5 Augustinians Celebrating Their Anniversaries of Priesthood
/The Augustinians have impacted thousands of lives across the Midwest. Their commitment to serving the Church and God's people is both a daily sacrifice and a daily reward. It is for this reason that we recognize five friars for marking significant anniversaries of their ordinations to the priesthood.
Congratulations!
Fr. Jim Friedel, O.S.A.
Celebrating 50 Years of Priesthood
- Graduate of Mendel Catholic High School (Chicago)
- Earned Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Master in Theology from Tolentine College (Olympia Fields, IL)
- Earned Master of Arts in Religious Education from Loyola University Chicago
- Earned Doctorate in Ministry from St. Mary of the Lake University (Mundelein, IL)
- Renewal Programs in Parish Ministry and Spirituality of Teresa of Avila and Jung
- Teacher at Mendel Catholic High School (Chicago) and St. Augustine Seminary High School (Holland, MI)
- Formation Work at St. Augustine Seminary High School (Holland, MI) and Master of Professed at Tolentine and St. John Stone Friary
- Director of Marriage Encounter
- Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish (Chicago)
- Parish Retreats and Missions
- Prior of Tolentine Monastery and currently Prior of St. Jude Community in New Lenox
Fr. Martin Laird, O.S.A.
Celebrating 25 Years of Priesthood
- Graduated from Cascia Hall Preparatory School, Tulsa
- Earned Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University
- Earned Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology from Catholic Theological Union
- Earned Licentiate of Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) in Rome
- Earned Ph.D. in Patristics from University of London/Oxford
- Vice-Master of Professed at St. Monica in Rome
- Teacher at Cascia Hall Preparatory School, Tulsa
- Professor at Villanova University for 17 Years and 13 Years in Residence Hall
- Presented to Dalai Lama and Patriarch of Constantinople
Fr. Fred Taggart, O.S.A.
Celebrating 50 Years of Priesthood
- Attended Austin Catholic High School in Detroit, then graduated from St. Augustine Seminary High School in Holland, Michigan
- Earned Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Masters in Theology from Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois
- Earned Master of Arts in Math from Villanova University
- Earned Master of Science in Physics from Notre Dame University
- Earned Master of Arts in Formation Spirituality from Duquense University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Member of "Renew Team," Augustinian Spirituality Workshop in Rome, and Continuing Formation Workshop at Notre Dame
- Teacher at Mendel Catholic High School (Chicago), Austin Catholic High School (Detroit), and St. Augustine Seminary High School (Holland, MI)
- Formation work at St. Augustine Seminary High School (Holland, MI), St. Francis De Sales in Milwaukee, and St. John Stone Friary in Chicago
- Pastor in St. Peter Parish (Douglas, MI), St. Clare of Montefalco (Grosse Pointe Park, MI), and St. Matthew (Flint, MI)
Fr. Jerry Van Overbeek, O.S.A. (Not pictured)
Celebrating 50 Years of Priesthood
- Graduate of St. Rita of Cascia High School (Chicago)
- Earned Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Master in Theology from Tolentine College (Olympia Fields, IL)
- Earned Master of Science in Library Science from Villanova University
- Earned Master of Arts in Theology from University of San Francisco
- CPE (Continuing Professional Education) Certification from University of San Francisco
- Archivist Certification from University of Denver
- Spiritual Direction Certification from St. Louis University and Loyola Marymount (California)
- Renewal Programs attending the Institute of Religious Formation and Augustinian Spirituality in Rome
- Teacher and Librarian at Austin Friary (Matteson, IL) and Tolentine College (Olympia Fields, IL)
- Teacher at St. Rita of Cascia High School (Chicago)
- Director of Pre-Novitiate Program at Villanova University
- Chaplain at Georgetown Hospital and St. James Hospital
- Chaplain at Alvernia Manor (Lemont, IL)
Fr. Terry Deffenbaugh, O.S.A.
Celebrating 40 Years of Priesthood
- Graduate of Augustinian Academy (St. Louis)
- Earned Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Tolentine College (Olympia Fields, IL)
- Earned Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union (Chicago)
- Retreat work offered through Tolentine Monastery (Olympia Fields, IL) and Austin Friary (Matteson, IL)
- Teacher and Campus Minister at University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL)
215 Years of Priestly Service
The men above have contributed a combined 215 years of priestly service. The five of them have made life-changing impacts in our world. We ask you to please consider a gift to the Augustinians in honor of one of them. All tribute gifts will be listed in the next issue of The Midwest Augustinian quarterly newsletter. You may designate your gift to support vocations, retired Augustinians, or missions in Peru.
