Father Christopher C. Steinle, O.S.A., recently returned to Latin America  in his new ministry as an Augustinian missionary to the Province of St. Michael, headquartered in Quito, Ecuador.  Father Steinle began this service in February following several years of ministry for the domestic needs of the Midwest Augustinians’ Province.

Today we read about the 1995 Conference in Beijing, the statement by Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, and Pope Francis. Then, we ask ourselves some questions and pose some challenges.

Following recent announcements over the past few weeks, the Augustinians are pleased to announce that 3 more laypeople from Tulsa, Oklahoma, will join 14 others in being named Affiliates of the Augustinian Order.  Affiliation is the highest honor that the Augustinian Order can bestow upon a layperson.  Find out who all the Affiliates are here.

The Canadian Augustinian Province of St. Joseph joyfully announced that it will honor six laypeople with the religious order's highest honor:  Affiliation of the Faithful to the Order.  Learn who the six individuals are here.

A special announcement from the Prior of the Federation of Augustinians of North America/Prior Provincial of the Midwest Augustinians, regarding the newly named Director of Augustinian Formation.

On April 25, 2015, the Midwest Augustinians will affiliate eight new members to the religious order.  Affiliation is the highest honor a layperson may receive in the Augustinian Order; the honor is canonically recognized by the Augustinian Curia in Rome.   Which eight will be affiliated on this day?

Ted C. Berman, Founder/Owner of Berman Capital Management & Research, was recently appointed to serve a two-year term on the Augustinian Advancement Advisory Council.  The Very Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D., who is the Augustinians’ Prior Provincial, appointed Berman to serve on this voluntary council to help the advancement and communications efforts of the religious order.  Read more about Ted in this press release.

The Midwest Augustinians invite our supporters and readers of The Midwest Augustinian newsletter to participate in an important survey. Input on this survey is very important to us. Participants' responses will help us determine if we are communicating with our Augustinian Family effectively through our newsletter and other media. 

The Augustinians will be joining the United Nations in marking the international World Day of Social Justice.  The day is on February 20, but we would like to offer you some quotes and images for you to reflect upon in preparing for this day.

Pope Francis has announced that the first "International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking" will be celebrated in all dioceses and parishes in the world, in the groups and schools on February 8, 2015, the Feast Day of Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese slave, freed, who became a Canossian nun, and was declared a Saint in 2000.

Churches and schools are now preparing to celebrate the World Day of Consecrated Life, in observance, this upcoming weekend.  Here are some resources that you can use to help you bring the spirit of consecrated life to your parish, school, home, or office.

Celebrating his episcopal ordination as the fourth Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, the Most Rev. Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A., celebrated Mass in January, 2015.  Click here to see photo galleries from this special event, hosted at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in Chicago.