A project of Br. Maxime Villeneuve, OSA, the Province of St. Augustine in California KIVA Fund today marked two years of making loans through the micro-financing website Kiva.org. Begun in October 2015 with funding from The St. Augustine Foundation, Br. Max remarked that, "The fund was an idea to support those who lacked access to credit in countries where the Augustinians served throughout the world. To date, the fund has made 121 loans of $25 or more in 13 different countries. I am proud to operate the fund and share in the many good works of our province." The fund replenishes itself as creditors pay back their loans, and with the money that is paid back, more loans are made. With th
The Fall 2017 Discernment Weekend was held at St. Augustine Monastery this past week. Five discerners were able to participate, and they were led by student friars through a series of activities, visits, and talks to aid them to discern if Augustinian religious is for them. The group was able to tour our educational and parochial apostolates in San Diego and visit our local communities. There are two discernment retreats every year, in the fall and the spring. If you are interested, please click the "Become an Augustinian" tab and email Fr. Tom Whelan, OSA to be able to participate in the next retreat.
Br. Robert Baiocco, OSA began his Pastoral Year in Peru in September, and he is busy ministering to various groups including female entrepreneurs, Augustinian Youth, helping begin a new Church zone in a neighborhood, and studying for his TEFL certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language Course), which he will use later this year. Br. Robert reports that he is doing very well and enjoying his time thus far in Peru.
On October 11th, 2017 at St. Rita Parish in Racine, WI. Br. Emmanuel "Manny" Isaac received the white novice habit in an investiture ceremony. The service was led by our provincial, Very Rev. Kevin Mullins, OSA, who was in Racine and invited to lead the ceremony. He later commented, "Manny was beaming, as were all of them, and I felt very blessed to join with them for this next step in their journey." Many of the students friars studying in Chicago, including Br. Adnan, drove up to attend and support the novices. Congratulations Br. Manny!
At the 54th annual Cabrillo Festival, the City of San Diego remembered the landing of the great explorer Juan Cabrillo, who made landfall in San Diego Bay on September 28th, 1542. In recent years it was learnt that the chaplain on his ship was an Augustinian friar, Fray Julian Lezcano, OSA. Ever since the local historic society has invited the local Augustinian community to send a member to represent this friar as they reenact the landing on a historic sailing ship on the San Diego Bay. This year Br. Arturo, assigned to the St. Augustine Monastery community, was able to serve and participate in the historic reenactment. He jokingly remarked that at first his religious habit was mistaken