Last Sunday, the global Catholic Church celebrated Easter in memory of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.  Just like in the US, Easter Masses were celebrated in our Missions in Japan, Peru and South Africa.  Here is the link to a video of a cantor at the Augustinian parish in Nagasaki, Japan singing the "Exsultet" or "Easter Proclamation."  This hymn of praise is sung before the paschal candle during the Easter Vigil, which is the Mass celebrated after sundown on Holy Saturday.&nb... [More]

The Augustinians provide the personnel to support the activities of the various missions. As in all things there is a financial cost to the missions. How do we raise the money for the various missions?The main sources of income for the missions are what is called “Mission Appeals”.  Each year around November the Missions Office write to about 30 dioceses in the United States asking if we might come to parishes in those dioceses to speak at one or two parishes. We receive an invi... [More]

At the beginning of Lent, Fr. Tony and I visited the school at Our Lady of Good Counsel on Staten Island as I posted previously (see the story here).  Our visit was a kickoff for their Lent Fundraiser.  Students were invited to GIVE, HELP, and PRAY during this liturgical season.  They took home empty water bottles to save money, and we had participation from the entire school. With the season of Lent coming to a close this week, they have completed the fundraiser.  The schoo... [More]