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People are renewed by love. As sinful desire ages them, so love rejuvenates them. Enmeshed in the toils of his desires, the psalmist laments: "I have grown old surrounded by my enemies." Love, on the other hand, is the sign of our renewal as we know from the Lord's own words: "I give you a new commandment--love one another." --St. Augustine, Sermon 350A
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Several Augustinians of the Midwest have recently received recognition or made significant accomplishments.
» Read about these Augustinian Achievers
To evaluate the execution of current Province programs, 17 Augustinian Friars gathered June 9 - 11 at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, Illinois, for an Intermediate Province Chapter.
The Chapter gave final approval to a new Mission Statement, which had been developed in a year-long process of dialogue and prayerful discernment.
In order to render the programs more effective, the Chapter also considered various issues related to Augustinian Religious Life, justice and peace, personnel needs, financial matters, ministries in schools, parishes and foreign missions, vocations, and the formation of new Friars.
The Chapter opened with a special Liturgy asking for guidance from the Holy Spirit and openness to receive the gifts of the Spirit (Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Courage, Reverence, Wonder and Awe before the Lord). Other community prayer and fraternal fellowship were part of the Chapter.
Participants in One World Week with Augustine May 12-18 enjoy fellowship and refreshments at Tolentine Monastery while sharing ideas on making their ministries with young people more effective. |
One World Week with Augustine, May 12-18, 2008, connected people around the world to experience the spirituality of St. Augustine, to have fun in the process, and to have a sense of being united with others elsewhere doing the same thing. The Augustinians of the Midwest had four sessions at Tolentine Center, the Province Headquarters in Olympia Fields, Illinois, focusing on ministry to the young: one for campus ministers, one for parish youth ministers, one for Directors of Religious Education and teachers, and one for all three groups, plus youths whom they wish to invite. An additional Midwest observance took place at Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Augustinian theme chosen for exploration there was Friendship. Participating groups studied this theme prior to the Week, and celebrated the fruits of their study by sharing them with the school community during the Week. Cascia Hall faculty member and Augustinian Scholar Fr. Ted Tack, O.S.A. preached on the theme during an All-School Mass May 8. At the end of each school day during the Week, students and faculty shared with the entire student body some insights into Augustine's thought. The One World Week concept originated in Ireland. Groups from the North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia took part. Fr. Terry Deffenbaugh, O.S.A., youth minister, author and Co-Director of Augustinian Seculars, coordinated the events. More information at » Augnet (Opens new window) |
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The Augustinians of the Midwest annually offer a limited number of small grants to support projects concerned with peace and justice in which Augustinians are involved and which have as a goal the production of systemic change for a more just society.
By offering funds, the Province hopes to encourage its Augustinian Friars to take an active role in such projects.
Upon the recommendation of the Justice and Peace Commission, two projects have been awarded 2008 grants. They are
St. Jude Parish Social Justice Ministry, New Lenox, Illinois, to educate parishioners on issues surrounding extreme global poverty and to support actions that make grassroots systemic changes which address these issues.
San José Obrero Parish, Chulucanas, Peru, to involve parishioners in resolving the environmental and health-related issues which face them.
Provincials and Province Councils from the four North American Augustinian Provinces explored ways in which the Provinces can increase their collaboration during the annual meeting of the North American Conference of Augustinian Provincials February 6-8 in San Diego.
They also planned for the June 8-12, 2009 North American Augustinian Convocation, to be held in St. Charles, Illinois. Friars from the four Provinces will come together at that time to celebrate who they are as Augustinians, and to have a serious conversation about how they can better work together to further the Augustinian mission in the U.S. and Canada.
The Provincials named to a Steering Committee for the Convocation: Thomas McCarthy, O.S.A. (Midwest), Leo Cameron, O.S.A. (Canada); Bill Donnelly, O.S.A. (East), and John Keller, O.S.A. (West Coast).
William Lego, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the Augustinians of the Midwest, was elected N.A.C.A.P. Chairperson for the next year.
Ground was broken February 14, 2008 for a new Catholic high school in Macomb County, Michigan. The Augustinians of the Midwest will administer the school when it is ready to open. Fall, 2009 is the projected opening time.
The school is to be named Austin Catholic Academy. Rev. David L. Brecht, O.S.A., a highly respected educator with many years of experience in teaching and school administration, has been named the first Headmaster.
Owned by the Archdiocese of Detroit, the school is the result of many years of effort by leaders and members of several local Catholic parishes. A committee is overseeing a campaign to obtain the necessary funding.
To learn more about Austin Catholic Academy,
» See complete information from the Archdiocese of Detroit (Opens new window)
» See Detroit News photo of the ground breaking (Opens new window)
» Read Detroit Free Press story about the ground breaking (Opens new window)
Teachers and administrators from 13 Augustinian High Schools became more aware of the Augustinian underpinnings of their mission at the latest session of the Institute for Augustinian Values in Education January 18-20 at St. Augustine High School, San Diego, California.
Participants came from the nine Augustinian Schools in the U. S. and Canada, two schools in Ireland, one school in England and one school in Australia.
Institute participants explored the implications of Augustinian educational values and considered ways in which these values can be applied more effectively in their schools.
Based on the core values of Truth, Unity and Love, workshop sessions examined topics such as
Augustine: His experience and teaching as inspiration for Christian life and expression of Gospel values
Truth: The search for truth, love for learning, interiority
Community: Unity - one mind, one heart
Love: Compassion, care, love and service
One Mind, One Heart: One vision and a common will
Finding the Core Value DNA in school programs, e.g., athletics
The next session of the Institute will be October 24-26, 2008 at Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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Augustinian seminarians from all three United States Provinces and from Canada have a new home. The new St. Augustine Friary, Chicago, was dedicated in a November 17, 2007 ceremony of blessing. While residing at St. Augustine, new Friars will receive initial formation in the Augustinian way of life and will study Theology at nearby Catholic Theological Union. Formerly a six-flat apartment building, the Friary was remodeled to include a community chapel, a large living room and a dining room, and to increase the number of bedrooms. There is space for 25 Friars. The four North American Augustinian Provinces collaborate to operate the Theologate. |
Rev. William Lego, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the Augustinians of the Midwest, blesses the community chapel at St. Augustine Friary, the new North American Augustinian Theologate in Chicago. The Friary was dedicated November 17, 2007. |
![J. Stephen Payne, O.S.A. [left], professes first vows August 5, 2007.](img/newspayneprof.jpg)
Br. J. Stephen Payne, O.S.A. (right), the newest Augustinian Friar, professes first temporary vows in the Order of St. Augustine August 5, 2007. Prior Provincial William Lego, O.S.A. (center) receives Brother Payne's profession. Brother Payne is now continuing his initial formation as an Augustinian at St. Augustine Friary, Chicago. |
A young man has taken another step on his vocational journey. Upon completion of his Novitiate year, J. Stephen Payne, O.S.A. made his first profession of temporary vows in the Order of St. Augustine. Approximately 40 Augustinian friars, family members and friends gathered August 5, 2007 at St. Jude Church, New Lenox, Illinois, for the profession ceremony. At the Novitiate, the Novices spend one year studying Augustinian spirituality, the Sacred Scriptures, prayer, the Rule of St. Augustine and the Constitutions of the Augustinian Order. As Novices, they also discern if God is calling them to commit themselves to the Augustinian way of life. Two other friars, Robert Basler, O.S.A., and Kevin D. Plankinton, O.S.A., renewed their temporary vows, and are continuing their initial formation as Augustinians. |
Cultivating an Augustinian Identity within Parish Ministry was the topic of the Augustinian Parish Ministers Conference held July 31 - August 1, 2007 at Fullerton Cenacle, Chicago.
Twenty-four friars from the three U.S. Provinces and the Province of Australia took part.
The PowerPoint presentation gives a brief overview of the purpose, goals, process, input and output of the Conference.
» See the PowerPoint summary of the Conference (Opens new window)
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Six persons from the Midwest returned from the Augustinian International Youth Ministers Congress in Rome affirmed, inspired and enthused about their ministries with young people. “Different Paths, One Goal” was the theme of the Congress, held July 18-24 at the Augustinian International Headquarters.. Participants found inspiration in sharing with other youth ministers from around the world on the challenges they face. Several mentioned the Augustinian sense of community as one of the outstanding aspects. Terry Deffenbaugh, O.S.A., author and youth retreat director, especially appreciated the discussions in small groups and the sense of family. Jack Hibbard, O.S.A. of Cascia Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma, said that he gained additional insight into working with youths. Leticia Gutiérrez-Kenny of St. Rita Parish, Racine, Wisconsin, came away from the Congress wanting to learn more about Augustinian spirituality. She plans to focus on Augustinian themes in her parish during the coming year. A total of 75 persons from Augustinian ministries in 21 countries took part in the Congress. They included 22 Augustinian friars and 53 lay ministers. Other Midwest participants were Bonnie Leighty (Cascia Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma), Sara Flusche and Lisa Bellows (both of St. Mary Parish, Gainesville, Texas). |
Augustinian Youth Ministers Congress participants from the Midwest U.S. enjoy dinner at Collegio Santa Monica during the Congress. They are (from left) Sara Flusche, Leticia Gutiérrez-Kenny, Jack Hibbard, O.S.A., Lisa Bellows, Terry Deffenbaugh, O.S.A. and Bonnie Leighty . |
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The Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest) is undergoing a process of accreditation for its policies and procedures related to promoting ethical ministry and safe environments for the people with whom they minister, especially minors.
The Province participates in a program designed by Praesidium, Inc. called Instruments of Hope and Healing. This program has led the Province through the many steps required for accreditation.
In January, 2007, Praesidium, Inc. conducted a visitation of the Province. Three major areas were reviewed: Prevention of misconduct, Response to allegations of misconduct and Supervision of any member of the Province who may need it.
Praesidium, Inc. has provided a preliminary written report. This preliminary report indicates that, in general, the policies and practices of the Province are in compliance with Praesidium's accreditation standards. The report pointed out the need for a “safety plan” for the supervision of any friar having an allegation against him of abuse of minors which cannot be dismissed as not credible. A written safety plan is being formulated. When completed, the plan will be submitted to Praesidium, Inc. for review and approval.
» Learn more about Augustinian efforts to maintain ethical ministry
Several communications have been sent recently to the Augustinian Provincialate praising Augustinian Friars for the ways in which they share their gifts in ministry.
» Read comments about Augustinians in ministry
Father William Lego, O.S.A. is serving a four-year term as leader of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel of the Order of St. Augustine.
Father Lego was officially installed June 5, 2006 at the Province Chapter. The installation took place during a public ceremony attended by Augustinian friars and friends of the Order.
» Learn more about the Augustinians of the Midwest's Provincial
The Prior General (worldwide leader) of the Augustinian Order, re-elected to a second six-year term at the General Chapter held in Rome September 3 - 23, 2007, is a member of the Augustinians of the Midwest. He is Fr. Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A., a native of Chicago, Illinois.
In addition to the Prior General, International Augustinian leaders are:
Vicar General: Giancarlo Ceriotti, O.S.A., of the Province of Italy
Assistants General:
Alejandro Moral, O.S.A., of the Province of Spain
Franz Klein, O.S.A., of the Province of Germany
Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., of the Province of Villanova (U.S.A.)
Fernando Zarazua, O.S.A., of the Province of the Michoacán (Mexico)
Rommel Par, O.S.A., of the Province of Cebu (Philippines)
Secretary General: Miguel Angel Martín Juárez, O.S.A., of the Province of Spain
Econome General: Martin Micallef, O.S.A., of the Province of Malta
Procurator General: Alejandro Moral, O.S.A., of the Province of Spain
» Patrick E. Murphy, O.S.A., died May 14, 2008
» Alvin P. Metzger, O.S.A., died November 9, 2007
» Read about those Augustinian friars who entered eternal life at an earlier time
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