As we continue through Spring and the Easter Season, we are excited to share with you some updates and photos from happenings across our Augustinian community. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support and prayers as we continue to grow together in faith.

The Midwest Augustinians

At the end of March, Providence Catholic HS students met with the Augustinian Nuns to talk about Catholic vocations.

St. Rita Day of Service

In late March, all staff from Providence Catholic High School participated in the St. Rita Day of Service sponsored by the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia in Philadelphia, PA. They volunteered at ShareFest in New Lenox, IL and Northern Illinois Food Bank in Joliet, IL.

On April 28th, Fr. John Merkelis celebrated his 40th anniversary of priestly ordination. To commemorate the special event, the faculty and students of Province Catholic held a special celebration. The school band led him on a surprise parade through the school where students expressed their gratitude and congratulations. The staff was treated to a special lunch and students received cookies. 

Fr. Chris Steinle, OSA visited the Augustinians in Erfurt, Germany, in March. Here he is with Father Jeremias Kiesl, OSA of the German Province at a Lutheran Church in Arnstadt (near Erfurt) where Johann Sebastian Bach was the organist. The town also has the ruins of a castle where Martin Luther stayed for a brief time.

On April 30th, the St. Rita Parish, St. Rita High School, and St. Clare Friary communities had a special dinner downtown to celebrate Easter. 

On March 31-April 2, Fr. Tony Pizzo and Br. Nick Mullarkey visited the community in Delta, British Columbia. On April 1, Fr. Tony celebrated Mass for the faculty and students of Sacred Heart School. Fr. Michael Martell and Fr. Francis Galvan concelebrated.

On April 2-4, Fr. Tony and Br. Nick visited the community at Marylake in King City, Ontario. Here, Fr. Tony is pictured celebrating daily Mass with the local community at the Retreat House while the new monastery and long-term care facility are being built. Along with several laypeople, Fr. Tony was joined at Mass by: Fr. Joel Okojie, OSA, Prior; Br. Thomas Wallace, OSA; the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel; and Fr. Victor Boiragi, a retired priest who resides at Marylake.  

Thank you to all who joined us in person or held our community in prayer for our 2025 Augustinian Gala honoring Br. Jack Hibbard, O.S.A., Chuck Engvall, MaryBeth Carroll, and Fr. Ed Chapman, O.S.A. (posthumously).

A special thank you to our Gala Sponsors for making the evening possible.

View the full Photo Gallery Here: www.midwestaugustinians.org/photos

To view tribute messages, please visit www.augustiniangala.org/tributes

On April 30, Catholic Theological Union hosted their annual Blessed are the Peacemakers Dinner. The province office staff attended the event along with three members of the St. Augustine Friary community in Hyde Park: Fr. Jim Keating, OSA (Villanova Prov); Fr. John Lydon, OSA (Villanova Prov); Br. Tony Moreno, OSA (California Prov)

On April 26th, Villanova College in King City, Ontario celebrated their 25th anniversary with a special Gala Dinner.  

Rev. Joel Okojie, OSA, Prior of Marylake Monastery and Shrine Director; Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, OSA, Prior Provincial; Mr. Paul Paradiso, President of Villanova College; Rev. Bernard Scianna, Senior Associate Dean, Villanova University, PA; Rev. Robert Dodaro, Chaplain of Villanova College; Rev. Thomas McCarthy, Province Vocation Director.

On April 27th, Villanova College had a special Mass as part of their 25th anniversary celebration.

Rev. John Yakes, First Chaplain of Villanova College; Rev. John Arulthas, OSA, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, King City; Rev. Bernard Scianna, OSA, Senior Associate Dean, Villanova University, PA; V. Rev. Anthony B Pizzo, OSA, Prior Provincial; Rev. Robert Dodaro, OSA, Chaplain of Villanova College; Rev. Joel Okojie, OSA, Prior of Marylake Monastery and Shrine Director; Rev. Thomas McCarthy, OSA, Province Vocation Director  

On May 1, 2025, the Church celebrates Religious Brothers Day on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, a special time to thank religious brothers for their vocation and for their commitment to ministry and service to the Church. Thank you to our Midwest Augustinian Brothers!

On April 2nd, Fr. Tom Griffin celebrated his 71st birthday!

On April 9th, Fr. Bernie Scianna celebrated his 60th birthday!

On April 23rd, Fr. Tom McCarthy celebrated his 60th birthday!

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.