Augustinian Volunteers

“In 1999, I was invited by our provincial, Fr. Jack Deegan, to consider organizing a volunteer program made up of young adults who had a desire to serve the poor and needy in conjunction with the various apostolates of our Province and Order. This was not a new concept, as there were already several other religious communities engaged in such a program. Prior to my direct involvement, I was invited, while being pastor of our parish on Staten Island, to participate in what might become a pilot program for volunteers. Fr. Ray Jackson, who was working in campus ministry already, saw the potential of having Villanova students volunteer for a short- or long-term period after graduation from college. This was to provide them with a chance to see the needs of the poor and marginalized while allowing our parishes and schools to share in the enthusiasm and vision that these young volunteers could bring to our ministries.

Due to his untimely death, the program did not materialize as he dreamed. In an effort to respond to the needs of the poor, our Province invested both personnel and financial support to what would eventually become the Augustinian Volunteers. Twenty-two years later, we have found it necessary to formally close this chapter of the program, not because we no longer see it as viable but because of changes brought on initially by COVID-19, coupled with various changes culturally within our nation. Deciding to end our volunteer program was not an easy decision. Those of us who have been active in supporting this program may at first see this as a tremendous loss for our Province. We all know that at times all good things come to an end when the end is the only way to see a new beginning.

To the over 400 alums of this program who have shared with us this ministry, I have grown in an appreciation of what a few can accomplish when we work together. Having served as the founding director for eight years and as a constant presence on the Advisory Board, I have seen lives changed, hope instilled in others, and incredible accomplishments in places like South Africa, Peru, and various cities in the United States, where we have served over the years.

Our volunteer program was created with a hope that it might grow each year. What has actually happened one cannot calculate or completely comprehend, but we can mourn the loss of what could have been, while simultaneously being proud of everything we have accomplished throughout the years. We did far more than what any of us expected.

Now is the time we look ahead to what might become our next effort in reaching out to the poor. The decline in the number of interested young adults within every program of this nature, was partially the sign that things were changing. Many of the social services that once supported our volunteers have ceased to exist, or their funding dried up. The impact of COVID-19 created many unique voids in our way of living. This program was only one of many casualties of the pandemic.

As we move forward in the joyful hope that inspired Fr. Jackson to initially attempt to create such a program, we now pause to see where all this might take us as we reconsider whatever might lie ahead. Those who have served as an AV, keep volunteering and share your Augustinian energy with your family, friends, and your children who might very well be the next generation of Augustinian Volunteers.”

Fr. Joe Mostardi, O.S.A.