Augustinian
The WINTER 2020/21
Midwest
Fr. Stephen Isley, O.S.A. celebrates outdoor Mass at Cascia Hall in Tulsa
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LETTER FROM THE PRIOR PROVINCIAL DEAR FRIENDS OF THE AUGUSTINIANS, I know I am not the only one ready to say farewell to 2020! You all have been amazing sources of spiritual, familial, and financial support for our Province and its friars over the past months, and our prayers of thanksgiving for you have been continuous. With news of a promising vaccine coming in, we are looking forward, with tentative hope, to the gradual return of our regular ministries. I truly hope that you have a beautiful Christmas season, even though I know many of us still cannot be as close to family as we would wish. Do not give up! The Lord has arrived and renewed our spirits! Light has entered a dark world! Among the many hardships of 2020, one undeniable light has shown: new vocations. I am very excited in this issue to introduce to you our two extraordinary new Pre-Novices, Donte Amis and Rajen Gomes. The life experiences that these two men bring to our Order are truly exciting. Br. Sam Joutras, O.S.A., who made his Solemn Profession of Vows this past August, anticipates his Diaconate and Priesthood Ordinations over the next year. Currently, we have a scheduled date of January 16 for his Diaconate celebration. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website at midwestaugustinians.org and subscribe to our E-News updates. As we move forward with our plans for the year, we also must acknowledge the uncertainty and hesitancy that will continue to surround gathering in large groups. No clear timeline for safety is before us. For that reason, we have decided as a Province that our 2021 Augustinian Gala, which takes place in late April, will be translated into an online, virtual gala. We are developing some exciting plans for this celebration, and we look forward to sharing them with you in the next two months. Please look out for an invitation in your mailbox! Finally, it is with great sadness that we also share with you the news of the death of three of our beloved friars: Br. David Adelsbach, O.S.A., who passed on October 15 at the age of 83; Fr. Jerry Knies, O.S.A., who passed on December 8 at the age of 85; and Fr. Ronald Scheible, O.S.A., who passed on December 10 at the age of 88. Together these three men represent nearly 200 years of collective service to the Midwest Province. Please pray for the joyful repose of their souls. Thank you again for all your generous support. We continue to reach out to you virtually over video, and I cannot encourage you enough to visit us on our website and on YouTube. Just go to YouTube.com and type in “Midwest Augustinians”—you will be taken to our channel and will see the wealth of content we have there for you. God bless you all. Sincerely in Christ and St. Augustine,
Very Reverend Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A., Ph.D.
THE MIDWEST AUGUSTINIAN WINTER 2020/21 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 WEB
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MIDWEST AUGUSTINIANS
CONTENTS
PRIOR PROVINCIAL
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TWO PRE-NOVICES JOIN COMMUNITY AT PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC
Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A.
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PROVINCE ADVANCEMENT COUNCIL ADDS THREE NEW MEMBERS
PROVINCE SECRETARY
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MICHIGAN NATIVE NAMED ADVANCEMENT COUNCIL VICE-CHAIRMAN
Rev. Richie Mercado, O.S.A.
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HAVE NO ANXIETY . . . WHAT?
PROVINCE TREASURER
WINTER 2020/21 ISSUE
By Michael Gerrity, Advancement Director
Rev. James Halstead, O.S.A.
8 FR. DAN AND DCN. ELIZANDRO ORDAINED AT VILLANOVA
FINANCE OFFICE
9 COLUMBUS DAY AND ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE
Sr. Mary Ann Hamer, O.S.F.
By Fr. Tony Pizzo, Prior Provincial
Mr. Patrick Griffin
10 THE MID-CHAPTER REPORT
PROVINCE COUNSELORS
15 THE BERNARD HEEREY FAMILY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS ELDERLY FRIARS
Rev. John D. Merkelis, O.S.A.
16 OUR NEWEST DONORS
Rev. Homero Sanchez, O.S.A.
16 IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF . . .
Rev. Robert Basler, O.S.A. Rev. James Halstead, O.S.A.
NUESTRA SECCIÓN EN ESPAÑOL
Br. Joe Ruiz, O.S.A.
12 UN SACERDOTE Y UN DIACONO ORDENADOS A VILLANOVA 13 DOS PRE-NOVICIOS SE UNEN AL MONASTERIO DE LA PREPARATORIA PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC 14 UN MENSAJE DEL PADRE TONY PIZZO, OSA
Rev. Richard Young, O.S.A. PROVINCIAL OFFICES DIRECTOR OF VOCATIONS
Rev. Thomas McCarthy, O.S.A. CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER
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.
TWO PRE-NOVICES JOIN FRIARY AT PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC H.S. The decision to become an Augustinian does not happen all at once. As the recently ordained Fr. Jack Tierney, O.S.A., explained, the formation process “is designed so that you can make a good decision in little chunks at a time, to say Is this really something I feel called to do.” The first of these pieces we call the Pre-Novitiate, an introductory year during which candidates live in an Augustinian Community, participate in our daily life, and make initial studies into theology and philosophy. Beginning this Fall semester, the Midwest Augustinian Province established a new PreNovitiate within the community of St. John of Sahagún Friary on the campus of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox. Previously, our men in formation spent their first year together with the candidates of the Villanova Province, residing at the Bl. Stephen Bellesini Friary in Ardmore, PA and taking introductory philosophy courses at Villanova University. We were delighted to open our new Pre-Novitiate Program with two remarkable men--Rajen Gomes of Toronto, and Donte Amis of Indianapolis—both of whom come to us with tremendous life experiences behind them.
Donte’s first encounter with the Augustinians happened in Japan, where the North American friars have sent missionaries since their invitation from the Diocese of Nagasaki in 1950. He had traveled there in 2017 in order to teach English as a Second Language, but also found himself entering into RCIA classes, receiving Confirmation, and discerning a call to the religious life. Originally from Indianapolis, Donte moved with his grandmother to Mississippi at the age of 15. He went on to attend college in Miami, where he received his B.A. in International Relations with a focus on languages and European Studies. He
Rajen entered into Augustinian community life while still a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Toronto. After two years of studies at Toronto's St. Augustine’s Seminary, Rajen was assigned for his 2019 Summer internship to our community at the Marylake Shrine of Our Lady of Grace, in King City Toronto. There, Rajen assisted in the hospitality for retreatants and pilgrims, while also living the daily life of an Augustinian. By grace, another man who had been recently assigned to Marylake was Vocation Director Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., who aided Rajen in
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interned at the US Embassy in Rome, for which he worked in both the Non-Immigrant Visa and Consular sections, in addition to visiting American prisoners. He then relocated to Milan, then London and worked as Lead of E-commerce Operations until, as he said, “I took seven months off work and, with lots of prayer, began asking God, what is it that I'm supposed to do?” He soon transitioned into social work with Autistic children in London, which led him into the field of teaching. It was after earning his Master of Science (M.Sc.) that Donte moved to Japan, where he not only worked as a Professor of English and Editor of the university newspaper, but also immersed himself in the community of his local parish and began discerning his vocation. The friars of the Midwest Province are extremely grateful to God’s grace for bringing us Donte, and we look forward to sharing more about him and his writing as he continues through formation.
his discernment. As Rajen explained, “Marylake itself was a beautiful and peaceful place for me to live, but beyond that I loved the sense of communal living these men had. It was not long before Fr. Tom suggested that I would make a good Augustinian.” He made the decision to remain at Marylake rather than return to the diocesan seminary and continued to be a part of the community while applying for candidacy to the Order. Rajen is originally a native of Kolkata, India, famous as the foundation city of Mother Theresa’s Sisters of Charity. He left India and moved to Toronto with his family at the age of 11. Rajen has demonstrated a deep appreciation for Augustinian spirituality and community life, and we are blessed that he has decided to join us in his journey toward God.
Province Advancement Council Grows P
rior Provincial Fr. Tony Pizzo, O.S.A. announced the appointment of three new lay leaders to the Province Advancement Council, bringing the total Council membership to fourteen. The Province Advancement Council was formed in 2011 with the mission of encouraging support for the Augustinians and helping to raise charitable gifts toward the Province's ministries in vocations, formation, retired men, and Peru. Our three new members are:
Joseph Brennan Joe is an Augustinian seminary alumnus who began his association with the Augustinians at St. Laurence O’Toole Parish in Matteson, IL, and then went on to attend Mendel High School. In his sophomore year at Mendel he transferred to the Augustinian Seminary in Holland, MI, and continued on to the College at Tolentine. He later discerned another calling and left Tolentine graduated from Leis University with a major
in Spanish. He earned his master’s degree in applied Linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University. Joe went on to teach over thirty years, and, along the way, developed a high proficiency in AV and Media Technology. He has played and coached soccer and basketball for many years and at many schools during his career. Joe and his wife Barbara have two children and live in Arlington Heights, IL.
Manny Jimenez Manny has been closely acquainted with the Augustinians since 2013 through his work with St. Rita High School and his collaborations with Fr. Tony Pizzo to improve the quality of life for the residents on the South Side of Chicago. Manny is First Vice President for Marquette Bank, a corporation with 21 branches and $1.5 billion in assets. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Robert
Morris University. Manny is fluent in English and Spanish and is actively involved in several boards and local counseling organizations for affordable housing. He, his wife, and children reside in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood of Chicago. Manny admires the great work and history of the Augustinians and feels that if he can play any role in helping them, then he is more than pleased to do so.
Dominic Sanfilippo Dominic is a member of the Providence Catholic High School Class of 2012 and has been affiliated with the Augustinians for twelve years. He was very involved in Augustinian Youth Ministry as well as the first ever Student Augustinian Values Institute (SAVI) at St. Rita of Cascia High School. He served for a year as the Director of Christian Service at St. Augustine High School in San Diego, CA. Dominic’s early and close association with the Augustinians has been enriched by
public service in a variety of positions: as an Intern in the United States Senate, with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, as a visiting research student at Oxford University in England, and, as Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Tinley Park, IL. Dominic serves as a theology and civics teacher at Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, IL. He is a graduate of Dayton University. Dominic resides in Tinley Park near his two siblings (both Providence Catholic High School graduates) and his parents, Maria and Dino.
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Michigan Native Is Advancement Council Vice-Chairman P
PROVINCE ADVANCEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL Norma Berman Anne Berschback Donald Berschback, ViceChairman
rior Provincial Fr. Tony Pizzo, O.S.A., is pleased to announce the appointment of Don R. Berschback of Grosse Pointe Park, MI, as Vice-Chairman of the Province’s Advancement Council.
Joseph Brennan Matthew F. Coughlin, III Michael Gerrity, Chief Advancement Officer
The Advancement Council was formed in 2011 and is charged with the responsibility to encourage support for the Augustinians and to raise charitable gifts to support their mission and ministries in vocations, formation, retired men, and missions works in Peru. Don is a founding member of the Council.
Catharine Hennessy Ed Hennessy Manny Jimenez Wayne Klasing, Emeritus Anthony J. Lauinger Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo O.S.A., Prior Provincial Dominic Sanfilippo
In addition to being Affiliates of the Order, he and his wife Anne are members of the One Mind One Heart Giving Society and the Restless Hearts Society, the legacy gift society of the Order. He and Anne were Gala Honorees in 2017. We are pleased and honored that he has accepted the important role to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Province’s Advancement Council. His energy, commitment to the mission, passion, wit, and intellect will serve him well in this vital role.
Lisa Ann Solava, PHR Robert Utter Martin Wojcik, CFRE Chairman
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Don has long-standing and deep ties to the Augustinians going as far back as grade school and when he was a student at Austin Catholic High School. He notes that his values and life focus have been molded by the Augustinians since high school, especially through his close work with Fr. Edward Chapman, O.S.A. He and his wife Anne are both Affiliates of the Augustinian Order and have worked closely with the Augustinians during the many years they staffed St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe, MI. He has also been a leader and contributor to three major Augustinian fundraising campaigns for vocations and retired men going back as far as the early 1990s.
WINTER 2020/21
Have No Anxiety...
What?
By Michael Gerrity Chief Advancement Officer
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while back I was attending Mass at St. Thomas More Parish at the Bowling Green University Newman Center. My son, Edward, is their Music Director. When I go there, I try to help his dear wife, Jessica, wrangle their four children, ages six months to eight years. At this Mass, I was listening to a reading from St. Paul to the Philippians when I was struck by the phrase, “Brothers and sisters have no anxiety at all…”. I asked myself, how could that be? Paul could not understand what was taking place right now, twenty centuries after he wrote those words. Then it occurred to me that “have no anxiety” is precisely what God is asking of us. He is expecting us to be steadfast in prayer, and, by our example, show others how Christ triumphs in the worst of times and circumstances. St. Augustine told us that suffering exists for the good it will bring; otherwise God would not permit it. By praying daily and listening to the Saints and the words of Christ, our faith, our reasoning, and our hope can convince us that all will be well. We can get through this crisis of our times, even grow stronger, by keeping our faith close and by acting like Christ in our words, deeds, and judgments. We can recall our blessings. Recall what God has so generously provided us. It would also help if we try to be one of those who Christ described in His Beatitudes as, “poor in spirit.” He promised the poor in spirit that theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the only beatitude where the promise is not for a future state of being but can be had right now. It comes to those who accept God’s will, who are content, who strive to be serene, and who do not permit themselves to be ground down or drawn away from God by people or circumstances. These are people who count their blessings and do the next right thing each moment of the day. I like to think that they can be you and me. Today, let us appreciate everyone in our lives, appreciate the material goods God has provided, and pray for God’s gift of the Augustinians. The Augustinians became an Order of the Church 130 years before the Black Plague ravaged Europe, Africa, and Asia. That pandemic took over twenty-five percent of the world’s population, over 100 million people. The Augustinians served then, they serve now, and they can serve in the future, if we will help them. COVID-19 has hurt our financial ability to fund vocations (we have them), care for retired and infirm men, and support our missions in Peru. Please have no anxiety, please be poor in spirit, and please do the next right thing by supporting with your prayers and your gifts these men who live to serve us. Be not anxious!
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Fr. Dan and Dcn. Elizandro Ordained at Villanova
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riginally scheduled for June 13th, the Priesthood Ordination of Fr. Dan Madden, O.S.A. and Diaconate Ordination of Dcn. Elizandro Contreras, O.S.A. was pushed back, due to safety concerns, to October 15th. The change was a fortuitous one, however, as the pair were able to celebrate their ordinations at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the Feast of St. Thomas of Villanova. They were further blessed to welcome as their celebrant Philadelphia’s newly appointed Archbishop Nelson Perez. “Today has incredible implications that you don’t know yet,” Archbishop Perez said in his homily, “The days, and the weeks, and the years and the decades to come are in God’s heart already, and it will unfold for you as you move along. Be careful to listen closely to the nuances of the Spirit guiding you.” Fr. Dan, a Pennsylvania native and Villanova alumnus, arrived at St. Augustine Friary in Chicago after making his first Profession of Vows to
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the Order in 2016. In his first year, while studying at Catholic Theological Union, Fr. Dan served with Faith and Fellowship, a commission of the Archdiocese of Chicago that organizes faith sharing groups for those with mental illness. In his second year, he completed his ministry practicum at Bonaventure House on Chicago’s North Side, working with those who had HIV and offering social services to individuals who suffered from homelessness or addiction. In his final year of studies, Fr. Dan taught Catechism at St. Rita Parish and was a Deacon at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii. He has now begun his first assignment at Merrimack College in Andover, MA. Dcn. Elizandro entered the Villanova Province from his native Dominican Republic, where grew up within an Augustinian Parish. “As a young child I witnessed how they men gave themselves to the town, to the people in need, doing beautiful
work,” recalled Dcn. Elizandro, “This drew me to religious life.” While studying at CTU, he undertook ministry at the Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants, ministering to the men and women who awaited deportation from the Kankakee Detention Center. He greeted the families of those who were to be deported, served as a translator, and offered them information about shelters available in Mexico and Central America, if they were needed. “I was there from 6 a.m. every Friday until their buses departed to the airport, since they allowed me to pray with them and give some words of comfort.” Dcn. Elizandro continues to live at the Formation House in Chicago and will complete his graduate coursework in 2021. The Midwest Augustinians were blessed by the presence and service of these two men, and we pray for their continued joy and success.
Columbus Day and Italian-American Heritage A Homily Given by Fr. Tony Pizzo at Casa Italia on October 12, 2020
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ur being here today acknowledges that the Italian American community is looking to solidify our validation and affirmation in Chicago. This is part and parcel of our DNA to find our place in our respective communities so as to build up our collective and mutual appreciation for our contributions to this great nation. The COVID pandemic, along with the of addressing racial equality, has been altering our thinking and behavior. The 2nd Monday of October has been the day when we recognize the accomplishments of Christopher Columbus, who traveled across the Atlantic with the intention to not only discover a new route to the Orient but also to re-ignite the Christian Faith in the Holy Land. Little did he know that he was to encounter cultures unknown to Europeans at that time. The discourse we have used in the past, we have discovered, has been questioned. The current discourse now uses expressions like “conquest,” or a “clash of cultures,” or an “encounter of cultures.” Each expression is going to have its own nuance depending on which cultural and ethnic lens through which one interprets the narrative. Before an historical narrative is revised, there are steps to be taken to get closer to the truth. With literary and historical critical tools used in scholarly work, like Dr. Carol Delaney’s book, Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem, revisions should reflect adjusted narratives that include factual research based on historical documents. Revising the narrative must include the factual research that illuminates our knowledge to include all perspectives, the positive as well as the negative. None of us are exempt from making poor choices or decisions even with the best
of intentions. We cannot change the past but we can transform the present narrative, our narrative, the Italian American narrative into something more than what we have been given and to which we have been confined. This opens up the door toward dialogue and fruitful conversations that contribute to mutual respect and appreciation. There is no argument these days, politically, that our world is polarized. A year ago, the Jesuit columnist, Fr. Matt Malone shed light on this topic of what to do with the narrative of Columbus. He says: Polarization does not respect nuance. But without nuance, without some appreciation for the complexities of our history and the reality of the fallen world we live in, our otherwise good intentions become a blunt instrument, more appropriate for brute confrontation than genuine encounter with each other. So, rather than polarize, we are given an opportunity to bridge, educate, and create productive and mutually respectful encounters. Rather than react we respond. Arguing from one side or the other doesn’t accomplish that for which our Italian American culture is known: hospitality, table fellowship, family, and faith. We are left with a rhetorical question of: how can we move beyond the polemics of what “really” happened at that time? My response is Educate do not Eradicate! In mutually respectful conversations and dialogue, how can we move from fruitless arguments to a richer and more profound understanding of the accomplishments— not only of one man— but the collective accomplishments of so many Italian Americans? Besides, we are not going to find someone who is perfectly altruistic other than Jesus Christ, the reason
why we are celebrating this Eucharistic Liturgy, by the way. Yet, we can come pretty close. For instance, today, in NYC, Governor Cuomo is unveiling a statue of Saint Francesca Saveria Cabrini. He says that: Mother Cabrini is the “personification” of Italian American achievement, having founded 67 schools, hospitals and orphanages. She served the poor and the immigrants. She had boundless energy and unlimited capacity and she was a model for female empowerment before the expression was ever used— doing all of this in the late 1800s and early 1900s. She is an important part of my own family narrative as well, because my maternal grandparents used to talk with her when she was pushing the wheel barrel during the construction of the Columbus Extension Hospital, later named Mother Cabrini Hospital. But she, who is a canonized saint, had a questionable side of her character, after she threw out of the hospital my paternal grandfather when he refused to leave my grandmother’s side in her hospital room. He would later say, “how could the Pope canonize ‘una strega?’” No one is exempt from questionable behavior. In his recent encyclical pastoral letter, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis calls us to disrupt our lives and pay attention to the world around us NOW! We cannot change the past but we can certainly enhance our present narrative for future generations. The Holy Father’s urgent message challenges us to look at the world from different perspectives and take action through a genuine encounter with one another. The Holy Father addresses our social relationships by recognizing that love and attention,
"Columbus" continued on page 15
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The Mid-Chapter Report
An abbreviated version of the opening report delivered by the Prior Provincial at the Midwest Augustinian Intermediate Chapter on October 5, 2020 Having completed over two years of Provincial administration, I am very grateful to the members of the Provincial Council for sharing and collaborating in our leadership. Fr. Richie Mercado, O.S.A., the Province Secretary, has been very helpful in applying what he is
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learning from his Canon Law program at the Catholic University of America. Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A. the Province Treasurer, has been very attentive to our financial issues and has worked closely with our financial officers, Trustees and the Advancement Council. The financial challenges we are facing due to the suspension of the 2020 Augustinian Gala this past Spring, our lack of Mission/ Parish Appeal opportunities, and the
current health care costs have put a major dent in our financial status. God does not forget His own, however. We have had major donors who have been very generous to the Province. I am grateful to all of you who offer your prayerful support and share your wisdom. I can honestly say that the worries, sleepless nights, and the fear of “what’s next” have brought me to a new
level of appreciation of my limitations and dependence on many of you in the Province.
from what we are lacking, but I do believe that, if we are not careful, we can fall into complacency.
The enjoyable times of visitation with all of our communities, the sacramental celebrations, and social events nourish me and sustain my hope that we are working together, walking together, and living together well. The depth of sincerity and mutual appreciation that I have encountered in many instances offers hope that fraternal charity remains at the heart of our religious community life.
HEALTH CARE COVENANT TEAM
These past two years have been very challenging for me and the Province as a whole. Facing the COVID pandemic has taken us into another direction than the one we had anticipated. We are still not sure where it will take us. This also means that we need to think creatively and step out of our comfort zones to consider where we are being led as Church, Order, and Province. This is not business as usual. I believe this is a call from the Holy Spirit to discern where we are going together in light of how the pandemic has been changing the way we live, work and celebrate. In his book, Life After the Pandemic, Pope Francis offers reflections with two basic objectives. Cardinal Czerny summarizes them thusly: “The first suggests direction, keys, and guidelines for rebuilding a better world that might be born from this crisis of humanity. The second objective is . . . to sow hope.” I imagine that, even in the midst of these unprecedented times of this health crisis, we all have been making progress, or attempting to address the unpredictability with hope. Through all of this, we remain fortunate that a hallmark of our Augustinian life together is being welcoming to one another. I am happy to comment that I have felt very welcomed by all of the communities of the Province and the Order. I have always believed that all of our Augustinians communities should have an open-door policy of welcoming to all. PERSONNEL: Currently, we have 79 professed members of the Province, (including Canada and the simply professed). The ages range from 93 to 26. In the meantime, since June of 2018, we have had nine deaths, and we will be facing more as some of our older and infirm men continue to face deteriorating health conditions. Please keep them in your daily Mass intentions and prayers. COMMUNITY LIFE/SPIRITUALITY: The most basic hallmarks of our religious life are prayer (communal and personal), the reading of the Rule, shared meals, house chapters, and recreation. Yearly retreats and days of recollection nourish us as well. This all takes different forms in each respective community and circumstances. Our present financial circumstances and resources on the Province level can be a call and a reminder to simplify our lifestyle. Evaluating ourselves individually and within the community keeps us accountable, I believe, to live evangelical poverty according to the Rule. I attempt to live by the maxim, “less is more.” After all, I do not believe any of us are suffering
We are grateful to the Province Health Care Team—Fr. Mike O’Connor, O.S.A., Br. Jack Hibbard, O.S.A., Br. Mark Emken, O.S.A., Marge Gleason, and the Bellesini Community members—who make themselves available to the needs of our men in both assisted living and skilled care. The team continues to assess the individual health needs of our men in order to determine the level of care that each one needs. This has been fluid due to how each friar’s condition worsens or improves. The entire team has been diligent in accompanying our men in their various needs and offering them pastoral care and fraternal attention. VOCATIONS & FORMATION: The Midwest Province Pre-Novitiate program officially began in the middle of August of this year. Fr. Rich Young, O.S.A. has generously stepped into the role of Director, and the community at St. John Sahagún Friary at Providence Catholic H.S. has grown. Vocation Director Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A. is now also a resident of the community as a support for this very initial level of formation. Our two Pre-Novitiate candidates are Donte Amis and Rajen Gomes (Canadian citizen). In my address to the Province after my election in June of 2018, I emphasized the importance of reaching out to men of color. Donte is African-American and Raj is Indian-Canadian. We must continue to be proactive to attract men of different races and ethnicities for us to reflect the demographics of the Church in the U.S. Vocations continue to remain an essential priority in our Order and Province. Please continue to pray for and promote them. We have five men at St. Augustine Friary in theological and ministerial formation this academic year. Since the last Provincial Chapter, three men were Simply Professed and four friars were Solemnly Professed. One friar has been ordained to the Presbyterate. I am very happy to report to you all that our professed community continue to advance in their theological and ministerial formation at CTU. All of our young friars renewed their vows during the summer months. Last summer, Fr. Joseph Broudou, who was serving as pastor at OMGC Parish in Homer Glen, decided not to renew his Simple vows. He returned to his original diocese in Nebraska. PARISHES: We are not without good pastoral leadership between Augustinian friars and their collaboration with lay leaders. Presently, we have six parishes that are in our pastoral care:
"Mid-Chapter" continued on page 19
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El Padre Dan y el Diácono Elizandro serán ordenados
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riginalmente programada para el 13 de junio, la Ordenación al Sacerdocio del P. Dan Madden, O.S.A. y la Ordenación al Diaconato del Dcn. Elizandro Contreras, O.S.A. fue postergada hasta el 15 de octubre, debido a preocupaciones de seguridad. Sin embargo, el cambio fue fortuito, ya que este par pudo celebrar sus ordenaciones en la Iglesia de San Tomás de Villanova en lo que es la Fiesta de San Tomás de Villanova. Ellos fueron aún más bendecidos al darle la bienvenida como su celebrante al recién nombrado Arzobispo de Philadelphia, Nelson Pérez. "El día de Hoy tiene implicaciones increíbles que aún no conoces", dijo el arzobispo Pérez en su homilía, "Los días, las semanas, los años y las décadas venideras ya están en el corazón de Dios, y se desarrollarán para ti a medida que avances. Ten cuidado al escuchar atentamente los matices del Espíritu que te guían.” El P. Dan, un nativo de Pensilvania y graduado de Villanova, llegó al convento de San Agustín en
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Chicago después de hacer su primera Profesión de Votos a la Orden en 2016. En su primer año, mientras estudiaba en la Unión Teológica Católica, el P. Dan sirvió en el programa Faith and Fellowship, una comisión de la Arquidiócesis de Chicago que organiza grupos de intercambio de fe para personas con enfermedades mentales. En su segundo año, completó su práctica ministerial en la Bonaventure House en el lado norte de Chicago, trabajando con aquellos que tenían VIH, así como ofreciendo servicios sociales a personas que sufrían de adicción o falta de vivienda. En su último año de estudios, el P. Dan enseñó catecismo en la parroquia de Santa Rita y fue diácono en el Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Pompeya. Ahora ha comenzado su primera asignación en Merrimack College en Andover, MA. El Dcn. Elizandro Contreras ingresó a la provincia de Villanova desde su natal República Dominicana, donde creció dentro de una Parroquia Agustina. “Cuando era niño fui testigo
de cómo los hombres se entregaron a la ciudad, a las personas necesitadas, haciendo un hermoso trabajo”, recordó el Dcn. Elizandro, “Esto me atrajo a la vida religiosa.” Mientras estudiaba en CTU, emprendió el ministerio en la Comunidad Interreligiosa para Inmigrantes Detenidos, ministrando a los inmigrantes que esperaban la deportación del Centro de Detención de Kankakee. Saludaba a las familias de aquellos que iban a ser deportados, se desempeñó como traductor y les ofrecía información sobre los refugios disponibles en México y Centroamérica en caso de que fuera necesario. “Yo estaba allí desde las 6 de la mañana todos los viernes hasta que sus autobuses salían al aeropuerto, ya que me permitían orar con ellos y darles algunas palabras de consuelo.” El Dcn. Elizandro continúa viviendo en la Casa de Formación en Chicago y completará sus cursos de posgrado en 2021. Los Agustinos del Medio Oeste fueron bendecidos con la presencia y el servicio de estos dos hombres y oramos por su continuo gozo y éxito.
DOS PRE-NOVICIOS SE UNEN AL MONASTERIO DE LA PREPARATORIA PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC
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a decisión de convertirse en un Agustino no sucede de una vez. Como el recientemente ordenado P. Jack Tierney, O.S.A., explicó, que el proceso de formación “está diseñado para que pueda tomar una buena decisión poco a poco, y decir ¿Es esto realmente algo que me siento llamado a hacer?” La primera de estas piezas que llamamos Prenoviciado, es un año introductorio durante el cual los candidatos viven en una Comunidad Agustina, participan en nuestra vida cotidiana y realizan estudios iniciales en teología y filosofía. A partir de este semestre de otoño, la Provincia Agustina del Medio Oeste estableció un nuevo Prenoviciado dentro de la comunidad de St. John of Sahagun Friary en el campus de la Preparatoria de Providence Catholic en New Lenox. Estuvimos encantados de abrir nuestro nuevo Programa de Prenoviciado con dos hombres notables, Rajen Gomes de Toronto y Donte Amis de Indianápolis, quienes vienen a nosotros con tremendas experiencias de vida con ellos.
El primer encuentro de Donte Amis con los Agustinos ocurrió en Japón, donde los frailes norteamericanos han enviado misioneros desde su invitación de la Diócesis de Nagasaki en 1950. Donte había viajado allí en 2017 con el fin de enseñar inglés como segunda lengua, pero también se encontró dando clases de RCIA, recibiendo confirmación, y discerniendo un llamado a la vida religiosa. Originario de Indianápolis, Donte se mudó con su abuela a Mississippi a la edad de 15 años. Luego asistió a la universidad en Miami, donde recibió su licenciatura en Relaciones Internacionales, con un enfoque en idiomas y estudios europeos. Hizo una pasantía en la Embajada de los Estados Unidos en Roma, para lo cual trabajó en la sección de visas de no inmigrante del consulado y visitó prisioneros estadounidenses. Luego se trasladó a Londres y trabajó en operaciones de comercio electrónico hasta que, como él dijo, "Tomé siete meses de vacaciones y, con mucha oración, comencé a preguntarle a Dios, ¿qué se supone que debo hacer?” Pronto hizo la transición al trabajo social con niños autistas en Londres, lo que lo llevó al campo de la enseñanza. Fue después de obtener su Maestría que Donte se mudó a Japón, donde entró en la comunidad de su parroquia local y comenzó a discernir su vocación. Los frailes de la provincia del Medio Oeste están extremadamente agradecidos a la gracia de Dios por traernos a Donte, y esperamos compartirles más sobre él y su escritura a medida que continúa a través de la formación. Rajen Gomes entró en la vida comunitaria Agustina originalmente cuando aún era seminarista de la Arquidiócesis de Toronto. Después de dos años de estudios en el seminario de Toronto, llamado fortuitamente, el Seminario de San Agustín, Rajen fue asignado para su pasantía de verano en 2019 a nuestra comunidad en el Santuario Marylake de Nuestra Señora de Gracia, en King City, Toronto. Allí Rajen ayudó con la hospitalidad para retirados y peregrinos, mientras que también vivía la vida cotidiana de un Agustino. Por gracia, otro hombre que también había sido asignado recientemente a Marylake como Director Vocacional, fue el P. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., quien ayudó a Rajen con su discernimiento. Como Rajen explicó, "Marylake en sí era un lugar hermoso y pacífico para vivir, pero más allá de eso me encantó la sensación de vida comunal que estos hombres tenían. No pasó mucho tiempo antes de que el P. Tom sugirió que yo sería un buen Agustino.” Tomó la decisión de permanecer en Marylake en lugar de regresar al seminario diocesano y continuó siendo parte de la comunidad mientras solicitaba la candidatura a la Orden. Rajen es originario de Calcuta, India, famosa por ser la ciudad fundadora de las Hermanas de la Caridad de la Madre Teresa. Se mudó a Toronto con su familia a la edad de 11 años, donde asistió a { }. Rajen ha demostrado un profundo aprecio por la espiritualidad Agustina y la vida comunitaria, y tenemos la bendición de que haya decidido unirse a nosotros en su camino hacia Dios.
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La Revista Agustiniana
Un Mensaje del Padre Tony Pizzo.
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aludos desde las Oficinas de los Agustinos de la Provincia del Medio Oeste en el barrio de Hyde Park de Chicago. Si bien, la limitada reapertura de nuestras parroquias a la celebración pública me ha permitido, recientemente, encontrarme con algunos de ustedes, todavía hay muchos miembros de nuestra familia agustina que permanecen aislados de la celebración litúrgica y, más específicamente, del ministerio de los Agustinos. El hacer frente a la pandemia del COVID ha llevado a nuestro ministerio a direcciones que no habíamos previsto. Esto significa que hemos necesitado pensar creativamente y salir de nuestras zonas de confort para considerar hacia dónde estamos siendo guiados como Iglesia y como Orden. Hemos tenido que reconsiderar cómo podemos servir como maestros, pastores, capellanes y administradores. Como Prior, he tenido la esperanza de que esta interrupción en la vida también nos brinde a todos una oportunidad para prestar atención al momento presente y comprender el potencial que el carisma agustino de la comunidad tiene para el mundo de hoy que está cada vez más polarizado. En su reciente carta pastoral encíclica, Fratelli Tutti, el Papa Francisco, ¡nos llama a interrumpir nuestras vidas y a prestar atención al mundo que nos rodea actualmente! No podemos cambiar el pasado, pero sin duda, podemos mejorar nuestra narrativa presente para las generaciones futuras. El mensaje urgente del Santo Padre nos desafía a mirar el mundo desde diferentes perspectivas y a actuar a través de un encuentro genuino entre nosotros. El Santo Padre se dirige a nuestras relaciones sociales reconociendo que el amor y la atención, seguido del estar acompañado, es el modelo
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The Midwest Augustinian |
WINTER 2020/21
para actuar sobre cómo construir puentes y eliminar los obstáculos que nos impiden ver el rostro de Dios en los demás. Esto nos llevará a un compromiso fructífero entre nosotros que, con suerte, conducirá nuestras buenas intenciones hacia el bien común. La espiritualidad del orden agustino nace de este mismo dilema: ¿cómo podemos amarnos a pesar de nuestras diferencias de opinión? Considero una señal de buena salud que nuestros frailes, así como nuestros donantes y feligreses, abarcan una amplia variedad de perspectivas políticas. Como Prior Provincial he visto incluso entre nuestros mayores benefactores, cómo el amor por el carisma agustino de la vida comunitaria reúne a personas que, de otra manera, tendrían muy pocos puntos de acuerdo. Nuestro papel como agustinos en un momento histórico como este está muy claramente establecido en nuestra Regla: “El propósito principal de vuestra congregación es vivir armoniosamente en vuestra casa, en camino hacia Dios, con un solo corazón y una sola alma". Estamos aquí para demostrar la armonía. Y esta armonía brilla aún más cuando reconocemos nuestras diferencias: nuestras diferencias en cultura, educación, privilegios y opiniones. La armonía no se crea borrando o ignorando las diferencias. Más bien, exige que nos miremos los unos a los otros a través de los ojos de la caridad. El Papa Francisco dice en Fratelli Tutti: Sin la caridad, quizás tendremos solo apariencia de virtudes, que serán incapaces de construir la vida en común . . .Solo una mirada cuyo horizonte esté transformado por la caridad puede percibir la dignidad del otro... El amor al otro por ser quien es,
nos mueve a buscar lo mejor para su vida. Solo en el cultivo de esta forma de relacionarnos haremos posible la amistad social que no excluye a nadie y la fraternidad abierta a todos. Sabemos que San Agustín creía que el Amor (Caritas) es el principio y el fin de todas las cosas. Todo el bien que hacemos y que somos se basa en nuestro amor a, y por Dios. San Agustín no separa nuestro amor a Dios del amor al prójimo, por lo tanto, todos los sistemas justos que conforman nuestra sociedad deben basarse en esta triple relación de misericordia y compasión. No tenemos que esperar para mirar el rostro de Dios. Somos capaces de verlo incluso entre nuestros enemigos. Esta verdad está en el corazón de nuestra celebración eucarística y nuestro acto de Acción de Gracias en el altar. “¿Qué es la perfección en el amor?” Pide San Agustín: "Amar a tus enemigos de tal manera que desees hacerlos tus hermanos... Porque también Él amó, Quien, clavado en la cruz, dijo: "Padre, perdónalos, porque no saben lo que hacen". (Lucas 23:34) A medida que avanzamos en las próximas semanas, es probable que solo aumente el lenguaje de la división y polarización política. Durante estos tiempos es aún más importante que mantengamos una “mirada cuyo horizonte esté transformado por la caridad". Gracias a todos por su atención. Continuaremos llegando a ustedes a través de video durante las temporadas de Acción de Gracias, Adviento y Navidad. Como en el pasado, los insto a que se acerquen a nosotros si necesitan oraciones. Sepan que los acompaño a todos con mis intenciones de oración. Oramos por la seguridad de todos los residentes de nuestras respectivas ciudades y comunidades y por el personal de primeros auxilios que se dedica a mantenernos a salvo.
"Columbus" continued from page 9
Bernard Heerey Family Foundation: Assisting Elderly, Retired Augustinians I
followed by accompaniment, form the model of how to see God in one another's faces. This will lead us to fruitful engagement with one another that, hopefully, will lead our good intentions toward the common good. We shouldn’t have to wait for Eternity to gaze upon God’s face. I want to see his face in you, and in the indigenous person, person of color, the homeless, the marginalized, the immigrant. And I certainly hope you can see the face of God in me, otherwise I have failed. Yet, He’s been here the whole time. He reveals himself in the most unlikely person and circumstance. Keep your eyes open, my friends. Christ makes himself present to us in this act of thanksgiving on the altar. He calls us in communion with one another and then to be witnesses as light in darkness giving flavor to the bland taste of indifference.
t is the sacred duty of our Augustinian Province to see that our retired and infirm friars receive the care they need in the twilight years of their lives. These men have lived lives of great purpose and have significantly impacted the lives of tens of thousands of men, women, and children in Chicagoland and elsewhere in the Midwest. It would be hard to live a more meaningful and impactful life.
This year, the Midwest Augustinians were blessed to receive an extraordinary grant of $53,000 from the Bernard Heerey Foundation of Chicago, to cover the annual costs for one retired friar in Assisted Living 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
What we have been offering and what we can still offer— namely, depth of faith, our welcoming and inviting posture, and, as the Prophet Isaiah describes in yesterday’s first reading, juicy rich food and pure choice wines— will enhance the social nature of our culture.
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.” Our Province expresses our immense gratitude to the Bernard Heerey Foundation for their generous continued support.
Our historical narratives may change but the Gospel narrative does not. Living in a fractured world as wounded people, Christ, nonetheless, accompanies US to be agents of healing, reconciliation and peace. Works Referenced: Carol Delaney, Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem: How Religion Drove the Voyages that Led to America. Free Press, 2011. Matt Malone, S.J., “Columbus Day is a chance to acknowledge a nuanced history in a polarized world.” America Magazine, October, 2019.
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IN MEMORIAM The following three friars were called to their eternal home. We ask that you remember them and their families in your prayers.
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Br. David Adelsbach, O.S.A. entered into eternal life on October 15, 2020.
Fr. G. Jerry Knies, O.S.A. entered into eternal life on December 8, 2020.
Fr. Ronald Scheible, O.S.A. entered into eternal life on December 10, 2020.
Br. David was on born February 15, 1937 in Evergreen Park, IL. He entered the Augustinian program of formation for lay Brothers at St. Joseph Hall, St. Monica Monastery in 1957 and made his first Profession of Vows in 1961. Following profession, he did maintenance work at Austin Catholic High School, Detroit; Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago; St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, MI; and St. Joseph Mission House, Fort Wayne, IN. Br. David did supervisory work at St. Rita High School from 1972 until 1979. He relocated in 1979 to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, IL, where he oversaw the facilities for lodging retreatants and other overnight guests at Tolentine Center. In 1988, he moved to Blessed William Monastery, Chicago. He participated in a program of Clinical Pastoral Education at McNeil Hospital, Berwyn, IL, in 1988 and 1989. After completing two quarters of C.P.E. in 1989, he became a Chaplain at St. Margaret Hospital, Hammond, IN. In 1994, he studied at Moraine Valley College and became a Certified Nursing Assistant. In 2003, he was asked to help provide care to the elderly Augustinian friars at the newly established Senior Care Program at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery. In 2006, he was named Director of the Program and served until 2009.
Fr. Jerry was born on July 5, 1935 in Chicago. He was Baptized on July 28, 1935 at St. Mary Church, Chicago. He entered Augustinian formation at St. Augustine Seminary in 1953 and made his first Profession of Vows in 1955. Following profession, Fr. Jerry earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova University, an S.T.B. from St. Monica College, Rome, and an S.T.D. from Catholic University of America. In 1966, he was assigned at Tolentine College, where he directed the Program of Formation for seminarians. When the seminarians at Tolentine moved to Catholic Theological Union, Fr. Jerry joined the faculty there. He directed retreats at the Tolentine Center from 1976 to 1983. From the late 1980s up to 2012, Fr. Jerry held numerous positions of Provincial service. These have included the Province Council, the Trustees of Catholic Theological Union, and several Province committees and commissions. Fr. Jerry served as Vicar Provincial, Personnel Director, Regent of Theological Studies, Director of Internal Ministry, and member of the Province Commissions on Education and Formation until July, 2010. At that time, he was assigned to Bl. Stephen Bellesini Community, Racine, Wisconsin, where the North American Augustinian Novitiate is located. He was the Prior of the Augustinian Community and part of the Novitiate Formation Team.
Fr. Ronald was born January 7, 1931 in Reading, PA. In 1944, he entered the Augustinian Minor Seminary in Oconomowoc, WI, and professed his first vows in 1949. After graduating from St. Gertrude Parochial School, Lebanon, in 1944, Ronald enrolled in the Augustinian Minor Seminary at St. Monica Seminary, Oconomowoc, WI, where he completed three years of high school. He did his senior year at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, NY, earning his diploma in 1948. After Ordination in 1957, Fr. Ronald taught at St. Augustine Minor Seminary, in Holland, MI until 1968. Fr. Ronald then ministered as Parochial Vicar in several parishes, including St. Matthew, Flint, MI; St. Anthony, Baton Rouge, LA; Holy Rosary Parish, Kenosha, WI; St. Clare of Montefalco, Grosse Pointe Park, MI; Immaculate Conception/St. Henry, St. Louis, MI; and St. Gregory, Ontario. In 1999, Fr. Ronald was named Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Abbott, TX and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Penelope, TX. He became Pastor of St. Peter Parish, Lindsay, TX, in 2002, serving there until 2008. He became semi-retired in 2008, and was assigned to St. Monica Monastery, Chicago. When St. Monica closed in 2010, he moved to the Augustinian community at St. Matthew Parish, Flint, MI.
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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 August 1, 2020 and November 5, 2020. 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. Patrick Nolan James Polis Christopher M. Polis Robert J. Relstab V. S. Sander Sean Sheridan Jack Szykowny Rita Vidal James R. Wollangk
Emmett F. Driscoll Goldrick & Goldrick, Ltd.
Norman Becerril Joseph S. Bugda Raymond Cavanaugh Clarissa Cerda Dennis Connor Joanne E. Debarbera Barbara A. Depesa Robert S. DeWitt-Barber John P. DiVecchio
Joseph Cardinal Bernadin Council #324 Knights of Columbus #9970 Andrew N. McIntosh Robert J. Moynihan Sheila M. Muprhy Mark A. Murawski
In Honor and In Memory Of...
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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 August 1, 2020 and November 5, 2020. List a friar in the enclosed envelope with a donation, and he will be recognized in the next issue of The Midwest Augustinian!
Br. David W. Adelsbach, O.S.A.
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Ms. V. Sherrill Sander
Rev. Francis J. Crawford, O.S.A.
Rev. LaVern J. Flach, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Rev. Richard T. Allen, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. John Ladowicz
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Rev. W. Timothy Cuny, O.S.A.
Rev. John J. Flaherty, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. John P. Ryan
Rev. Edward A. Andrews, O.S.A.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Flaherty
Mr. John J. Ziemba
Rev. John F. Flynn, O.S.A.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Szykowny
Rev. Bernard R. Danber, O.S.A.
Rev. Donald J. Bates, O.S.A.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Ms. Mary R. Keeling
Dr. John N. Canzona Mr. Edward Flynn
Rev. L. Dudley Day, O.S.A.
Rev. Roland F. Follmann, O.S.A.
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Rev. David L. Brecht, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Cameron T. Stock Rev. Philip C. Cook, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Murawski
Mr. Thomas F. Bell
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Rev. Terry A. Deffenbaugh, O.S.A.
Rev. James C. Friedel, O.S.A.
Mr. and Mrs. John Ladowicz
Mr. and Mrs. Philip T. Brady Mr. and Mrs. William B. Buckler
Rev. Erwin J. Dodge, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Mr. Dennis Connor
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Dcn. Robert Fitt
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. Beaudin, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin T. Mavity
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard A. Ratuszny
Dr. Linda Stamato, Ph.D.
Knights of Columbus #9970
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Ms. Geraldine O. Delaney
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence J. Graber
Rev. Henry B. Maibusch, O.S.A.
Rev. William A. Perez, O.S.A.
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Mr. Dennis Connor
Rev. Karl A. Gersbach, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Bermel
Mrs. Marilyn J. Dock
Rev. Henry W. McArdle, O.S.A.
Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Rev. Joseph A. Graham, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Ramirez Rev. James R. Halstead, O.S.A. Dr. and Mrs. Richard J. Zaranek Rev. Daniel J. Hartigan, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Morris Berk, III Rev. Jerome M. Heyman, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Br. John M. Hibbard, O.S.A.
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Rev. Thomas R. McCarthy, O.S.A.
Most Rev. Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A.
Mr. Robert J. Gentile
Mr. and Mrs. John T. Barry
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Mr. Dennis Connor
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lanuti
Br. David Relstab, O.S.A.
Ms. Linda McBride
Mr. and Mrs. Emmett F. Driscoll
Mrs. Renate M. O'Connor
Mr. James Polis
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Mr. Christopher M. Polis and Ms. Jennifer Perkins
Rev. Joseph E. McCormick, O.S.A.
Mr. and Mrs. James F. Relstab
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Rev. Francis R. McDonnell, O.S.A.
Br. Bruce A. Jendraszak, O.S.A.
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Mr. Nicholas Relstab Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Relstab
Dr. and Mrs. Richard J. Zaranek
Mr. and Mrs. John Ladowicz
Rev. Thomas A. McGowan, O.S.A.
Br. Samuel L. Joutras, O.S.A.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Br. Joseph R. Roccasalva, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Kevin F. Beykirch
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Most Rev. John C. McNabb, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Joutras
Mr. and Mrs. Ward T. Williams
Mr. Richard J. Kemp
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Rev. Raymond R. Ryan, O.S.A.
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Rev. Richie P. Mercado, O.S.A.
Br. Christopher P. Shannon, F.M.S. Mr. John S. Sosnowski
Dr. John N. Canzona
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Magiera
Rev. John D. Merkelis, O.S.A.
Mr. Daniel M. Offner
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Br. Fred R. Kaiser, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Knop
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony A. Tadin
Ms. Janice H. Sosnowski
Rev. G. Jerome Knies, O.S.A.
Mrs. Margaret J. Persicketti Ms. Cynthia B. Vernon Rev. James G. Ryan, O.S.A.
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Br. Nicholas J. Mullarkey, O.S.A.
Dr. John N. Canzona
Mrs. Dorothy G. Mullarkey
Ms. Deborah J. Zwolinski
Mr. and Mrs. Larry E. Smith
Rev. John A. Kret, O.S.A.
Ms. Mary K. Schneider Rev. Ronald E. Scheible, O.S.A. Mr. Dennis Connor
Rev. Patrick E. Murphy, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Brian D. Deenihan Ms. Sheila M. Muprhy and Mr. Patrick C. Racey
Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Norman, II
Rev. Thomas E. Nash, O.S.A.
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Rev. John J. Lambert, O.S.A.
Rev. John L. Seary, O.S.A.
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Rev. Michael J. O'Connor, O.S.A.
Mr. Ronald P. Centanni
Mr. and Mrs. Donald F. Graff, Sr.
Mr. Dennis Connor
Rev. Francis X. Lawlor, O.S.A.
Rev. Joseph A. Senke, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Mr. Robert J. Moynihan
Rev. William M. O'Rourke, O.S.A.
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Rev. Donald R. Lewandowski, O.S.A.
The Midwest Augustinian |
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Mr. Thomas F. Bell
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WINTER 2020/21
Mr. Joseph J. Adduci, Jr.
Br. Joe L. Ruiz, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Ms. Mary C. Paukovitz
Mr. John S. Sosnowski Ms. Sandra De La Garza
Rev. Walter F. McNicholas, O.S.A.
Dr. and Dr. Geoffrey J. Keyes
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Rev. John M. Ohner, O.S.A.
Rev. James P. Lyne, O.S.A.
Rev. Paul W. Galetto, O.S.A.
Mr. and Mrs. Donald F. Graff, Sr.
Mr. Justin Meyer Br. Martin C. Shaw, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Edwin W. Desmond, Jr. Rev. James J. Sheridan, O.S.A. The Wooden Spoon Mr. Dennis Connor Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Nolan Br. Larry R. Sparacino, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. Reinhard J. Sternemann, O.S.A. Mr. Dennis Connor
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Rev. Daniel B. Trusch, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Mr. John Seper
Most Rev. Daniel T. Turley, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. David L. Devine
Br. Jerome A. Sysko, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Kennedy
Mrs. Patricia A. Geiss
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Kreitzberg
Rev. Frederick H. Taggart, O.S.A.
Rev. John A. Tyma, O.S.A.
Ms. Marlene Maxfield Baker
Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Pastir
Rev. Jack B. Tierney, O.S.A.
Rev. Gerald J. Van Overbeek, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Joseph Cardinal Bernadin Council #324
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Scheuerell
Mr. and Mrs. Lee Bayley
Dr. and Mrs. Richard J. Zaranek
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin F. Beykirch
Rev. Joseph G. Stobba, O.S.A. Mr. Dennis Connor Rev. R. William Sullivan, O.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Dalka
"Mid-Chapter" continued from page 11
Sacred Heart Parish in the Archdiocese of Vancouver; Sacred Heart Parish in the Archdiocese of Toronto; St. Rita of Cascia Parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago; St. Turibius Parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago; St. Jude Parish in the Diocese of Joliet; St. Bernard Parish in the Diocese of Joliet. Unfortunately, due to the lack of available and qualified personnel in our Province, we had to make a difficult decision of withdrawing from Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Homer Glen. The Diocese of Joliet has assigned a Diocesan pastor from the neighboring parish to be temporary administrator OMGC Parish. SECONDARY EDUCATION: Currently, we have three high schools owned or managed by the Province: Cascia Hall in Tulsa, OK; St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago; and Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox. The schools have also been following the COVID regulations, incorporating hybrid models and/or
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger Rev. Thomas W. van Thienen, O.S.A.
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Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Olinger
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew N. McIntosh
Rev. Richard A. Young, O.S.A.
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth W. Shinkus
Ms. Janice H. Sosnowski
The Tierney Family Mr. and Mrs. James R. Wollangk
remote learning. Along with the schools managed or owned by the Province, there are two “High Schools of Augustinian Heritage” that participate in the ASEA, a national Association of Augustinian Schools in the U.S. and Canada: Austin Catholic High School in the Archdiocese of Detroit and Villanova College High School in the Archdiocese of Toronto. PERUVIAN MISSIONS: Apart from the COVID restrictions and regulations, the Vicariate of San Juan de Sahagún of Chulucanas has been doing well in terms of vocations and formation. The vast majority of professed Augustinians in the Vicariate are Peruvian. Currently, two North Americans are serving in the Vicariate: Fr. John Tyma, O.S.A. is in Morropon and Fr. John Lydon, O.S.A. of the Villanova Province is in Trujillo. The new Bishop elect of Chulucanas, Mon. Cristobal Bernardo Mejia Corral, will be installed in his Episcopal See this Fall. Bishop Dan Turley, O.S.A. will remain for short time in Chulucanas to accompany the new bishop and acquaint him more with the Diocese. MARYLAKE:
This is a unique community. There has been a turnover of local Augustinian leadership these past several years. At the General Chapter of 2019, the Province of Canada was suppressed due to the number of friars associated with this circumscription. All former members of the Canadian Province have chosen to affiliate to the Midwest Province. Presently, we have seven friars who live and work in Canada. The Augustinian Contemplative Nuns purchased the property around the Monastery residence and retreat house. Most recently, I appointed Fr. Joel Okojie, O.S.A. from the Nigerian Province as local Prior of the community. He is currently enrolled in an advanced degree program at Divine Mercy University. He has already been collaborating with the AFOI (Augustinian Fathers of Ontario, Inc) Board and with the Shrine administrators. There are several ethnic groups who patronize Marylake with their respective religious devotions, mainly during the Spring, Summer, and early Fall. Our friars mainly offer sacramental and pastoral ministry for the pilgrims and regular attendees.
VISIT US ONLINE!
| www.midwestaugustinians.org
19
The
MIDWEST AUGUSTINIAN
Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel 5401 South Cornell Avenue Chicago, IL 60615-6200
NORPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID AURORA, IL PERMIT 437
Have You Thought About Including the Midwest Augustinians In Your Estate Plans? Midwest Augustinian Restless Hearts Society For more information, please contact Michael Gerrity at 773-595-4035 or at michael@midwestaugustinians.org.
We would like to acknowledge the following supporters for including the Augustinians in their wills or estate plans: Mrs. Arlene Adams Mr. Pierre M. Adams Mr. Joseph F. Bamberger Mr. Frank Beil Mrs. Anne Berschback Mr. Donald R. Berschback Mr. Chuck Cassity Mr. James A. Corona Mr. James V. Corrigan Mr. Thomas C. De Corte Mrs. Delores F. Denning Mr. Joseph A. Drap Mrs. Sandra Lyn Drap Ms. Carolyn A. Dunskis Mr. Gregory J. Flanagan Ms. Rita M. Fortino Dr. Robert J. Fredericks Mr. John M. Freese Mr. John A. Gaberino , Jr. Ms. Ardith E. Goodroe Mr. Frank D. Grimaldi Mrs. Winifred M. Guthikonda Mr. Richard H. Hagedorn Mr. David J. Hougan Ms. Lois J. Jacobs Mr. Michael C. Kirby Mrs. Barbara G. Klasing Mr. Wayne G. Klasing
Mr. Richard D. Kornowski Mr. John N. Kost Mrs. Sandra Kruse Mr. John D. Kwiatkowski Mr. Robert J. LaFortune Mrs. Ann G LaGere Mr. Anthony J. Lauinger Dr. Phyllis Lauinger Mrs. Bonnie J. Leighty Mr. William Leighty Mr. Thomas F. Leo Mrs. Connie Leos Mr. Steve Leos, Jr. Mrs. Barbara Jean L. Lichtfuss Mr. Earl L. Linehan Mr. Jerome J. Lui Ms. Dolores P. Lundeen Mr. Robert H. Mace, Jr., Th.M. Mrs. Elizabeth Manning Mr. Michael P. Manning Dcn. Terrance McGuire Mrs. Kathleen McGowan Mrs. Helen J. Merkelis Mrs. Dolores F. Michalski Mr. Donald V. Miller Ms. Debra Molinari Dr. Thomas J. Moore Mrs. Mary L. Nolan
Mrs. Adele M. O'Sullivan Mr. Harry J. O'Sullivan Mrs. Betty J. O'Toole Ms. Lorraine Pavelcik Mr. Donald A. Petkus Mrs. Nancy C. Petkus Mrs. Connee Pines Mr. William F. Pines Mr. Frank John Puncer Mr. Edward Raher Mr. Timothy M. Ramsay Mrs. Mary Ann Rasmussen Mr. Richard Rasmussen Mrs. Bernice A. Raubiskis Mrs. Pauline Reidy Mrs. Patricia J. Ryan-Fouts Mr. Robert J. Schmitz Mr. Michael B. Schneider, Jr. Mr. Philip A. Sgariglia Mrs. Lisa Ann Solava, P.H.R. Mr. Richard C. Solava Mr. John S. Sosnowski Mr. Joshua D. Stewart Mr. Ned Van Hamm Mr. David L. Vaughan Mrs. Lisa Vaughan Mr. Martin H. Wojcik