause to people, the environment, and future generations.

Their hoarding of natural resources led the U.S. Department of Energy to adopt a twisted logic of rebranding fossil fuels as “molecules of freedom” and natural gas as “freedom gas.” What about insuring the freedom for people to live in harmony with their world?

Is there hope? Does anyone care?

Without our intervention the planet will continue to warm up with dire consequences, some known and others still unknown. We do know, with reasonable certainty, that without positive change the glaciers and Arctic Sea ice will soon completely disappear; coral reefs, the beginning of the food chain, will bleach and die; oceans will become more incapable of absorbing greenhouse gases. Biodiversity and millions of species will die out. All of these terrible events are presently occurring with alarming speed even

as I write this. The knowledge and wisdom traditions of indigenous communities will be lost due to forced climate migration. Millions will suffer famine and be displaced. The future looks bleak, indeed.

Is there hope that we can survive climate change? The hope that the world will get better might be an illusion due to our collective failure to confront the present moment and remake ourselves in accord with what is sustainable. The hope that I believe in is summed up well by the Czech dissident, writer, and statesman Václav Havel who said: “Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something is worth doing no matter how it turns out.”

The Augustinian friar-scientist Gregor Mendel, O.S.A. (d. 1884), born in what is now the Czech Republic, is widely considered to be the Father of Genetics. He also had a profound interest in climatology, a branch of the atmospheric sciences concerned with the causes of climatic differences. Inspired by the insights of the friar from Moravia, Augustinians today can embrace the moral challenge of climate disruption, promote the education of interconnection and the vision of Laudato Si. Augustinians can provide a new world-wide sense of hope that “something is worth doing no matter how it turns out.”

A belief that “everything is connected,” timely, and worth doing.

The Pastoral Year

Br. Sam Joutras with catechists for confirmation in Pacasmayo

A Vital Step in Augustinian Formation

F

ollowing their initial two years of graduate studies at the Catholic Theological Union, Augustinians in formation spend a year of active service within one of the Order’s ministries. This period, called the Pastoral Year, affords them an opportunity to apply the knowledge they have gained in class before returning back to complete their master’s degree.

The decision of where the Pastoral Year will be spent is typically a collaborative decision among the man in formation, his Provincial, and his formation director.

Br. Sam Joutras, O.S.A. took his first ministerial assignment in our Peruvian Missions, with the Augustinian community at the arid seaside village of Pacasmayo. A former Spanish major, Br. Sam hoped the opportunity would allow him to hone his language skills while also gaining firsthand pastoral experience with a population that faces severe economic challenges. At the parish of Señor de los Milagros, Br. Sam gave weekly homilies in Spanish and served as a Eucharistic minister to the home-bound. “That was very powerful," he recalled, "because it's largely people who are bed-ridden. I once met a woman who had 18 children and was 101 years old and was full of life!” The bulk of his workload, however, came from teaching English at the Augustinian primary and secondary schools. “The teaching assignment really became a lesson for me because these students were often discouraged. But language is little by little, poco a poco. I tried to get them to believe that they could learn it at least even if they weren't learning it.”

The Pastoral Year also gives the men in formation their first experience in wearing the Augustinian habit daily and publicly.

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Among the streets of Peru, Br. Sam came to realize the powerful witness that a religious habit can provide to the public. “My time there made me realize how important the habit is to providing security for people, for Catholics, to see it and know that the Church is still alive.”

Acquiring language proficiency may have been Br. Sam’s initial reason for traveling to Peru. However, he discovered that offering people a silent, comforting presence was often the most meaningful ministry he could provide. “I am continuing to see that, outside of the words and actions of ministry, sincere presence was what is most important.” The greatest testament to this came during Br. Sam’s immersion in religious processions, of which there are many in rural Peru. “It was the feast of Martin De Porres; I was carrying the icon in the procession. It was hot, very hot outside. People would just invite me into their homes, which were even hotter. They would start crying because we were there walking with the image. I always had holy water to bless the homes or the people if the sick came out. It was very touching.”

Br. Joe Roccasalva, O.S.A., meanwhile, returned to more familiar terrain as a Mathematics teacher at Providence Catholic. Before joining the Augustinians, Br. Sam first earned his B.S. in Secondary Education and Mathematics at Saint Xavier University and taught part-time at Mother McCauley High School and the Huntington Learning Center on Chicago’s southwest side. This assignment, though, would demand much more of Br. Joe, considering his service in the pastoral ministry office and increased involvement in the school’s extracurriculars. Br. Joe stepped in as assistant coach of

the Mathematics team, who went on to state this year, placing 14th overall. As the unofficial Provincial cantor, Br. Joe also brought his talents to the school’s theater department while they staged productions of Seussical the Musical and Freaky Friday.

In our Province, we believe strongly that an Augustinian school should wear habits and cleric collars in the hallways whenever possible. We find that this leaves an indelible impression in our students—an impression that might have them turning back to the Augustinians during times of need throughout their lives. Br. Joe felt the importance of his own presence to the students who came to visit him each day in the Pastoral Office: “It was a revolving door of students coming to see us. Some needing consultation, some needing prayers, others just wanting to hang out and laugh. But by the end of the year we had a close group of ‘regulars’ who would show up every day to talk,” said Br. Joe. More than just a friendly presence, Br. Joe helped organize the school Kairos retreat, where seniors take three days away from campus for prayer and group discussions. For a small group of students seeking a deeper kind of pilgrimage, he co-led an excursion to Panama for the Augustinian Youth Encounter, where students from Augustinian schools from around the world gathered for spiritual formation centered around the theme, “Heaven and earth proclaim the glory of God.

"Arulthas" continued from page 5 The beginning of my second novitiate was a bit challenging, but I learned to view the time as my sabbatical in the tenth year of my priesthood. Now, I can boldly say that the Lord has loved me, will love me, will continue to love me, and wants me to be faithful to His call for a deeper relationship with Him during this time of transition.

It has been a struggle and great battle within me, but I completely surrendered my will to the One who has called me to follow Him. I have experienced a series of conversion, repentance, transformation, and intimate moments with God, myself, and others in the community. I am not saying that every day is perfect, but each day God gives me the necessary grace to navigate through a life directed towards Him. I am glad to have made my Solemn Vows on Pentecost Sunday, saying yes to the Lord's call to journey with my Augustinian brothers in this common life. I believe that my story—as it winds through countries of greatly different cultures, and Orders of greatly different charisms—is a great testament to the character of the Augustinian way of life. It can also be a sign of hope for the Order, as I have come to learn now that I am the first Sri Lankan Tamu Augustinian in the past 500 years.

I look forward to what new surprises and blessings the Lord has in store for my and my new Order.

Br. Joe Roccasalva, O.S.A. with students at Providence Catholic's Mass of Thanksgiving

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The Restless Heart of A Young Adult: Bearing Witness to the Chulucanas Mission as A Lay Volunteer

Augustinian Volunteers, and she felt called by their mission statement:

By Adriana Moreno

I

n the late 1990s, the Augustinians from the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova in Pennsylvania began to search for new ways to partner with young lay people. The late Rev. Owen "Ray" Jackson, O.S.A. proposed the idea of establishing a volunteer program in the tradition of the Order of St. Augustine. The newly formed Augustinian Volunteers welcomed its first cohort of volunteers in 2000. They were 10 college graduates sent to serve the people of San Diego, California and the Bronx, New York.

Since then, the program has expanded both domestically and internationally. As a separate entity from the Augustinian Order, the Augustinian Volunteers does 100% of its own fundraising and receives no funding from the Midwest Augustinians. However, the organization sends volunteers to serve the Midwest Augustinian missions in Northern Peru. This is the story of one former volunteer and her experience serving in the Peruvian missions.

Jennifer Brady was born and raised in Denver, Colorado.

The oldest of four, she attended public school her entire life, but sought a different experience for college. As a devout Catholic, she wanted to attend a school that would not only challenge her academically, but also fulfill her spiritually.

She decided upon the University of Dallas, a small Catholic university with a strong culture of volunteer service. Though she felt called to nursing, Jennifer realized that a biology major would not allow her to take advantage of the school’s service opportunities. As a result, she pursued a Theology major with a Spanish minor and opted to fulfill her nursing prerequisites during a gap year after college.

Jennifer was attracted to the option of spending her gap year as a volunteer in international missions (ideally in Latin America so as to develop her Spanish). She knew she wanted a program like the Peace Corps, but also wanted to live in an intentional religious community with other lay volunteers.

Online research brought her to the Peruvian missions of the

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Jennifer with her host family

SUMMER 2019

The Augustinian Volunteers celebrate the restless hearts of young adults by inviting them to experience an intentional way of life that honors the dignity of others through community, spirituality, and service. In the Catholic tradition, volunteers build transformative relationships, inspiring an enduring commitment to the common good.

Jennifer liked that it was an established program and developed relationships with locals in the communities where they were serving.

In the summer of 2017, she applied and was accepted into the Augustinians Volunteer’s international program based in Chulucanas, Peru. Her journey began in January 2018 as she and two other young women took off for their year-long Peruvian journey. They spent their first month in country living with host families and, after receiving their visas, moved into a communal home that was owned by a local and rented by the program. Each had their own room. They washed their clothes in the backyard. Community life was a unique and at times, a challenging experience. The reason is that they are strangers learning to be there for one another in an entirely different culture from their own.

The language barrier and cultural differences presented two other challenges for Jennifer. She had to learn new social norms and adjust to living in a small town. She was from a city of over 600,000 people and she was now living in a town of 82,000! “Chulucanas is such a small town, but it was comforting because everyone knows who you are, very welcoming, and I had a sense of belonging,” she stated. “The people of Chulucanas are very family focused and community focused.”

While in Peru, Jennifer worked at the health office of the Centro Pastoral, which initiated various social campaigns in the area. Much of her work was like that of a social worker.

On behalf of children with health issues such as cerebral palsy or other congenital issues, she applied to grants in the United

Pictured from left to right: Chulucanas Community members Jennifer Brady, Kate Foley, and Vanessa Perez.

States. Her duties were to write proposals, gather necessary documentation, and submit. She also served as the liaison for visiting Villanova nursing students, who would conduct home visits and teach health education.

She helped with a visit from Malvern Prep, an all-boys Augustinian high school in Pennsylvania. In June 2018, a medical campaign was led by a group made up of doctors from the United States, and she worked as a translator for them. Since much of the Chulucanas Vicariate is based in the mountains, she would assist with arranging for people to be bussed down to see the doctors. The doctors did general adult care, but if someone required more medical attention, they were referred to the October campaign for surgery.

Although she was an Augustinian volunteer, her interactions with Augustinian friars was limited. She had occasional interactions with Bishop Daniel Turley, O.S.A., and her community was invited to lunch with them and invited to attend events. In her workplace, however, there were no Augustinians. The need for Augustinians in the Vicariate is great—just like it is throughout the Midwest Province—but the number of men in formation is not enough to fulfill those needs. This is the same dilemma across various other religious volunteer organizations, many of which are run by laypeople rather than clergy.

In October 2018, Jennifer began to feel unwell, and, at the recommendation of her program, she returned home, ending her experience only after nine months. A short time after her return, Jennifer was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Although an unexpected and scary diagnosis, she never felt alone. Not only did she have the support and prayers of her friends and family in Denver, but she had the support of the Augustinian Volunteer communities, the program staff, and the Augustinian friars in the U.S. and in Peru. She went through chemotherapy treatment and in December 2018 she was in remission.

Her experience with both her illness and her time with the Augustinian Volunteers have shifted her worldview. She carries her volunteer experience with her as she attends the Nursing program at Regis University, a Jesuit university in Denver. “I’ve learned a lot from others,” she said. “My medical issues made me appreciate and recognize what kind of access and privilege I have due to being born in the United States.” Jennifer feels that it was her experience with the Augustinian Volunteers that prepared her for the world that awaited her. She recommends this program to future college graduates who are looking to serve their communities, but also want to take time to discern their opportunities that follow college.

Augustinian Volunteers are still considering applicants for the 2019-2020 international program.

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Reportings from the middle of the pueblo

should not be ashamed because Christ was not ashamed to carry our sins on the cross.

That experience showed me the reason why we should not be ashamed to be Christians, to be Catholic, or to have faith. Our faith should give us joy due to the fact that we live in Christ and not to be ashamed. Often, we are ashamed to bless our food, bless our homes, or to make the sign of the cross in front of someone we know. However, Christ was not ashamed of us. On the contrary, he carried the cross with love. These experiences and words are what enrich me when I remember that moment.

My second experience came while visiting the elderly. One of them said he was delighted to be Catholic, and that having lived in the Church of Christ made him strong and content. Those words remained in my mind. I told myself, “This man has great faith and has always stood by Christ in the Church.” Another elderly person who was sick and bedridden, also showed great joy to be Catholic. What a marvel of life these servants of God were. I took them as the words from Christ who was cheering for me on this journey.

The third experience was at the school we oversee, Lord of Miracles, where some of the teenagers said they do not believe God exists. I asked why they do not believe, and their answer was: “Nobody taught me that God exists.” My response was “Even when you do not believe in God, He still loves you.”

By Fr. Walter Enriquez Chugden, O.S.A.

G

reetings to you all from our seaside Augustinian community in Pacasmayo, Peru. My formation process with the Order gave me the opportunity to make contact with the people of God, and I have learned many things about Him as I have walked with them. In this article, I want to highlight three moments of my formation, starting with the richness of community life.

The first moment happened while I was participating in the Via Crucis in the four Peruvian zonas (regions); it was my first mission in the zonas. During the procession, we arrived at a house as one of our teenage girls was carrying the cross. She saw her friends pass by and felt embarrassed because she was carrying the cross. I told her that she

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When I explained that, and when I observe the world and see its harmony and beauty, I recognize that a higher being exists. In everything that exists, there is an intelligence behind the mystery of the world itself. All the wonder of the world cannot come from nowhere. Where there is intelligence it is because there is someone who has more intelligence. Creation is beautiful, and whoever made it, is more beautiful than the creation itself.

Nothing can come out of nowhere, much less does intelligence come out of nothing.

These experiences that I have lived in this short time I hope will serve as encouragement in the intellectual preparation for the education of personal faith and for the people of God.

The Bernard Heerey Family Foundation supports the care of our elder friars

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he number of retired Augustinian friars in our Province has hovered around 30 for the past several years—roughly a third of our total community. Providing for the health care and living expenses of these men totals around $1 million each year, and far exceeds what the salaries of our working friars can support. Nevertheless, it is our responsibility to find means to provide for them whereever we can, including third-party grants.

For the past three years, we have been the blessed recipients of a $50,000 grant from the Bernard Heerey Foundation of Chicago, to cover the annual costs for one retired friar who had served in the city’s south side. Bernard Heerey, the namesake of the foundation, made significant impacts on the landscape of postwar Chicago, purchasing, assembling, and refurbishing major tracts along the city’s near north side. Mr. Heerey was also a devout Catholic who had a deep interest in the spiritual and physical welfare of the people of the city.

Following his death in 1999, his assets were directed toward the establishment of a foundation with two principal directives: 1) offering scholarships and fellowships to worthy Chicago students; and 2) provide for the elderly who dedicated their lives to serving Chicago.

Mr. Nathaniel Gray, a friend of Bernard Heerey and trustee of the foundation, stated, “We believe that the men and women who work for the betterment of the city, while receiving little or no financial compensation, need to be provided for in their later years. Especially in organizations like the Augustinians, when they can become a large financial burdens for the whole community.”

Top Right: Mr. Bernard Heerey; Middle Left: Br. Mark Emken and Fr. John Szura; Middle Right: Fr. Donald Bates and Fr. Ron Scheible; Bottom Left: Fr. Mike Slattery and Fr. Henry Maibusch; Bottom Right: Fr. Tony Pizzo and Fr. Henry Maibusch

Our Province expresses our immense gratitude to the Bernard Heerey Foundation for their generous continued support.

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La Revista Agustiniana

SANTA RITA

la patrona no oficial del béisbol

Por Padre Anthony Pizzo, O.S.A.

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n las imágenes devocionales de Santa Rita de Casia, generalmente vemos una serie de objetos que simbolizan sus patronazgos o momentos significativos en su vida. El símbolo principal es la espina, que significa el estigma que recibió en su frente. A veces se le muestra con una rosa, en referencia a un milagro que cumplió en su lecho de muerte cuando la flor, a petición suya, creció fuera de temporada.

Sin embargo, como ustedes saben, a Santa Rita se le ha otorgado recientemente un par de símbolos menos tradicionales e intuitivos: ¡la pelota y el bate de béisbol! Es verdad, ¡muchos católicos consideran a Santa Rita como la patrona no oficial de nuestro pasatiempo nacional! ¿Cómo llegó esta pequeña monja italiana del siglo XIV a ser asociada con un deporte como el béisbol? Me di a la tarea de investigarlo.

Esta historia comenzó hace casi un siglo atrás en el pueblo de Big Lake, Texas, cuando los mineros de petróleo no encontraron el deseado "oro negro" en su pequeño y empobrecido pueblo. Sin embargo, cuando los Católicos de Big Lake rezaron a Santa Rita por su intervención, su pozo milagrosamente se activó. Desde el auge del petróleo en Texas, los residentes de Big Lake han pasado su tiempo libre jugando béisbol. El pueblo produjo a varios jugadores a lo largo de los años, y entre ellos se encuentra Jim Morris, en quién se basó la película del 2002 "El Novato", interpretado por Dennis Quaid.

Como se muestra en la película, Morris llevaba puesta una medalla de Santa Rita para la buena suerte.

Y parece que ella intervino para ayudarlo a superar todo tipo de lesiones y desafíos increíbles antes de ser contratado por los Tampa Bay Rays a la edad de 35 años, notablemente tarde para un jugador nuevo.

Santa Rita, una italiana, baja y callada (¡hay un oxímoron aquí!) terminó siendo una mujer de gran talla que sobrevivió la adversidad contra todo pronóstico. En el mayo de 2001, el Papa Juan Pablo II celebró un día especial en honor a Santa Rita, marcando el centenario de su canonización en Roma. Durante la celebración el Papa dijo que ella fue, en el año 1900, la primera mujer canonizada en el Gran Jubileo.

El Sumo Pontífice añadió que a pesar de su pequeña estatura fue grande en santidad; alguien que vivió con humildad y ahora es conocida en todo el mundo por su vida cristiana devota como esposa, madre, viuda y monja.

Profundamente arraigada en el amor de Cristo, Rita encontraba una fuerza inquebrantable para ser una representante de paz en

cada situación. El Papa Juan Pablo II continuó diciendo: <<Santa Rita es la personificación del genio femenino, al vivirlo intensamente tanto en la maternidad física como en la espiritual. Santa Rita nos recuerda que nuestra iglesia está llena de mujeres que nos muestran lo que es mejor para nosotros, y cuyas cualidades de santidad trascienden el tiempo y el espacio>>.

Incluso hoy en día, Santa Rita hace sus pequeñas peregrinaciones dentro de nuestros momentos de sufrimiento sea en nuestros hogares, en nuestros lugares de trabajo, en el colegio o en dondequiera que estemos. Ella intercede ante Dios para socorrernos soluciones aparentemente imposibles a nuestros sufrimientos, nuestras heridas y todas las circunstancias difíciles que enfrentamos en nuestra vida cotidiana dentro de nuestros matrimonios, nuestra vida familiar y en todas las relaciones con los demás. Ella nos acompaña en nuestras oraciones diarias para que nos convirtamos en mujeres y hombres de perdón y misericordia.

Rita vivió vocaciones múltiples y difíciles con un corazón humilde

puesto en Cristo. Su vida es un ejemplo asombroso del amor triunfante y misericordioso de Dios, que opera en las imperfecciones de las circunstancias que nos aquejan.

Testimonio de esto son las circunstancias insufribles que Santa Rita tuvo que aguantar con bravura durante cada etapa de su vida: la negativa de sus padres ante su deseo de ser monja, la experiencia de un matrimonio abusivo, la pérdida de sus hijos y, después de todo esto, el rechazo de su aplicación para entrar al convento Agustiniano y la aflicción de una dolorosa herida en su frente. Ninguna de estas cosas, sin embargo, le impidió servir a Dios y a su comunidad.

Podemos orar por su intercesión en nuestras necesidades desesperadas, pero también debemos imitar su amor. Recemos para que intervenga en todas las circunstancias de nuestras vidas, incluso cuando estamos en Texas, en medio de la nada, tratando de encontrar petróleo o jugando en la Serie Mundial. Que Santa Rita siempre interceda por nosotros, que Dios nos bendiga y nos acompañe mientras nos acompañamos unos a otros. Amén.

La Revista Agustiniana

Como me convertí en el primer Agustino de Sri Lanka en los últimos 500 años Por Padre John Arulthas, O.S.A.

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ada Agustino sigue su propio camino a la Orden. Mi camino de discernimiento me llevó desde la Congregación del Santísimo Rosario en Sri Lanka hasta La Orden de San Agustín en el Monasterio de Marylake en King City, Ontario, Canadá.

Entré en la vida religiosa a los 16 años cuando fui aceptado en formación por la comunidad contemplativa de los Rosarianos cerca de mi pueblo natal de Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Fue allí que hice mis estudios de teología y filosofía y ordenado como sacerdote en el 2006. Inmediatamente después de mi ordenación, empecé a comprender que no estaba completamente satisfecho con vivir una vida contemplativa. Durante los siguientes cuatro años serví en la casa de formación en Sri Lanka hasta que mi comunidad se mudó a Canadá en el 2010. Fue en ese entonces que comencé un proceso de discernimiento más serio y me sentí llamado a ejercer un ministerio sacerdotal más activo. La gracia de Dios me llevó a conocer a los Agustinos a través de un buen amigo mío en Chatham, Ontario, quien me habló de la comunidad en Marylake.

En la primavera del 2012, fui a Marylake por primera vez para un retiro de una semana. En el otoño del mismo año, obtuve permiso para hacer un retiro de un mes dirigido por el Padre Henry McErlean, O.S.A. Desde ese momento el Padre Henry se convirtió en mi director espiritual, mentor y amigo durante este caminar con los Agustinos. Después de completar mi retiro de un mes, con la confirmación del Señor, dejé la vida contemplativa para unirme a los Agustinos.

Recuerdo rezando en la iglesia durante la fiesta de San Agustín y haber leído un gran pasaje que encontré en su obra las Confesiones: << ¡Tarde te amé, hermosura tan antigua y tan nueva, tarde te amé! y tú estabas dentro de mí y yo afuera, y así por fuera te buscaba>>. Estas líneas me impactaron y me acercaron más al estilo de vida Agustiniana.

El 21 de enero de 2013, me mudé a la comunidad Agustiniana de Marylake.

Los Agustinos en Marylake habían mostrado su apoyo por mí y mi proceso de discernimiento. El proceso de transición y transferencia tomó tres años. Fueron tres años de esperar con paciencia, perseverancia y oración. El proceso finalizó el 7 de febrero de 2016 por la intervención de la Congregación para los Institutos de Vida Consagrada el 15 de agosto de 2016 ingresé al Noviciado Agustino en Racine, Wisconsin.

El comienzo de mi segundo noviciado fue un poco difícil, pero disfruté ese tiempo como mi año sabático por mi décimo aniversario sacerdotal. Ahora puedo decir con firmeza que el Señor me ha amado, me amará y continuará amándome. Él quiere que sea fiel a Su llamado a una relación más profunda con Él durante este tiempo de transición.Ha sido una lucha y una gran batalla interna, pero entregué completamente mi voluntad al que me ha llamado a seguirlo.

He pasado por ciclos de conversión, contrición, transformación y momentos íntimos con Dios, conmigo mismo y otros miembros de la comunidad. No digo que cada día es perfecto, pero día a día Dios me da la gracia necesaria para navegar a través de una vida dedicada a Él, <<Estuviste cerca, tan cerca como siempre estás de los talones de quienes te eluden. Nos traes de vuelta a ti de una manera que no podemos entender>>.

Me alegro de haber hecho mis votos solemnes en el domingo de Pentecostés, diciéndole "sí" al Señor para caminar con mis hermanos Agustinos en esta vida en común la cual me motivó a ser parte de la Orden de San Agustín.

Creo que la historia de mi travesía por países con culturas diferentes y Órdenes con carismas distintos es un gran testimonio del carácter del estilo de vida Agustiniano. También puede ser un signo de esperanza para la Orden, ya que he descubierto que soy el primer Agustino de Sri Lanka en los últimos 500 años. Espero con anhelo las nuevas sorpresas y bendiciones que el Señor tiene reservadas para mí y mi nueva Orden.

La Revista Agustiniana

la misión en medio del pueblo . . .

Por Padre Walter Enriquez Chugden O.S.A.

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ordial saludos a todos mis hermanos Agustinos desde la comunidad de Pacasmayo.

Agradezco al proceso de formación por darme la oportunidad de la pastoral, donde se tiene más contacto con el pueblo de Dios y en este caminar se pueden aprender muchas cosas de Él. En este artículo quiero compartir tres experiencias que he vivido en este corto tiempo y que me han traído grandes enseñanzas y una gran pasión por la vida comunitaria.

La primera experiencia sucedió cuando acompañe la via crucis durante mi primera misión en la zona.

Una joven cargaba la cruz. En el camino vio a sus amigos pasar y se sintió avergonzada. Yo le dije que no debería sentir vergüenza porque Cristo no la tuvo al cargar nuestros pecados en la cruz. Esa experiencia fue motivo para reflexionar de que no debemos sentir vergüenza de ser cristianos, católicos u hombres de fe. La fe debería llevarnos a la alegría de vivir en Cristo, más no a la vergüenza por nuestro credo. Muchas veces nos avergonzamos hasta de bendecir los alimentos en nuestras casas o de hacernos la señal de cruz en frente de algún conocido. Cristo no tuvo vergüenza de nosotros. Al contrario, se sacrificó por amor a nosotros.

Estas palabras me enriquecen cuando recuerdo aquel momento.

Mi segunda experiencia fue durante una visita a los ancianos. Uno de ellos dijo que se sentía orgulloso de ser

católico y que vivir en la Iglesia de Cristo le daba fuerzas y lo hacía feliz. Esas palabras quedaron sonando en mi mente. Yo me decía a mí mismo «Este hombre tiene mucha fe y sé que siempre ha estado al lado de Cristo».

Era un anciano con una enfermedad que lo tenía postrado por mucho tiempo en una cama y aun así se sentía muy feliz de ser católico, ¡qué maravilla de vida de este sirviente de Dios! Yo lo tomé como las palabras de Cristo que me seguían animando por este camino.

La tercera experiencia tomó lugar en un colegio del cual estamos encargados los Agustinos, cuando algunos de los adolescentes dijeron que no creían en la existencia de Dios. Yo les pregunté el por qué y sus repuestas eran las mismas: «No creo porque nadie me ha demostrado que Dios existe». A lo cual yo repliqué: «A pesar de que tú no crees en Dios, Él te ama».

Les expliqué que observando la armonía y la belleza que hay en el mundo, nos damos cuenta que existe un ser superior; una inteligencia divina detrás de tanto misterio. Todas la maravillas que hay en el mundo no pudieron haber salido de la nada. La creación es inteligente y debe venir de un ser con mayor inteligencia.

La creación es bella y quien la hizo debe ser más bello que la misma creación. Pues nada puede salir de la nada.

Espero que mis experiencias sirvan de ánimo durante la preparación intelectual para la educación de la fe personal y del pueblo de Dios.

Why Give to the Midwest Augustinians?

A Message from Province Advancement Director Michael Gerrity During my eight years with the Midwest Augustinians, people will often ask me questions like, “Why does the Province need my charitable gifts,” or “How do the Augustinians pay for what is required for its’ mission,” or “What is the annual budget for the Midwest Augustinians?”

First, the most important point is to understand that a person donates to the Augustinians because he or she has a relationship or positive encounters with an Augustinian in a: school, parish, chaplaincy, retreat or mission. Yet, the overarching reason for giving is because supporting Augustinians’ works (in prayer and financially) furthers the Kingdom of God on earth. Each of us is called to do this starting from the moment of our Baptism.

Our annual budget, which covers care for our elderly and infirm Augustinians, vocations outreach, support our men in formation studies, our mission in Northern Peru, and management of the Province, is approximately $3.7 million annually. The revenue sources to cover those expenses are: • Salaries earned by our priests and brothers working in schools, parishes, and chaplaincies, • A portion of the earnings in our trust funds, and • Funds raised through charitable giving.

We receive no funding from dioceses, the Vatican, Catholic Charities, or corporations. Like our schools, we are expected to fund and make our own way. Sums like $3, $2, $1, or even 50 cents per day may not seem like much, or buy much in worldly goods, but when made as a gift, they have profound and everlasting impact on the ministries of the Augustinians.

By your charitable gift, you share in the mission and purpose of the Augustinians. Your gift is an act of unselfish love. With it, and your prayers, you further the Kingdom of God on earth. No one, including Christ or St. Augustine, expects more than your unselfish acts of love.

They are the only currency accepted in Heaven.

Would you consider including the Augustinians friars in your final estate plans?

Please call us at 773-595-4035 or visit MidwestAugustinians.org/planned-giving 18

The Midwest Augustinian |

SUMMER 2019

Midwest Augustinian Restless Hearts Society We would like to acknowledge and thank the following supporters for including the Augustinians in their wills or estate plans: Pierre M. Adams Arlene Adams Joseph F. Bamberger Anne Berschback Donald R. Berschback Chuck Cassity James A. Corona James V. Corrigan Thomas C. De Corte Delores Denning Joseph A. Drap Sandra Lyn Drap Carolyn A. Dunskis Gregory J. Flanagan Rita M. Fortino Dr. Robert J. Fredericks John M. Freese Mary Friedel-Hunt John A. Gaberino, Jr. Ardith E. Goodroe Frank D. Grimaldi Winifred M. Guthikonda Richard H. Hagedorn David J. Hougan Lois J. Jacobs Michael C. Kirby Wayne G. Klasing Barbara G. Klasing Richard D. Kornowski John N. Kost Sandra Kruse John D. Kwiatkowski Ann G. LeGere Robert J. LaFortune Anthony J. Lauinger Phyllis Lauinger Bonnie Leighty William Leighty

Thomas Leo Steve Leos, Jr. Jerome J. Lui Dolores P. Lundeen Robert H. Mace, Jr. Elizabeth Manning Michael P. Manning Terrance McGuire Kathleen McGowan Helen J. Merkelis Donald V. Miller Debra Molinari Thomas J. Moore Adele O'Sullivan Harry J. O'Sullivan Lorraine Pavelcik Donald A. Petkus William F. Pines Connee Pines Edward R. Raher Joan R. Raher Mary A. Rasmussen Richard Rasmussen Albert Raubiskis Bernice A. Raubiskis Pauline Reidy Patricia J. Ryan-Fouts Robert J. Schmitz Michael B. Schneider, Sr. Lisa Ann Solava Richard C. Solava John S. Sosnowski Joshua D. Stewart Ned Van Hamm David Vaughan Lisa Vaughan Martin H. Wojcik

2019 Augustinian Gala Friday, April 26 - Drake Hotel - Downtown Chicago

Ed & Catherine Hennessy give the dais appeal

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hanks to the generosity of our sponsors, volunteers, and donors, the seventh annual Augustinian Gala was an outstanding evening for the Midwest Augustinians. For 2019, the Midwest Augustinian Provincial Council and Advancement Council both selected Fr. Bernard Scianna, O.S.A. to be recognized and honored. In recognition of Fr. Bernie's eight years of outstanding service as Prior Provincial, during which time he himself inaugurated the annual Augustinian Gala. Prior Provincial Very Rev. Anthony Pizzo, O.S.A. led the evening's program which featured presentations by Fr. Thomas McCarthy, O.S.A. and Br. Jack Tierney, O.S.A., and an appeal for pledge gifts by Augustinian Advancement Council Members Catherine and Edward Hennessy. The dynamic appeal yielded an astonishing 66 gifts from our generous attendees, which contributed to a gross revenue of approximately $250,000 for the evening. Please visit AugustinianGala.org to flip through our Gala Program Book and see all of our great ads commemorating Fr. Bernie! We look forward to seeing you again next year at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, on Friday, April 25, 2020, when we will honor Fr. Daniel Hartigan O.S.A., Fr. Jim Thompson, O.S.A., and Advancement Council Members Bob Sullivan and Mark Hacker.

SPONSORS

Music Sponsor

Saint Rita Tables

Gala Overall Sponsors

Anne and Don Berschback

Augustinian Community of Burns Hall Friary at Villanova

The Mrozek Family Mark and Mindy Hacker Gala Co-Sponsors The Thomas Dower Foundation

Men of Heart Cards Sponsor

Ed and Catherine Hennessy

Denise and Rob Utter

Little Company of Mary Sisters USA

Reverence Table Sponsor International Insurance Brokers, LTD

James E. Walsh

Saint Monica Tables Augustinian Community of Providence Catholic High School

Reception Sponsor

SPONSORED TABLES

James and Nancy Foody

Kathleen and E. Blake Hastings

Saint Augustine Tables

Program Book Sponsor

Peggy and Matt Coughlin

St. Joseph College Seminary at Loyola University

Denise and Rob Utter

Mark and Mindy Hacker

Flowers Sponsor

Kathleen and E. Blake Hastings

Wendy and Greg Jania Video Sponsor Milann H. Siegfried and Family

The Mrozek Family Eileen and Fred Neal

The Raymond and Mildred McCarthy Fund Providence Catholic High School St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel St. Rita High School

The Scianna Family

St. Turibius Parish

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Fr. Bernie celebrates with his parents and longtime friend Fr. Tom

Fr. Bernie with Advancement Council Member Don Berschback

Ted and Norma Berman enjoy Fr. Bernie's Gala Address The Hacker Family, Gala Co-Sponsors

Bishop Daniel Turley leads the room in grace

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The Midwest Augustinian |

SUMMER 2019

Gala Co-Sponsor Ernie Mrozek with Fr. John Merkelis and Patrick McCarthy

See all our Gala photos at midwestaugustinians.org/photos

Fr. Tom praises this year's honoree!

Br. Jack speaks of Augustinian mendicancy

Bishop Turley and others enjoy a wonderful evening

Fr. Tony recongizes Greg Flanagan from the dais VISIT US ONLINE!

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I

n devotional paintings of St. Rita of Cascia, we typically see one of a number of objects that symbolize her patronages or significant moments in her life story.

Foremost among these symbols is the single thorn, which signifies the stigmata she received on the center of her forehead. Often, she is shown holding a rose, in reference to a miracle she performed on her deathbed when the flower was found, upon her request, growing out of season.

However, as you may know, St. Rita has more recently acquired a somewhat less traditional, less intuitive pair of symbols: the baseball and bat! That’s right, St. Rita is now regarded by many Catholics as the unofficial patroness of our national pastime! How did this little Italian nun from the 14th century wind up being associated with a sport like baseball? Well, I looked into it…

The story begins almost a century ago in Big Lake, Texas, where prospectors were making desperate attempts to strike oil, but came up repeatedly empty. However, when the Catholics of Big Lake prayed to Saint Rita for intervention, their well miraculously came to life. Now, fast-forward to the 1980s. Ever since the Texas oil boom, the Catholic residents of the thriving town of Big Lake have been spending their free time on the baseball field. The town produced several major league players over the years, including Jim Morris, subject of the 2002 film called, "The Rookie,” starring Dennis Quaid.

How did St. Rita become the patroness of baseball?

Adapted from the homily of Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A. on the Solemnity of St. Rita of Cascia, May 22, 2019

As is shown in the movie, Morris was known to wear a Saint Rita medal for good luck. And it seems that she intervened to help him to overcome all kinds of incredible disappointments and injuries before finally being signed to the Tampa Bay Rays at the age of 35, remarkably late in life for a rookie appearance.

This short, quiet, Italian woman (there's an oxymoron in there!) wound up taking on a tall stature as someone who, in her own life, survived adversity in the face of the odds against her. Back in May of 2001, Pope John Paul II, was celebrating a special day in honor of Saint Rita, on the centenary of her canonization, in Rome. He said that she was, in the year 1900, the first woman to be canonized in the Great Jubilee.

She was, he added, small in stature, but great in holiness—someone who lived in humility and is now known throughout the world for her devout Christian life as a wife, mother, widow, and nun. Deeply rooted in the love of Christ, Rita found in an unshakable strength to be a representative of peace in every situation. Pope John Paul II continued by saying, “Saint Rita is the epitome of the feminine genius, by living it intensely in both physical and spiritual motherhood. Saint Rita reminds us that our church

"Baseball" continued on page 27

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The Midwest Augustinian |

SUMMER 2019

IN MEMORIAM The following two friars were called to their eternal home. We ask that you remember them and their families in your prayers.

Br. Robert J. Schurman, O.S.A. passed away on June 19 at 91 years of age. Br. Robert was born June 4, 1928 in Sauk Center, Minnesota to George and Elizabeth Schurman.

After earning his diploma from Messmer High School, Milwaukee, in 1946, Robert joined the United States Navy.

He was honorably discharged in 1948, and worked as a machinist and auto mechanic in Milwaukee. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate July 3, 1956, and made his solemn profession on July 4, 1960.

After professing first vows in 1957, Brother Schurman resided briefly at Mendel Monastery, Chicago, Illinois, then began a long career during which he was in charge of maintenance at several Augustinian institutions. These included Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois (1958-1961 and 1964-1975); Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri (1961-1964); Holy Rosary Parish, Kenosha, Wisconsin (1975-1979); St. Monica Monastery, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (1979-1983), and St. Rita High School, Chicago (1983-1995).In 1995, he retired at St. Monica Monastery, Chicago. Later that same year, he returned to Holy Rosary Parish, Kenosha, where he was retired but assisted with maintenance work, especially outdoors.

In 2002, he relocated to St. Peter Parish, Douglas, Michigan. A year later, in 2003, he moved to Blessed Stephen Bellisini Community, Racine, Wisconsin. In both these locations, although he was retired, he continued to assist with maintenance work as needed.

Fr. Henry Maibusch, O.S.A. also passed away on June 19 at 91 years of age. Fr. Henry was born May 15, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to Henry C. and Regina (Handrup) Maibusch.

In 1946, he graduated from St. Rita High School, Chicago.

In the same year, he entered the Augustinian seminary program at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island. Fr. Henry was received into the Novitiate September 9, 1947, and he professed and Solemn Vows in 1951. He was ordained a Priest

by Bishop Raymond Hillenger May 29, 1954 at St. Clare Church, Chicago.

He was assigned in 1955 as a teacher at Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan. He was sent to St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan, in 1964. There he served as a teacher, business manager and Prior. When St. Augustine Seminary closed in 1977, Fr. Henry remained there while serving as Chaplain to the Augustinian Cloistered Nuns, who had a house on the seminary property. When the Nuns relocated to St. Louis, Missouri in 1978, Fr. Henry accompanied them there and continued to serve for a short time as their Chaplain.

In 1979, he went to Holy Rosary Parish, Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he was Associate Pastor. He was named Administrator of Holy Rosary Parish in 2001. After the Province withdrew from Holy Rosary Parish in 2002, he joined the Augustinian community of Bl. Stephen Bellesini (at St. Rita Parish) in nearby Racine, Wisconsin.

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Meet One of Our 2020 Gala Honorees: Mark Hacker

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y wife Mindy and I have been happily married for 23 years, and we have two wonderful children. Madison is 18 and will be attending Villanova University in the Fall. Cristian is 12 and in his free time, he is a competitive equestrian. I have worked for Motorola Solutions, Inc. for the past 18 years and I am currently Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer. I have the privilege of leading the company’s legal, human resources, government affairs, ethics and compliance, security and regulatory teams.

I grew up on the southwest side of Chicago, near 65th and Kilbourn right across the street from Saint Mary of the Sea Parish. I was raised in a loving home by my mom, Bunny, stay-at-home mom and my biggest cheerleader; my dad, Jerry, a Navy veteran and hard-working, accomplished electrician who worked for the same elevator company his entire career and who always put family first; my older brother, Jerry Jr., who has always been my best friend; and my grandfather, Salvatore, who immigrated from Sicily at 22 years old. He was the sole proprietor of a successful shoe repair business on Ashland Avenue in Chicago and the patriarch of our extended Sicilian family.

My relationship with the Augustinians began when I was in eighth grade at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish. My parents and I were starting the Catholic high school search.

After attending an open house at St. Rita High School (which was located at 63rd and Claremont at the time and did not have up-to-date facilities like many of the other competing Catholic high schools), my parents told me: “You can go to any Catholic high school you want, except St. Rita.” Shortly after the visit, we met Fr. Pat Murphy, O.S.A., the principal of St. Rita High School. Fr. Murphy was my introduction to the Augustinians, and he would change the course of my life.

After our meeting, it became clear that St. Rita High School had something much better and more significant than the fancy new facilities—it had a powerful and differentiating culture cultivated by the Augustinians and grounded in the principles of veritas (truth), unitas (unity) and caritas (love).

Fast forward a few years: I graduated from St. Rita and went on to attend Villanova University. While at Villanova, I met Mindy. We were married at the Villanova Church by Fr. Pat Murphy, O.S.A. and Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A. After graduating from Villanova University Law School, we lived

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in the Philadelphia area and eventually relocated to Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Fr. Murphy taught my family and me about the Augustinians, not only by educating us with his words, but, even more importantly, by making us feel the tremendous sense of community that serves as the bedrock of the Augustinian way of life.

If it were not for Fr. Murphy, I would not have attended St. Rita High School, I would not have attended Villanova University, I would not have met my wife, and I would not have experienced the joy that my two children bring each and every day. I will forever be grateful for Fr. Murphy having been a part of my life and for starting me on my incredible journey with the Augustinians.

Outside of my family, the Augustinians have been my greatest influence and have had the most profound impact on my life. At St. Rita High School, the Augustinians taught me leadership, empathy and grit. I became closer to God during my years at St. Rita than at any other point in my life. The Augustinians at St. Rita High School helped me develop a strong foundation from which to build.

While at Villanova University, the Augustinians pushed me to explore, to question, and to stretch outside of my comfort zone, while at the same time keeping God at the center of everything. The Augustinians have been there and to continue to be there for major moments of my life—weddings, baptisms, funerals, graduations, birthdays, and so much more. But, most significantly, St. Augustine’s teachings and the Augustinian way of life has been, and continues to be, my North Star.

"Hacker" continued on page 27

Thank You to Our Newest Donors!

W

e are so grateful for those that join us in our mission to serve the Church through their charitable support! In each issue, we thank those newest donors that have given their first donation to support our Province. Thank you to the following donors that began donating between February 2, 2019 and June 2, 2019. We ask all our readers to keep these newest supporters in your prayers.

Please note this is not a list of all donors from this period, but only those making their first donation to the Midwest Augustinians. If you feel your contribution is not properly reflected in this report, please contact the Advancement Office at advancement@midwestaugustinians.org or at 773-595-4021.

Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Braun Mr. and Mrs. Karol Capiak Cascia Hall Foundation Ms. Helen M. Castaneda Ms. Carol Cheng Mr. and Mrs. Michael Connolly Ms. Linda M. Couto Mr. and Mrs. David Croen Mr. Timothy Dalton Mr. Vito M. D'Ambrosio Ms. Aida G. Dato Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Degen Ms. Katherine A. Destefano Mr. and Mrs. John Dominici Ms. Jean Dziubasik Mr. and Mrs. Craig M. Eckert Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ernst Mr. Michael Fairchild Mr. and Mrs. Raffaele Ferraro Mr. and Mrs. Morris R. Godfrey Mr. Steven Gonzales Most Rev. John R. Gorman, D.D. Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Grigoletti Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Grzesiak Ms. Madison Hacker Mr. Mark Harrison Mr. and Mrs. Mark Heinrich Mrs. Bernadette R. Higgason Ms. Laura Honda Ms. Sarah Hyatt Italian American Executives of Transportation Mr. and Mrs. William P. Kerfin, Jr. Ms. Anna Mae Kinzel Mr. Adam Klim Mr. and Mrs. Jason A. Klink Mr. and Mrs. John T. Lenahan Ms. Bernardita N. Libot Mr. and Mrs. James Littleton Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Manuszak Mr. Bill Marco Mr. Sam Mauro Dr. Ryan McGarry Mr. Jim McNay Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Mizwicki

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Moreland Ms. Monique M. Murray Ms. Jamee Ann O'Brien Old Second National Bank Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Oliver Mr. and Mrs. Stanislaw Pajerski Mr. and Mrs. John V. Paris, II Ms. Lori Paris Ms. Virginia M. Pasiewicz Mr. and Mrs. James E. Pepper Mr. and Mrs. R. Scott Petty Mr. and Mrs. John Pienta Mr. Ronald Preston The Frank and Lucille Puncer Family Trust Mr. and Mrs. Eric Quisenberry Ms. Sandra Rios Mr. Kenneth Ritz Mr. Donald Rogers The Francis and Kathleen Rooney Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James Rossi Saint Gabriel Parish Mr. and Mrs. Jim Schenk Ms. Sherri Schuette Mrs. Barbara Scianna Ms. Mary T. Scianna Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth W. Shinkus Mr. and Mrs. Donald Sierzega Mr. Christopher W. Simonetti Ms. Sophia Smith-Flores Ms. Aleksandra Sowa Mr. S. Gary Spicer, Sr. Saint Xavier University Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Steger Mrs. Helen Storcz-Flores Ms. Debra A. Strandhagen Mr. and Mrs. Gregory P. Sujack Ms. Fleurdelis Tanhueco-Espiritu Mr. Phil Titus Ms. Marcia C. Tonda Villanova University Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wilson Mr. and Mrs. John P. Wise Mr. Robert C. Zielinski

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PROVINCE ADVANCEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

Norma Berman Anne Berschback Donald Berschback Matthew F. Coughlin, III Jim Foody, M.D. Michael Gerrity, Chief Advancement Officer Catherine Hennessy Ed Hennessy Wayne Klasing, Emeritus Anthony J. Lauinger Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo O.S.A., Prior Provincial Lisa Ann Solava, PHR Robert Utter Martin Wojcik, CFRE Chairman

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In Honor and In Memory Of...

I

n each issue, we recognize the Augustinians, parishes, schools, and individuals that have been honored with a tribute or memorial gift. The following gifts were received between February 2, 2019 and June 2, 2019. List a friar in the enclosed envelope with a donation, and he will be recognized in the next issue of The Midwest Augustinian!

Rev. Robert C. Basler, O.S.A. Mr. John W. Hannan Rev. Donald J. Bates, O.S.A. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Koenig Mr. and Mrs. Simon J. Vancina Rev. David L. Brecht, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren, Jr. Rev. Philip C. Cook, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Rev. Joseph A. Coyne, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Donald A. Petkus Rev. Francis J. Crawford, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Donald A. Petkus Rev. Bernard R. Danber, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Donald A. Petkus Rev. Erwin J. Dodge, O.S.A. † Ms. Joyce Oboy Rev. Lawrence P. Dore, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dore Rev. Robert F. Dueweke, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Saunders Rev. LaVern J. Flach, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Turek Rev. John F. Flynn, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. John C. St Andre Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Neville Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dore Mr. Edward Flynn Ms. Martha Flynn McMaster Rev. Roland F. Follmann, O.S.A. Mr. Paul S. Wemhoff Rev. James C. Friedel, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard M. Hoak Mr. and Mrs. Frank Beil Mr. John W. Hannan Ms. Joyce C. Reynolds

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The Midwest Augustinian |

SUMMER 2019

Rev. John H. Gaffney, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren, Jr. Rev. Paul W. Galetto, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Rev. John R. Gavin, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth F. Lewis Rev. Karl A. Gersbach, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Bermel Rev. Edward M. Gorra, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Turek Rev. Joseph F. Hartman, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Mark VanSile Br. Jack M. Hibbard, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Br. Samuel L. Joutras, O.S.A. Br. Christopher P. Shannon Ms. Joyce C. Reynolds Rev. John J. Lambert, O.S.A. † Mr. Ronald P. Centanni Rev. Donald R. Lewandowski, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. James W. Fox Mr. and Mrs. Simon J. Vancina Rev. John J. Lydon, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Peter F. Furey Rev. Henry B. Maibusch, O.S.A. † Mrs. Deborah F. Larsen Rev. Thomas F. Martin, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Charles V. Martin, Jr. Rev. Henry W. McArdle, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Donald A. Petkus Rev. Thomas R. McCarthy, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Donald A. Petkus Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Wolking, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lepore Mrs. Regina Kristopaitis

Rev. Joseph E. McCormick, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Most Rev. John C. McNabb, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Ward T. Williams Rev. Walter F. McNicholas, O.S.A. † Mr. Gary R. Waxmonsky Rev. Richie P. Mercado, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Rev. John D. Merkelis, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Mr. John S. Sosnowski Mr. and Mrs. Charles Knop Ms. Janice H. Sosnowski Ms. Joyce C. Reynolds Rev. John J. Molnar, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. John W. McGrail Br. Nicholas J. Mullarkey, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Larry E. Smith Rev. Thomas E. Nash, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. John T. Lenahan Rev. John M. Ohner, O.S.A. Mr. John W. Hannan Rev. William A. Perez, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Gary C. LaGere Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren, Jr. Mr. John Riss Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Mr. David Relstab Mr. Nicholas Relstab Br. Joseph R. Roccasalva, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Br. Joe L. Ruiz, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald A. Petkus Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Wolking, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Gary C. LaGere Mr. and Mrs. Martin P. Slark Rev. John L. Seary, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren, Jr. Br. Martin C. Shaw, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Edwin W. Desmond, Jr. Rev. James J. Sheridan, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. John C. St Andre Rev. John J. Sotak, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Been Mr. John W. Hannan Rev. Reinhard J. Sternemann, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. James W. Scheuerell Br. John J. Stobba, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Stobba Rev. R. William Sullivan, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Simon J. Vancina Mr. John Seper Mr. John W. Hannan Mrs. Ann M. Morrissey Br. Jerome A. Sysko, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Mrs. Regina Bober Rev. Theodore E. Tack, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Gary C. LaGere Br. Jack B. Tierney, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Lee Bayley Mr. John Riss Rev. Ronald R. Turcich, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. John R. Turcich Rev. Jacek J. Tylzanowski, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Donald A. Petkus Rev. Gerald J. Van Overbeek, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. John Pienta Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Gallagher Mr. and Mrs. William P. Kerfin, Jr. Mr. Joseph F. Bamberger

"Hacker" continued from page 24

"Baseball" continued from page 22

Whenever I feel that I am going offcourse or lost, it’s a reflection from St. Augustine captured in my “Augustine Day by Day” book or my Augustinian friends who help me find my way. My Augustinian friendships are some of my longest, deepest, and most satisfying friendships in my life. I am incredibly blessed to call so many Augustinians my friends. Former Prior Provincial, Fr. Bernie—a friend to so many—is my closest Augustinian friend and someone who has had a tremendous and lasting impact on my life and who continues to influence and inspire me to be better.

is rich with women who show us what is best upon ourselves, who's qualities of holiness transcend time and place.”

My relationship with the Midwest Province has been a beautiful experience. In 2013, Fr. Bernie invited me to join the Midwest Augustinian Province’s Advancement Advisory Council as a founding member. Serving on the Advancement Advisory Council for six years gave me an intimate view of the Midwest Province’s operations, talent, finances, strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. Being surrounded by other lay people who are passionate supporters of the Midwest Augustinians was energizing, educational, and inspirational.

Most satisfying for me was witnessing the significant increase in vocations over those six years while also ensuring that our retired and infirm Augustinians were being cared for in a loving way and in an environment where they each continued to feel purpose. It was an honor and a privilege to serve on the Advancement Advisory Council alongside my fellow talented, generous, and wise council members as well as the incredible staff led by Michael Gerrity whose leadership, creativity, and resilience is unmatched.

While I am no longer serving on the Advancement Advisory Council, I look forward to continuing to support Fr. Tony Pizzo, O.S.A., and the Midwest Augustinian Province in many other ways.

Even now, Saint Rita makes her own little pilgrimages into our own situations of suffering. In our homes, in our workplace, in school, wherever we are. She journeys with us in our pleas for seemingly impossible resolutions in our hurts, in our woundedness, in all the circumstances of our lives. In our marriages, in our family life, in all of our relationships, as well as in everyday discomforts that life throws at us at times. And she joins us in our daily prayers so that we become the women and men of forgiveness and mercy. Rita lived multiple and difficult vocations with her humble heart set on Christ.

Her life is an amazing example of God's triumphant, merciful love, operative in the imperfections of our troubled circumstance.

Saint Rita at every stage of her life had to bravely endure the unbearable circumstances. Frustration because her parents over-rode her wish to become a nun at a young age. She was married into an abusive relationship. She lost her sons at an early age and was refused three times after all of this to enter into the Augustinian convent. As well as being afflicted with the pain and embarrassment of a head wound. None of these things, however, prevented her from serving God and her community.

We can pray for her intercession in our desperate needs, but we should also imitate her love in action. We pray to her, that she intervenes in all circumstances of our lives, even when we're out in the middle of nowhere in Texas, trying to strike oil. Or even when we win the World Series. May Saint Rita always intercede for us, May God bless us and accompany us as we accompany one another. Amen.

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