In his 2016 State of the Province Address, the Very Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D., announced the appointment of a new pastor at St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Racine, Wisconsin.  Father O'Leary comes to us from the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, headquartered in Villanova, Pennsylvania.  With this being his first assignment in the Midwest, please take a moment to learn a little more about Father by reading about his background here.

In his most 2016 State of the Province Address, the Very Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D., appointed Fr. Robert Basler, O.S.A., to serve as the new Associate Pastor of Saint Jude Catholic Church in New Lenox, Illinois.  Father Basler will begin serving there this summer.  If you want to get to know a little about him before he arrives, read this article and share with others!

The pages of the new book Legendary Locals of Chicago Lawn and West Lawn are filled with tales of people who make up the story, or, in some cases, add spice to the story of this section of the city. Highlighted locals include several Augustinians, Augustinian Affiliates, as well as, many graduates and associates of Augustinian schools.

The Augustinians are grateful to Peter Lisnic for devoting his time to serving as a trustee on the Journey of a Lifetime Trust, among other trusts benefiting the Augustinians.  The Journey of a Lifetime Trust benefits retired and infirm friars.  He also serves on the boards of The Fr. Ray Ryan OSA Trust for Vocations and the Good Counsel Trust benefiting operational needs of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.

St. Rita of Cascia High School announced today the appointment of Fr. Paul W. Galetto, O.S.A., Ph.D., to the position of Head of School and CEO.  The appointment is effective July 1, and is among four made by the Very Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D., Augustinian Prior Provincial and current chairman of the school's Board of Directors.  Fr. Galetto will be responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the Catholic college-preparatory school for young men that is located on Chicago's southwest side.

Augustinians of the Midwest are encouraged to mark the United Nations' World Environment Day, June 5, 2016, in their communities and ministries. The Augustinians invite and encourage all who identify with Augustinian spirituality and traditions to do likewise.

On April 22, 2016, the Midwest Augustinians honored Ernie Mrozek, President of Saint Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago, for his outstanding commitment to Augustinian education.  He was one of three to be honored at our fourth annual Augustinian Gala.  He shared some great thoughts about the values that the Augustinians bring into our society after comedically explaining the advice his wife gave him in preparing his speech.

On April 18, the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) marked a day for the protection of historical monuments.  In Peru, to celebrate this day, each state designated one of its monuments for a "facelift" with a new coating of paint.  In the state of La Libertad, where Trujillo is the capital, for the first time a church was chosen that is not in the capital city.  The church is the ancient Augustinian church in the town of Jequetepeque.

On Tuesday, 26 April 2016, the Feast of Our Mother of Good Counsel, it has been announced that the Holy Father Francis has named our brother, Manuel Herrero Fernandez, of the Province of Spain, Bishop of the Diocese of Palencia, Spain.

Father Mike delivered this speech when he was honored at this year’s Augustinian Gala:  "As I have grown older, I’ve learned more and more about how God points out the path for our life.  As I look back, I marvel at so many graces given by God’s hand..."

Our fourth annual Augustinian Gala - held on April 22, 2016, at the Drake Hotel in Chicago - was a great success!  We are still crunching the numbers, but it looks like we set a record in how much we raised:  proceeds of about $140,000!  Wow!  Please join us in thanking all those took major sponsorships, those who sponsored tables, and those who placed ads in our program book.  You made it happen!

Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A., gives his 2016 State of the Province Report as our Prior Provincial.  He his halfway through his second term, which will conclude in 2018.  The report includes updates on new assignments for the friars, vocations, advancement, and more.