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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
3-10 |
“Love one another”
That the Servant of God, Alphonse Gallegos,
an Augustinian Recollect and Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento, California,
may ever remain close to his beloved flock,
and they can constantly ask his intercession,
his mortal remains will be transferred to a new tomb
at
the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe,
711 T Street, Sacramento, California,
on Saturday, March 27, 2010
after a solemn concelebrated Mass
to be presided by
his Excellency Bishop Jaime Soto
at 12 midday.
The vigil will start at 10:00 in the morning.
The faithful are cordially invited to attend this sacred occasion
and to pray that the day may come when this devoted son
of Our Lady of Guadalupe may be raised to the altars
among the blessed and saints. |
2-10 |
Fundraiser to construct tomb for the Servant of God,
Bishop Alphonse Gallegos, OAR
February, 2010
On Monday, February 8th, 2010 the Sacramento Bee newspaper ran a story stating, “Nearly 19 years after his death, the body of Bishop Alphonse Gallegos will be exhumed from St. Mary’s cemetery next month and moved to a downtown church as part of his journey to sainthood.”
More on this story... |
1-10 |
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“We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe”
St. John the Baptist Parish and the Secular Augustinian Recollects of Milpitas, California, hosted the fourth annual celebration of the Vocations and Contributions of Lay/Secular Orders in the Diocese of San Jose. The gathering, held on Saturday, October 17, 2009, was titled “We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe.” Most Rev. Patrick McGrath, bishop of San Jose, presided at the Mass, which began at 11:15 AM. Joining him as concelebrants were the priest-spiritual directors of the various participating lay groups, including the Third Order Carmelites (TOC and OCDS), Dominicans (OPL), Franciscans (SFO), Incarnate Word (IVE), and Augustinian Recollects (SAR). Fr. John Gruben, who was visiting in Milpitas, represented the Augustinian Recollects.
More on this story... |
The Knights of Columbus establish a new council named Bishop Alphonse Gallegos, OAR
January 2010, Los Angeles, California
The love and devotion to the Servant of God, Bishop Alphonse Gallegos, continues to grow in Southern California. The Knights of Columbus established a new council in St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish, Los Angeles, California, on January 17, 2010, naming it the Bishop Alphonse Gallegos Council. Several of the new council members personally knew Bishop Gallegos and wished to establish a council honoring his memory.
More on this story... |
10-09 |
A Day of Many Celebrations
August 28 in Suffern, New York was rainy and gloomy, and things got steadily worse as the day progressed. The wet weather, however, was not enough to dampen the spirits at Tagaste Monastery as the friars prepared for the annual celebration of the Feast of St. Augustine. Actually, it was a day of many celebrations, since the Augustinian Recollects were remembering not only the feast day of their founder and spiritual father, but were also marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the St. Pius X Guild and the 50th anniversary of the profession of vows of Br. Joseph Joly. Some 200 people, including visiting clergy, Secular Augustinian Recollects from Tagaste, St. Cloud Monastery, and St. John Parish, Guild members, and the principal groups and individuals who support Tagaste as well as the family of Br. Joe, attended the 5:00 PM concelebrated Mass presided by our new Prior Provincial, Fr. Joseph Gallardo. Principal concelebrants included Frs. Charles Huse, former provincial and homilist for the occasion; Ramón Gaitán, prior; John Gruben, vice prior; and Msgr. Joseph Giandurco, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Suffern. Br. Anthony Torretti served as master of ceremonies, and the Tagaste students were acolytes for the occasion.
More on this story... |
Br. Joseph Joly, OAR, celebrates 50 years as an Augustinian Recollect
He was in the navy back in 1952, but he also was reading the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas, a sure sign that Joseph Joly wasn’t destined to be a sailor forever. While on shore leave in New York City, he decided to ask the first priest he saw for Guideposts (an inspirational magazine). The priest turned out to be Fr. Robert Krajicek, OAR, who not only promised to get him Guideposts, but started a correspondence that would eventually lead to Br. Joe’s admission to the Augustinian Recollects.
More on this story... |
9-09
Fr. Provincial Joseph Gallardo receives Plaque of Outstanding Contribution from City of Montebello
Saint Benedict Church
Montebello, California
On August 12, 2009, the city council of Montebello presented Fr. Joseph with a beautifully engraved plaque of appreciation for his seven years of dedicated service at St. Benedict’s, three of which he served as pastor. Fellow friars, newly-arrived St. Benedict parochial vicar, Fr. Michael Rafferty and visiting provincial procurator, Br. Anthony Torretti, happily accompanied Fr. Joseph on this special occasion.
More on this story... |
9-09
St. Benedict’s Montebello
Farewell Gala for Father Joseph Gallardo, OAR
It is always a sad occasion when a beloved pastor is reassigned, and St. Benedict’s Father Joseph is indeed a much-beloved pastor. It was only fitting, then, that the new Father Provincial’s going-away party be a spectacular event!
On Saturday, August 15, 2009, the parish hall looked nothing like your normal parish hall! It was like walking into a fancy and colorful Hawaiian luau!
More on this story... |
9-09
Fr. Provincial Joseph Gallardo receives
Plaque of Outstanding Contribution
from City of Montebello
Saint Benedict Church
Montebello, California
On August 12, 2009, the city council of Montebello presented Fr. Joseph with a beautifully engraved plaque of appreciation for his seven years of dedicated service at St. Benedict’s, three of which he served as pastor. Fellow friars, newly-arrived St. Benedict parochial vicar, Fr. Michael Rafferty and visiting provincial procurator, Br. Anthony Torretti, happily accompanied Fr. Joseph on this special occasion.
More on this story... |
9-09
St. Benedict’s Montebello
Farewell Gala for
Father Joseph Gallardo, OAR
It is always a sad occasion when a beloved pastor is reassigned, and St. Benedict’s Father Joseph is indeed a much-beloved pastor. It was only fitting, then, that the new Father Provincial’s going-away party be a spectacular event!
On Saturday, August 15, 2009, the parish hall looked nothing like your normal parish hall! It was like walking into a fancy and colorful Hawaiian luau!
More on this story... |
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8-09
Favors Attributable to Bishop Gallegos
Please visit our new page devoted to favors attributed to Bishop Gallegos.
Recently, three stories were added to Bishop Gallegos.
Young girl recovers her vision
while praying before the tomb of
Bishop Alphonse Gallegos, OAR...
Eye Surgery Not Needed
Two unexpected years of life
Click to visit the page: Favors Attributable to Bishop Gallegos. |
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7-09
OAR General Visits Tomb Of Bishop Gallegos
Sacramento, CA. The Reverend Father Javier Guerra Ayala, Prior General of the Order of the Augustinian Recollects, recently visited the tomb of the Servant of God Bishop Alphonse Gallegos, OAR at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. He was accompanied by Father Eliseo González, OAR, Vice Postulator of the Cause. The Diocesan Process of the Cause of Canonization of Bishop Gallegos was opened in Sacramento on December 4, 2005 and concluded on November 4, 2006. The Congregation of the Causes of Saints in Rome granted the decree of validity on July 4, 2008. More on this story... |
6-09
Opening of the 21st Provincial Chapter,
Saint Augustine Province
St. Augustine Priory, Oxnard, CA – Monday, June 15th the religious convoked for the 21st Provincial Chapter gathered at Saint Augustine Priory, Oxnard, California for a day of prayer with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and praying of the Rosary. In the evening there was a fraternal celebration on the occasion of the birthday of Fr. Jesús Villaseñor, during dinner.
More on this story... |
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21st
Provincial Chapter,
Saint Augustine Province
Day 2
Heeding God’s call through the beautiful sound of St. Augustine Priory’s bell, the capitulars, together with the members of the local community, headed to the Chapel at 7:00 AM for the morning prayers and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist being Vocations as the theme of today’ Mass. Presiding the Eucharistic celebration was Fr. Marlon Beof, OAR, President of the Secretariat of Vocations and Formation, with Frs. Fidel Hernandez, OAR and Eliseo Gonzalez, OAR as main concelebrants. Serving as deacons were Ulises Feliciano, OAR and Ascension Esqueda, OAR while Br. Anthony Toretti, OAR served as the liturgist.
More on this story. |
21st
Provincial Chapter,
Saint Augustine Province
Day 3
Feast of the Dedication of the Seminary Chapel to our Lady
Thursday Morning June 18, 2009 – The day began with the office of readings at 7am followed by Mass with morning prayer incorporated. The Mass celebrated by the Rev. Fr. John Oldfield and concelebrated by the rest of the capitulars was in honor of the 19th anniversary of the foundation of the the Seminary Chapel of Our Lady. The Mass was very solemn. Father Oldfield reminded the congregration about the
More on this story. |
21st
Provincial Chapter,
Saint Augustine Province
Day 4
June 19th the Friars began the day at 7:00am with prayer followed by the Holy Eucharist in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Today marked the beginning of the Year for Priest June 19th- June 11th 2010, declared by Pope Benedict XVI. Fr. Charles Huse, Prior Provincial, was the main celebrant. He spoke about encountering the loving heart of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, in each other and in the faithful that love and support us.
More on this story. |
21st Provincial Chapter,
Saint Augustine Province
Day 5
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Mary
On Saturday June 20th the religious gathered for prayers at 7am, followed by the Holy Eucharist. Fr. Domingos Machado, Secretariat of Spirituality was the main celebrant. During his homily he mentioned how as a young child his parents had engraved in him a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. He asked the capitulars to ask Mary to accompany them in their deliberations as she did the apostles in the upper room.
More on this story.
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21st Provincial Chapter,
Saint Augustine Province
Day 6
Remembering the Deceased of the Province
Today’s chapter meetings began with the Office of Readings for the dead as we remembered our deceased brothers of the Order. The Eucharist was celebrated by the Fr. Gerard Cosgayon who inspired us all with anecdotes from his memoirs of our deceased friars.
More on this story.
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21st Provincial Chapter,
Saint Augustine Province
Day 7
7th Day of the 21st Provincial Chapter
If there are golden girls, there should also be golden boys. Entering into their golden year in their priesthood are our brother capitulars Frs. Anthony Palos, Jose Antonio Arias, and Alfredo de Dios. They were our main concelebrants in today’s Eucharistic celebration.
More on this story.
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Day 8 of
21st Provincial Chapter, Saint Augustine Province
Nativity of John the Baptist
Wednesday, June 24th, the day began with prayers at 7am followed by breakfast. The first session began at 9:15am with a prayer led by Fr. Fidel Hernández. Fr. John Oldfield proceeded to read some messages sent to the capitulars by Fr. Francisco Javier Jiménez, Prior Provincial of Saint Nicolas Province, Fr. Julio Chacon, Fr. Miguel Miro, Fr. Juan Manuel Torrecilla.
More on this story... |
5-09
Adult Religious Education at Cristo Rey
Shortly after arriving at Cristo Rey Church in Los Angeles, Fr. Michael Stechmann was meeting with parents wishing to have their children baptized and they spoke with honesty about having “fallen through the cracks” through the years regarding reception of the Sacraments. Some of the parishioners who attend daily Mass were concerned about their adult children who were negligent in receiving the Sacraments. Fr. Michael noticed those who were attending Mass and not receiving the Eucharist and began to speak privately to individuals and they were quite eager to tell their stories and even more excited about the possibility of receiving the Sacraments of Initiation. They were ready and willing for the invitation to advance in their faith. More on this story... |
2-09 |
San Miguel Church: A history
By Hermine Lees
(originally appeared in Los Angeles’ Archdiocesan Catholic publication, The Tidings, October 31, 2008)
Founded: 1927
Location: 2214 East 108th Street, Los Angeles
San Pedro Region: Deanery 17
The poignant cry of "Viva Cristo Rey!" echoed around the world in November of 1927 when the young Jesuit priest, Miguel Pro, was executed in Mexico during the violent persecutions of Catholics in that country. The photograph of his execution --his arms raised in the form of a cross, one hand holding a crucifix, the other a rosary --was intended to show the power of the Marxist regime but instead elicited outrage and protest worldwide. Pope John Paul II beatified the Jesuit in 1988.
More on this story... |
San Miguel, Follow-up
by Fr. James D. McGuire
As the last Augustinian Recollect parochial vicar at San Miguel Church in Watts (Los Angeles), it was a pleasure to read in the Oct.31, 2008 issue of the Tidings, Hermine Lees' thumbnail history of that parish.
I had always heard that it was in gratitude for the financial help of the parishioners of St. Michael’s Parish in Los Angeles that the new parish chose the name San Miguel.
The article was unable to give a list of the pastors in San Miguel's early days.
More on this story... |
Celebrating the OAR anniversary at St. Benedict’s Church, Montebello, California, December 2008
To mark in a fitting and solemn way the anniversary of the Augustinian Recollection (Dec. 5), the OAR friars of California, the AR Sisters of Sun Valley, California, together with the SAR Chapter of St. Benedict Parish, Montebello, California, gathered at St. Benedict’s on Thursday, December 4, 2008, for prayer, remembrance and a gala meal.
After the group had assembled in the church, the Prior/Pastor, Father Joseph Gallardo, welcomed them warmly and led the opening prayer.
More on this story... |
1-09 |
Walk of Faith:
1,300-Plus March for Peace in Montebello
The marchers came on foot, with dogs on leashes, elders in wheelchairs and babies on shoulders --- more than 1,300 of them, not a bad turnout. Especially on a Labor Day when they could have been sleeping in, heading for the beach, or otherwise taking it easy. More on this story... |
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ANNUAL CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION FOR EAST COAST FRIARS,
HOSTED BY AUGUSTINIAN RECOLLECT SISTERS,
IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY, DECEMBER 30, 2008
That time again! Our gracious AR sisters of Immaculate Conception Convent in Irvington hosted a fantastic Christmas and New Year’s party, packed with fun, food, and plenty of laughs. Fr. Provincial and I were there, along with several of Tagaste’s friars, Fr. Fidel Hernández, and many of St. Nicholas Province’s religious from Union City. More on this story...
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New Crucifix
in Eucharistic Chapel
St. Benedict's,
Montebello, California,
September 14, 2008
When St. Benedict’s jewel-like Eucharistic Chapel was blessed and opened in 2007 on the Feast of Christ the King, it lacked several liturgical pieces that were envisioned in its original plan. To mark, in a small way, the parish’s celebration of the golden jubilee of its present church, Father Joseph Gallardo, pastor, has acquired and hung a museum-quality ivory crucifix above the adoration tabernacle. More on this story... |
Installation of
New Electric Organ,
St. Benedict’s,
Montebello, California, October 23, 2008
On January 11, 2009, St. Benedict will celebrate the golden anniversary of the dedication of its present church. For some time the pastor, Father Joseph Gallardo, has been pondering and questioning how the parish might suitably mark such an important milestone in parish’s history. Many ideas and suggestions surfaced – some of which may yet be used--, but the one that received universal applause was the installation of a new organ.
More on this story... |
12-08 |
A BELL RETURNS TO CRISTO REY
The Solemnity of Christ the King on November 23, 2008 was especially significant for our friars and community at Cristo Rey Church in Los Angeles. This marked the patronal feast of the parish which has been under the care of our religious since 1940 when Fr. Jesus Domench began celebrating Mass for the residents of Atwater Village in a rented home. The present church structure was built in 1943 under the watchful eye of Fr. Domench and the generosity of faithful parishioners who asked that their new church be named “Cristo Rey”, a title so important to their faith and culture. It has been a tradition here for many years that various parish groups and families present floral tributes each evening of the novena preceding the patronal feast.
More
on this story...
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2008 Province Assembly, Oxnard, California,
October 13-17
More than three years have passed since our preceding assembly, and this year’s get-together was another memorable one. There were 33 friars of St. Augustine Province in attendance. As usual, the accommodations provided by St. Augustine Priory’s Father Prior Domingos Machado and fellow religious were terrific. The food was fantastic. Yet again, our cherished friends, the Friedrich family, provided several of the meals, beautifully catered and served, complete with brightly-colored autumn table linens and fresh flower baskets. More
on this story... |
Priestly Ordination of
Friar Juan José Guzmán, OAR, October 16, 2008
I can remember so well the night that Juan José first arrived at Tagaste Monastery in Suffern, New York. It was August 2001. Fr. Fredric Abiera and I drove to Newark airport to pick him up. He had just completed his year-long novitiate in Monteagudo, Spain. He was exhausted and not hungry. But, since he didn’t want to disappoint the ravenous Fredric and myself, he went along with our suggestion that we stop for a bite to eat.
More
on this story... |
10-08 |
Fr. Michael Kenny, OAR (1974-2008)
Monday, September 15 was the day I was scheduled to return from California to New York. I had spent several weeks, following my vacation, helping at Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Oxnard during the absence of Fr. Michael Kenny, who was visiting his family in New York. During that final week of my stay at Mary Star, people kept asking me when Fr. Michael would be returning to the parish. He was, as a matter of fact, I told them, due to return on September 19. On the day of my departure I celebrated the 8:00 AM Mass in the parish before leaving for the airport. By coincidence the intention for the day—the Feast of the Sorrowful Mother—was for Fr. Michael Kenny. More
on this story... |
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Fra. Ulyses Moyao, OAR,
professes Simple Vows
The Feast of St. Augustine, August 28, was a doubly joyful event as celebrated at St. Augustine Priory in Oxnard, CA, this year, since it was also the occasion for Fr. Ulyses Moyao to profess his Simple Vows. Fr. Ulyses had spent his novitiate year, as is customary in our Province, at the St. Nicholas inter-novitiate house in Monteagudo, Spain, and was present there for the profession of his classmates in early August. Returning to the United States on August 12, he spent some time visiting with his family before beginning preparations for the final preparations for Profession.
More
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Dinner-Dance Held at
St. Augustine Priory
The Tenth Annual Dinner-Dance was held at St. Augustine Priory, Oxnard, CA., on July 12, 2008. The event is a project of the St. Ezekiel Moreno Guild, with Alex Santos and Nona Solis as Coordinators. The crowd this year was one of the largest in the history of this annual event. The guests, younger than usual, entered into the spirit of the gala with great enthusiasm and enjoyment.
More
on this story... |
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25th Anniversary Celebration at Mary Star of the Sea
“Cantaré eternamente las misericordias del Señor. Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.”
These words from the 89th Psalm that were sung at the Mass celebrated on June 20th aptly express the sentiments experienced at the celebration commemorating twenty-five years of Augustinian Recollect ministry at Mary Star of the Sea Parish.
More
on this story... |
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Sr. Betty Segura, AR, celebrates 25th Anniversary
She came to the United States from Mexico as a simple
professed religious in 1987 to join the first foundation
of the Federación de Monjas Agustinas
Recoletas de México and to live as a
nun dedicated to the contemplative life. Sister Beatriz “Betty” Segura
had made her simple vows in Mexico City in 1983 before
Fr. Rafael Rivera, OAR, current Vicar for the Augustinian
Recollects in Mexico. The year after her arrival
at Immaculate Conception Convent, located at that
time on the grounds of the Provincial Residence in
West Orange, New Jersey, she professed perpetual
vows before Fr. John Oldfield, OAR, Prior Provincial
of St. Augustine Province. In the years that followed,
Sr. Betty participated in the community life of the
Recollect Sisters—a life dedicated to prayer
and to the various activities undertaken to support
them in their way of life, distinguishing herself
most especially in the area of music.
More
on this story...
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