As the early foreshadowing of spring appears during our Lenten journeys, the Augustinian Community has been full of activity. We are deeply grateful for your involvement, ongoing support, and prayers as we continue to grow together in faith.

The Midwest Augustinians

On February 9th, Michael Bourke was officially admitted as a new Pre-Novice at St. Clare Friary.

Left to right: Fr. Thomas McCarthy (Prior), Brian Kempiak (Midwest), Bishop Daniel Turley (Director of Pre-Novices), Michael Bourke (Midwest), Zachary Lange (Villanova), Fr. Samuel Joutras (Assoc. Pastor of St. Rita/St. Clare)

Fr. Bernard Danber received the Crest of St Augustine Award from St. Rita High School at the 37th Annual Caritas Gala. Click the link here to read an interview with Fr. Danber on this momentous occasion.

Several Augustinians and members of the province staff attended the Caritas Gala.

Front: MaryBeth Carroll (Affiliate, Finance Office), Fr. John Merkelis (President of Providence Catholic), Dr. John D’Anca (St. Rita Board Member); Back: Br. Nicholas Mullarkey (Province Secretary), Sharon Ostrowski (Wife of Patrick Griffin), Patrick Griffin (Affiliate, Finance Officer), Ed Barrett (Affiliate, Director of Advancement)

Formation Community Outings

On Feb 14, the St. Augustine Friary community went to a Chicago Wolves game.

Br. Gary Hresil (Midwest), Br. Justin Ma (California), Br. Javier Medina (California), Fr. John Lydon (Director of Formation, from Villanova Province).

Fr. John Lydon (Director of Formation, from Villanova Prov.), Nicholas Anderson (Villanova), Fr. Jiames Keating (Villanova), Br. Jeremy Welch (Midwest)

On February 28th, the communities of St. Augustine Friary and St. Clare Friary attended Bernadette: The Musical, a wonderful production about St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes. 

On February 14-15, Fr. Tony Pizzo attended a special celebration to open the centenary year of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, MI. The Augustinians founded the parish in 1926 and served there for 86 years. The current Pastor, Fr. Andrew Kowalczyk, presented a special marble plaque commemorating the contribution of the Augustinians to the parish from 1926-2012. 

On February 19th, the St. Augustine Friary community welcomed Bishop Lizardo Estrada, O.S.A. He is the Auxiliary Bishop of Cuzco and the Secretary-General of the Latina American Bishops Conference (CELAM). He was in Chicago for a few days and joined the community for Mass.  

Front: Fr. John Lydon (Director, from Villanova Prov.), Br. Javier Medina (California), Bishop Lizardo Estrada, OSA (Cuzco, Peru), Fr. James Keating (Prior, from Villanova Prov.), Br. Justin Ma (California); Back: Br. Gary Hresil (Midwest), Br. Nicholas Anderson (Villanova), Br. Jeremy Welch (Midwest)

On Feb 19, Br. Nathan Fernandes and Maryellen Harrington, Province Director of Lay Engagement, joined the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Catholic Chicago Podcast with Fr. Greg Sakowicz, Rector of Holy Name Cathedral. Br. Nathan and Maryellen discussed the vision and mission of Camp Restless, a weeklong overnight camp that forms young people through community, faith, and Augustinian spirituality. There will be two sessions in June at Our Lady of Angels Retreat Center in Lemont, IL. 

Watch the full video recording of the podcast:

Chicago Catholic: Summer Camp Rooted in the Augustinian Tradition

Learn More About Camp Restless:

Watch Fr. Jack's "Barstool Theology" Session

In last month’s e-newsletter, we reported that Fr. Jack Tierney spoke about St. Augustine and Augustinian spirituality at a “Barstool Theology” event at St. Louis de Montfort Parish in Fishers, IN. We are pleased to share a video of the event that has become available.

On Valentine’s Day, the retired community at Crown Point received Valentine’s cards from the youth in faith formation at St. Jude Parish in New Lenox, IL.  

Left to right: Fr. John Sotak, Fr. John Ohner, Fr. William Sullivan, Fr. Thomas Griffin, Br. Jerome Sysko, Fr. Edward Andrews, Fr. Terry Deffenbaugh, Br. Fred Kaiser

On Feb 22, the members of St. Augustine Friary participated in the unveiling and blessing of a bust of Pope Leo XIV in the foyer of Catholic Theological Union (CTU). Fr John Lydon, Director of Professed at St. Augustine Friary, presided at the Mass to inaugurate the event. Then Fr. Enzo del Brocco, CP, President of CTU, gave a talk on the ministry and messages of Pope Leo, followed by the blessing of the new bust. Pope Leo graduated from Catholic Theological Union in 1982. An identical bust will also be sent to Peru.  

Br. Justin Ma (California), Br. Nicholas Anderson (Villanova), Br. Javier Medina (California), Fr. John Lydon (Director of Professed).

Fr. John Lydon, Director of Professed, celebrating Mass at Catholic Theological Union with Br. Nicholas Anderson (Villanova Prov.) before the blessing of the new bust of Pope Leo XIV.

On Feb 26, Fr. Joel Okojie, Shrine Director at Marylake in King City, Ontario, led the 2026 Lenten Retreat for the priests, religious, and lay staff of the Western Region of the Archdiocese of Toronto. You can read his reflections to enhance your own Lenten journey by clicking the link below:

Augustinians featured in Living City Magazine

The most recent issue of Living City Magazine titled "Exploring the Augustinian Charism" focused on Augustinian spirituality and included articles from Fr. John Lydon, OSA (Director of Formation here in Chicago and a member of the Villanova Province), Fr. Art Purcaro, OSA (Villanova Province), and our own Maryellen Harrington, Province Director of Lay Engagement!

We extend our sincere thanks to Focolare Media for generously making this full digital issue available. If you would like to receive future issues, support their work, or explore more of their thoughtful Catholic content, you may purchase a print copy of this issue or subscribe directly through their website.

You can access the full digital issue here:

Maryellen Harrington also sent Focolare Media some of our Pope Leo bracelets and Augustinian Examen cards, which were shared on February 19-22 at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. Foroclare Media staff introduced conference participants to the Living City Augustinian edition and invited conversations about Augustinian spirituality and the practice of the Augustinian Examen, a simple prayer practice that invites people to rest in God’s presence, review their day without judgment, examine their desires, and entrust both their struggles and graces to God. You can access a copy of the Augustinian Examen here:

On Feb 19, Fr. Terry Deffenbaugh celebrated his 79th birthday!



Fr. Terry with Corey Fellabaum (Associate, St. Clare Friary)

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.