Summer 2021 Issue of The Midwest Augustinian

Augustinian

The SUMMER 2021

Midwest

LETTER FROM THE PRIOR PROVINCIAL DEAR FRIENDS OF THE AUGUSTINIANS, “The voice that speaks to people is a sound, but the voice that speaks to God is the warmth of Love.”

-St. Augustine, Sermon 257

Let us give thanks to God, in our voice and our hearts, as we emerge into the sunlight upon the wake of this long pandemic. What a joy it has been to see your smiling faces again, to embrace, and share a meal with you. I am thinking particularly of all those who joined us this June for the Presbyteral Ordination of Fr. Samuel Joutras, O.S.A. and the Diaconate Ordinations of Br. Jeff Raths, O.S.A. and Br. Joe Roccasalva, O.S.A. at St. Rita Shrine Chapel. This was a day to be remembered, seeing as it coincided so wonderfully with the easing of restrictions on distancing from the state and the archdiocese. For many, this was also an occasion to welcome back our presider Bishop Daniel Turley, who returned to Chicago after more than 50 years of service in our Peruvian missions. Both Bishop Turley and Fr. Sam have joined our community serving St. Rita of Cascia parish and St. Clare of Montefalco chapel—an extraordinary blessing for those parishioners.

I hope to see even more of you at our celebration of the Feasts of St. Augustine and St. Monica on Saturday, August 28th at St. Rita Shrine Chapel. There will be a wealth of anniversaries, affiliations, and service awards to celebrate, given that we were unable to distribute and commemorate these publicly last year. Of distinguished importance is the 25th episcopal anniversary of our Bishop Daniel Turley and the 80th anniversary of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel. We will also be commemorating the latter with a special keepsake edition of The Midwest Augustinian this fall… so look out for that!

There will also be a lot of changes happening “behind-the-scenes” for the Midwest Augustinians, as our central Province office will be leaving the campus of the Catholic Theological Union, where it has been for the past 12 years. We have found what we hope will be fruitful new soil for us on the grounds of the St. Barnabas Parish in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago. We already know that many of our alumni and benefactors will be living nearby to welcome us!

Lastly, I must give a personal note of gratitude to all those who made our first ever Virtual Gala such a tremendous success! We were hit hard in 2020 like many of you, especially with the cancellation of our annual gala at the Drake Hotel.

The number of donors that joined us online this past April 29th was truly astonishing, and we were able to raise over a quarter of a million dollars. I could not have imagined such an outcome when we first started exploring the idea of a virtual fundraiser. Please look for a list of our Gala Sponsors in this magazine, and look through all our Virtual Program Book ads at Augustiniangala.org. None of it would have been possible without the exceptional volunteer efforts of our Affiliates Catharine Hennessy and Don Berschback, who emceed our live event with Fr. Sam and Fr. Jack Tierney, O.S.A. Sincerely in Christ and St. Augustine,

Very Reverend Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A.

THE MIDWEST AUGUSTINIAN SUMMER 2021 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:

CONTENTS

SUMMER 2021 ISSUE

Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel 5401 South Cornell Avenue Chicago, IL 60615 PHONE 773-595-4021 EMAIL sean@midwestaugustinians.org WEB

www.midwestaugustinians.org

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. Mr. Patrick Griffin

4 ST. JUDE PARISHIONERS SPEARHEAD "CARING FOR ALL CREATION" PROJECT

By Mary Myers and Lorrie Tracey

5 CANADIAN AUGUSTINIANS USE GRANTS TO SUPPORT REFUGEE POPULATION

By Brian Dwyer

6 THREE FRIARS PROFESS SOLEMN VOWS: HOMILY OF THE PRIOR PROVINCIAL 8 FR. SAM JOUTRAS ORDAINED TO PRIESTHOOD; TWO TO DIACONATE 10 "HOW I FOUND THE MIDWEST AUGUSTINIANS"

By Br. David Relstab, O.S.A.

11 "MY NEW POSITION AT VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY"

By Fr. Bernard Scianna, O.S.A.

12 SPIRIT OF UNITY GUIDES FIRST VIRTUAL GALA 13 FRIAR IN FOCUS: PHOTOGRAPHY FROM FR. RICH YOUNG 14 "ANGEL OF DEATH": A REPORT FROM PERU ON THE DEVASTATION OF THE CORONAVIRUS

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

15 REPORTS FROM THE 2021 CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP FORUM

By Br. Spencer Thomas, O.S.A.

PROVINCE COUNSELORS

16 OUR NEWEST DONORS

Rev. John D. Merkelis, O.S.A.

16 IN HONOR OR MEMORY OF . . .

Rev. Homero Sanchez, O.S.A.

19 IN MEMORIAM

Rev. Robert Basler, O.S.A.

20 WELCOME BACK BISHOP TURLEY!

Rev. James Halstead, O.S.A. Br. Joe Ruiz, O.S.A. Rev. Richard Young, O.S.A. PROVINCIAL OFFICES DIRECTOR OF VOCATIONS

Rev. Thomas McCarthy, O.S.A. CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER

NUESTRA SECCIÓN EN ESPAÑOL 21 ¡BIENVENIDO, OBISPO TURLEY! 22 LA ORDENACIÓN DEL FR. SAM JOUTRAS, O.S.A.

23 UN INFORME DE PERÚ SOBRE LA DEVASTACIÓN DEL CORONAVIRUS Por el P. John Lydon, O.S.A.

Mr. Michael Gerrity DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Mr. Sean Reynolds MANAGER OF ADVANCEMENT OPERATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS

Ms. Adriana Moreno

Mission Statement of the Midwest Augustinians We, the Augustinians of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, are members of the worldwide Order of St. Augustine in the Roman Catholic Church. Centered in the Eucharist and prayer, we search for God in community by sharing our lives, goods and spiritual journey with each other and the people of God. In harmony of mind and heart on our journey toward God, our experience of common life flows into and shapes our ministries. We continue to serve the Church in schools, parishes and missions as we seek to discern new paths of service to which God calls us.

St. Jude Parishioners Spearhead "Caring for All of Creation" Project

By Mary Myers & Lorrie Tracy, Facilitator of Peace & Social Justice Ministry at St. Jude

I

t is the goal of the Peace and Social Justice Ministry of St. Jude Parish (New Lenox, IL) to raise awareness of current social issues and how they apply to Catholic Social Teaching. This includes providing meaningful projects in which parishioners can participate to educate themselves and to work toward the universal fraternity that Pope Francis frequently mentions. “Let us keep a place for Christ in our lives, let us care for one another and let us be loving custodians of creation.” (March 19, 2013) The Peace and Social Justice Ministry requested a grant from the Midwest Augustinian Justice and Peace Commission for 2020-2021, naming the project "Caring for All of Creation." Its goal was to empower individuals and families to live more sustainable, socially responsible lifestyles and to educate parishioners and others on best practices to protect the environment. Plans included furthering work in Fair Trade, hosting a spring environmental event, and conducting an energy audit at the parish. The pandemic prevented most of the planned events from happening in 2020-2021, but the group was able to host a webinar named Climate Care Solutions, and publish weekly Care for Creation bulletin articles during the Season of Creation. The group met virtually once a month and after Christmas, held a 4-week reading and discussion of Fratelli Tutti. From this discussion came the idea to start a community garden on parish grounds to supply

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fresh produce for the parish and New Lenox food pantries. Permission was given to redirect the grant money.

There were three main reasons for developing the garden: 1) In Fratelli Tutti Pope Francis speaks of caring for the poor in ways that are fraternal and intergenerational. He strongly urges encounter and dialogue. The community garden was seen as an opportunity for dialogue among parishioners and among those served. The group looks forward to inviting food recipients to the garden for fellowship. Plans also include involving the school children in the fall, perhaps helping with harvesting or learning to compost.

2) In Laudato Sí Pope Francis speaks of caring for the earth and the poor. The garden cares for the earth by regenerating the soil and cares for the poor by providing nutritious food to the underserved. “We are faced with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental.

Strategies for a solution demand and an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.” (Laudato Sí 139) 3) The Joliet Diocese’s Laudato Sí Ministry is promoting community gardens on the grounds of parishes.

At the time of this writing, the end of May, the garden is flourishing and the first produce, radishes, have been picked and given to a parish family along with other food from the food pantry.

SUMMER 2021

Canadian Augustinians use Justice and Peace Grants to Support Refugee Populations

PROVINCE ADVANCEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL Norma Berman Anne Berschback

By Brian Dwyer

Donald Berschback, ViceChairman

I

n January 2011, Fr. Emeka Obiezu, O.S.A. and I founded the Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice (CACSJ), an initiative of the Justice and Peace Project of the Order of St. Augustine. Relying fully on lay associates, the CACSJ takes a distinctive Canadian perspective. This center generates a genuine relationship-building initiative. One example is the resettlement of newcomers to Canada.

Joseph Brennan Matthew F. Coughlin, III Michael Gerrity, Chief Advancement Officer

Fr. Emeka Obiezu O.S.A. & Brian Dwyer

Catharine Hennessy Ed Hennessy

In December of 2012 the CACSJ took part in Canada’s National Catholic Conference on Resettlement, which took as its theme “With One Voice—We Are the Hope.”

Brazil – Fr. Emeka, Brian, & Lisa with two Sisters from Nigeria, 2012 It brought together Catholic Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs), and other dramatically and acceptances rose. In stakeholders. Out of this conference 2020-2021 a similar issue with respect to came the Catholic Refugee Sponsors Pakistani Christians has arisen. Meetings Council (CRSC), whose Board I was with the Minister and his officials are appointed to as a member. Our focus ongoing. We are suggesting that the is the resettlement of newcomers to interviews be recorded for accountability, Canada, especially refugees. accuracy and for the mutual protection There has been a high rejection rate of Christian applicants with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Take Syria in 2012. Refugees themselves told us that they were being rejected on religious affiliation grounds. Through several meetings with the Minister and his officials the interviews with UNHCR were now recorded. Suddenly the rate of rejection of Christians decreased

of all concerned.

To carry out this ministry the CACSJ has benefited from the Program 135 grants of the Midwest Augustinians Justice and Peace Commission. These funds have helped continue and maintain "CACSJ" continued on page 15

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Manny Jimenez Wayne Klasing, Emeritus Anthony J. Lauinger Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo O.S.A., Prior Provincial Dominic Sanfilippo Lisa Ann Solava, PHR Robert Utter Martin Wojcik, CFRE Chairman

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SOLEMN PROFESSIONS Prior Provincial Fr. Tony Pizzo, O.S.A. delivered the following homily on May 8th for the Solemn Professions of Fr. Ray Flores, O.S.A., Br. Jeff Raths, O.S.A., and Br. Joe Roccasalva, O.S.A.

W

e have three men converging together from different places and cultures…and who have found their way into the Order and more specifically into the Midwest Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.

We welcome your respective families who have traveled to accompany you, and us, for this great celebration.

• We have our first New Mexican in the Province. Ray you come from a lovely state with a rich culture.

• Jeff, you are considered a “Michigander,” the Great Lake state that calls itself Pure Michigan.

• Joe, you are a Southside Chicagoan that is known to have our own culture and our own way of expressing ourselves.

Although we all communicate in the same language we are shaped nonetheless by our respective families

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of origin. There certainly have been other influences along the way that have contributed toward our personal formation into our current state, theologically, ministerially as well as the psycho-spiritual dimension which brings us here today. We are grateful to all three of you for responding generously to this particular call to live the evangelical counsels for the rest of your lives with us.

What you three are choosing is considered to be counter-cultural because, following a structured Rule of life within an institution that depends on rules and regulations may seem to be stifling or limiting. On the contrary, the genuine living of the vows frees us to make choices and decisions that do not conform to the external expectations. As a matter of fact, • The Vows free us to be prophetic.

They help us to express respect, love and interdependence in ways that demonstrate a life of freedom under grace.

• Our collective voice and lifestyle contribute to the preservation of the Gospel and not to selfpreservation. We exist to incarnate the Gospel through our religious commitment and take on the image of Christ in the world.

• This is not about the preservation of an institution as much as it is about human lives, ours and those with whom we serve in our respective communities and apostolates. Our emphasis on fostering community contributes to the Church’s call to communion and participation and wherever the Spirit leads, guides, and directs us. Our current apostolates, then, become the venue for us to bear witness as followers of St. Augustine whose ideal is incarnated in our religious commitment by serving Christ in His Church.

So what do we commit ourselves to?

Our state of life takes its meaning and purpose within the central mystery of the Incarnation. This is

transformative. It is necessary and essential to be personally transformed in Christ. This type of transformation is integral to our commitment and, on the same level and depth of that commitment, leads us to be prophetic witnesses toward transforming the world.

Even our Order's Constitutions dictate that: The purpose of the Order consists in this: united harmoniously in brotherhood and spiritual friendship, we seek and worship God and work for the service of his people. In this way we share in the Church’s work of evangelization bringing the Good News to the whole world “so that we may thus transform the world from within.”

This entire process of transformation in Christ is seen as essentially communal. "Community" cannot be defined as institution, it cannot be reduced to simply apostolic activity. At the same time, apostolic service cannot be reduced to something extra we do as Augustinians.

The Augustinian definition of community life is found in an equilibrium of both communion and participation demonstrated by how we relate to each other, sharing our dreams and joys and expressing our fears and concerns within an atmosphere of trust. It is about dialogue and addressing many challenges, especially the challenges that can fracture our life together, whether we reside in the same household or not.

The contemporary religious lives an authentic community life. This is expressed in our fraternity and apostolic service by cultivating a respectful relationship with all those who are associated with us through our service to the Church.

The freedom we have to be prophetic strengthens us to address a deep hunger and thirst for justice that is based on our own journey toward liberation in Jesus Christ. Religious are people who know that justice and holiness nourish one another, feed one another and that

justice is not simply the way humans can and should relate to one another. It is, first of all, a capacity to relate to each other as brothers in our life together along with all of our brothers and sisters in the wider community.

As professed Augustinian friars, we have the freedom to be on the cutting edge in the development of new forms of community life and organization tempered by and for justice. Here if anywhere it makes sense for us to trust one another and thus to be able to abandon all forms of ambition, coercion, intolerance, and forced conformity.

The prophetic witness that we live demonstrates that it is possible for a group of men to live together in charity and justice celebrating our own freedom and equality in the very act of recognizing God's reign in our lives and by accompanying God’s people to discover that God has been there the whole time.

We take on the responsibility that uncovers the gifts that we have through community to engage the unmet needs of the world around us. The Augustinian lifestyle is a way of life that allows us to work with others who are also seeking God and choosing to be transformed into God’s world.

Let’s not delude ourselves brothers… its not fun and games…Although we will have fun and games at times, our life together, nonetheless, requires risking our personal investment, it requires that less is more, it requires letting go and taking on, it requires being who you are with your gifts and your flaws. It requires a deep and abiding love for Jesus Christ who walks with us and suffers with us and graces us so that we are channels of grace for each other.

We congratulate you three. We invite you to walk with us and live with us and stumble with us. The graces we receive far outweigh the obstacles and impediments.

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Introducing

FATHER SAM DEACON JOE & DEACON JEFF

“There are many definitions of priesthood, but the one that is most meaningful to me is A man who blesses.”

Such is how our Province’s newest priest, Fr. Sam Joutras, O.S.A., envisions his vocation. “God is always present to us, but He is present in a very real way through the sacraments of the Church. So as a priest I hope to radiate that confidence in God’s blessing through the sacraments.”

Before a crowd of friends and family, the Evergreen Park native was ordained to the priesthood on June 12th at St. Rita Shrine Chapel, bringing to culmination a seven-year process of formation.

Joining him were Br. Jeff Raths, O.S.A. and Br. Joe Roccasalva, O.S.A. who were accepted into the transitional diaconate as they prepare to enter the priesthood this winter. This celebration also welcomed back Bishop Daniel Turley, O.S.A., who was presiding over his first ordination since

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“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

returning this spring from his episcopal position in Chulucanas, Peru.

Fr. Sam offers a wonderful example of a vocation cultivated from a young age within the Augustinian family. Originally from the southwest side of Chicago, Sam moved with his family to Joliet at the age of 14, at which point he joined St. Jude Parish and enrolled at Providence Catholic High School. At these two Augustinian institutions he was provided a template for the religious life he was to pursue as an adult.

“The first Augustinians I met were Fr. John Merkelis at Providence and Fr. Bill Sullivan and Fr. Don Lewandowski at St. Jude…And that was the first time I had ever seen priests wearing black habits before. It piqued my interest,” recalled Fr. Sam. The seeds of interest first planted by these Augustinian friars many never have germinated were it not for the inquiries and encouragement of family. “I remember at one point my mom asking me, ‘Sam are you thinking of becoming a priest?’

I was in my sophomore year of college and I was home for Thanksgiving break,” explained Fr. Sam. “My whole life, whenever someone asked me this, I would always think oh no no no. Why me? Why would I be a priest? But when my mother asked me that year I suddenly thought to myself, why not me?

I have this great interest. Why not finally admit what was in my heart and follow it?”

It was after this that Sam thought back to the models of priesthood he had seen in the Augustinians at St. Jude and Providence High School, and reached out to Vocation Director Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A. “This is where I felt at home.

Because of the personal relationships with the friars as a teen, as well as my admiration for this way of life, I immediately thought of the Augustinians when I pictured life as a priest.”

Please continue to pray for Fr. Sam as he begins his first priestly assignment at St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Chicago.

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How I found the Midwest Augustinians

By Br. David Relstab, O.S.A.

M

y first direct interaction with the Augustinians came when I was a 7th grader at St. Patricia School in Hickory Hills, IL, and I saw this priest wearing a black habit who came for a parish mission. That was Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., who is now our Vocations Director. During the last day of the mission my brother and I were assigned to be his altar servers for the closing Mass.

Move forward eight years, and I am studying Automotive Engineering Technology at Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI and attending the weekly events and retreats at the campus Newman Center. A calling to serve the Church entered into my prayer and thus began my restless search for God. Initially I began talking with the local priest, who then put me in contact with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s vocation director. After a few preliminary phone calls and meetings, I decided to attend the “Come and See weekend” held at Mundelein Seminary. As I recall it was a nice time; there were talks and opportunities to meet the different seminarians, but I left that weekend with the desire for something more.

Community life was that thing which I was attracted to, and, as I discerned from my interactions with different diocesan priests, community would not be part of that type of vocation. Sharing life with others in prayer and at meals is a part of life that I hold very closely, and I knew that diocesan priesthood would not sustain me in this way.

Just like Augustine, I turned to my mother to seek some clarity in this confusing world. She knew that community was important to me and suggested I look at some of the different religious orders in the area. As a young person who was trying to find a religious

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community, I found it surprisingly difficult to locate one that held the hope of a sustainable future—where I would not have to be the one to “turn off the lights.” However, that very year the Augustinians professed 11 men, and that caught my attention for further inquiry.

I began watching the different YouTube videos and viewed the website of the Midwest Augustinians, learning more about who they are and how they live out their religious life.

I soon made the decision to contact the vocation director, Fr. Tom McCarthy.

I started out the email with, “I don’t know if you remember me, but I was your altar server many years ago when you came to my parish…and I am interested in learning about the Augustinians”. We ended up meeting one afternoon at St. Rita High School over some hot dogs, and that began my process with the Augustinians. What impressed me at first was their simplicity and frankness with people. It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from, they are going to treat you with the greatest level of love and respect. Their diversity of ministerial apostolates and their being an Order that is international also demonstrates the universal nature of the Church as a whole.

I was surprised to discover how the Augustinians have actually been a part of my family’s life for generations.

My mother, who had grown up in Northern California was educated by the Augustinians at Central Catholic High School in Modesto, CA. She has very fond memories of the friars from her high school years and continues to keep in contact with some of the priests who taught her. Two of my uncles graduated from St. Rita High School, and one went on to teach there for a few years. Outside of education, in the 1980s I had some family members who belonged to St. Joseph’s Parish in Pekin,

IL and still reminisce of having Fr. John Merkelis, O.S.A. back when he was the “Pekin-Deacon.” Even though I had not been personally a part of an Augustinian school or Parish the spirit of the Augustinians was imprinted in my family and upbringing.

Currently I am residing at St. Augustine Friary in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, where I am studying Theology at the Catholic Theological Union and will also begin a program in STEM Education at Illinois State University this summer. After completing my first two years of the PreNovitiate Program and Novitiate year in the Villanova Province, I took my first vows within the Order at the St. Rita Shrine Chapel on August 2nd, 2020. So far, I have not only been graced by living and growing with the Augustinians but have also been challenged as I come to know what it means to live as a follower of Christ. As I continue to journey in this path of life with the Augustinians, I am excited to see where the Lord will lead me and the Province in the years to come.

A Message from Fr. Bernie on His New Position at Villanova University I am pleased to accept a new position at Villanova University starting June 1st when I will be the Senior Associate Dean of Students for Student Support. While I will be part of the Dean of Students Office, I will not be dealing with disciplinary matters. Instead, I will be involved in matters that deal with student adjustments to campus and offering support to those experiencing varying degrees of need and/or personal distress. I will work in concert with Residence Life and Public Safety to assist students by connecting them with available resources such as the Counseling or Health Center. I will serve on the CARE and the Mental Health and Well-Being Committees, and will serve as a liaison with parents and faculty as necessary and appropriate.

I will also develop and implement spiritual, educational and professional development programs for Student Life Staff and Student Organizations that will help us to reflect more upon our Augustinian Vision and Values.

I have enjoyed my 2 1/2 years in Fraternity and Sorority Life where I have helped to establish it as an independent department within the Division of Student Life. I have also learned a great deal of how the university works from the perspective of professional staff; became reacquainted to working with students and discovered the needs and issues of the present generation! Most of all, I have developed and strengthened good relationships with my coworkers, administrators and student leaders. All of this is sure to serve me well in my new roles in the Dean’s Office.

Fr. Bernie with Greek Life Staff Mimi Moran Admin Asst. and New Director Sarah Hernandez.

DePrinzio, O.S.A., and Campus Minister, Br. Michael Duffy, O.S.A., we have recently been joined by Associate Dean for the College of Professional Studies, Fr. David Cregan, O.S.A. The house is considered full with five members, even though we had nineteen living here when it was a student house!

I’m not sure how Fr. Bill Sullivan, O.S.A. and Bro. Jerome Sysko, O.S.A., Our Directors, did it! There is a great spirit of mutual respect and support in this community, and we laugh a lot! We look forward to being able to welcome students, staff and others back into the house to visit and to share a meal together after this crazy pandemic year of isolation!

I look forward to continuing my ministry at Villanova University for many years to come.

Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D. Senior Associate Dean of Students for Student Support Villanova University P.S…I was very happy to be part of my nephew Trevor’s in-person graduation weekend with family and friends!

Congratulations Graduates!

Finally, I am very happy to be living in my Augustinian Community on west campus at Burns Hall. This is the same house that I lived in my four years as a student (1983-1987). Since it is now the President's House, it is much nicer than when it was a student house, although we thought it was pretty good then for students from the South-side of Chicago! Besides the President, Fr. Peter Donohue, O.S.A., the Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Fr. Kevin

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Spirit of Unity Guides First Virtual Gala T

he Midwest Augustinians Virtual Gala, a first for the Province, was a success from any perspective, having raised over $250,000 from 270 separate gifts. Our goal, though, was not only to raise funds to support our ministries, but also to spread the word wide that the Augustinians are a vibrant, living community, as relevant today as ever. Much of our success is owed to the outpouring of love elicited by this year’s honorees: Affiliates Mark Hacker and Bob Sullivan, and, posthumously, Augustinians Fr. Jim Thompson, O.S.A. and Fr. Daniel Hartigan, O.S.A. The full event is still available to watch at AugustinianGala.org, where you should also take the time to flip through the commemorative ads in our virtual Gala Program Book. We once again wish to recognize all of our major sponsors, listed below.

Lastly, we extend a tremendous thank you from all the Augustinians to our exceptional emcees (shown below toasting to the night's success): Fr. Jack Tierney, O.S.A.; Catharine Hennessy; Fr. Sam Joutras, O.S.A.; and Don Berschback.

Gala Overall Sponsors

Virtual Program Book Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors

Ernie & Diana Mrozek Tony & Phyllis Lauinger

Don & Anne Berschback

Fran Biolchini Chuck & Pat Engvall Edward & Catharine Hennessy Wayne Klasing Marty Wojcik

Music Sponsor Gala Co-Sponsor

Wendy & Greg Jania

The Thomas Dower Foundation In Memoriam Video Sponsor The Coughlin Family & International Insurance Brokers, Ltd.

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Virtual Gala Production Sponsor Marquette Bank / Manny Jimenez

F

or his fellow Midwest Augustinians, Fr. Rich serves as the Provincial Director of Liturgy, Province Counselor, and Cantor at many of our celebrations. To the students of Providence Catholic High School, he is the Theology Department Chairperson and Chaplain.

With what time he has left to pursue his own hobbies, Fr. Rich has developed a passion for photography. In the days of analog film, he had first been hooked by the SLR camera. “I used to be a little bit more intensive and focused (pun not intended) when I was younger,” explained Fr. Rich, “But then life takes over and it becomes more of a travel-time hobby.” Get to know another side of one of our busiest friars with these photos as Fr. Rich explains the setting and approach.

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IN FOCUS Photography by Fr. Rich Young, O.S.A.

1. "That one was taken on a train. This is in 2014. I was on a train visiting Augustinian places going from Germany to Austria, to Strasbourg, where Mozart was born ... I remember I was looking out the window of the train, because they have the high speed trains, and I saw the steeple. I put my camera up against the window. I made sure that the hood was on, trying to get as much glare out of the way."

2. "This severed tree I found in the Tuscan Valley near the ruins of an Augustinian hermitage. I was just taken by the image it.

Something struck me 2 viscerally, just about seeing a tree hanging without roots. I thought, 'God, I feel like that sometimes ... Where the heck are my roots?'"

3. "I was lucky to capture this image four years ago as I was driving in Colorado in the Fall, during rutting season.

My uncle and I spotted this elk near the road. I did not know what shots I had until I went home, but this image struck me with the life and energy of that beast and the foliage around him."

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4. "That is an image of the underside of Charles Bridge in Prague. What intrigued me is that they would go through all that trouble. Who looks up under a bridge? Why would people go to all that trouble when the only person who could see it is God?"

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La Revista Agustiniana

“The Angel of Death” a report from Peru on the devastation of the Coronavirus

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

A

ccording to the most recent information on the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, Peru is the country with the highest death rate as a percentage of population in the entire world.

Certainly, at the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the hope was that Peru would be able to “dodge the bullet.” Shortly after the first few cases were found, the country went into lockdown—at first for two weeks, then one month, then two, and still the pandemic spread to all corners of the country. No amount of locking down seemed to help. It was a solution more conducive to economically developed countries and very impractical in a country where most people live from day to day and nearly 45% don’t have refrigerators. This requires going out almost every day to buy food supplies.

And so the lockdowns had little positive effect, as they became increasingly burdensome and unenforceable.

A second cause of the high death rate in Peru is the poor health care system.

Hospitals are inadequately staffed,

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and most don’t have oxygen built into the infrastructure. This means that, if someone needs oxygen, a family member has to go out and find it, and then bring it back to the hospital. For a pandemic that was respiratory in nature, this turned into an outright disaster. As the number of patients in the hospitals increased daily, and soon exponentially, the need for oxygen was great and the supply was minimal.

Seeing the inadequate and inefficient response of the state and local governments the church became the leader in organizing “telethons” to raise funds to pay for oxygen producing machinery. Up and down the country, as governments seem paralyzed, the church stepped in to build the infrastructure to meet as many needs for oxygen possible.

It is hard to imagine for an American that people simply die from the lack of oxygen, but this has become a daily reality in Peru. In comparison with Peru and other poor countries, everyone living in the US is privileged to have access to levels of healthcare simply unimaginable in the poor countries of the world.

Another cause of the escalating death rate has been the scarce availability of the vaccine. Once again, the more developed countries were able to take care of their own citizens, buying up the available vaccine production, while the poor countries wait for the leftover vaccine supply.

The lack of available vaccine supplies was compounded by recent government instability in the country. In a period of less than a year, there were three presidents, as some were forced out because of corruption charges against them. The political instability lead to poor organization and so, even in comparison with the low vaccination rates in neighboring poor countries of South America, Peru stands out for its inability to organize a campaign of vaccination.

Those three factors, compounded by the general poverty in most of the country, has resulted in a time of grief and anguish for most of the Peruvian families. Few have been untouched by the passing of the “angel of death” through their families, and the sorrow has been increased by the sanitation guidelines that have made if almost impossible to gather to pray for the deceased in the closed churches.

Reports from the 2021 Christian Leadership Forum

"CACSJ" continued from page 5 partnerships, advocacy efforts and community building initiatives among Catholic SAHs in Canada. This is an opportunity to educate government officials about the reality of life as a refugee, especially policy makers, in order for them to clearly understand who the refugees are and what their plight is.

By Br. Spencer Thomas, O.S.A.

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his past May, I had the great fortune of being invited to attend the 2021 national Christian Leadership Forum (CLF), which, for the first time, was to be held virtually instead of at its usual headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

Sponsored by the Forum for Theological Exploration, the CLF is a two-day-long annual ecumenical gathering of young adults from across the United States who are actively involved in a wide variety of ministries, and who are serving their respective communities as students, scholars, ministers, and church leaders.

This year’s theme—“Design Our Way Forward”— invited us participants to critically engage in collaborative dialogue with one another on a host of discussion points, so as to better envision our roles as emergent ecclesial leaders in the postpandemic American landscape. The wide scope of topics at hand ranged from contemplative solidarity in social justice outreach and hybrid (online + in person) communities in ministry, to strategies of adaptive leadership in evolving environments and the contemporary intersection of faith and social enterprise in the wake of racial injustice and COVID-19.

With such a rich palette of information and experiences to be shared among the 150 individuals gathered virtually, the two days were packed full with dialoguing sessions, talks by noted speakers, community conversations, a virtual world cafe, and even an interactive design lab that allowed us to explore nascent ministerial projects and initiatives.

Throughout our time together, I found myself humbled and inspired by the many men and women who witnessed to their faith through shared stories of ministry and encounter, as well as their creative vision in painting a picture of renewed Christian hope for our world’s future which, throughout these difficult days, has found itself holding on to a frayed lifeline of hope.

To this renewal of hope, I am reminded of something that one of the presenters said on our first day. Speaking about the space of our current pandemic climate being a theological moment and not just a viral moment, he invited us to consider that, “the Genesis story is still going on even right now; the creative moment of God is still emerging as we speak, even in and through our brokenness.

We are in a moment of endings and we are in a moment of radical new beginnings. In the distress of our hurting world’s lamentation, do we dare hold onto the faith of God’s emergent creative presence that cries, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

—Rev 21:5.

One important outcome of this partnership is the establishment of a Catholic Sponsorship Agreement Holders Group. There are over one hundred SAHs in Canada and about thirty of them are Catholic.

Each SAH has a contract with the Government to carry out the process of resettlement of refugees coming to Canada. These SAHs are generally part of a Diocese, a Religious Order or other Catholic Institution. There are monthly conference calls, meetings with Government officials, sharing of resources, and support for each other and advocacy efforts including the following: • This community of practice provides mutual support and encouragement and undertakes some advocacy initiatives.

• The group connects with the ministers and policy makers in the Canadian government.

• We became aware of the high rejection rate of Christian refugees in several countries around the world. The group has discussed this with the Minister of Immigration and there has been progress on this issue.

• We believe that this partnership truly brings to life the charism of the Augustinians – “It is a higher glory to procure or maintain peace by peace, not by war.”

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Thank You to Our Newest Donors!

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 March 15, 2021 and June 15, 2021. 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. Michael Adducci

Mr. Michael Grosch

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Andersen

Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. Haberkamp

Mr. Michael Bentley

Mr. Daniel J. Hartigan, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Biolotta

Ms. Maureen Hartigan

Mrs. Anne Brislin

Ms. Mary Pat Hayes

Ms. Kathleen T. Cleary

Ms. Faith Huppler

Ms. Norine Colby

Mr. and Mrs. James E. Kersten

Ms. Jenny Conde

Ms. Sheila King

Mr. James D. Conners

Ms. Phyllis Knobbe

CoWorx Staffing Services, LLC

Ms. Janet Relstab Kolimas

Ms. Darlene Diehl

Ms. Marilyn Maikisch

Mr. and Mrs. David Donohue

Ms. Mary Claire S. Mandeville

Mrs. Rita M. Doveri

Marquette Bank

Mrs. Sandra Drap

Ms. Ellen McCormack

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Driscoll

Rev. James L. Miara

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Engelberg

Ms. Holly B. Moncher

Ms. Maureen A. Farmakis

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Moylan

Mr. Daniel J. Foley

Mr. William Mullen

Mr. Michael Garvey

Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Napleton

Mr. Richard J. Geiss

Dr. Susan M. Nedza, M.D.

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Mrs. Molly A. Nickell Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Nolter Mr. and Mrs. John M. O'Connor Mr. and Mrs. Robert O'Keefe Mr. and Mrs. Michael Panice Mr. Chuck Panop Mr. Ignacio Perez Ms. Penelope Pugh Dr. James Quaid, Ph.D. Ms. Christine Riedl Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sallade Mr. Dominic Sanfilippo Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Satkiewicz Mr. John Tidwell Mr. Michael R. Tully UroPartners, LLC Ms. Marcella Valencia Mr. and Mrs. Kennard Warfield, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Whitton

In Honor and In Memory Of...

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 March 15, 2021 and June 15, 2021. List a friar in the enclosed envelope with a donation, and he will be recognized in the next issue of The Midwest Augustinian!

Rev. Richard T. Allen, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Frank Palmasani Rev. David L. Brecht, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Frank Palmasani

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Rev. Donald E. Brennan, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. John A. Kustra Rev. Leo P. Cavanaugh, O.S.A.† Dr. and Mrs. Theodore E. Brasky

Rev. Philip C. Cook, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Rev. Francis J. Crawford, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy

Rev. W. Timothy Cuny, O.S.A.† Mrs. Eileen Neal Mr. John J. Ziemba Br. John Patrick Currier, O.S.A. † Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Dombrowski Rev. Bernard R. Danber, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. Erwin J. Dodge, O.S.A.† Ms. Dorothy Dlotkowski Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. Lawrence P. Dore, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dore Most Rev. Edinson Farfan, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Carl P. Adducci Mr. and Mrs. David J. Hougan Sr. Camino Fernandez, O.S.A.† Ms. Sandra A. Compisi Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Gaier Dr. and Mrs. Rick C. Singh Rev. LaVern J. Flach, O.S.A.†

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Carik Mr. Mark S. Hacker (Gala Honoree) Augustinian Community of Burns Hall Friary Mr. and Mrs. Ted C. Berman Mr. and Mrs. Brian D. Deenihan ANONYMOUS Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Gerrity Ms. Andrea L. Hacker Mr. and Mrs. Gerald J. Hacker, Jr. Mrs. Regina P. Kristopaitis Mr. Bill Marco Mr. Timothy Quinn Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Rojek Mrs. Anne Russell Mr. Robert J. Schmitz Mr. Ronald L. Skwarek Rev. Daniel J. Hartigan, O.S.A.† ANONYMOUS

Mr. Robert H. Flach and Mrs. Dawn A. Zimmerman-Flach

Mr. and Mrs. Dominic J. Adducci

Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger

Mr. and Mrs. Morris Berk, III

Rev. John J. Flaherty, O.S.A.†

Mr. and Mrs. James D. Adducci Mr. and Mrs. Ted C. Berman

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Flaherty

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Brennan, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dore

ANONYMOUS

Mr. Edward Flynn

Mr. Phillip B. Franczyk

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Neville

Miss Maureen Hartigan

Mr. and Mrs. John C. St. Andre

Mr. Michael Heeney

Rev. Roland F. Follmann, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. James C. Friedel, O.S.A.

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas J. King, Jr. Mrs. Regina P. Kristopaitis Mr. Thomas Leo

Mr. and Mrs. Michael B. Abrams

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Magnuson

Mrs. Carolyn Beil and Mr. Frank Beil

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Mulhall

Mrs. Elvira Escalante

Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. Olsen

Rev. Paul W. Galetto, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Rev. John R. Gavin, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. John A. Kustra Rev. Dennis J. Geaney, O.S.A.† Mr. Fred Frego Rev. Karl A. Gersbach, O.S.A.

Mrs. Maureen P. Pavletic Mrs. JoAnn Rodi Mrs. Anne Russell Mr. Robert J. Schmitz Mr. and Mrs. William J. Spatz, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Kennard Warfield, Jr. ANONYMOUS

Mr. and Mrs. John C. Bermel

Rev. Jerome M. Heyman, O.S.A.

Br. Daniel L. Gridley, O.S.A.†

Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger

Br. Jack M. Hibbard, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. Samuel L. Joutras, O.S.A. Mr. John S. Sosnowski Br. Fred R. Kaiser, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. Fr. Edward J. Kersten, O.S.A.† ANONYMOUS Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Dombrowski Mr. and Mrs. James E. Kersten Rev. Robert Lawrence, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. John A. Kustra Rev. William E. Lego, O.S.A. Dr. and Mrs. Theodore E. Brasky Rev. Donald R. Lewandowski, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Engvall Mr. Joseph T. Magee Ms. Dorene Anderson Mr. and Mrs. James Morris ANONYMOUS Rev. Henry B. Maibusch, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Daniel C. Kuemmel Mr. and Mrs. Gregory R. Pawell Rev. Thomas F. Martin, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Sise Rev. Henry W. McArdle, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. Thomas R. McCarthy, O.S.A. Mr. Michael Bentley Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Heeney Mr. Michael Heeney Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Mr. Jeff Kopsky Mr. and Mrs. John J. McNicholas Mrs. Renate M. O'Connor Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Mr. and Mrs. Frank Palmasani Mrs. Marie C. Shroba Mr. Patrick M. Walsh Rev. Joseph E. McCormick, O.S.A. Dr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Porsche Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy ANONYMOUS

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Rev. Thomas A. McGowan, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. John J. McKniff, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Juan J. Lopez Most Rev. John C. McNabb, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Ronald C. Adams

Rev. Reinhard J. Sternemann, O.S.A.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Munster

Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger

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

Mr. and Mrs. James W. Scheuerell

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy

Rev. Joseph G. Stobba, O.S.A.

Rev. Reinhard J. Sternemann, O.S.A.

Dr. and Mrs. James P. Gierahn

Most Rev. Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A.

Mr. and Mrs. Ben J. Reilly

Mr. and Mrs. John T. Barry

Mr. and Mrs. Ward T. Williams

Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Seimetz

Rev. Walter F. McNicholas, O.S.A.†

Br. David Relstab, O.S.A.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Heeney Mr. Michael Heeney Mr. Robert J. Sullivan, Jr. (Gala Honoree)

Mr. and Mrs. John A. Kustra

Mr. Nicholas Relstab

Dr. and Mrs. H. W. Allred, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger

Mr. and Mrs. James F. Relstab

Rev. Brian Barker

Br. Joseph R. Roccasalva, O.S.A.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Been

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy

Mr. and Mrs. Ted C. Berman

Mr. John S. Sosnowski

Mr. and Mrs. Jason L. Carter

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy

Br. Joe L. Ruiz, O.S.A.

ANONYMOUS

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Knop

Ms. Sandra De La Garza

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Flanagan

ANONYMOUS

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy

Mr. Phillip B. Franczyk

Rev. Richie P. Mercado, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Rev. John D. Merkelis, O.S.A.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Palmasani

Rev. Raymond R. Ryan, O.S.A.†

Mrs. Marie C. Shroba Rev. John J. Molnar, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Gregory R. Pawell Br. Nicholas J. Mullarkey, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Andersen

Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Gerrity

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Palmasani

Mrs. Regina P. Kristopaitis

Rev. Homero Sánchez, O.S.A.

Mr. and Mrs. Earl L. Linehan

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Palmasani

Ms. Mary Claire S. Mandeville

Rev. Fr. Ronald E. Scheible, O.S.A† Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Burns

Mr. and Mrs. Jose L. Medina

Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D.

Mr. John M. Nichols Mrs. Annette G. Pringle Mr. and Mrs. William L. Schloss, III

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph V. Mullarkey

Ms. Carol Greer

Mr. Robert J. Schmitz

Mrs. Dorothy G. Mullarkey

Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger

Mr. John Tidwell

Mrs. Molly A. Nickell

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Palmasani

Ms. Susan J. Pinneke

Mr. and Mrs. John V. Paris II

Mr. and Mrs. Philip T. Brady

Ms. Penelope Pugh

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Scianna

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy

Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Scianna

Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger

Rev. Patrick E. Murphy, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Pierre M. Adams

Rev. John L. Seary, O.S.A.†

Ms. Andrea L. Hacker

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald C. Adams

Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger

Mr. and Mrs. Donald F. Graff, Sr.

Rev. Michael J. O'Connor, O.S.A. The Family of Rev. Michael J. O'Connor, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. John M. Ohner, O.S.A. Knights of Columbus #9970 Mr. and Mrs. Clarence J. Graber Rev. Casimir A. Pazera, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Dennis C. Palgen, Sr. Rev. William A. Perez, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Norman, II

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Rev. Joseph K. Perry, O.S.A.†

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Rev. R. William Sullivan, O.S.A.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Palmasani Mr. John Seper

Br. Jerome A. Sysko, O.S.A.

Br. Martin C. Shaw, O.S.A.†

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin W. Desmond, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger

Rev. James J. Sheridan, O.S.A. ANONYMOUS

Rev. John P. Szura, O.S.A. Mr. Bernard M. Kosowski

Mr. and Mrs. John C. St. Andre

Rev. Theodore E. Tack, O.S.A.†

Rev. Michael J. Slattery, O.S.A.†

Dr. and Mrs. John A. Lewis, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Palmasani Br. Larry R. Sparacino, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. Christopher C. Steinle, O.S.A. Mrs. Marie C. Shroba

Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Sullivan, Jr. Rev. Frederick H. Taggart, O.S.A. Mr. Gregory P. Jenkins Rev. Fr. James G. Thompson, O.S.A.† Sisters of St. Rita

ANONYMOUS Italian American Executives of Transportation

IN MEMORIAM

Mr. and Mrs. Ted C. Berman Mr. and Mrs. William D. Bickel, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Brennan, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Dombrowski Mr. and Mrs. Silvio Ferrara Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Harman Mr. Michael Heeney Ms. Roseann Keller Mrs. Regina P. Kristopaitis Mr. Michael G. Krukones Mr. Patrick J. McCarthy, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Phillip M. Morley Dr. Susan M. Nedza, M.D. Ms. Mary C. Paukovitz Dcn. and Mrs. Joseph Roccasalva Mrs. Anne Russell Mr. and Mrs. Allen F. Scherer Mr. Robert J. Schmitz Ms. DeAnna L. Thomas The Tierney Family Mr. and Mrs. Richard Urchell Mr. Robert Vorbroker Rev. Jack B. Tierney, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Heeney Mr. Michael Heeney Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Tierney Mr. Patrick M. Walsh Rev. Daniel B. Trusch, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Overt Press Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Albert J. Hillebrand Mr. Robert Shouldis Most Rev. Bp. Daniel T. Turley, O.S.A. ANONYMOUS Mrs. Nancy E. Ryan, M.Ed. and Dr. Bernard E. Ryan, D.D.S. Rev. John A. Tyma, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Pastir Rev. Gerald J. Van Overbeek, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. Thomas W. Van Thienen, O.S.A.† Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. Henry A. Wierman, O.S.A.†

Br. John Patirck Currier, O.S.A. entered into eternal life on May 6th, 2021.

Br. John Patrick was born Earl Thomas Currier on April 3, 1943 in Chicago to Earl and Mary Alice.

After studying at St. Rita H.S., Earl was accepted in 1960 as a candidate in the Augustinian formation program and took the religious name John Patrick.

He professed solemn vows in 1967. Br. John Patrick served in different capacities within the Province throughout his ministerial life.

He was known to be a good chef and an excellent tailor. For a number of years, he made the habits for the members of the Province. He also loved to tell jokes and stories with his contagious laughter.

The following are a selection of Br. John Patrick’s ministerial assignments: St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, Illinois; Tailor(1964-69) Cascia Hall, Tulsa, OK; Procurator (1969-74) St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery; Business Manager (1974-78) Holy Rosary Parish, Kenosha, WI; Cook, Pastoral Minister (1978-82) St. Rita Parish, Racine, WI; Cook, Pastoral Minister (1982-88) St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery; Kitchen manager (1988) St. Rita Parish, Chicago, Illinois; Cook, Building Management (1988-1996) St. John of Sahagún Friary at Providence Catholic H.S., ; Cook (1998-2004)

ANONYMOUS

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Welcome Back Bishop Turley!

T

his is a homecoming long anticipated by the Augustinians! After 53 years of priesthood and nearly 25 years as Bishop of Chulucanas, Most Rev. Daniel Turley, O.S.A. has returned from Peru to his hometown of Chicago. “When we go out to mission, all of us as Augustinians, I never felt like we are separated from out Province. I never felt like I was separated from my family, my friends, or the Order,” said Bishop Turley during the homily of his welcoming Mass on April 24th. “So truly I feel that in some ways it is not necessary to be welcomed. I never felt separated because there was always the loving support and friendship of so many.”

Bishop Turley has moved into the Augustinian Community at St. Rita of Cascia Parish, where he has begun serving Mass as he anticipates continuing his ministry with the Hispanic immigrant population in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Bishop Turley first left Chicago in 1965, when he studied with the Augustinians in Mexico. He transferred to his first appointment in Peru at San Isidro Parish in Morropon.

Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of

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Chulucanas in 1996, following the resignation of Augustinian Bishop John McNabb, O.S.A. “It’s been a wonderful adventure, and I truly felt all of the prayerful support of my fellow friars throughout my mission,” he said.

Although Bishop Turley submitted his resignation in early 2018, it was not accepted until April of 2020, when Pope Francis announced the appointment of Cristóbal Bernardo Mejía Corral as his successor. Due to the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions on liturgical celebrations, Bishop Corral’s installation was not held until November of 2020, since which time, Bishop Turley assisted in this transition of leadership and continued to advocate for the needs of the people of Chulucanas.

The Midwest Augustinians will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bishop Turley’s episcopacy on the Feast of St. Augustine, August 28th, at St. Rita Shrine Chapel.

Stay current on our plans by checking back with us at MidwestAugustinians.org.

La Revista Agustiniana

¡Bienvenido, Obispo Turley!

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os Agustinos han esperado por mucho tiempo su regreso a casa. Después de 53 años de sacerdocio, y casi 25 años como Obispo de Chulucanas, el Rev. Daniel Turley, O.S.A. ha regresado de Perú a su ciudad natal de Chicago. "Cuando, todos nosotros como Agustinos, salimos a la misión nunca sentí que estuviéramos separados de nuestra Provincia.

Nunca me sentí separado de mi familia, mis amigos o la Orden", dijo durante la homilía de su Misa de bienvenida en la Capilla del Santuario de Santa Rita el 24 de abril.

"Así que realmente siento que de alguna manera no es necesario que me den la bienvenida. Nunca me sentí separado porque siempre tuve el apoyo amoroso y la amistad de muchas personas".

El obispo Turley se ha mudado a la Comunidad Agustina en la Parroquia de Santa Rita de Cascia, en donde ha comenzado a servir en Misa mientras anticipa continuar su ministerio con la población inmigrante hispana en la Arquidiócesis de Chicago.

El obispo Turley dejó Chicago por primera vez en 1965, cuando estudió con los Agustinos en México. Se trasladó a su primera cita en Perú en la Parroquia de

San Isidro en Morropón. El Papa Juan Pablo II lo nombró Obispo de la Diócesis de Chulucanas en el año 1996, tras la renuncia del Obispo Agustino John McNabb, O.S.A. "Ha sido una aventura maravillosa, y realmente sentí todo el apoyo orante de mis hermanos frailes a lo largo de mi misión", dijo.

Aunque el obispo Turley presentó su renuncia a principios del 2018, no fue aceptada hasta abril del 2020, cuando el Papa Francisco anunció el nombramiento de Cristóbal Bernardo Mejía Corral como su sucesor.

Debido a la llegada de la pandemia del COVID-19 y las restricciones resultantes en las celebraciones litúrgicas, la instalación del Obispo Corral no se llevó a cabo hasta noviembre del 2020, desde entonces, el Obispo Turley ayudó en esta transición de liderazgo y siguió abogando por las necesidades de la gente de Chulucanas.

Los Agustinos del Medio Oeste celebrarán el aniversario número 25 del episcopado del Obispo Turley en la Fiesta de San Agustín, el 28 de agosto, en la Parroquia de Santa Rita. Manténgase al tanto de nuestros planes consultando con nosotros en midwestaugustinians.org.

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La Revista Agustiniana

La ordenación del Fr. Sam Joutras, O. S. A. "Existen muchas definiciones para sacerdocio, pero la que es más significativa para mí es Un hombre que bendice".

Así es como el nuevo sacerdote de nuestra Provincia, Fr. Sam Joutras, O.S.A., describió su vocación.

"Lo que espero lograr como sacerdote es simplemente irradiar la bendición de Dios hacia todos.

Dios está siempre presente para nosotros, pero Él está presente de una manera muy real a través de los sacramentos de la Iglesia. Así que, como sacerdote, espero irradiar esa confianza en la bendición de Dios a través de los sacramentos".

Ante una multitud de amigos y familiares, el nativo de Evergreen Park fue ordenado sacerdote el 12 de junio en la Capilla del Santuario de Santa Rita, culminando un proceso de formación de siete años.

Junto a él estaban el Hno. Jeff Raths, O.S.A. y el Hno. Joe Roccasalva, O.S.A. quienes fueron aceptados en el diaconado de transición mientras se preparan para sus ordenaciones sacerdotales de este invierno. También, esta celebración le dio la bienvenida al Obispo Daniel Turley, O.S.A., quien presidía su primera ordenación desde que regresó esta primavera de su posición episcopal en Chulucanas, Perú.

El Fr. Sam ofrece un maravilloso ejemplo de una vocación cultivada dentro de la familia Agustina desde una temprana edad. Originario del suroeste de Chicago, Sam se mudó con su familia a Joliet a la edad de 14 años, momento en el que se unió a la Parroquia de St. Jude y se matriculó en la Providence Catholic High School. Aquí primero obtuvo una muestra de la vida religiosa que seguiría como adulto.

"Los primeros Agustinos que conocí fueron Fr. John Merkelis en Providence y Fr. Bill Sullivan y Fr. Don Lewandowski en St. Jude... y esa fue la primera vez que vi sacerdotes con hábitos negros. Esto despertó mi interés", recordó el Fr. Sam.

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SUMMER 2021

Muchas de estas semillas de interés, plantadas primero por estos frailes Agustinos, nunca hubieran germinado si no hubieran existido las preguntas y el apoyo de la familia. "Recuerdo que en un momento mi mamá me preguntó: 'Sam, ¿estás pensando en convertirte en sacerdote?' Cursaba mi segundo año de universidad y estaba en casa para las vacaciones de otoño", explicó el Fr. Sam. "Toda mi vida, cada vez que alguien me preguntaba esto, siempre pensaba 'Oh no, no, no. ¿Por qué yo? ¿Por qué sería sacerdote?” Pero cuando mi madre me preguntó ese año de repente pensé, ¿por qué no? Me interesa mucho. ¿Por qué no admitir finalmente lo que había en mi corazón y seguirlo?”

Fue después de esto que Sam pensó en los modelos de sacerdocio que había visto en los Agustinos en St. Jude y Providence High School, y se acercó al Director de la Vocación, el Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A. "Aquí es donde me sentí como en casa. Por las relaciones personales con los frailes cuando era adolescente, así como mi admiración por esta forma de vida, pensé de inmediato en los Agustinos cuando me imaginé la vida como sacerdote.”

Por favor, sigan orando por el Fr. Sam mientras comienza con su primera asignación sacerdotal en la parroquia Santa Rita de Cascia en Chicago.

La Revista Agustiniana

"El Ángel de la Muerte": un informe de Perú sobre la devastación del Coronavirus

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egún la información más reciente del Centro de Recursos sobre Coronavirus de Johns Hopkins, Perú es el país con la tasa de mortalidad más alta por porcentaje de población en todo el mundo.

Ciertamente, al inicio de la pandemia en marzo del 2020, la esperanza era que Perú fuera capaz de "evitar los daños". Poco después de que se detectaran los primeros casos, el país entró en confinamiento, al principio durante dos semanas, luego un mes, luego dos, y aun así la pandemia se extendió a todos los rincones del país. Ninguna cantidad de confinamientos parecía ayudar. Fue una solución más propicia para los países económicamente desarrollados y muy poco práctica en un país en donde la mayoría de la gente vive al día, y cerca del 45% no tiene refrigeradores. Esto requiere salir casi todos los días para comprar suministros de alimentos. Y así, los cierres tuvieron poco efecto positivo, ya que se volvieron cada vez más pesados e inaplicables.

Una segunda causa de la alta tasa de mortalidad en el Perú es el deficiente sistema de salud. Los hospitales no tienen suficiente personal y la mayoría no cuentan con oxígeno incorporado en su infraestructura. Esto significa que, si alguien necesita oxígeno, un miembro de la familia se ve en la necesidad de salir y encontrarlo, y luego llevarlo de vuelta al hospital. Para una pandemia que es de naturaleza respiratoria, esto se convirtió en un desastre absoluto. A medida que el número de pacientes en los hospitales aumentaba diariamente, y pronto de manera exponencial, la necesidad de oxígeno era grande y el suministro era mínimo. Al ver la respuesta inadecuada e ineficiente del estado y los gobiernos locales, la Iglesia se convirtió en el líder en la organización de "teletones" para recaudar fondos para pagar la maquinaria de producción de oxígeno.

A lo largo y ancho del país, mientras los gobiernos

parecen paralizados, la Iglesia intervino para construir la infraestructura y satisfacer tantas necesidades de oxígeno como fuera posible. Es difícil imaginar para un estadounidense que la gente muera simplemente por la falta de oxígeno, pero esto se ha convertido en una realidad cotidiana en Perú. En comparación con Perú y otros países pobres, todos los que viven en los Estados Unidos cuentan con el privilegio de tener acceso a niveles básicos de atención médica simplemente inimaginables en los países pobres del mundo.

Otra causa del aumento de la tasa de mortalidad ha sido la escasa disponibilidad de la vacuna. Una vez más, los países más desarrollados pudieron cuidar de sus propios ciudadanos, comprando la producción de vacunas disponible, mientras que los países pobres esperan el suministro de vacunas sobrante. La falta de suministros de vacunas disponibles se vio agravada por la reciente inestabilidad del gobierno en el país. En un período de menos de un año, hubo tres presidentes, ya que algunos fueron expulsados debido a cargos de corrupción en su contra. La inestabilidad política lleva a una mala organización y, por lo tanto, incluso en comparación con las bajas tasas de vacunación en los países pobres vecinos de América del Sur, Perú se destaca por su incapacidad para organizar una campaña de vacunación.

Esos tres factores, agravados por la pobreza general en la mayor parte del país, han provocado un momento de dolor y angustia para la mayoría de las familias peruanas. Pocos han sido los que no han sido tocados por el paso del "ángel de la muerte" a través de sus familias, y el dolor se ha incrementado por las directrices sanitarias que han hecho casi imposible el poder reunirse para orar por los difuntos en las iglesias cerradas.

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The Feasts of St. Augustine and St. Monica April 28th, 2021 5:00 p.m. CDT St. Rita Shrine Chapel, Chicago, IL We will celebrate 2 years worth of Province anniversaries, affiliations, and awards!

R.S.V.P. to Adriana at adriana@midwestaugustinians.org or 773-595-4009 Link to livestream available at STRITASHRINECHICAGO.COM