July News from the Province
July has been a month of transition and change. Please read below to learn about what has been going on within our Province!
The Midwest Augustinians lost our brother, Fr. Michael Slattery, O.S.A., on July 17, 2019. To read Fr. Slattery's full obituary, click here.
Fr. Kevin Mullins, O.S.A. from the California Province will be moving to the Theologate House of St. Augustine Friary to help with formation.
St. Rita High School is working with Catholic School Management, a consulting agency, to help with the search for a new president. They will be conducting initial interviews with constituency and provide consultation to the Prior Provincial who will then appoint a new president. Search timeline will continue into the next academic year. We will keep you updated.
During the Feasts of St. Augustine and St. Monica Celebratory Mass, that will be taking place on August 25, the Midwest Augustinians will be inducting the following new affiliates into the Order: Kenneth Stransky, Sr. Mary Ann Hamer, O.S.F., Aracely Garcia, Saul Corona, Daniel Garcia, Mary Anne Persicketti, June Persicketti, and MaryBeth Carroll.
The Midwest Augustinians will also be celebrating anniversaries of Professions and Ordinations during the Mass on August 25th of the following:
Fr. Thomas R. McCarthy, O.S.A. (Ordination) 25 years
Fr. David V. Petraitis, O.S.A.(Ordination) 40 years
Fr. Robert F. Dueweke, O.S.A. (Ordination) 40 years
Fr. Donald R. Lewandowski, O.S.A. (Ordination) 50 years
Fr. John A. Tyma, O.S.A., Fr. Joseph G. Stobba, O.S.A., Fr. Edward A. Andrew, O.S.A. (Ordination) 60 years
Fr. Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A., Fr. John D. Merkelis, O.S.A. (Profession) 40 years
Fr. Thomas L. Osborne, O.S.A., Fr. John Tasto, O.S.A., Fr. John Szura, O.S.A., Fr. Gerald A. Nicholas, O.S.A. (Profession) 60 years
Fr. Richie Mercado, O.S.A. has returned from the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. after completing a summer intensive toward Licentiate in Canon Law. He continues to serve as Province Secretary and part-time vocation director.
Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A. has retired after 30 years of teaching as a Religious Studies professor at DePaul University. He will be moving to the Theologate House of St. Augustine Friary.
This Thursday, August 1, will be the beginning of the Annual Augustinian Formation Gathering at Villanova which will include the Mass of First Professions for Michael Riggs, O.S.A.
Fr. Donald R. Lewandowski, O.S.A., former Prior at St. Augustine Monastery in Tulsa, moved to the Blessed Stephen Bellesini Friary in Crown Point, Indiana.
Br. Jack Tierney, O.S.A. will be starting his Diaconate internship at St. Turibius Parish. He will be living at the St. Turibius Friary as well.
Bishop Robert Prevost, O.S.A. of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru was appointed by Pope Francis to the Congregation of the Clergy and the Congregation of the Roman Curia. It is in charge of deciding policies for all priests and deacons.
Br. Sarfraz Alam, O.S.A., of the California Province, will be doing his Diaconate internship at St. Jude Parish and will be under the guidance and direction of Fr. Robert Basler, O.S.A.
Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish has a new Mass Service that is at 5:00pm and Fr. Joseph McCormick, O.S.A. has been appointed as Pastor for O.M.G.C.
Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish will also be having a Blood Drive, hosted by the Knights of Columbus, on August 4 from 8:00am until 12:00pm. For more information, please visit their website.
St. Bernard Parish has installed a beautiful refurbished crucifix. The corpus of the crucifix has been re-painted and the cross completely stripped and redone to look brand new.
St. Turibius Parish will be having their Annual Parish Fest on Saturday, August 17th from 5:30pm until 10:00pm. Please click here for more information on the event.
On November 17, 2019, Robert and Donna Merrifield, owners of the Polo Grill in Tulsa are sponsoring a dinner to support the ministries of the Midwest Augustinians. The hosts that evening are Fr. Tony Pizzo, O.S.A.and Fr. Stephen Isley, O.S.A., Prior of the Tulsa Augustinian Community. Funds raised will support vocations and formation, and retired and infirm friars. The suggested donation is $500 per person, and attendance is limited. Formal invitations will be sent by October 1. For more information, please contact Michael Gerrity, Director of Philanthropy, at 773-595-4035 or mikewger@gmail.com.
