The end of the month of May brings with it graduations across the country. This is also true for our Augustinian friars who engage in full or part time study. Because formation and ongoing formation is often "one size fits one" in any given year different Augustinians might be in very different programs crafted for them and their own educational goals. This can be seen in Br. Barnaby Johns, OSA and Br. Maxime Villeneuve, OSA both graduating from two institutions nearly 2,000 miles apart from one another. For his part, Br. Barney, graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a concentration in Catholic Education. Br. Barney, who has previous
Recently, the Knights of Columbus of California honored Fr. John Grace, OSA, as "Priest of the Year" at their annual convention. Asked whether or not he was "expecting" to be honored at the convention, Fr. John said, "I was not expecting this award! It was the first time such an award was given." In explaining the significance of the award, Fr. John said, "First of all, last September a committee gave plaques to local KofC Chaplains, in remembrance of the Mexican Martyrs, six of whom were Knights of Columbus, and one of those was presented to me then. Later, some forty plaques were presented to chaplains around California over six months. At the California State Convention this last weeke
On May 22nd, 2018, the Feast of St. Rita, the parish of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Los Angeles opened it's doors to welcome devotees from around the city wishing to pray and ask for her intercession. While devotion to St. Rita is usually associated with the Italian community, it is also especially strong among the Armenian faithful. Because of this, on her feast day OMGC parish extends hospitality by offering a special noon Mass in Armenian, which was celebrated by Fr. Bedrosian, an Armenian priest, and concelebrated by Fr. Tom Davis, OSA, Associate Pastor at OMGC. In addition, the OMGC community also offered coffee and cookies to pilgrims after they prayed in the Church. Fr. Tom reporte
This past week, Fr. Mark Menegatti, OSA was pictured with Principal Michael Stumpf and Campus Minister Javier Sandoval of Bellermine-Jefferson High School in Burbank, CA. Principal Michael Stumpf has an Augustinian connection in that he was a teacher at Villanova Prep in Ojai before taking his position at Bellermine-Jefferson. Since he was assigned in Los Angeles, Fr. Mark has cultivated a ministry of celebrating Mass at various Los Angeles area Catholic schools. To date, he has celebrated Mass, led adoration, or heard Confessions at 15 different schools in the past year. He finds this ministry rewarding and hopes to reach even more schools in the next academic year.
What is it like to minister as a chaplain in a hospital? This photo was taken in Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as Fr. Jim Retzner, OSA was beginning the celebration of a Mass in a patient‘s room. As hospital chaplaincy sometimes requires adapting to difficult conditions, you may notice that the altar is a nurses’ utility cart. Fr. Jim was called in to celebrate a Mass on the first birthday of a patient at the request of that child‘s parents. The patient, parents, grandparents, godparents, and some family members are off-camera to comply with HIPPA regulations. Because Los Angeles is a city of diverse cultures and language groups, another hospital chaplain who assists Fr. Jim is present
Watching the sunrise and the sunset is one of my favorite things to do no matter where I live. A few days ago in the evening, I was sitting on a rock by the ocean watching the sunset. As the sun slowly lowered itself I went into the world of my imagination. I imagined the famous tennis player Arthur Ashe tap my shoulder and saying to me, “You promised me that anytime you feel down, complain about your life or find yourself judging others- that you would read my letter. I decided to return and remind you about your promise and my letter, in case you may have forgotten.” “I was in the hospital, after my second heart surgery when I contracted AIDS due to an infected blood transfusion,” Arthur