Augustinian News
Following is the latest news from the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova and around the Order of Saint Augustine. To receive Augustinian eNews via email, please click on the link below to send an e-mail to the Director of Communications to sign up for the E Newsletter.
Augustinian Volunteers
Kicked-off 9th Year
with Commissioning Ceremony in Philadelphia
The Augustinian Volunteers program began its ninth year on Sunday, August 24th when it welcomed 24 new volunteers to the nationwide program. An installation ceremony and Eucharistic liturgy was held. at Saint Augustine Church, Philadelphia, PA. Rev. Donald F. Reilly, O.S.A., Prior of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, presided at the special installation ceremony.
The commissioning service marks the beginning of a year of service for these volunteers, who will serve in volunteer sites in Bronx, NY; Lawrence, MA; Chicago, IL; and San Diego, CA. Additional volunteers will embark internationally to volunteer sites in Peru and South Africa. The Augustinian Volunteers program was established by the Augustinian Order’s Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova to provide an opportunity for young adults to spend a year of their lives both living in a community setting and working in volunteer service.
April Gagne, Director of the Augustinian Volunteers, describes the unique nature of the program:“Each year we are blessed with a new group of young men and women who come to us ready to serve the poor, grow in their faith and live in community with their peers. Their energy, enthusiasm and idealism is inspiring and enables us to continue this great work that is being done by the Volunteers. These men and women spend ten months truly living out the gospel message of justice by reaching out to those who are most in need and in the process they see how their relationships with others can continue to open their minds and hearts and transform lives.”
PICTURES OF THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY AND MASS
To learn more about the Augustinian Volunteers, visit
www.osavol.org.