The Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova is extremely grateful to Barb and Brian Riley for their transformative commitment of $6,000,000 in support of the Augustinian Friars to be made over a five-year period.
In recognition of the Rileys’ generosity, the Province has established The Barb and Brian Riley Fund for Mission and Ministry. The Riley Fund will advance the mission of the Augustinians through the direct support of Augustinian Friars in their spiritual ministries. It will provide annual operational support to our ministries in greatest need for programmatic and personnel needs. The Rileys’ kindness will allow us to strengthen our ministerial programs and to continue our work to preach the Gospel news and serve the people of God, particularly those struggling on the margins of society.
Prior Provincial Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A. shares, “We friars are humbled and grateful to Barb and Brian for this extraordinary gift that will strengthen our mission and allow us to create positive change in this world. The Barb and Brian Riley Fund for Mission and Ministry is a blessing to our Province and one which will impact society for many years to come.”
Barb and Brian Riley are no strangers to the Augustinians. Barb grew up in St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, attended St. Thomas of Villanova grade school, and currently serves on the Augustinian Advancement Council. Barb and Brian are Malvern Parents, and Brian also serves as a member of the Malvern Prep Board of Trustees.
The Rileys are a faith-filled couple who have been blessed and wish to share their blessings with those in need. Barb Riley says of their gift, “We are all called to be a witness to God’s work and love, so we would like this gift to have the most impact possible and encourage others to do the same. In addition to supporting our Augustinian schools, we want others to be aware that we must also support the Augustinian Order which founded our schools and continues to sponsor them. We want people to recognize that were it not for the friars, our Augustinian schools would simply not exist. It is our responsibility to ensure the legacy of our Augustinian schools, but let’s not forget that the friars and their ministries need our help, too.” Brian comments: “We are grateful to the Augustinians, and we know that their Order and mission are focused on serving Jesus Christ and all of God’s children.”
The Riley Fund will support Augustinian ministries such as St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in the Bronx, New York which serves a faith-filled Hispanic and Vietnamese community, the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia which serves a diverse population in South Philadelphia, and St. Augustine Church in Philadelphia which is the first foundation of the Augustinians in the U.S. The Riley Fund will also assist other ministries such as the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor (A.D.R.O.P.) which serves an uninsured immigrant population that is primarily Filipino, our Augustinian Justice and Peace programs, and other special social justice initiatives. In addition, the Riley Fund will provide for continuing education for friars pursuing ministry in higher education.
We are extremely grateful to Barb and Brian for their commitment to the Augustinian Order. Fr. Rob acknowledges, “We are inspired by the faith and trust that lies behind this transformational gift through which our Augustinian charism can continue to touch and heal hearts for generations to come.”
