International Augustinian Volunteers Return to the USA

December 15, 2011, saw flights arriving from Peru and South Africa bearing the Augustinian Volunteers who have seved in our missions in Peru and South Africa for the past year. Three returned from South Africa and four from Peru. They spent the weekend on retreat reflecting on their experiences. On Saturday evening they joined the parish community of St. Thomas of Villanova, Villanova, PA, at the parish evening liturgy where they were recognized for their service with the Augustinian Friars serving the poor. After Mass a dinner was hosted for them along with any family able to attned and Augustinian Volunteer Alumni able to attend. They then began their journey back to their homes to celebrate Christmas with their families.

Among the crowd celebrating their return were everal Augustinian Volunteers who in January, 2012 will leave the US to fill the ministires from this years group. The beauty of the Augustinian Volunteers is that when one group completes their year of service another group is ready to continue this fantastic service of the Augustinian Order.

We pray in Thanksgiving for the service of the returning Augustinian Volunteers, and for the group of 2012 as they spend their last month beofre boarding planes to serve the poor in our missions.