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VOLUME VI . ISSUE I the augustinian THE DEDICATION OF THE VILLANOVA CHURCH: CELEBRATING 125 YEARS OF WORSHIP 1887-2012 P. 4 DR. BARBARA E. WALL ON CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING: THE ROOTS OF JUSTICE AND PEACE P. 14 TABLE OF CONTENTS Visit the new Augustinian.org! An easy-to-use design with a host of new features THE AUGUSTINIAN . VOLUME VI . ISSUE I CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE P. 4 The Dedication of the Villanova Church: Celebrating 125 Years of Worship 1887-2012 In 2012, the St. Thomas of Villanova church, a well known parish and landmark on the campus of Villanova University, will mark the 125th anniversary of its dedication. The unique history of this church is wrapped into the history of the Augustinians’ entry into the United States and their bold ambition to move their Mother House from Philadelphia to Radnor Township, Delaware County. This article looks at the origins and history of 4 the church, its Dedication Day and the physical changes of the church, the times and its people. At left: the original invitation. IN EVERY ISSUE P. 14 Dr. Barbara E. Wall on Catholic Features Social Teaching: The Roots of The Augustinian Fund 24 Justice and Peace “Human dignity” and “the common good,” two aspects arising Columns from Genesis that drive the Church’s teachings on social justice, peace and the integrity of creation, were highlighted Letter from the Provincial 2 in the keynote address by Dr. Barbara Wall, Vice President of Volunteer Letters 3 Mission and Ministry at Villanova University, delivered at the Augustinian Secretariat’s Justice and Peace Conference, held News and Notes 18 • Read Fr. Tony Burrascano’s Missions Blog! in July 2011 at Villanova University. Excerpts of Dr. Wall’s Keeping Track 22 address appear here, as well as information from Shaun Ferris • Stay up-to-date with the all-new Province News In Paradisum 23 of Catholic Social Services who spoke of CRS’s work abroad and Gearóid Francisco O’Conaire, O.F.M., who spoke about • Learn about our Parishes and Schools 14 the role of the justice promoter. • Get an inside look at the brand new photo gallery ON THE COVER Augustinian Friars, family and friends gather in the St. Thomas of Villanova church THANKS, CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: to celebrate Mass and witness the 2010 Installation of Anthony M. Genovese, O.S.A., John J. Sheridan, O.S.A., Archivist, Province Archives at St. Thomas Monastery, Villanova, PA; June Weiland, as Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. Assistant Archivist, Province Archives at St. Thomas Monastery, Villanova, PA; Dennis J. Gallagher, O.S.A., Cover photography by Bryan Smith for Scientific Services Inc. Additional photography Archivist, Villanova University Archives, Falvey Library; Martin L. Smith, O.S.A., Treasurer of the Province and for feature stories by Bryan Smith and Julie Stauffer for Scientific Services Inc., Teddie Curator of the Augustinian Heritage Room, St. Thomas Monastery, Villanova, PA; Joseph L. Narog, O.S.A., Gallagher and Kitty Sheridan. The photo of the side aisle and bench of the church on Continue the journey! Pastor, St. Thomas of Villanova Parish and his staff for access to the parish archives; The Philadelphia Archdiocesan page 12 is used courtesy of George Yu Architects. The aerial photograph of the church Historical Center, Wynnewood, PA; The Editors and staff of Villanova’s Yearbook, the Belle Air, 1933, 1943, 1971 on page on page 13 is used courtesy of Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO AND and 1974; Thomas C. Middleton, O.S.A. (1842 – 1923) Historical Sketch of Villanova; Arthur J. Ennis, O.S.A (1922 – HOW YOU CAN BECOME A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. 1994) No Easy Road. The Early Years of the Augustinians in the United States, 1796-1874; A Souvenir of Villanova Fair, Published June 14, 1900, by the Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova; The Athenaeum of Philadelphia/PAB —Oil Portrait of E.F. Durang by Lorenzo Scattaglia THE AUGUSTINIAN A publication of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. B . THE AUGUSTINIAN . FALL/WINTER 2011-2012 THE AUGUSTINIAN . FALL/WINTER 2011-2012 . 1 VOLUME VI . ISSUE I LETTER FROM THE PRIOR PROVINCIAL THE AUGUSTINIAN VOLUNTEER LETTERS Teddie Gallagher EDITOR Kitty Sheridan among condemned factories and surrounded ASSOCIATE EDITOR by a vibrant immigrant community. My 20nine classroom is a loud, colorful place; the daily LETTER FROM THE LAYOUT AND DESIGN habitat of 20 loud, colorful 4-year-olds. We are a diverse group: middle-class, working- The Augustinian is a publication of the class, fresh-off-the-boat-from-Dominicana. PRIOR PROVINCIAL Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. When the children color pictures of For queries, address changes and other themselves and their friends, they use peach correspondence, contact: and black and brown and yellow Crayolas Editor to color their faces. Dear Friends, Augustinian Provincial Offices The most remarkable thing about being Welcome to the Fall/Winter edition of The Augustinian magazine. There is much excitement P.O. Box 340 Villanova, PA 19085-0340 here is not the rainbow of faces. The most AUGUSTINIAN VOLUNTEERS, 2011-2012. in the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova as we see the bright-colored crispness of the fall. remarkable thing is that, though they use In this edition you will be given a glimpse of the early days of our Province history and how it PHONE 610-527-3330 handed with a basketball in my hands, I FAX 610-520-0618 many colors to paint their friends, these just calmly said, “I got it all under control.” is reflected by the faith community we serve at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, located on the EMAIL [email protected] children do not see diversity as “difference.” We then proceeded to play. Our late night campus of Villanova University. In our modern world we many times look at growth and wealth WEB www.augustinian.org In this classroom, we do not harbor any and say “Let us build a building.” When I look at a church structure I think of you, the faithful. tournament, which felt like a basketball pre-conceived prejudices. We learn to share, AUGUSTINIAN We will take you through the liturgical renovations over the one hundred and twenty-five years sequel to Field of Dreams, went on for a solid to smile, to laugh, to play, to work together the church has served as a place of worship for the Augustinians, the parish and the students who AUGUSTINIANS VOLUNTEERS 45 minutes before one of the directors despite different opinions. It does not matter come together to celebrate faith. I was blessed to be the Pastor during the major renovation that Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova of the camp decided to shut us down. whose jacket is name brand, whose father was completed in 1992. This was a labor of love that brought the Augustinians, the parishioners Allegedly, “quiet time” goes into effect at wears a suit to work, whose mother is Anthony M. Genovese, O.S.A. and the University together. As George Yu, the talented architect for the renovation said, “We LETTERS 11:00 P.M. So at a little past midnight, struggling to learn English. This is a place PRIOR PROVINCIAL the director softly and sternly reminded us are here to fine-tune a beautiful instrument.” Shawn Tracy, O.S.A., was the Director of Campus where all children are inherently equal. Michael H. Bielecki, O.S.A. with the question, “Guys, so what time is Ministry at the time and we worked closely together to plan and execute the redesign of the Sometimes I wonder if my class will SECRETARY San Diego quiet time?” church. I can still remember the joy on the night of the rededication liturgy, the music, the one day be taught to look at each other as Martin L. Smith, O.S.A. It was just past Although our epic game under the stars different; if their eyes will be clouded with liturgical dance, the blessings, the readings, the sharing of the Body of Christ and the smile on TREASURER 11:00 P.M. on was broken up way too early, it will forever prejudice, assumption, fear, and ignorance. my brother Shawn’s face, when we would catch each other’s eye that night, thinking “Thy will the last night of COUNSELORS be a memorable night. That night, I I wonder if, as the cares and woes of the be done.” The cover is the picture of the night of my installation as Prior Provincial, showing the our final Kairos learned that if you turn on a light, they will Raymond F. Dlugos, O.S.A. grown-up world begin to weigh on them, Augustinians, the parishioners, the campus and all the friends and benefactors gathered together retreat up on the Joseph L. Farrell, O.S.A. come. I also learned that just like baseball, they will lose touch with these brilliant to celebrate God’s love for us. Truly, it’s a building of “living stones.” mountain in Julian, Gary N. McCloskey, O.S.A. there is something spiritual about basketball imaginations with which all things are I had the opportunity to visit another parish this past summer when Father McCloskey and I California. My James D. Paradis, O.S.A. as well. I’m sure a year from now, I’ll be possible. I wonder if they will continue went to our mission in Durban, South Africa. While there, we met with the Cardinal Archbishop Martin L. Smith, O.S.A.