As summer comes to a close, members of our schools, parishes, and ministries of the Augustinian community continue to celebrate fellowship. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support and prayers as we continue to grow together in faith.

The Midwest Augustinians

On August 2, three Novices made their First Profession of Vows to the Augustinian Order at the St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in Chicago, Illinois. (Pictured, left to right: Br. James Schloegel (California), Br. Jeremy Welch (Midwest), and Br. Justin Ma (California))

On August 14th, the new Novices were officially received into the FANA Novitiate in Radnor, PA. They celebrated Mass and a Rite of Reception to begin their year-long Novitiate.

Novice Jun Maranan (Midwest Province)

Novice John Bernardo (California Province)

Novice Kurt Bragg (Midwest Province)

Novice Brent Faubert (Midwest Province)

On August 22, Fr. Thomas McCarthy and Br. Paul Koscielniak welcomed visitors to St. Rita of Cascia Shrine from the Little Sisters of the Poor and St. Mary’s Home on the north side of Chicago. 

They were doing a tour of places associated with Pope Leo XIV.

On August 15th, our friends, the Sisters of St. Casimir, celebrated the 70th anniversaries of vow profession of Sr. Bernadette Marie Janus, Sister Rita Marie Kerdock, and Sister Dolorine Lopez. The celebration took place at Franciscan Village in Lemont. 

Standing, left to right: Sister Bernadette Marie Janus and Sister Rita Marie Kerdock; Sitting: Sister Dolorine Lopez

Celebrating Labor Day

The St Clare, St. Rita Parish, and St. Rita High School communities celebrated Labor Day together Attendees included Fr. Wilson (Ecuador), Fr. Tom McCarthy, Bishop Daniel Turley, Brian Kempiak (Pre-Novice, Midwest), Zachary Lange (Pre-Novice, Villanova), Manny Toledo (Discerner), Br. Paul Koscielniak, Fr. Joe Stobba, Fr. Sam Joutras, Br. Tom Taylor, Fr. Fidel Alvarado, Fr. Stephen Isley, Br. Joe Ruiz.

The Labor Day Celebration also included recognition of Br. Paul Koscielniak's 25th anniversary of vow profession (Aug 28).

On August 26th, Bishop McClory of the Diocese of Gary visited the Crown Point community for a celebration in anticipation of St. Augustine’s Feast Day. (Pictured: Front: Fr. David Petraitis, Fr. John Sotak, Br. Jerome Sysko, Fr. Mike O’Connor, Fr. Terry Deffenbaugh; Back: Br. Fred Kaiser, Br. Nicholas Mullarkey, Fr. Bill Sullivan, Bishop Daniel Turley, Fr. Donald Lewandowski, Bishop Robert McClory, Fr. Tony Pizzo, Fr. Tom Griffin, and Fr. Ed Andrews)

On August 28th, the Augustinians gathered at St. Clare of Montefalco Church to celebrate the Solemnity of St. Augustine and to honor the anniversaries of ordination and profession of our members.

Fr. Terry Deffenbaugh (50th anniversary of ordination), Fr. Bill Lego, and Fr. John Merkelis (40th anniversary of profession)

The Solemnity of St. Augustine takes place on the anniversary of St. Augustine's death (August 28, 430 AD).

On August 8th, Bishop Daniel Turley, Fr. Fidel Alvarado (from the Vicariate of Chulucanas in Peru and currently assisting at St. Rita Parish in Chicago), Br. David Marshall, and Novice Kurt Bragg enjoyed a White Sox game!

On August 3-17, Fr. Jack Tierney served as a Chaplain for a COR Expedition hiking trip, an outreach program of Wyoming Catholic College. The group included 24 college freshmen who hiked approximately 75 miles in the Wind River Range in Wyoming.  

The Crown Point community celebrated two birthdays this month! Fr. Bill Sullivan turned 84 on August 11th and Br. Fred Kaiser turned 85 on August 21st. (Pictured: Fr. Bill Sullivan, Fr. Tom Griffin, Br. Fred Kaiser)

Fr. Philip Cook celebrated his birthday with the Cascia Hall community on August 24th! (Pictured, Fr. Joe Roccasalva, Fr. Philip Cook, Br. Jack Hibbard).

On Friday, August 22, O.S.A. Affiliate Ken Brune celebrated his 80th birthday! In his birthday reflections, Ken acknowledged the Augustinians he has known over his lifetime. (Pictured: Fr. Philip Cook, Ken Brune, Br. Jack Hibbard, Fr. Joe Roccasalva)

If you have pictures of any celebrations or events involving the Augustinians and/or the places they serve, please send them to secretary@midwestaugustinians.org.