March 21 marks the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. We all constitute one human family. We want the world to have full exercise of all its inventive, creative and moral capacities, enhanced by the equal participation of men and women. it is the interchange between great traditions of human spirituality that offers the best prospect for the persistence of the human spirit itself.

This Lent, since it is the Jubilee Year of Mercy, St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Chicago changed their annual Lenten Acts of Justice to be Lenten Acts of Mercy.  Each week of Lent, parishioners were encouraged to participate in one Work of Mercy as a parish.  Read more about their activities here.

While the missionaries from North America have decreased in presence, this mission is almost completely in Peruvian hands.  Earlier this year, 14 Augustinian Novices professed their first vows in Lima.  At the same time, 22 new novices began their novitiate year.  The novitiate is in our Lima community, but is composed of all the Augustinian Provinces and Vicariates of Argentina, Bolivian, Brazil, Chile, and Peru.

Thank you to Cascia Hall, St. Rita High School, and St. Augustine Friary for helping out with the "Pope Francis Home Challenge!"  A few short weeks ago, Augustinian schools and parishes across the Midwest joined together to raise money for the challenge.  Find out more about the project and updates here!

Our Provincial, Father Bernie Scianna, offered a funeral homily for the late Bishop John McNabb, O.S.A.  Read his homily here.

The Augustinians are partnering with Habitat for Humanity on the Pope Francis Home Challenge!  We are helping raise money to build a home for the Power Family on the South Side of Chicago.  The family's current home is unbearably cramped and makes privacy and quiet work space impossible.  They are very excited to start the building process on their new house, which they will purchase from Habitat for Humanity with a 0% interest mortgage.  Their new home will give them the space they've been craving for years:  the space to create a healthy environment for the whole family.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Bishop John C. McNabb, O.S.A., passed away the morning of February 26, 2016, at the age of 90.  Bishop McNabb was one of the last surviving American bishops to attend the Second Vatican Council.  He devoted decades of his life to founding the Diocese of Chulucanas in Northern Peru.  He ordained several Augustinians to the diaconate and priesthood including our current Prior Provincial.

We are happy to release the newest issue of The Midwest Augustinian quarterly newsletter featuring updates on our vocations, missions in Peru, annual gala, and more.  Download your own issue today!

To conclude our Province's 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee, we can think of no one better to honor than Fr. Ted Tack, O.S.A.  Though Fr. Tack died in 2013, his impact and legacy still live on in the hearts and minds of thousands across the world wherever the Augustinians have served.

The Augustinians are proud to honor Ernie Mrozek, this year at our Diamond Jubilee Celebration's Augustinian Gala.  Ernie has given of himself tirelessly to support the Augustinians through his volunteer service at Saint Rita of Cascia High School, one of the first foundations of the Augustinians in the Midwest.

It is a great joy to honor such a great man, priest, and Augustinian as Father Michael J. Slattery, O.S.A., at this year's Augustinian Gala!  Read more about his life of ministry with the Augustinians here!

Lisa Solava was recently asked to speak at her Augustinian parish so that she can share with you what the Augustinians have meant to her. Although she have a good story, she admits, she thought she would instead ask you to consider what the Augustinians have meant to you.