The Midwest Augustinians' David Relstab Receives His White Habit

/
Left to right: Fr. Aldo Potencio, OSA; Ramon Riesgo; Fr. David Cregan, OSA; Fr. David Cregan, OSA; David RelstaB; and Fr. Richard O'Leary. OSA.

Left to right: Fr. Aldo Potencio, OSA; Ramon Riesgo; Fr. David Cregan, OSA; Fr. David Cregan, OSA; David RelstaB; and Fr. Richard O'Leary. OSA.

On the 23rd of August, Augustinian novice, David Relstab, received his white habit. He recently completed the pre-novitiate program at Villanova and has David, a native Palos Hills, IL, will be joined by Ramon Riesgo of the California Province. When asked why he was drawn to the Augustinian tradition, David answered “After reading The Confessions, I saw myself relating to what Augustine experienced in his own life and the sense of community I witnessed with the Augustinians isn’t only evident in their houses, but resonates in the communities where they serve.”

We pray for David that God continues to guide and bless him during his formation journey and we also pray for all of our friars in the various stages of vocation formation.

Provincial Statement Regarding the Gun Violence This Past Weekend

/

This past weekend, in less than 24 hours several innocent civilians were killed by gun violence in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. This pattern of “surprise attack” on unsuspecting people has been happening all too often and continues to cause fear and anxiety. It is hard to fathom that people who were shopping and enjoying an evening out with friends respectively in El Paso and Dayton that in a matter of seconds simply lose their lives without reason. Even the Holy Father, Pope Francis in his Sunday address in St. Peter’s Square, addressed this plague of violence that continues to threaten the livelihood of people in the U.S. and across the world.

Read More

Thank You To All Of Our Gala Donors!

/

Our Seventh Annual Augustinian Gala, which took place on the 26th of April, brought us extraordinary blessings! This year our supporters raised approximately $250,000 to support vocations, our retired and infirm men, and our missions in Peru. This would not have been possible without the generosity of our attendees, donors, and especially our sponsors. We have listed the names of our Gala Sponsors below and those who gave a tribute gift.

Gala Overall Sponsors

Mark and Mindy Hacker

The Mrozek Family

Gala Co-Sponsors

The Thomas Dower Foundation

James E. Walsh

Reception Sponsor

Kathleen and E. Blake Hastings

Program Book Sponsor

Denise and Rob Utter

Flowers Sponsor

Wendy and Greg Jania

Video Sponsor

Milann H. Siegfried and Family

Music Sponsor

Anne and Don Berschback

Men of Heart Cards Sponsor

Denise and Rob Utter

Reverence Table Sponsor

International Insurance Brokers, LTD

Saint Augustine Tables

Peggy and Matt Coughlin

Mark and Mindy Hacker

Kathleen and E. Blake Hastings

The Mrozek Family

Eileen and Fred Neal

The Scianna Family

 

Saint Rita Tables

Augustinian Community of Burns Hall Friary at Villnova

Ed and Catharine Hennessy

Little Company of Mary Sisters USA

 

Saint Monica Tables

Augustinian Community of Providence Catholic High School

James and Nancy Foody

St. Joseph College Seminary at Loyola University

The Raymond and Mildred McCarthy Fund

Providence Catholic High School

St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel

St. Rita High School

St. Turibius Parish

Donor Scroll

Beyond or in lieu of the purchasing of seats, the following members of the Augustinian family wanted to show their support through donations to the Augustinian Gala. Thank you!

 

Architectural Grilles and Sunshades

Augustinian Sisters of St. Rita

Dr. Michael J. Bland

Mr. William E. Byrnes

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Degen

Mr. and Mrs. Roger P. Furey

Mr. and Mrs. John A. Gaberino, Jr

Ms. Dolores Grantz

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Kniola

Mr. Michael G. Krukones

Mr. Robert J. LaFortune

Mr. Robert L. Mabarak

Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Meehan

Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Napleton

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth W. Newton

Ms. L. H. Ostrowski

Mr. and Mrs. Mark C. Peskor

Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren, Jr

 

Tribute Donations in Honor of Fr. Bernie

 

Gold

Mrs. Karon Basile

Dr. Michael Bland

Mr, and Mrs. Timothy P. Brislin

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Ericson

Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Garrett

Mr. Stanley M. Gavlick

Mr. William K. Grogan

Mr. and Mrs. Max H. Knoecklein

Mrs. Regina Kristopaitis

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lanuti

Ms. Eileen Burns Neary

Mr. and Mrs. James G. O’Connor

Mr. and Mrs. John V. Paris, II

Mrs. Margaret J. Persicketti

Mr. and Mrs. Mark C. Peskor

Mr. and Mrs. Eric Quisenberry

Mrs. Barbara Scianna

Mr. and Mrs. James F. Segredo

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Tierney

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Turcich

Silver

Mr. and Mrs. Brian D. Deenihan

Mr. Gerald E. Gamble

Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Gentile

Most Rev. Raymond E. Goedert

Most Rev. John R. Gorman, DD

Mrs. Mary Keeling

Mrs. Eileen Neal

Mr. and Mrs. R. Scott Petty

Mr. Roger R. Ruhlin

Mr. Robert J. Schmitz

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Swiatek

Bronze

Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Braun

Mr. and Mrs. Ron S. Dubin

Mr. and Mrs. Gary C. LaGere

Dcn and Mrs. Michael Loeffler

Mr. Patrick T. Murphy, CFRE

Ms. Joyce Oboy

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Withers

 

Special Gift to the Augustinian Vocations Trust Fund in Honor of Fr. Bernie Scianna, OSA

The Following individuals have assembled a gift of $15,000 to be made in the name of Fr. Bernie to the Province’s Fr. Ray Ryan Trust for Vocations.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Berschback

Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Blue, Sr

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Clarke

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew F. Coughlin, III

Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Gerrity

Mr. Thomas J. Healy

Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Hennessy

Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Radcliffe

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Schaller

Dr. and Mrs. Rick Singh

Mr. and Mrs. Martin P. Stark

Gala Ad Sponsors

 

American Combustion

Mr. John V Paris (Citi Global)

Mr. Dan Kill

King Kross Contracting

St. Rita of Cascia Parish (Chicago)

St. Joseph Parish and School

Our Lady of the Woods Parish

Ms. Elizabeth Mazur

Rev. John J. Crepeau

Buck Services, Inc.

Andy Turich (Overt Press)

St. Rita High School Mother's Club

St. Rita High School Father's Club

St. Christina Parish

Alvernia Manor Senior Living 

Chicago Theological Union (CTU)

Old Second National Bank

Southwest Town Mechanical

Dr. Michael Bland

St. Bernard's Parish

St. Clare of Montefalco (Chicago)

National Shrine of St. Rita (PA)

Burns Photography

St. Mary Magdalene Church

Ms. Helen Deborah Storcz-Flores

Mr. Steve and Mrs. Annabelle Miller

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Scianna

Cascia Hall Foundation

Jones & Cleary

Mr. Michael Gerrity

Mr. Cody K. McCone

St. Augustine Friary and Parish (Andover, MA)

St. Rita's Parish - Racine, WI

St. Isaac Jogues Church

St. Jude Parish

Province of St. Augustine in California

Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Cemeteries

Villanova College (Ontario, Canada)

Cascia Hall Preparatory School

Wayne Klasing

Mr. Tony and Mrs. Phyllis Lauinger

The Linehan Family Foundation

Mr. Kevin Burns and the Class of '69

Sisters of St. Casimir

The Francis and Kathleen Rooney Foundation

Student Life Office of Villanova University

 

Easter Letter from the Prior Provincial

/
Easter Letter from the Prior Provincial

During the Lenten Season leading to the Sacred Triduum, we listened and reflected on how Christ was threatened by the status quo and eventually reduced to sweat, blood and tears in His passion.  His promise of the resurrection kept that spark of faith focused forward moving beyond the limits of sin and weakness witnessing to new life, that continues to offer us fresh opportunities and a renewed sense of hope. 

Read More