Thomas R. McCarthy, O.S.A. is
Men of Tolentine Man of the Year 2007

William Lego, O.S.A., (left) Prior Provincial of the Augustinians of the Midwest, presents a medallion October 11, 2007 to Men of Tolentine Man of the Year Thomas R. McCarthy, O.S.A. The Men of Tolentine foster vocations to the Augustinian Order and support programs of initial formation of Augustinian Friars.

Rev. Thomas R. McCarthy, O.S.A. was honored October 11, 2007 by the Men of Tolentine as their 2007 Man of the Year.

The Men of Tolentine cited Father McCarthy's years of dedication to the Priesthood, to teaching and guiding high school students, to pastoral ministry, to comforting the sick and their families and to assisting young men in preparing for religious life.

Father McCarthy was born in 1965 in Chicago, Illinois. He earned his high school diploma from St. Rita High School, Chicago in 1983. After graduation, he entered the Augustinian program of formation in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Majoring in Communications Arts, he earned a B. A. from Villanova University in 1987.

He entered the Augustinian Novitiate, Racine, Wisconsin later in 1987. He professed temporary vows in the Order of St. Augustine in 1988. He then did seminary studies at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, earning an M. Div. in 1993. That same year he professed solemn (permanent) vows in the Augustinian Order. He was ordained a Priest in 1994.

Father McCarthy did further studies at St. Xavier University, Chicago, and at Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois, which granted him an M. A. in Educational Administration in 2001.

In 2000 Father McCarthy was named President of St. Rita High School. He continues to serve in that position. Other ministerial experience includes an internshhip at St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan; teaching at Providence Catholic High School, New Lenox, Illinois, and teaching and campus ministry at St. Rita High School.

Additionally, Father McCarthy is a frequent speaker at youth retreats and at adult parish gatherings. He has accompanied students to several national and international Augustinian youth conferences, some of which he helped to plan. He serves as a member of the Province Council and the Secondary Education Commission for the Augustinians of the Midwest.

“I am very proud and humbled by this honor, because the Men of Tolentine, through financial help, supported me through the seminary,” Father McCarthy said. “Please join with me in praying often for vocations to the priesthood and religious life,” he added.

The Men of Tolentine, now called Friends of Tolentine, is a group of lay men and women organized in 1958 by the late Very Rev. John L. Seary, O.S.A., then Provincial of the Augustinians of the Midwest, to foster and support vocations to the Augustinian Order. Since its founding the organization has contributed more than $700,000 to Augustinian formation programs. The largest part of this amount has come from the annual Man/Woman of the Year event, held each October.