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USA Newsletter
The following news stories will be posted from time
to time to keep our friars informed of events of common interest in
the daily life of our religious community, the Augustinian Recollects.
We are also happy to share these stories with our friends and benefactors,
as well as all those who are interested in learning more about the day-to-day
life of a Catholic religious community.
What's New
The Augustinian Recollects
Welcome His Holiness
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St. Benedict Youth
Mission
It has long been a desideratum at St.
Benedict to dedicate more time and attention to the
religious formation of parish teenagers and young
people. A few months ago Father Joseph Gallardo, Pastor,
furthered the creation of a youth choir which sings
each Sunday at the evening Mass. He sees that as the
initial step in scheduling a weekly youth Mass.
After many sessions with the parish
council and staff, discussions with the parish school
and religious education administrations as well as
with the director of the Confirmation program, Father
Joseph decided to inaugurate the PETRUS Youth Program
at St. Benedict. Its formal introduction would be
a three-day youth mission at the parish, March 5-7,
2008. Afterward it would entail a weekly meeting at
St. Benedict with Father Felix Daganta and a monthly
one at St. Joseph Center..
More on this story...
3/08
SARs reflect
on Vocation at regional day of recollection
The day was clear and sunny as
some 100 Secular Augustinian Recollects from
the Tagaste, St. John, and St. Cloud chapters
arrived in Suffern for the annual Lenten day
of recollection on Saturday, March 15. Members
of the Union City chapter (St. Nicholas Delegation)
could not attend this time around due to other
obligations. The topic for this year’s
gathering was Vocation, which followed in the
wake of the mandate of the last General Chapter
that 2008 be a special Year of Vocations, and
the recent opening of Vocation Year 2008 in
both the Eastern and Western regions of the
province. With the vocational “crisis”
adversely affecting all Christian vocations,
it is clearly important to enlist our SARs in
vocational promotion.
More on this story...
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Fr. Hernan Canete,
OAR, joins staff at St. Benedict
A young, active, and athletic Recollect, a member
of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, Father
Hernan Canete arrived in Los Angeles January 19,
2008, and immediately took up residence at St.
Benedict Parish, Montebello, where he had been
assigned as pastoral associate.
Born in Cebu City in 1969, he
entered the Order in 1990 after finishing his
philosophical studies at Seminario Major-Recoletos,
Baguio City. Father was ordained in 1996.
In October of last year, he earned his doctorate
in education at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos
after successfully defending his dissertation
“Training Development Program for Tertiary
Level Faculty”. While studying,
Father Hernan had also worked as university
property manager. More
on this story...
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Vocation Year
2008 opens for the Western Region
On last year’s feast of the Epiphany, the
General of the Augustinian Recollect Order, Father
Javier Guerra, in a letter to the Order’s
membership declared 2008 THE AUGUSTINIAN RECOLLECT
VOCATION YEAR.
In doing that he was motivated by an act of the
last General Chapter as well as by Pope John Paul’s
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, VITA CONSECRATA,
which called for religious institutes “to
invest their best resources generously in vocational
work”. No doubt the words of St. Augustine
(Letter, 157, 4) also acted as a stimulus for
this declaration. There our Holy Father
states that he himself had urged others to follow
his way of life and had met with some success
in doing so. More
on this story... |
Warning
bells ring at St. Benedict
In one of last year’s violently
powerful Southern California’s wind storms,
the gusts ripped dangerously loose part of the
stainless steel backing of the ten-foot
cross atop the church’s 85 foot bell tower.
The large piece was not completely detached but
jutted out precariously at a right angel from
the cross itself and presented a potential hazard
to those who might be passing below.
The Montebello Fire Department,
alerted of the danger, surveyed the damage from
the ground, but regretfully was unable to offer
a remedy since none of their extension ladders was
long enough to reach the tower. More
on this story... |
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Fr. Hernan Canete, OAR, joins staff at St. Benedict
A young, active, and athletic Recollect,
a member of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno,
Father Hernan Canete arrived in Los Angeles January
19, 2008, and immediately took up residence at
St. Benedict Parish, Montebello, where he had
been assigned as pastoral associate.
Born in Cebu City in 1969, he
entered the Order in 1990 after finishing
his philosophical studies at Seminario Major-Recoletos,
Baguio City. Father was ordained in 1996. In
October of last year, he earned his doctorate
in education at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos
after successfully defending his dissertation “Training
Development Program for Tertiary Level Faculty”. While
studying, Father Hernan had also worked as university
property manager. More
on this story...
|
Vocation Year
2008 opens for the Eastern Region
On last year’s feast of the
Epiphany, the General of the Augustinian Recollect
Order, Father Javier Guerra, in a letter to the
Order’s membership declared 2008 THE AUGUSTINIAN
RECOLLECT VOCATION YEAR.
In doing that
he was motivated by an act of the last General
Chapter as well as by Pope John Paul’s
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, VITA CONSECRATA,
which called for religious institutes “to
invest their best resources generously in vocational
work”. No
doubt the words of St. Augustine (Letter, 157,
4) also acted as a stimulus for this declaration. There
our Holy Father states that he himself had urged
others to follow his way of life and had met
with some success in doing so. More
on this story... |
|
2-08
Vocation Year 2008 opens for the Eastern Region
Article No. 9 of the 53rd General Chapter (2004) after petitioning Fr. General to declare 2008 “the Augustinian Recollect Year of Vocations” goes on to state that all the religious of the Order should be “. . . the first agents for stimulating vocational interest through their joyful witnessing to their religious consecration and their life of good example (cf. Const. 159). They should strive to live fraternally in community being zealous in serving and joyful in their experience of God. In this way, the communities’ appeal will be contagious and be itself a vocational calling.”
In conformity with the call of the General Chapter, the friars of St. Augustine Province inaugurated the special Augustinian Recollect Vocation Year (ARVY) at the regional days of recollection, East and West. This special day of recollection for the Eastern Region was held at Tagaste Monastery in Suffern, New York on February 14. Fr. Provincial, Charles Huse, read a protocol letter officially opening Vocation Year 2008 for the region. More
on this story... |
News from Monteagudo (I)
The following notes are taken from a letter by Fra. Ulyses Moyao, OAR, a novice of St. Augustine Province in the novitiate class of 2007-08.
I can tell you that I am very happy here, enjoying my novitiate. As you might imagine, there are a lot of activities here that make the days go by quickly.
We have already had two excursions: to the convents of San Millan de la Cogolla and to Sos del Rey Católico.
More
on this story...
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Western Regional Retreat, 2008
At mid-day on a rather brisk mid-January Monday, ten California Recollects gathered at Los Angeles’ Cardinal Manning House of Prayer for Priests to begin their annual spiritual retreat. They would be together in prayer and silence from January 14-18.
More
on this story... |
Adoration Chapel at St. Benedict
It was last August and long before he knew anything of the December 8th letter from the Congregation for the Clergy’s Prefect, Cardinal Claudio Hummes, asking that special “Eucharistic shrines” be created, that Fr. Joseph Gallardo, Pastor of St. Benedict, set plans in motion to establish just such a shrine.
At that time Father announced that the old circular baptistry—to the right as one enters the church’s vestibule—would be refurbished and converted into a Eucharistic chapel, where the Blessed Sacrament would be enshrined open to all each day. He declared that ‘there is every certainty that the Lord will bless us abundantly for our increased devotion to His sacramental presence. There is no doubt either that we will see a great increase in the number of priestly and religious vocations from St. Benedict.”
More
on this story... |
|
2-08
Vocation Year 2008 opens for the Eastern Region
Article No. 9 of the 53rd General Chapter (2004) after petitioning Fr. General to declare 2008 “the Augustinian Recollect Year of Vocations” goes on to state that all the religious of the Order should be “. . . the first agents for stimulating vocational interest through their joyful witnessing to their religious consecration and their life of good example (cf. Const. 159). They should strive to live fraternally in community being zealous in serving and joyful in their experience of God. In this way, the communities’ appeal will be contagious and be itself a vocational calling.”
In conformity with the call of the General Chapter, the friars of St. Augustine Province inaugurated the special Augustinian Recollect Vocation Year (ARVY) at the regional days of recollection, East and West. This special day of recollection for the Eastern Region was held at Tagaste Monastery in Suffern, New York on February 14. Fr. Provincial, Charles Huse, read a protocol letter officially opening Vocation Year 2008 for the region. More
on this story... |
News from Monteagudo (I)
The following notes are taken from a letter by Fra. Ulyses Moyao, OAR, a novice of St. Augustine Province in the novitiate class of 2007-08.
I can tell you that I am very happy here, enjoying my novitiate. As you might imagine, there are a lot of activities here that make the days go by quickly.
We have already had two excursions: to the convents of San Millan de la Cogolla and to Sos del Rey Católico.
More
on this story...
|
Western Regional Retreat, 2008
At mid-day on a rather brisk mid-January Monday, ten California Recollects gathered at Los Angeles’ Cardinal Manning House of Prayer for Priests to begin their annual spiritual retreat. They would be together in prayer and silence from January 14-18.
More
on this story... |
Adoration Chapel at St. Benedict
It was last August and long before he knew anything of the December 8th letter from the Congregation for the Clergy’s Prefect, Cardinal Claudio Hummes, asking that special “Eucharistic shrines” be created, that Fr. Joseph Gallardo, Pastor of St. Benedict, set plans in motion to establish just such a shrine.
At that time Father announced that the old circular baptistry—to the right as one enters the church’s vestibule—would be refurbished and converted into a Eucharistic chapel, where the Blessed Sacrament would be enshrined open to all each day. He declared that ‘there is every certainty that the Lord will bless us abundantly for our increased devotion to His sacramental presence. There is no doubt either that we will see a great increase in the number of priestly and religious vocations from St. Benedict.”
More
on this story... |
1-08
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Holy Innocents with the AR Sisters in Irvington
Every year on the feast
of Holy Innocents, December 28, the Augustinian Recollect
Sisters in Irvington, New Jersey, invite their Recollect
brothers from St. Augustine Province and the St.
Nicholas Delegation to join them for a community
gathering and lunch. Since Holy Innocents is the
day for pranks (like April Fools’ Day) everyone
has to remain alert; the Sisters are always very
creative when it comes to playing tricks!
Twenty-two Recollect friars—from Tagaste Monastery in Suffern, the Provincial Residence in West Orange, St. John Parish in the Bronx, and the St. Nicholas Delegation—were present at the Sister’s convent for their annual OAR Christmas get-together. The chapel and convent were festively decorated for the Christmas season, the highlight—which seems to grow larger every year—being a large Nativity display in the dining room featuring dozens of miniature figures and appropriate landscaping.
More
on this story...
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Eighteen friars participated
in the monthly day of recollection for the Eastern
Region on December 19. Traditionally, St. Cloud Monastery
has hosted this pre-Christmas get together. The topic
of discussion for the day was “The Community
Praying and Penitent” from Las Constituciones
fuente viva. The discussion was shortened, however,
so that there would be more time for convivencia in
the spirit of Christmas. Evening Prayer with Benediction
preceded the singing of Christmas carols, made more
festive by the beautiful decorations which always
grace the Provincial House.
More
on this story... |
This year’s SAR Christmas
party for the West Orange chapter fell on the twelfth
day of Christmas - the Solemnity of the
Epiphany. Fr. Provincial, Charles Huse, and local
community members Br. Anthony Torretti and Fr.
Michael Rafferty were on hand to greet some 50
guests, including several friars from Tagaste Monastery,
who attended the celebration. There was a great
deal of finger food including sandwiches, cakes,
and cookies, expertly prepared by the SAR Sisters
of Irvington, to satisfy the hunger of the guests.
The main event of the afternoon was the singing
of Christmas carols.
More
on this story... |
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SAR Profession at Tagaste
It has become traditional at Tagaste Monastery
for the local SAR fraternity to celebrate the profession
of novices and entrance into the novitiate on the
first Wednesday of December each year. This year’s
profession happened to coincide with the Day of
the Recollection—“Foundation Day”—in
the Order, making it a doubly joyful occasion.
Bishop David Arias, OAR, presided at the liturgy
and received the profession of promises from the
SAR candidates. He was joined in the concelebrated
Mass by Fr. Provincial and Recollect friars from
the Eastern Region. The Mass was offered for Catherine
Walber, deceased wife of John Walber, a past president
of the Tagaste SARs who was present along with
his family. More on
this story...
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12-07 |
Br. Michael Stechmann ordained a Transitional Deacon
On Saturday, November 17, Br. Michael Stechmann,
O.A.R., along with twelve classmates from St. John’s
Seminary in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, was
ordained to the transitional diaconate at Padre
Serra Church in Camarillo, CA by Most Rev. Alexander
Salazar, Auxiliary Bishop of the San Pedro Region. Also
present was Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis and over
100 concelebrants. Fr. Domingos Machado, O.A.R.,
Vicar Provincial accompanied the Rector and
Vice-Rector in the entrance procession and liturgy
and Augustinian Recollects from several communities
were present for the ordination liturgy.
This was the largest ordination class in over
twenty years and an additional four classmates
were ordained in liturgies in the Archdiocese of
Seattle and the Diocese of Orange.
More on this story... |
Fra.
Juan José Guzman
ordained to the Diaconate
Recently, things have
been happening very quickly for Fra. Juan
José Guzman.
After a month of special preparation in Burgos,
Spain, he made his profession of solemn vows on
August 25 at Tagaste Monastery. Although he had
fulfilled all academic equirements for iaconate
in the spring along with his classmates at Immaculate
Conception Seminary, he had to wait, as mandated
by canonical regulations, until after his solemn
profession to receive the Order of Deacon. Accordingly,
his diaconate was scheduled for December 1.
His family, who were also present for Fra. Juan José’solemn
profession,
came from their home outside of Guadalajara, Mexico, to witness his promotion
to major orders.
More on this story... |
First
Meeting of Provincial Secretaries
with General Curia
I shall begin with a resounding “Viva,
Italia”! Yes, that’s how much
I loved my first visit to Rome. I was warmly
greeted at the city’s Da Vinci airport
on Friday, September 28, 2007, by Frs. Miguel
Miró, prior, and Javier Echarri, general
procurator, of the Curia residence. The
friars wasted no time in giving me a quick run-through
of the scenery that Rome had to offer on the
highway as we headed toward the Curia. Upon
arrival there, I immediately ran into (literally!)
Fr. Jesús Suela, secretary general.
More on this story...
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Fr. James McGuire
celebrates 60 years
as an Augustinian Recollect
Anniversaries and jubilees
are milestones. They do not represent a goal or a
finish. An anniversary is a time to pause, a moment
for a backward glance to see what has been accomplished,
to be humbly grateful and then strike on toward another
milestone. So Father McGuire reminded the many who
gathered with him on September 9, 2007, in Montebello's
St. Benedict Church to mark the 60th anniversary of
his religious profession.
St. Benedict Parish was
anxious to commemorate this event in a proper and
fitting manner. Accordingly they planned a 4:00 p.m.
Sunday Liturgy and a banquet to follow at the Quiet
Canon restaurant.
More
on this story... |
Thanksgiving at
St. John Kingsbridge
Once again on Thanksgiving Day, the doors of St. John's Parish in Bronx, New York, were opened up to those who were alone without family on this festive holiday. This tradition began seven years ago by Fr. Ed Fagan, OAR, who, when he was a student, said that if he became a priest he would hold a dinner on Thanksgiving for people in the local community who normally spend the whole year alone. Well, that wish did become a reality. This year a dinner with all the trimmings was served to over 60 guests. There were also a number of dinners delivered to those who were homebound and unable to join us at the Godwin Terrace School.
More
on this story... |
The Day of My Religious Consecration to God
The day I consecrated myself publicly to God will always be a blessed and special moment for me--a very personal, intimate, and unique experience. Admittedly there have been moments when I have not felt worthy enough to make this commitment. Moreover, the profession liturgy seemed to be so short but simultaneously so valuable for my future life. For sure it will be a lifetime remembrance. Reflecting deeply on my profession of simple vows of chastity, obedience and poverty, I would have to say that it would not have been so blessed and would not have marked my life so profoundly, if it wasn’t for the spiritual preparation I received during my year of novitiate.
More on this story...
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Memories of
my Solemn Profession
The day of my solemn profession
came at last on August 25th, 2007. This event was
so significant in my life because I was first and
foremost making a decisive choice, a lifetime commitment.
Before making my solemn profession I began to think
about how it all started: in other words, what events
and experiences brought me to this point? The first
thought that came to my mind was the time when I was
just starting my initial formation. I remembered Oxnard,
California where the house of initial formation is
located and the weekend vocation retreats are held.
In 1995 I first met Fr. JosÈ Luis Mart’nez who was
vocation promoter at that time.
More on this story...
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SAR Profession in Milpitas
Even though it is physically separated by many miles from other SAR fraternities in California, the St. Magdalena Chapter of the Secular Augustinian Recollects in Milpitas has made steady progress in recruiting new members, thanks to the continuing enthusiasm of the AR Sisters (Philippines), the members of the Council, and the chapter members themselves.
More on this story...
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7-07 |
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Eastern Regional Retreat, 2007
Tagaste Monastery in Suffern, New York once again hosted the Eastern Regional
Retreat for St. Augustine Province, June 10-15, 2007. A dozen Recollect friars
from our three Eastern houses and from Mexico City—the Provincial Residence
in West Orange, New Jersey; St. John Parish in the Bronx, New York, Our Lady
of Lourdes in Mexico, and Tagaste—were represented at the retreat, which
was directed by Fr. John Benedict Weber, O.Carm., from Carmel Retreat House
in Mahwah, NJ. The main theme of the retreat was contemplative prayer as it
is rooted in the Scriptural example of Jesus, the evangelical counsels, and
the tradition of Augustinian Recollect religious life.
More on this story... |
5-07 |
A Visit With Our Students In Spain
“Sorry about the delay;” the pilot’s voice blared over the
intercom, “there were forty planes lined up ahead of us.” . . .
That, at least, explained the one-hour delay on the runway at Newark Liberty
Airport. It was after 9:00 PM on Sunday, March 25 when we finally took off.
Fr. Michael Rafferty was my traveling companion on the seven hour trip to Spain
where we planned to visit with our students, Fra. Juan José Alfaro, a
simple professed studying philosophy in Madrid, and Fra. Eduardo Rodríguez,
a novice in Monteagudo.
More
on this story... |
Fr. Anthony Palos, OAR, Receives Evangelization Award
The Cursillo de Cristiandad of New York held its 19th annual banquet De Colores at Marina Del Rey restaurant in the Bronx on May 10, 2007.
Some 800 guests and community members were present for the celebration, including
Fr. Fidel Hernandez, spiritual director, and Br. Mario Alvarez, assistant director
of St. Joseph Center as well as Bishops David Arias, OAR, and Gerard Ward. Fr.
Provincial, Charles Huse, was also on hand to present Fr. Anthony Palos with
the Ezekiel Moreno Evangelization Award for his work over many years in serving
the Hispanic community and the Cursillo Movement.
More
on this story.... |
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Tagaste participates in New York
Archdiocese Bicentennial Celebration
“Rockland’s Catholic heritage” is the title of one of a series
of events celebrating the bicentennial of the Archdiocese of New York. The Historical
Society of Rockland County will be displaying a variety of historical and artistic
items at its New City headquarters from March 11-June 17, 2007. wenty five friars involved in formation
ministry in the Order of Augustinian Recollects met
at the Monastery of El Desierto de la Candelaria,
Ráquira, Colombia, for a meeting sponsored
by the General Secretariat of Formation, January 22-February
3. The meeting was directed by Fr. Bernardo Cerda
Saiz, OAR, president of the Secretariat. Representing
St. Augustine Province were Fr. Ramon Gaitán,
prior of Tagaste Monastery, Suffern, New York, and
Fr. Eliseo González, prefect of students at
St. Augustine Priory, Oxnard, California.
Slideshow, and more
on this story... | Ver Español de este página. To see Spanish of this page.
|
 Fr.
James McGuire to Celebrate
60 years of Religious Profession
The Los Angeles Archdiocese
celebration for religious men and women observing
significant jubilees of religious profession took
place at 3:30 PM, Sunday, January 28, 2007, at the
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles. 140 religious
are observing jubilees this year, and 70 of them
were present for the celebration.
Click here for more...
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Honoring the Ministry
of Fr. James Brown in Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska,
was the site of the first permanent mission of the
Augustinian Recollects in the United States. Beginning
at Holy Ghost Parish in 1917 and then at Our Lady
of Guadalupe Parish in 1919, the Recollect friars
ministered to both the English and Spanish speaking
residents of South Omaha. The corporate mission of
St. Augustine Province in Omaha ended in the mid-1980s
when lack of personnel and the need for consolidation
to preserve community life forced the Recollects to
withdraw from the Archdiocese. Click
here for more... |
Recollect Formators meet in Colombia
Twenty five friars involved in formation
ministry in the Order of Augustinian Recollects met
at the Monastery of El Desierto de la Candelaria,
Ráquira, Colombia, for a meeting sponsored
by the General Secretariat of Formation, January 22-February
3. The meeting was directed by Fr. Bernardo Cerda
Saiz, OAR, president of the Secretariat. Representing
St. Augustine Province were Fr. Ramon Gaitán,
prior of Tagaste Monastery, Suffern, New York, and
Fr. Eliseo González, prefect of students at
St. Augustine Priory, Oxnard, California. More
on this story... |
Third OAR Mission Congress held
in the Philippines
The Mission Congress, celebrated from December 4 to 6 in Manila, has put the final touch on this missionary year 2006 that was convoked for us by the Prior General. In it we have especially remembered the IV Centenary of the arrival of the Augustinian Recollects in the Philippines and the missionary labor of St. Ezekiel Moreno in these islands, as we commemorate of the first centenary of his death. More on this story... |
From Previous Issues....
Western Regional Retreat,
2007
A dozen Recollects in California joined together for their annual spiritual
retreat from January 14-19, 2007. As they did last year, the friars assembled
at the Cardinal Timothy Manning House of Prayer for Priests in Los Angeles,
which offers excellent.....
More on this story & slideshow
|
Christmas
Scenes from
St. Augustine Province
East Coast and West Coast
To view bi-coastal slide shows of our communities celebrating Christmas, please click the link below.
Click
here for slide shows... |
|
A
Sacred Freedom:
A Poem for St. Augustine
Terrain dry; African
skies-
Fall of the year; a child is born-
The eldest child, not yet a Servant of his God.
Knowledge; not yet
more than such-
The bridge between all that is, all that was,
And all that will ever be known.
more
of this poem |
12-06 |
Bishop Gallegos News
We are very happy
to announce a new feature to our province web site:
an area dedicated entirely to news about Bishop Alphonse
Gallegos, OAR, whose cause for beatification has been
introduced in Rome. We hope that you will find this new
section both interesting and informative. The material
can be accessed by clicking on the Bishop Gallegos icon
that will appear on the lower left side of the home page.
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Seven
SAR Novices Profess
Vows at Tagaste Monastery
New SAR professed
and novices gather with clergy after Mass in Tagaste Monastery
Chapel.
Moved by the grace
of God and having lived the Trial Period in which we have
come to know your Rule, we humbly ask that we
be permitted to make our Promises to God and to become part
of the Augustinian Recollect family.
This was the petition of seven
Secular Augustinian Recollect novices who professed their
vows during a special Mass at Tagaste Monastery in Suffern,
New York, on the evening of November 6. Along with the newly
professed, there were thirteen candidates for the SAR novitiate
class of 2006-07. Fr. Ramon Gaitán, prior, received
the professions in the name of Fr. General, each professed-candidate
reading and signing the profession formula and receiving
a certificate verifying his/her profession, together with
an SAR pin. Mr. Charles Squires, current SAR president,
then welcomed the novice-candidates and gave each one a
copy of the Rule of Life and Statutes of the
Fraternity to be studied during the novitiate year.
More on this story... |
FR.
FRANCIS MORIONES, O.A.R.,
Celebrates
80 Years
As A Professed Religious
It all began on December
5, 1926, when Francis Moriones made his first profession
of vows as an Augustinian Recollect religious in Sol
Del Rey Catolico, a small town in the province of
Zaragoza, Spain. He had just reached his sixteenth
birthday (the canonical age required for validity
of profession) two days earlier, on December 3. Now,
in 2006, Fr. Francis Moriones is celebrating two extraordinary
anniversaries: his 96th birthday, and his 80th year
as a professed Augustinian Recollect. More
on this story... |
11-06
Thanksgiving Day Reflection
By: Fr. Fredric
B. Abiera, OAR
Last Thanksgiving Day, I remember how
I carved, for the first time, a pumpkin and displayed
it at the window of St. John’s Rectory in the
Bronx with a little candle burning dimly inside it.
Last Thanksgiving Day, I remember joining the Parish
staff and volunteers serving the Thanksgiving Dinner
at St. John’s School for the elderly and for
those who were alone during the Holiday Celebration.
Last Thanksgiving Day, I remember feasting on those
delicious turkey and everything that goes with the
abundant and bountiful Thanksgiving dinner. Well,
I remember them, not only because they were good memories
to reminisce, but also because in my current situation,
I cannot help but recall those experiences that will
clearly be absent this year. And in a way, going through
“memory lane” gives me the chance
to re-live those experiences, which trigger my nostalgic
longing for something I would not be celebrating this
year- something I knew when I accepted my assignment
to study here in Rome. More
on this story... |
“It’s
Like a Rock of the Community”
St. Benedict Parish
in Montebello California, celebrates its 100th
Jubilee
One
year ago, on September 30, 2005, the St. Benedict
Parish family issued a proclamation which, after
situating the event in the third Christian millennium,
and the history of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,
declared open its Jubilee Year, marking the
one hundredth anniversary of its establishment.
The year was filled with special prayers, parish
suppers, concerts by the local choir, bulletin
notices, and marathon committee meetings. A
distinctive logo was created for the occasion
by Fr. Rafael Nieto, OAR, in San Millan, Spain.
In addition, various souvenir items were prepared
and sold, attractive invitations printed and
mailed, and a handsome commemorative journal
written and published. More
on this story....
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Fr. Francis
Peluso, OAR
1934-2006
The
phone call that came on September 15 was an
unwelcome one; sadly, however, it was not
unexpected: Fr. Francis Peluso, OAR, had died
at the age of 72, having just celebrated his
45th anniversary as a priest. For a month
prior to his death and shortly after arriving
at his new assignment at St. John Parish in
the Bronx, New York, Fr. Frank had been hospitalized
with a mysterious illness which his doctors
at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center referred
to as a form of encephalitis, but which seemed
to elude definitive diagnosis or treatment.
After taking sick he remained to the end almost
totally unresponsive and unaware of people
and things around him, an unfortunate ending
for a man who had always enjoyed an intense
level of interaction with others. More on this story....
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Featuring,
from our Web Site...
Our
Deceased Brothers
“With
a Spirit of piety,
we must keep alive among us
the memory of our dead brothers by
offering prayers of expiation for them.”
--Constitutions, 93
More
on this story... |
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Update
on Bishop Alphonse Gallegos
The
closing of the initial phase for the process
of beatification and canonization of Bishop
Alphonse Gallegos is scheduled to take place
on November 5, 2006, and will be celebrated
with a 1:00 PM Mass, presided by Bishop William
Weigand of Sacramento, California, in Sacred
Heart Cathedral. This date coincides with what
would have been the 25th anniversary
of the Bishop’s ordination to the episcopacy—November
4, 1981—in the same cathedral.
More
on this story.... |
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Novitiate Class: 2006-07
Since the mid-1980s, St. Augustine Province (along with St.
Nicholas, St. Joseph, and Consolation Province) has participated in an inter-provincial
novitiate sponsored by St. Nicholas Province in Monteagudo, Spain. The size
of the novitiate group varies each year with this year's group being one of
the larger ones, 19 in all. This year St. Augustine Province has one novice,
Fra. Eduardo Rodriguez. more
on this story ... |
8-06 |
Reflections on the XX Provincial
Chapter of St. Augustine Province
It's never easy to put into words when one has experienced
such a momentous occurrence in one's life asa friar such
as assisting at a Provincial
Chapter for the first time. There are so many events,
so many details to remember, that it seems almost an impossible
task to put them down on paper.
more
on this story ... |
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