Advancement Progress Report
Written by Mr. Gregory Jania, Vice-Chairman of the Province Advancement Council
The Augustinians have been a big part of my life for over 25 years, and I was honored to have been asked to join the Advancement Council and serve as Vice-Chairman. I graduated from, and currently serve on the board of, St. Rita of Cascia High School, and my wife and I were married by the late Fr. Walter McNicholas, O.S.A. My family has a long association with the Augustinians, as my father was a 1964 St. Rita grad and taught there for eight years. As long as I can remember, I always looked up to my father and wanted to be like him. When it came time to choose a high school, my Dad didn’t force me to go to St. Rita. He probably didn’t realize it at the time, but he knew from working with the Augustinians that to truly love something, you need to choose it for yourself. My Dad was always there for me and offered great support and advice. I felt that some of what made my father a great man must have been from his experience at St. Rita and with the Augustinians, so St. Rita became an easy decision for me.
After graduating from St. Rita, I spent my junior year in college overseas. Before leaving for Scotland, Fr. McNicholas gave me an Augustinian prayer book which I still have today. I still read that book when I need to feel closer to God or family due to my travel schedule and the craziness of everyday life. Recently, a friend of mine who recently had his first child asked what the secret is to being a great dad. First, I asked him jokingly why he was asking me because I make mistakes all the time. But as I thought about it, I realized the values that have shaped my life, my marriage, and my parenting were grounded in the Augustinian values of Truth, Unity, and Love that were fostered in me not just by the Augustinian priests but by the entire Augustinian community they created at St. Rita.
I volunteered for the Advancement Council because I believe that Augustinian values and communities are worth preserving and growing. I want to pay forward what the Augustinians have helped me achieve throughout my life. I want to see the Augustinians continue to thrive and grow and for my grandchildren to live in a world where the Augustinians are shaping lives. The Council is working to ensure that our retired Augustinians are cared for and that our seminarians are well-educated. This is important because of what these religious have already done for us and to show the current and next generation of Augustinians that the Order is thriving and vibrant and will support them in their time of need.
Province Advancement Council
- Ms. Anne Berschback
- Mr. Donald Berschback
- Mr. Robert Biolchini
- Mr. Matthew F. Coughlin, III
- Mr. Mark S. Hacker
- Mr. Gregory Jania,
Vice-Chairman - Mr. Wayne Klasing, Chairman
- Mr. Anthony J. Lauinger
- Rev. Joseph E. McCormick, O.S.A.
- Very Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D., Prior Provincial
- Mr. Robert Sullivan
- Mr. Mike Zunica
