AUGUSTINIANS BECOME ENDORSERS OF CRISTO REY
Augustinians to Enrich Cristo Rey Mission as a Catholic School for Students of All Faiths
PHILADELPHIA (March 18, 2021) – Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School and the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova today announced that the Augustinians will become a co-endorser of Cristo Rey Philadelphia, joining the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The announcement was made jointly by Cristo Rey Founder and President John McConnell and Augustinian Prior Provincial Father Michael F. Di Gregorio, O.S.A.
As part of the endorsement, the Augustinians will assign three friars to Cristo Rey Philadelphia to work as members of the faculty and staff. In addition, Father Michael and Father Donald Reilly, O.S.A, Malvern Prep Head of School, have joined the Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School Board of Trustees.
“The Augustinians seek to contribute to the continued growth and success of Cristo Rey in transforming the lives of students and families and providing new educational opportunities that enlighten student journeys through high school and beyond,” said Father Michael. “As friars called to serve those most in need in a spirit of community, we hope to bring the charism and legacy of our Order to communities of many faiths and offer something of ourselves, our spirit and our heritage to Cristo Rey students and families.”
Cristo Rey President John McConnell said, “We are excited by this new partnership because we expect that the Augustinian charism and educational legacy will enhance and enrich our unique mission to be a Catholic school for students of all faiths. In addition, we believe that this partnership will enable new and exciting opportunities for growth of our mission in Philadelphia.”
At a time when enrollment in Catholic schools across the country is shrinking, the Cristo Rey Network of schools is growing rapidly. Enrollment at Cristo Rey Philadelphia has grown to 540 students at its two- year-new campus at 1717 West Allegheny Avenue. Every Cristo Rey Philadelphia graduate since the first graduating class in 2016 has been accepted into a four-year college.
The new Augustinian endorsement is effective immediately, and Cristo Rey expects to receive the three new friars working in its school as early as this summer.
About the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova The Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova is a branch of the world-wide Order of Saint Augustine founded in 1244. Inspired by the life and spirituality of Saint Augustine of Hippo, the Province was established in the United States in 1796 and now consists of 129 friars living in 21 Augustinian communities on the East Coast of the United States and in Japan. The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova serves the Church and its communities by working in collaboration with lay men and women. Together, they build Christian communities in the field of education, in parishes, foreign missions in Japan and Peru, and minister to the marginalized and underserved in the inner city.
About Cristo Rey Philadelphia Cristo Rey Philadelphia opened its doors to its first 9th grade class on Aug. 13, 2012. Cristo Rey schools offer a unique curriculum that combines academics, extracurricular activities and corporate work experience to prepare students for success in college and beyond. Cristo Rey schools are independent schools operated by a unique partnership of educators, businesses, and universities. Cristo Rey Philadelphia offers a rigorous curriculum for students of all faiths and is part of the Cristo Rey Network, which operates 37 schools nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cristoreyphiladelphia.org.
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