NEWS BRIEFS

Pre-Novitiate Moves to New Lenox; Welcomes 3 candidates

The Provincial Council approved the candidacy for three men to enter the Midwest Augustinian Pre-Novitiate Program: Donte Amis, Rajen Gomes, David Gonzalez. For this incoming class, the Midwest Augustinians have established a separate PreNovitiate Program to be housed at the St. John of Sahagun Friary on the Providence Catholic H.S. campus in New Lenox, IL. Fr. Rich Young, O.S.A. has been appointed director of the program and is currently developing its curriculum. The Pre-Novitiate is the initial stage of formation (typically one year) that prepares candidates to enter into the Novitiate year. Other members of the St. John of Sahagun Friary include Fr. John Merkelis, O.S.A. and Fr. Gerald Nicholas, O.S.A.

Province Welcomes New Finance Officer

After more than four years of service for the Provincial Finance Office, Robert O. Carroll, Jr. decided to move on from his position. Robert, who serves as a Deacon at St. John Fisher Parish, came to the Augustinians after retiring from the Cook County State Attorney’s Office, when he replaced the outgoing Director of Finance, Br. Mark Emken, O.S.A. We send him our gratitude for all his contributions to our Province.

We were delighted to bring Patrick Griffin into the Province Finance Office this June. Pat has deep ties with the Midwest Augustinians, having been raised in St. Rita Parish, Chicago. He was educated at St. Rita Grade School and spent his freshman year at St. Augustine Seminary in Holland, MI, before transferring to St. Rita High School, where he graduated in the Class of 1974. Pat served as an officer in the St. Rita Alumni Association from 1988 through 1996. He was also the President of the Men of Tolentine from 1991 to 1995, and remained a Director of the Men of Tolentine until 2014.