The Augustinians, Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova

Contents Letter from the Provincial Province Embarks on $25 Million Fundraising Initiative At Home in Japan Traveling Together...Augustinian Affiliates Footsteps The Augustinian Family: Profile Journey to Africa with the Augustinians Interested in Religious Life? Keeping Track Letter from the Provincial Dear Friend, When Augustine formed that first circle of friends at Thagaste in 388, he put into place a way of living that reflected his spirituality — a community in one mind and one heart intent on God. In many ways, no matter where a friar might serve, this is his first ministry: community. It is in this spirit that we as a Province have tackled an enormous project: the renovation of Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery on the Villanova University campus. I am extremely excited by this project, because more than “bricks and mortar,” this is a unique renovation built around our Augustinian ministry of community. In addition to the necessary repairs of an aged building, the current renovation will bring together three major focal points of Augustinian community life: prayer, common life, and mealtime. By situating a chapel, common room and dining room adjacent to each other, we are making a living testimony to our way of life. Just as exciting, this renovation will be a public testimony to Augustinian life as well. Augustine didn’t form a community of monks to live the life of a hermit. Rather, he envisioned a community of religious that lived in and of this world. Likewise, our renovated monastery is witness to Augustine’s vision. Picture a new glass chapel facing the interior of the campus; an Augustinian Way of Life Center that will house our vocation office; a Heritage Room that will tell the story of the Augustinians and Villanova University; a residential care center that will engage nursing students from Villanova and keep infirm friars living in community with us; the addition of offices and rooms where friars can meet with students, faculty, friends and family; and more. This is an exciting endeavor, and while at times the process of such a project has been tiring, it is also one that continually energizes me, for it is a constant reminder of what we Augustinians are all about — community. Together as a community, we are embarking on our first major fundraising initiative in over 40 years — a $25 million endeavor that will support the monastery renovations and create endowments for the missions, the Augustinian Volunteers, the education and formation of friars, and care for the elderly. It is a considerable undertaking, but one that is more than achievable. Our friars have touched countless lives in their various ministries, and we rely on the support of those to whom we have ministered to achieve our goals. In this way our friars will be able to continue to concentrate their efforts on doing what it is they do best: creating community by ministering to others as servants of God. More important than dollars raised, this fundraising endeavor offers a tremendous opportunity for us to bring the entire Augustinian family together. People know us in countless ways: parish priest, high school teacher, counselor, friend, social worker, university professor, coworker, and so on. Indeed, we are all these things. And though our ministries may be varied, they are all rooted in our first ministry: a community of friends journeying together. Yes, journeying together. We are many in ministry but one in faith. Joining together, let us move forward as a family, growing the Augustinian family as we share in Augustine’s spiritual legacy. Together, let us embrace the future . . . Yours in Saint Augustine, Donald F. Reilly, O.S.A. Prior Provincial Embracing the Future: Province Embarks on $25 Million Fundraising Initiative For the first time in over 40 years, the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova is embarking on a major fundraising initiative that will ensure the continued ministry of the Augustinians well into the 21st century. As Prior Provincial of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, Father Donald Reilly, O.S.A., knows well the needs of the Province. “It is essential that we prepare for the future now,” says Father Reilly, “so that we can continue our ministry of service to God’s people for generations to come. In my two years as prior provincial, I’ve been blessed to witness the love so many people have expressed for our friars. As witness to this, and as witness to the dedicated ministry of our friars, I am confident that together with the extended Augustinian family, we will achieve our goals.” The campaign, “Embracing the Future,” seeks $25 million both to create endowments for the various ministries of the Province and to support the renovations of Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery on the Villanova University campus. Renovation of Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery ($12.5 million) In December of 2002, 56 friars moved from their home at the center of the Villanova University campus, Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery. When they return later this year, it will be to a completely renovated building. The age of the building — and the age of the friars — both mandated the renovations. Not only will the renovations update the monastery according to current building codes, but it will incorporate a residential care center that will be able to provide for most of the health care needs of an aging Province. This center, which will encompass the entire second floor of the monastery, gives the Province the opportunity to care for its own friars rather than outsourcing that care. “It speaks to our very being,” says Father Reilly. “First and foremost, we are a community of brothers, and the residential care center will help us keep that community together. We are family, and we take care of our own.” Incorporated into the residential care center will be a physician’s examination room, nurse’s station, physical rehabilitation facility, common dayroom and a dining room for friars who are unable to dine in the monastery dining room. The residential care center will also help connect the friars to the University campus, as it will provide internship opportunities for students at Villanova’s School of Nursing. The entire renovation is centered around an Augustinian way of life, and the renovated building will reflect just that. The common room, dining room and a new chapel will all be located in one central section of the monastery, giving witness to the importance of community life for the Augustinians. Not only will the renovated building enhance the life of the Augustinian community living there, but it will enhance the Augustinians’ presence on the Villanova University campus as well. The new chapel, which has three sides constructed of glass, faces the heart of the campus, where students and the entire Villanova community will be able to see the friars in prayer. A constant reminder of the Augustinian roots of the University, the new glass chapel will also stand as a testament to the value of the religious way of life. Other components to the renovated building will also help enhance the Augustinian presence on campus. New offices and meeting rooms are being constructed that will provide opportunities for members of the Villanova community and the retired friars, whose wisdom and counsel can provide comfort and insight, to come together in conversation, friendship and prayer. In addition, a new Way of Life Center, which will include the Vocation Office of the Province, will be housed in the monastery, giving opportunities for students and others to discover the Augustinian way of life. An Augustinian Heritage Center will also be housed in the renovated monastery, giving visitors an opportunity to explore Villanova’s Augustinian roots and the history of the Province. Care & Support Endowment ($7 million) Senior friars continue to teach and preach, celebrate Mass, preside at weddings, baptize children, and minister to others in countless ways. While Augustinians spend a lifetime compassionately caring for others, the time eventually comes when they are in need of compassionate care themselves. An endowment for care and support will help provide friars with the assistance they need to continue serving others. In addition to providing physical, speech and occupational therapy for friars who have become ill, this endowment will enable the Province to institute programs that enhance the quality of life for older friars — challenging programs in the arts and humanities, wellness and technology, volunteer services, and more. Such an endowment will also provide safe transportation for older friars to the places they continue to minister. Aging does not translate into inactivity for friars, and this endowment will enable older friars to do what they have always done — serve others. Missions Endowment ($2 million) From the barren fields of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa to the mountains of Chulucanas, Peru, from the seaside cities of Japan to the back alleys of the Bronx, the Augustinians create relevant ways to tend to easing both spiritual and physical suffering. In each of the Augustinian missions — domestic and abroad — the Augustinians have become a beacon of hope, a source of local economic growth, and initiator of stability. Just as these missions have enriched the lives of those touched by the Augustinians, they have enriched the Order as well. Each of the missions has inspired others to discover their own vocation, revitalizing the Augustinians with new friars from around the globe. In a world where the gap between those who have and those who have not has widened, the needs of the missions continue to grow. An endowment will enable friars to focus their energies on what they are called to do by God — nurture the soul, feed the spirit, and strengthen people’s abilities to care for themselves. Augustinian Volunteers Endowment ($2 million) One of the most exciting new ministries of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova is its Augustinian Volunteers program, which enters its 5th year of ministry this September. The program gives young men and women the opportunity to spend a year of their lives living in community with one another and serving the needs of the Church. Each volunteer community also shares in the life of an Augustinian community nearby, which presents opportunities to profoundly reinforce the spiritual commitment of the volunteers. To the broader community, it is a powerful testament to the Augustinian way of life that these young men and women choose to live in community with one another while serving those in need. With 66 alumni to date, the Augustinian Volunteers program enters the 2004-05 service year with sites in Philadelphia, PA, the Bronx, NY, Lawrence, MA, Chicago, IL, and San Diego, CA. An endowment will ensure the growth of the program — and the Augustinian family — into the future. Vocation, Education and Formation Endowment ($1.5 million) The challenge of vocations and ongoing formation is the challenge of continual conversion. This is the essence of the Augustinian way of life. To address this challenge strongly and effectively, the Province plans to offer programs that offer intellectual, spiritual and Augustinian enrichment, for the Augustinian family and also for the larger community of the entire Church. An endowment will help ensure the formation of future friars and the ongoing formation of the friars working in Augustinian ministry. Above and beyond the endowments created, this campaign has the power to reinvigorate not only the Province, but the extended Augustinian family as well. It will connect the Province with the countless individuals to whom the Augustinians have ministered over the years. Together, as one Augustinian family, we will “Embrace the Future...” $5.6 million raised to date . . . Find out how you can get involved in this initiative — click here or contact: Natalie Agraz, Development Director Augustinian Provincial Offices P.O. Box 340 Villanova, PA 19085-0340 610.527.3330 ext. 265 development@augustinian.org At Home in Japan It still amazes me, really. 17 hours of air travel away from my family. In a country 7000 miles away. Surrounded by people who speak a different language. Where signs are not merely in a different language, but written in unfamiliar characters. And yet here, in Japan, I couldn’t have felt more at home. It’s a lesson learned by anyone who travels to Japan and it’s certainly a lesson learned by anyone who knows the Augustinians. Combine Japanese hospitality with Augustinian community and you’re never far from home. The story of the Augustinian mission in Japan is one that spans centuries. In 1602, Augustinian friars from the Philippines arrived in Japan, built the Church of the Holy Spirit in Nagasaki, and soon after more churches followed. Sadly, however, missionaries and their converts soon came under severe persecution. Beginning in 1611, missions were destroyed and missionaries exiled or martyred. Augustinians and other religious orders continued to preach the gospel despite the persecution, and from 1623-25 some 650 Christians were martyred. Subsequent attempts at establishing a mission church failed, but the seed had been planted. For centuries, Catholicism continued on in secret in the Nagasaki underground. In 1952, 350 years after their first arrival in Japan, the Augustinians were invited by the Diocese of Nagasaki to return to Japan. Three Augustinians — Father Edward Griffin, O.S.A., Father George Krupa, O.S.A., and Father Tom Purcell, O.S.A. — accepted the invitation. Leaving Villanova, they saw firsthand the atomic wreckage of the Shiroyama area in Nagasaki. Today the Atom Bomb Museum in Nagasaki displays countless photos of Nagasaki just after the bombing. The devastation and destruction is indescribable. This is where Fathers Griffin, Krupa and Purcell journeyed. This is where the Augustinian mission in Japan would begin . . . again. The Augustinian mission has continued to grow since it set roots in Nagasaki. Today, Augustinians minister in four seaside cities throughout Japan: Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Nagoya and Tokyo. Though the Catholic population in Japan is small, the friars minister to a growing community of faith. Shiroyama Catholic Church, Nagasaki Two years after Fathers Griffin, Krupa and Purcell arrived in Nagasaki, they established Shiroyama Catholic Church, located just 800 meters from the epicenter of the atom bomb explosion. A kindergarten, elementary and junior high school soon followed — Saint Mary’s School, the first parochial school in all of Japan. Today, both the parish and the school thrive. Walking along the grounds, you are met with proud parishioners and enthusiastic students. And for good reason — the parish community celebrates the 50th anniversary of its foundation this year, and they are celebrating it in a beautifully designed church which the parish community helped build in 2000. The school community gathers for a special Mass at the church while I am there. While the Japanese tend to be reserved and poised by nature, there is an air of excitement in the Eucharistic celebration. The entire Augustinian community in Japan is gathered in Nagasaki for the celebration, and the fruits of their labors are evident. Those first Augustinian missionaries to Japan would likewise be proud, for their tiny foundation in Nagasaki has grown into a dedicated community of faith-filled people. After the celebration, children eagerly approach the friars, trading jokes, greetings and stories in both Japanese and English. It is a spirited community that owes its existence in part to the spirited Father Tom Purcell, one of those first missionaries to Japan. While the school community gathers, he is in the nearby hospital that he calls home. Father Purcell is legendary in these parts — both to the parishioners and to the friars ministering in Japan. While his aging body has kept him in the hospital, his spirit continues to inspire. It’s been over 50 years since Father Purcell landed in Nagasaki, and to see the spirited parish community celebrate its golden jubilee this year is a gift the entire Augustinian community in Japan treasures. Sasaoka Church, Fukuoka Traveling north a few hours from Nagasaki brings you to Fukuoka, a quickly expanding urban center on the northern coast of Kyushu. It is there that two quiet and dedicated Augustinians minister at Sasaoka Church and Kindergarten: Father Tom Dwyer, O.S.A., and Father Masaki Imada, O.S.A. It’s amazing what just two men can do. Father Dwyer, who has served in Japan for 45 years, is pastor of Sasaoka Church, and is busy rallying the parish community to raise funds for a new parish church. Sunday Mass at Sasaoka finds parishioners flowing into the church’s adjacent hall to attend Mass. While the parish is a medium-sized one by Japanese standards, it has grown and flourished since its founding in 1961. A new church is needed to accommodate the current parishioner base, and Father Dwyer hopes to begin construction on the new church early on in the next decade. And if history is any barometer, Father Dwyer is the man for the job. He was pivotal in the recent construction of Sasaoka Kindergarten, a beautifully designed building that truly reflects Japanese culture. The Kindergarten is well respected in the community, with more children seeking to attend than can be accommodated. Father Imada, Vicar for the Vicariate of Japan, oversees the highly successful school. Most of the children at Sasaoka Kindergarten are non-Catholic, giving the Augustinians the opportunity to make a name for themselves in the surrounding community. Working side by side, Father Dwyer and Father Imada tend to the needs of the parish community in their respectful, unassuming ways. The spirit of the Augustinian mission in Japan can be found in their collaboration. Born in Havertown, PA, in 1932, Father Dwyer found his way to Japan as a young Augustinian and has called the country home ever since. He misses his beloved Major League Baseball, but has adopted the Fukuoka Hawks as his team of choice today. Father Imada, on the other hand, a Japanese-born Augustinian ordained just over 10 years ago, now heads up the Augustinians in Japan as Vicar. Though their backgrounds couldn’t be more dissimilar, their nature and their mission are the same — to serve God by serving others. Minato Catholic Church, Nagoya One of Japan’s largest cities, Nagoya is a seaside metropolis and major manufacturing center in Japan. Home of Toyota, the city is a chief port of export for the country. And as a port city, it lends itself to a unique Augustinian ministry. Father Masami Yamaguchi is currently the lone friar serving at Minato Catholic Church. While the needs of a parish provide more than enough work for one man, Father Yamaguchi also dedicates his time to ministering to those that pass through Nagoya’s port. Called Stella Maris, this “ministry of the sea” cares for the many sailors that arrive at Nagoya. A majority of these sailors are Filipino, and so Minato Church finds itself home to a growing Filipino population. Whether at Minato Church or on a sea vessel, Father Yamaguchi finds himself ministering to this increasing non-Japanese population — this, in addition to serving the needs of the local Japanese parishioners. It’s challenging work for one man, but hope exists a few hours north in Tokyo, where students and young Augustinians are busy preparing themselves for ministry in the Augustinian formation house. Kasai Catholic Church & Formation House, Tokyo In a word, Tokyo is energy. Like a polite New York City, the metropolis is an enormous beast with its own heartbeat. Keeping pace with that racing heartbeat are 70-year-old Father Maurice Mahoney, O.S.A., pastor at Kasai Catholic Church, and his younger prior at the Kasai community, Father Hiroyuki Shibata, O.S.A. Together they are in constant motion, showing that with teamwork — and community — much can be achieved. And achieve they do. Not a day goes by when half a dozen calls or requests come in from parishioners and others in the community that need help — be it a visit to the hospital, a meeting to discuss someone’s personal crisis, or any of the other constant emergencies that creep up in an urban parish. It is a non-stop ministry, but one for which they are well suited. While Father Mahoney has the energy of a 20-year-old, at times being a pastor in such a bustling setting can be tiring, especially at an age when most people are long retired. On his right-hand side, however, is Father Shibata. Ordained just four years, Father Shibata ministers in confidence but with quiet humility, doing more for the parish community than he’ll ever let on. The work never ends in Tokyo. The needs of the urban community have given rise to Augustinian outreach within the community. Parishioners gather weekly at Kasai Church to distribute food to the homeless, and the Augustinians find themselves ministering to a growing immigrant population, many of whom are Filipino. While limited resources and personnel can make the ministry at Kasai a tiring one, help is just across town — at the Augustinian formation house. Father Tetsuya Hirano, O.S.A., is director of students at the Augustinian formation house in Tokyo, which is situated near Sophia University, where most Augustinian students in formation study. There are currently four Japanese students in various stages of the formation process, and these young men are the future of the Vicariate of Japan. Likewise, the future includes a growing Augustinian presence from the nearby Province of Cebu. Currently, Father Jesus Daño, O.S.A., a Filipino friar from Cebu, is studying the Japanese language in Tokyo in preparation for ministry in Japan. The Augustinian mission in Japan began with just three American friars. When the mission grew to become a Vicariate in 1995, there were 15 friars in ministry, over half of whom were American. Today, however, there are over twice as many Japanese friars as American friars serving in Japan. It is the inevitable reality of establishing a mission — the mission will one day grow into its own. The face of the mission may look different, but the heart is the same: a spirit of community and hospitality of spirit. Reflection by Michael Dolan, Director of Communications for the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, following a visit to the Augustinian missions in Japan. Traveling Together . . . Augustinian Affiliates The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova is blessed to have as members of its family the following individuals, all of whom were affiliated to the Augustinian family in 2004. These affiliates truly possess an Augustinian heart and live their lives with one mind and heart intent upon God. They are members of the Augustinian family, and the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova thanks them for their friendship, inspiration and example. Bishop Louis DeSimone Affiliated May 2, 2004. Bishop DeSimone is the brother of Father Russell DeSimone, O.S.A. Bishop DeSimone has been a longtime friend of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova and the Augustinian friars. He is a person of deep commitment to the Gospel and has modeled his ministry on Saint Augustine. By word and deed he lives the spirit of Saint Augustine, whose writings he has read and on which he has meditated. He is a member of the Augustinian family and encourages all friars by his support and his love for the Augustinian way of life. Margaret Elliston Affiliated February 15, 2004. Margaret Elliston has been associated with the Augustinians since 1975. Over those years she has manifested her devotion to the Church, the Order and, in particular, to the Augustinian friars with whom she has worked at Biscayne College/Saint Thomas University in Miami, Florida. At this school she has worked as librarian and archivist, and over the years her loyalty and dedication have been manifested in her work to improve the school, the library and the Augustinian ideal of learning and education. She has been a good friend, a faithful example, a loyal co-worker, and a generous associate to students, coworkers and friars alike. Marta Gutierrez Affiliated February 15, 2004. Marta Gutierrez’s dedication to the Augustinians extends over a period of 40 years. Her first association with the Order began at the Universidad de Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Havana, Cuba, where she worked alongside Augustinian friars until the closing of that school by Fidel Castro. Forced to leave Cuba, she came to Miami and began working at Biscayne College/Saint Thomas University alongside Father John Bresnahan, O.S.A., in the school’s library. Her loyalty to her Catholic faith, to the Augustinian community, to her work, to the development of the bi-lingual capabilities of the school’s library and outreach to the Cuban refugee community have demonstrated her commitment to the Augustinian way of life. A tireless worker, she is also a constant, quiet, caring presence to the students, faculty, staff and friars who make up the school community. She manifests the Augustinian ideals of unity, truth and charity in her daily life of generous service. Robert Konchalski Affiliated January 18, 2004. Robert Konchalski has been a faithful member of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Bronx, New York, for over 40 years. He has worked not only as the business manager of the parish, but also serves in various parochial ministries. He has always seen his work as more than a just a task. Rather, he has seen it as a way of fostering the growth of the parish community and its faith life. His generosity reaches out to the neighborhood in which he lives. He sees all that he does as a manifestation of his Christian faith and his living of Augustine’s ideal of life with one mind and heart intent upon God. For a period of time when he was recuperating from an accident, Robert came to live with the friars at Tolentine and participated fully in the community’s way of life. When he moved back home, Robert continued to live the Augustinian way of life and to model that way of life to neighbors, especially those from diverse cultures who have immigrated to the Bronx. Robert is truly a member of the Augustinian family. Pat and Helen McKiernan Affiliated May 2, 2004. Pat and Helen McKiernan have been faithful members of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Jamaica, New York, for over 40 years. Pat has worked for the parish as if it were his home and family, with special love and caring for the Augustinian friars who served at Saint Nicholas. His wife, Helen, has always been a part of this ministry of love and concern. They have always seen themselves as part of the Augustinian family and their way of life has been an example to others, and an embodiment of all that friars teach to the faithful concerning the living out of the Augustinian way of life. The Province has truly been blessed by their love and friendship. James and Mary Stewart Affiliated May 2, 2004. Jim and Mary Stewart are dedicated friends to the Augustinian friars at Malvern Preparatory School and strong collaborators in the work of the friars there. Jim has dedicated more than thirty years to the Christian education of youth at Malvern and has continued that work as headmaster of the school. The dedication of Jim and Mary to the Augustinian mission of the school and their untiring support, care and concern for the friars have been a source of hope and encouragement for the friars and for the entire school community. Their life of faith-filled love and good example manifest what truly is the Augustinian way of life. The Province is grateful to have Jim and Mary as part of its Augustinian family and way of life. Footsteps News and Notes from the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova and the Augustinian Order. Ordinations for Two Friars The Province is happy to announce the priestly ordination of two young friars this summer. Brother Kevin DePrinzio, O.S.A., was ordained on July 17 at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and Brother Carlos Urbina, O.S.A., will be ordained at 11:00 A.M. on August 28, the Feast of Saint Augustine, at Saint Mary-Immaculate Conception Church in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Both friars graduated from the Washington Theological Union this May. Congratulations! Vicariate of Japan Celebrates First Profession Brother Masaya Francis of Assisi Ide, O.S.A., made his first profession of vows to the Order of Saint Augustine on February 21 at Kasai Catholic Church in Tokyo, Japan. Father Donald Reilly, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, received the first vows of Brother Ide in what was a wonderful celebration for the Vicariate, the Province and the Order. Brother Ide currently resides with the Augustinian community in Tokyo. New Church Dedicated in Florida Bishop John Nevins of the Diocese of Venice in Florida presided at the dedication of the newly constructed Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church in Bokeelia, Florida, on January 31. Father Tom Pohto, O.S.A., pastor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, oversaw the construction of the new church since its initial planning stage first began in 1998. Unlike its predecessor, the new church building can now accommodate the growing parish community on Pine Island. Friars Inducted into Hall of Fame Father Frank Horn, O.S.A., and Father Donald Reilly, O.S.A., were both inducted into the Monsignor Bonner High School Hall of Fame during a special ceremony held in February. Father Horn, a 1967 graduate of Monsignor Bonner, becomes headmaster at Saint Augustine Prep, Richland, New Jersey, this coming fall. Father Reilly, a 1965 graduate, heads up the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. “Augustinian Values Institute” for Secondary Schools The annual meeting of the Augustinian Secondary Education Association was held at Merrimack College in April, and attended by representatives of Augustinian secondary schools across North America. Much of the meeting was spent fine-tuning an “Augustinian Values Institute” for teachers, administrators and board members of Augustinian schools. This program, which was first held in January in Ojai, California, gives attendees an opportunity to explore what it means to teach in an Augustinian school by reflecting on the core values of truth, unity and love. The gathering in Ojai was a great success and future “Augustinian Values Institute” meetings are scheduled for April 2005 at Saint Rita High School in Chicago and for October 2005 at Malvern Preparatory School. Merrimack Community Takes Augustinian Pilgrimage Merrimack College held its 5th Pellegrinaggio to Augustinian sites in Italy in March. The Pellegrinaggio, sponsored by the Center for Augustinian Study and Legacy at Merrimack, takes faculty and other school representatives on an educational and spiritual pilgrimage to Italy, where they encounter sites significant in both Saint Augustine’s life and the history of the Augustinian Order, thus giving the group a chance to see firsthand the roots of a uniquely Augustinian education. Alumni of the popular pilgrimage now totals 103, which includes 40% of the faculty at Merrimack College. Province Magazine Receives Award The Augustinian Journey received first place honors in the 2004 Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Awards for a “Single article with worldwide missionary theme” appearing in a magazine. The Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith presents the Archbishop O’Meara Awards to Catholic journalists and publications reporting on the missionary work of the Church. The winning article, titled “Sawubona!,” appeared in the Fall 2003 issue of the Augustinian Journey and featured the Augustinian missions in South Africa. Click here to read the winning article online. W.T.U. Names Department Chair Congratulations to Father Joseph Wimmer, O.S.A., who was named chair of the recently established Department of Spirituality at the Washington Theological Union in Washington, DC. In addition to his new duties, Father Wimmer will continue to teach in the Department of Sacred Scripture at the W.T.U. Province Website Expands Be sure to check out the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova online at www.augustinian.org for the latest news and updates from the Province. New features to the site include a special section on “Augustinian Spirituality,” where you can access: homilies by friars for each Sunday’s scriptural readings, Augustinian prayers, MP3s of Augustinian music, a weblog for discussing Augustinian spirituality, a complete book of Augustinian saints, and much more. While online, be sure to sign up for e-mail notices from the Province for important events, website updates, death notices and other Augustinian news — and add your own reflections about deceased friars in our interactive necrology. New Justice and Peace Director After five years of dedicated service, Father Joseph Genito, O.S.A., is stepping down from his role as the Province’s Director of Justice and Peace. Replacing him is Father John Deegan, O.S.A., former provincial of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. Father Deegan’s new role dovetails nicely with a social justice ministry he is now undertaking, called “Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor,” a model of ministry that bridges Augustinian resources with those in need. Look for more information on this exciting initiative in the next issue of the Augustinian Journey. New Book on Augustine’s Rule New City Press has recently published a new book featuring Saint Augustine’s Rule, titled The Monastic Rules: Saint Augustine. The volume, which appeals to both the scholar and the casual reader seeking to delve into Saint Augustine’s Rule and his spirituality, brings together three Augustine scholars of international reputation — Father George Lawless, O.S.A., Gerald Bonner and Sister Agatha Mary, S.P.B. The collaborative effort presents Saint Augustine’s highly influential Rule to a wide audience. Father Lawless, professor at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome, offers a stimulating foreword that discusses the work’s literary genre. Gerald Bonner adds two chapters to the volume, and Sister Agatha Mary provides the translation. For more information, visit New City Press online at www.newcitypress.com or call 800.462.5980. Saint Augustine Lecture at Villanova On the occasion of the 1650th Centenary of the Birth of Saint Augustine, Villanova University’s 2004 Saint Augustine Lecture will be held at 7:30 P.M. on September 30 in the Villanova Room of the Connelly Center. Brian E. Daley, S.J., Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame will present “Word, Soul and Flesh: Origen and Augustine on the Person of Christ.” Inaugurated in 1959, the annual Saint Augustine Lecture has become a distinguished forum for leading scholars of the thought of Saint Augustine to address the rich, complex, and profoundly influential heritage of Augustine. For more details, contact the Institute for the Study of Augustine at 610.519.4730 or visit www.augustinian.villanova.edu. The Augustinian Family Profile: Rev. Mr. Al Clay III ”The Augustinian Family” profile is an ongoing series of conversations with members of the Augustinian family, people that live each day with an Augustine heart. Rev. Mr. Alvin Clay III is certainly one such individual. He and his wife, Kathy, have committed themselves to leading the Province’s “Embracing the Future” campaign as honorary co-chairs. Al is president and CEO of Pitcairn Trust and ministers as a deacon at Immaculate Conception Church in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Kathy is CEO of the Clay household, which includes seven active children. Together they share a great love for the Augustinians and an appreciation for Augustinian spirituality. Here Al shares with us some of his thoughts on the Augustinians as he helps the Province “Embrace the Future.” *You have a long history with the Augustinians. When did that relationship first begin?* My father started teaching at Villanova University in 1955, two years before I was born, and retired from Villanova as Dean of the College of Commerce and Finance in 1995. The love and respect my father had for the Augustinians, particularly Father Philip Barrett, O.S.A., was obvious to me from a very early age. Through my father’s influence and guidance, I learned very quickly to feel the same way. You and Kathy have signed on to be honorary co-chairs for the Province’s first major fundraising effort in over 40 years. What prompted you to take on this new role? I’ve served on the Investment Advisory Committee for the Augustinians for the past 17 years, and am more familiar than most with the financial condition of the Province — and the future demands on Province resources. I am excited about the plans for the future of the Province, but know that they can only be accomplished with additional funding. What excites you about the initiative? What do you hope the “Embracing the Future” campaign will accomplish? Most of us identify with the ministries of the Augustinians — the colleges, high schools, missions, and parishes. But we rarely look closely at the common foundation on which all of those are built — the charism of Saint Augustine that is exemplified by the Augustinian priests and brothers. I see this campaign as a means to invest in the foundation — to make it strong for a long, long time. Not only will existing ministries clearly benefit, but new ministries will certainly emerge. What impact do you believe this campaign will have on the Augustinians, those they serve, and the extended Augustinian family? The initiatives that the campaign will fund, particularly the renovation of Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery, will invigorate the Augustinians, bringing them closer as a community, young and old, in an environment that serves the physical, spiritual, and social needs of everyone. The initiatives will also create an environment where the Augustinians will have more opportunity to become connected with the community outside of the monastery. My sincere hope is that this new energy will not only have a positive impact on the spiritual lives of the extended Augustinian family, but will lead to more vocations by young men who see the vitality of the Province. How does Augustinian spirituality play a part in your life? Saint Augustine is a model for those of us who think too much — or think too much of themselves. Through his life and his writings, he has revealed to us his own struggles with his faith, and how his intellect and talent were at times a help (and at times a hindrance) to coming closer to God. Augustinian spirituality allows you to explore and question and take chances. It allows us — almost encourages us to be restless — until we rest in God. This idea gave me great comfort in my discernment to become a deacon, which culminated in my ordination in 2002. What do you think Augustinian spirituality has to offer others? We live in a world that questions everything. Augustinian spirituality can thrive in that world.Questions are welcome, debate encouraged, and the answers have a deeper meaning as a result. When you hear the word “Augustinian,” what images come to mind? Ideally — a sublime harmony of mind, heart, and soul. Is there any one Augustinian who has had a profound impact on you and your family? I was taught moral philosophy at Villanova University by the late Father Charles McFadden, O.S.A., a world-renowned scholar in medical ethics. I am still amused when I think of a student who would occasionally challenge him to a debate on a moral issue. It was no contest. This was the first time in my life that basic moral principles were explained to me intellectually. Gaining the ability to actually understand and to articulate what was in my heart was a life-changing experience. Father McFadden’s teaching was a catalyst to getting me very involved over the past 25-plus years in the cause of protecting human life from conception to natural death. Recently, I joined the board of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, an organization with the ability to make a real difference in advancing Catholic moral teaching as an answer to the world’s most difficult medical ethical questions. As the campaign begins, are there any thoughts you’d like to share with both the friars of the Province and the extended Augustinian family? This campaign will be successful, not because of slick marketing and skilled solicitors (although those things won’t hurt). The campaign will be successful because of the two centuries of God’s service that the Augustinians have given to us. Those to whom the friars minister will be anxious to acknowledge all that the Augustinians have done for them, by making it possible for the friars to continue to serve for years to come. Trip to Benefit the Missions: Journey to Africa with the Augustinians October 22 - November 5, 2004 South Africa - Zambia - Botswana There come opportunities in a lifetime that have the power to change one’s life forever — times when you experience the world as you never had before and walk away from the journey forever changed... in both heart and mind. This is one such opportunity. This is one such journey. Travel to southern Africa with the Augustinians for a truly unique and extraordinary experience not to be missed. See firsthand the mission ministry of the Augustinians in their work with Zulu natives in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, then journey throughout the southern continent, taking in all the beauty, wildlife, culture, and excitement Africa has to offer. Experience the fascinating Zulu culture in Natal with a tour most visitors never get to see. Through the local ministry of the Augustinian Sisters and missionary friars, you will interact with the Zulu community in their culture and locale in a way that is not possible for the typical tourist. You will encounter a culture and a proud native people, the Kingdom of the Zulu Nation, in a personal, one-on-one encounter. It will be an encounter you will carry with you forever. Departing Natal, you’ll visit picturesque Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg. From there, trek to Botswana and Chobe National Park, home to Africa’s famed wildlife. A river cruise will take you past herds of elephants and other beasts drinking at the water’s edge, with hippos and crocodiles never far away. Then on to Zambia and Zimbabwe, where you’ll take in one of the seven natural wonders of the world — Victoria Falls. Sites beyond compare; memories beyond measure — this is your journey. A journey opens you up to new sites, new experiences, new cultures. This is a 15-day journey that will continue on long after your return from southern Africa. In mind — in heart — the journey awaits. Please join us . . . For complete trip information, contact Chris Anderson at 610.527.3330 ext 221, or via e-mail. Interested in Religious Life? Brother Carlos Urbina, O.S.A., shares with us his vocation story and his thoughts on ministry and the Augustinian way of life. He will be ordained to the priesthood on August 28 at Saint Mary’s in Lawrence, Massachusetts. *When did you first meet the Augustinians and what prompted your vocation to the Order?* In 1995, when finishing my masters at Saint John’s University, Jorge Reyes, O.S.A., was in his pastoral year at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine in Jamaica, NY. Through my desire to work in a multicultural environment, I met Jorge at Jamaica. After graduating from Saint John’s, Jorge and I continued our friendship. Leaving New York, I began work in Amherst with the Diocese of Springfield, MA. In Amherst, I became sick and Jorge came to visit me and invited me to see his new ministry in Lawrence. It was a providential invitation, for a job opened up at Lawrence at the same time. I decided to interview for the job and became Director of Religious Education at Saint Mary’s in Lawrence. During this time, I was not thinking of returning to religious life, as I was once a Carmelite. I thought I was “fine.” While at Saint Mary’s, Art Johnson, O.S.A., asked me why I didn’t return to religious life. I didn’t want to hear it — I remained firm that I was “fine.” In my third year in Lawrence, an elderly woman came up to me at said, “Why are you fighting with God? Don’t you know that God always wins?” She was right . . . two months later I applied to the Order. What intrigues you about the Augustinian way of life? Above all things — community. Both the Latino culture and the Augustinian way of life center around community, and this sense of community makes me feel at home in each and every Augustinian house. In difficult times, and even in disagreement, you are there for each other. The sense of community and family is still there, and that is a testament to our way of life. What might attract someone to the Augustinian Order? Vocations are there. People need to see us not necessarily for what we do, but for what we are. Our first ministry is really how we live. People can be attracted to community. When you live in a community you can truly be who you are. You feel a sense of home, and your energy is not channeled in keeping up your guard. At the end of the day, you are with your family. You can be who you are. It is liberating, relaxing and energizing. Thomas Merton says that “to become holy is to become who we are.” My hope is that as a community we gain a deeper understanding of who we are as Augustinians. It is who we are that will attract vocations. What are you feeling as you prepare for your priestly ministry? I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I am going to miss the fraternity and community at Augustinian College. As Augustinians, though, I realize that I will be at home in any community. I am very excited about continuing my ministry, and I view my ministry as a priest as a shared ministry. The laity and we are sharing one priesthood in Christ in two different ways. One goal in collaboration; a community of all! To learn more about a vocation with the Augustinians, please click here or contact: Father Jim McBurney, O.S.A. Provincial Offices P.O. Box 340 Villanova, PA 19085-0340 Phone: 610.527.3330 ext. 284 E-mail: vocations@augustinian.org Keeping Track Following the vow of obedience, friars find themselves called to where they are needed. Each issue of the Augustinian Journey hopes to connect you with some familiar faces as we provide brief updates on friars serving throughout the Province. Watch here to track down that old classmate, pastor, chemistry teacher, chaplain, philosophy professor, coworker or friend. John M. Quinn, O.S.A. It’s been over 60 years since Father John Quinn first made his first profession of vows to the Augustinian Order, and 2004 marks Father Quinn’s 55th ordination anniversary. Most of those years were spent in the classroom at Villanova University, where he taught philosophy and theology. In recent years, as part of his work at the Augustinian Historical Institute at Villanova, Father Quinn was busy researching and writing his latest book, A Companion to the Confessions of St. Augustine. In 2002, Peter Lang published the nearly 1000-page work, a comprehensive point-by-point commentary on the Confessions. Augustine’s world-famous intellectual and spiritual autobiography has been treasured throughout history, and Father Quinn’s guide to the work is a valuable addition to Augustinian studies. Father Quinn lives with the community at Saint Augustine Friary in Villanova, but will move back into Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery on the Villanova University campus when renovations are completed. To contact Father Quinn: Saint Augustine Friary 214 Ashwood Road Villanova, PA 19085 Robert P. Terranova, O.S.A. After eleven years of service to the missions in Peru, Father Bob Terranova returned to the United States last year to continue his domestic ministry where he last left off, at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church in the Bronx, New York. In 1992, Father Terranova left the Bronx for Chulucanas, Peru, eventually becoming Vicar of the Peruvian Vicariate. Back at Tolentine, Father Terranova ministers to the diverse urban community of the Bronx in much the same style as he ministered in Peru, reflecting that ministry as accompañar, apreciar, animar — to accompany, to esteem, and to encourage. As the Church continues to affirm the value and dignity of the laity, Father Terranova sees it as a blessing to accompany the Tolentine community, as he once accompanied the people of Peru, in all the ways they strive to live out God’s love for them in the Lord Jesus. To contact Father Terranova: Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Friary 2345 University Avenue Bronx, NY 10468-6102 Joseph L. Farrell, O.S.A. Father Joe Farrell is almost halfway through a two-year program at the Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome, where he is studying for a License in Spirituality with a concentration in Saint Augustine. When his coursework finishes in 2005, Father Farrell will spend another year in Rome continuing to research and write his doctoral dissertation. While pursuing these studies, Father Farrell is living with the Augustinian community of Saint Monica’s in Rome, a truly international community of 54 friars from 18 different countries. In addition, Father Farrell works on the Order’s International Commission for Youth and Young Adults. The Commission is currently in the process of planning its next international youth gathering, which will be held in the summer of 2006. To contact Father Farrell: Collegio Santa Monica Via Paolo VI, 25 I-00193 Rome, Italy