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Provincial William Lego Leads Augustinians of the Midwest

Father William Lego, O.S.A. guides the 100-member Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel of the Order of St. Augustine (Augustinians of the Midwest) during a four-year term ending in 2010. His installation as Prior Provincial of the Augustinians of the Midwest took place at the beginning of the Province Chapter held June 5-9, 2006. His term of office runs through June, 2010.

William Edward Lego was born in 1955 in Chicago, Illinois to Edward H. and Eugenia Lego. He was Baptized in 1955 at St. Hedwig Church, Chicago. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation in 1966 at St. James Church, Chicago.

Following graduation from St. James Catholic School, Chicago, William entered Saint Augustine (High School) Seminary, Holland Michigan. He was awarded a high school diploma there in 1973.

He then joined the Augustinian formation program at Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, where he earned a B.A. in Sociology in 1977.

William was received into the Augustinian Novitiate, St. Louis, Missouri, September 1, 1977. He professed Temporary Vows in the Order of Saint Augustine September 2, 1978, and Solemn (permanent) Vows August 29, 1981.

He earned an M. Div. from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, in 1982. Having been ordained a Deacon June 5, 1982, he was assigned to the Augustinian Missions in Santo Domingo, Peru for his Deacon Internship. He was ordained a Priest April 30, 1983 in Chicago.

Shortly after his priestly ordination, Father Lego returned to Peru, where he ministered for the next 10 years in such places as San Fernando Parish, Chalaco, and San Isidro Parish, Morropón. For two years (1988-1990) he was Vicar for Finances of the Diocese of Chulucanas, Peru. In 1990 he spent several months in Lima, Peru, where he engaged in formation studies as well as parish ministry.

Father Lego returned to the United States in 1993. He was Associate Pastor of St. Rita Parish, Chicago in 1993. He was assigned in 1994 to St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Chicago, as Associate Pastor. He served in 1995 as Associate Director of the South West Catholic Cluster Project. Later in 1995 he was named Pastor of St. Rita Parish, Chicago.

He was elected Treasurer of the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel in 2003. At the same time he was elected a member of the Province Council. He was serving in those positions at the time of his election as Prior Provincial.

In addition to his work as Provincial, Father Lego is involved in several other ministries. He assists at St. Rita Parish, Chicago. He is Treasurer of Augustinians in Hispanic Ministry, a national organization which develops lay leaders to strengthen the Church's ministry and outreach to Hispanic persons in the United States. Trained as a "Rachel's Vineyard Priest", he walks with people through a week-end program that helps them come to terms with the abortions that they have experienced. This process also helps those who live it to once again become active members of the Church. Also, Father Lego assists the Chaplain of Chicago's Midway Airport by celebrating Sunday Eucharist there with travelers and employees.