January News Briefs
Here is a look at the events of the past month and what is on the horizon for the Midwest Province:
The 8th annual Augustinian Gala will be held on Friday, April 24, at the Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago. This year’s honorees are Fr. Daniel Hartigan (posthumous); Fr. Jim Thompson; Mark Hacker; and Robert Sullivan. Event and registration information can be found at AugustinianGala.org
Br. Jack Tierney, O.S.A. will be ordained to the Order of Presbyter on Saturday, April 25, 2020, at St. Rita Shrine Chapel in Chicago. His Mass of Thanksgiving will be held on Sunday, April 26 at St. Turibius Parish.
The Archdiocese of Chicago announced on Wednesday, February 5 that it had accepted the recommendation of the Renew My Church Commission to consolidate the Augustinian parish of St. Rita of Cascia with St. Clare of Montefalco (a former Augustinian parish) on Chicago’s southwest side. Effective July 1, 2020 St. Clare of Montefalco will become part of the Augustinian parish of St. Rita of Cascia and will operate as a chapel of St. Rita Parish. St. Rita of Cascia will remain the parish church, where the business office and records are kept. The Augustinians serving St. Rita of Cascia will continue to lead the parish, whose mission will expand to include St. Clare of Montefalco. Fr. Homero Sanchez, O.S.A. will continue to serve as Pastor of St. Rita and St. Clare Chapel.
Br. Jack and Fr. Tom at the FOCUS Conference in Phoenix
Our Vocations Director, Fr. Tom McCarthy. O.S.A. has provided the following update on his ministry for the Province: “Jack Tierney, Bernadette DiLucido and I attended the Focus Conference in Phoenix from Dec 31-Jan 4. It was very successful because we were able to give our info on the Order to about 1,000 students and many thousands more were able to view our booth and material. We had seven young men give us their contact info. That is actually a large number. Three young men are in the application process for admittance into the pre novitiate beginning this August. Let’s all keep our eyes and ears open to young men and women who may be open to our way of life. Don’t be afraid to invite and ask. I’m here to help in any way possible.”
Fr. Pizzo and Bishop Turley at the tomb of Bishop John McNabb in Chulucanas
Prior Provincial Fr. Tony Pizzo, O.S.A. travelled to the Augustinian missions in Northern Peru for the Annual Assembly of the Vicariate of St. John of Sahagun of Chulucanas. His trip included stops at the Augustinian Communities in Trujillo, Pacaipampa, Morropon, and Chulucanas. Fr. Tony also had a wonderful fraternal visit with Bishop Dan Turley, O.S.A., who is still anticipating hearing from the Papal Nuncio regarding the appointment of his Episcopal successor.
SEE ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE VISITATION TO PERU
The initial phase of construction for the St. Augustine School in Trujillo (K-6) has been completed and the staff and faculty are prepared to welcome students for the beginning of the academic year in March 2020.
The School of St. Augustine in Trujillo Peru
Fr. Edinson Edgardo Farfán Córdova, O.S.A. was ordained by the Apostolic Nuncio of Peru to the position of Bishop of the Prelature of Chuquibambilla on Saturday, January 4 at Parroquia Santa Rita in Cusco, Peru.
Br. Pepe Nuñez Carrasco, O.S.A. made his Solemn Profession of Vows to Fr. Ramiro Castillo Castro, O.S.A., the Regional Vicar of Chulucanas, on January 10th, 2020. The Mass of Profession was celebrated by Bishop Edinson, with Fr. Tony preaching. Br. Pepe anticipates his ordination to the diaconate and priesthood within the year.
The small zone of Paccha in the Diocese of Chulucanas graciously surprised Prior Provincial Fr. Tony with a warm and lively reception, featuring a parade, traditional dancing performances, and live music. Please watch the slideshow we put together here! Fr. Pizzo then celebrated mass with the townspeople, which was followed by more food, song, and dance!
The Provincial Peace and Justice Commission convened on Monday, February 3 to discuss several projects related to immigration, racial equality, and care for the environment. The commission is comprised of Br. Jack Tierney, Chair; Br. Spencer Thomas, Secretary; Br. Thomas Taylor; Fr. Tony Pizzo; and Fr. Homero Sanchez. Members voted to approve funding for a promotional video explaining their ministries and goals, and they prepared a report for the upcoming mid-chapter.
The Midwest Augustinian Secondary Education Commission provided the following update:
Led by the able hands of Maria Ribera from Catholic Schools Management, the heads of schools of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel gathered in Detroit, Michigan on Friday, January 31, 2020, bookended by a social and dinner on Thursday, January 30, and Friday evening. Mrs. Janel Coppins, Head of School at Austin Catholic High School in Chesterfield, Michigan, and her staff were the hosts for this event.
The Secondary Education Commission is comprised of the heads of schools and members of the province. This day of meeting focused on clarifying the mission and vision of the Commission, its role as a resource for and representative of the Province, and articulating what they believed to be the most important issues as Augustinian schools in the relationship between mission and values, especially in these changing times. Conversation regarding how best the Province representative and leader of the Commission (Fr. Richard A. Young, O.S.A., D.Min.) could serve in his capacity to animate and support the members and member-schools was also discussed. Ms. Ribera provided the Commission with much food for thought and conversation, as well as a renewed energy toward our Augustinian charism in living our values of Truth, Unity, and Love. “
Fr. Jim Thompson, O.S.A. is recovering from his recent hip replacement surgery. He has returned home to his community at St. John Stone Friary in Chicago, and he is receiving physical therapy.
Fr. Fred Taggert, O.S.A. in Tulsa is recovering from a cardiac condition which is now under control.
On Tuesday, January 14th, St. Rita hosted its annual blood drive with the help of LifeSource Blood Center. Over 50 students participated by giving blood along with an additional 10 faculty and staff members.
Augustinian Parish News
St. Turibius Parish in Chicago will be holding a Parish Mission over the month of March. The Topic is Prayer. The topics per week are : 1. Meditation and Contemplation, 2. Public Prayer, 3. The Bible and Prayer, 4. The Eucharist
At St Jude Parish, the Caritas Corner Food Pantry has toiletries, soap, detergents, and food staples available for those in need. Call the Parish Office if you are in need of assistance.
The St. Jude Knights of Columbus hosted a blood drive on January 23 to benefit local blood banks.
St. Jude Parish will hold their St. Valentine Dinner and Dance on Saturday, February 15 from 6:30pm until 11:30pm. Please contact the Parish Office for more information.
At St. Bernard Parish, the Knights of Columbus hosted a movie night on January 29 where they screened "Unplanned". This is movie is based on the memoir written Abby Johnson.
St. Bernard has a new ministry at the Parish called Charitable Action Ministry. The purpose is to provide assistance to those in need. The group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 4:30pm. Please check the bulletin for more information.
St. Michael Pro-Life Ministry is sponsoring a Madri Gras to benefit Aid for Women. The event will be taking place on February 21 and tickets are $50. For more information, please contact Nancy Wilscke at (708) 548-6078.
At Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, the Knights of Columbus sponsored a 9-Day Novena from January 21 through January 29. It was an online novena with daily intentions and reflections on pro-life issues.
OMGC is also looking for volunteers for the Lockport Fish Food Pantry. For more information, please check out their website lockportfoodpantry.com.
