VOLUME III . ISSUE II the augustinian BEING IN SOUTH AFRICA: REFLECTIONS FROM AN AUGUSTINIAN VOLUNTEER P. 4 TUSCAN ORIGINS OF THE ORDER OF SAINT AUGUSTINE P. 8 CONVOCATION 2009: A HISTORIC GATHERING OF THE FOUR NORTH AMERICAN PROVINCES P. 12 table of contents Celebration of the Year Farewell to the Friars of Paul: “What happened the augustinian . VOLUME III . ISSUE II The Monsignor Bonner Alumni to Paul on the road to looking ahead & Chairpersons Ed ’72 & Karen contents Stefanski invite the Province of Saint Damascus?” Thomas of Villanova, in paying tribute Pope Benedict declared a special CALENDAR OF EVENTS to the Augustinians of Bonner past and Jubilee year to the Apostle Paul, which IN THIS ISSUE present for their 56 years of faithful began June 28, 2008, and will last service to the students of Monsignor until June 29, 2009. This celebration on the cover Mark your calendars today for Bonner High School. The Magazine Cover is a copy of the original “Foundation Letter” dated August is intended to renew dedication to the 27, 1796, where the elected “Father Friar Matthew Carr, O.S.A., Prior of the Gospel and to honor the bi-millennium Philadelphia convent (to be)” departed from Ireland and carried this letter to the these upcoming special events and May 9, 2009 Mass of thanksgiving of Paul’s birth. To support the yearlong American mission. The Cover displays the last page which reads “establishes the celebrations throughout the Province 10:30 aM. at bonner auditoriuM celebration, Villanova University has “new Province” dedicated to “Beatissimae Virginis Mariae de Bono Consilio” of Saint Thomas of Villanova. scheduled various lectures and events (Blessed Virgin Mary of Good Counsel) and prayers for its success”. Springfield Country Club in collaboration with the Year of Paul. This historic letter celebrates the past, commits to the present and inspires for the 400 West Sproul Road On, April 22, 2009, at 4:00pm, on the future of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. Springfield, PA 19064 university’s campus, listen to David Aune, Ph.D., and Professor of New Testament, give a lecture entitled, “What Happened P. 4 Parish Retreat with Fr. to Paul on the road to Damascus?” Michael P. Sullivan, O.S.A. Being in South Africa: Reflections april 22, 2009 from an Augustinian Volunteer Father Michael P. Sullivan, O.S.A., 4 travels the country year-round providing 4:00pm, Connelly Center, Cinema In January 2008, Brian Strassburger boarded a plane parishes with unique retreats that leave Villanova University headed into the unknown- Durban, South Africa. He parishioners renewed, inspired and 800 Lancaster Avenue had finished up a year as an Augustinian Volunteer in laughing. Join Fr. Michael for a retreat Villanova, PA 19085 the Bronx, NY, but had the itch for something more. at Saint Mary, Mother of the Church IN EVERY ISSUE He signed onto the international program in South Parish in Fishkill, New York, in April. Africa looking for a challenge and a way to experience Ever Ancient, Ever New: Access his complete schedule of retreats Features service at its toughest. at the link below. Naming One’s Spirituality A Glimpse 14 april 18, 2009 – april 22, 2009 Attend a retreat lead by Fr. Robert P. 8 Dueweke, O.S.A., which is inspired The Augustinian Family 16 Saint Mary, Mother of the Church by post Vatican II era Augustinian The Augustinian Fund 24 Tuscan Origins of the Order of Saint 103 Jackson Street Spirituality. On the beautiful grounds Augustine Fishkill, NY 12524-1117 of Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center, come identity different aspects Columns The international Augustinian community of San phone 845-896-6400 of your own spirituality. The retreat will Gimignano resides in the Convento Sant’Agostino, Web www.saintmaryschurch-fishkill.org Letter from the Provincial 2 include time for meditation, conferences founded in 1280 within the territory where the Order and reflection. Volunteer Letters 3 saw its beginnings. Some of the Order’s original sites, Vocation Section 18 where the stones speak without words, are nearby and Monday, June 15 – sunday, June 21 8 Ever Ancient - Ever New 20 can be easily visited. Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center News and Notes 21 103 Living Waters Lane Keeping Track 22 P. 12 Maggie Valley, NC 28751 In Paradisum 23 Convocation 2009: A Historic phone 828-926-3833 Gathering of the Four North Web www.catholicretreat.org American Provinces The Augustinian North American Convocation 2009 will be a historic gathering of the North American Provinces to discuss Augustinian spirituality and don’t Miss an augustinian event! the augustinian mission, and to reflect on the history of Augustinians in Sign up for Augustinian eNews A publication for the Province of at www.augustinian.org. Saint Thomas of Villanova. North America. 12 b . the augustinian . FALL/WINTER 2008 the augustinian . SPRING/SUMMER 2009 . 1 VOLUME III . ISSUE I letter froM the prior provincial the augustinian volunteer letters Abi Peche editor Natalie Agraz exudes courage. He is a gentleman who director of developMent has struggled with homelessness much of 20nine Design Studios his adult life. In a city that glows, Johnny layout and design LETTER FROM THE has called a dark cave under a roadway “home”. He has had his bout with drugs The Augustinian is a publication of the and alcohol and unfortunately, still slips prior provincial Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. For queries, address changes and other into his old habits. Although his lifestyle is correspondence, contact: one which I can’t even begin to imagine Dear Friends, Editor or understand, he has proven that he is Augustinian Provincial Offices one of the most sincere, to the point, wild, Welcome to the pleasant change of spring! Nature signals the difference in seasons, powerful P.O. Box 340 courageous individuals I have ever met. Villanova, PA 19085-0340 augustinian volunteers, 2008-09. changes, influencing how we relate to one another and the world around us. We find ourselves needing His story is so hard to believe, as is his to get out of the house, to bask in the sun, to embrace life. Deeper, we revel in the Easter gift of phone 610-527-3330 does not have any family members who friendly demeanor and upbeat attitude redemption, the historical fact that God came to us in humanity and conquered our fear of death. fax 610-520-0618 support her. Her baby’s father is in the considering his struggles. Augustinians are called to take note of changes in nature and the ways we are nurtured. These eMail [email protected] picture when he feels like it and when shifts of seasons and of self, help us sustain our commitment to one another. There is a constant Web www.augustinian.org I am in awe of his spirit and his pure we met she was about to go through her newness in our relationships because we respond to opportunities to create ourselves anew, like determination. He falters between wanting nature does so well. When someone in our lives acknowledges our call to renew ourselves, to first labor and delivery alone. Typically to have an apartment and design clothing augustinians ­AUGUSTINIAN change, to be influenced and grow, appreciation and respect for the friendship is valued as a in situations such as Janice’s, one of the and slipping back under the streets to gift. Relationships are important; for friars, they are portals through which God touches us. Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova Sisters who work at Siena will go to the the place he calls home. He has nothing. volunteers hospital with the woman. However, this In this issue of The Augustinian you will be invited to experience our origins, our growth and Donald F. Reilly, O.S.A. Literally nothing and yet he is so giving. the friars’ hopes for the future. The pages of this issue celebrate our life in common, a life in which prior provincial time, I was asked. I have never been so Johnny Five is my definition of courage. you have an integral role. We are merely spinning around in a smaller world disconnected from John R. Flynn, O.S.A. LETTERS flattered and yet so incredibly scared in Through Janice, Angel and Johnny the real universe unless people like you affirm our call, guide our mission and collaborate with us secretary my entire life. Five I have learned that oftentimes as we mutually live Christ and preach the gospel in our daily lives. Janice is my definition of courage with courage comes with great sacrifice. It is The pages of this issue of The Augustinian are also filled with blessings for the friars. You William A. McGuire, O.S.A. treasurer The Bronx, NY just the clothes on her back, her newborn will read that our brother Michael Scuderi was ordained to the deaconate at St. Rita’s Church formed out of necessity; commitment; baby and the paperwork saying she is anguish and, most importantly, love. in Philadelphia where he will be assigned for ministry. Our Vocation Director, Kevin DePrinzio, counselors Defining Courage is preparing to welcome a number of men into our initial formation program this coming fall. eligible to remain in the shelter system. I now laugh when people call the William J. Donnelly, O.S.A. It’d be a safe bet These nine men, pre-novices, those headed toward the Novitiate, and discerners, who are deciding My second definition is reaffirmed Bronx “scary”. The hustle and bustle of William T. Garland, O.S.A. to say that at least whether or not the Augustinian life is for them, are embarking on a journey which, hopefully, Joseph A.