Dennis and Anne Murphy

I don’t think I remember a time when I didn’t know about the Augustinian Friars. My much older brothers were attending Msgr. Bonner High School when I entered first grade. I heard stories about the men in black habits who were so influential in their education: Augustinians such as Fr. Melton, Fr. Dixey and Fr. Jordan. These good men elevated their “Bonner boys” to fulfill their dreams of a better life, opening doors to the world of college by their example and always being available to provide life lessons.

My wife Anne’s first experience with the Augustinians happened when we moved to Rosemont with our infant daughter. I was hired to work in Admissions for Fr. Harry Erdlen, O.S.A. at Villanova and we joined St. Thomas of Villanova Parish. We found a welcoming community that invited us to get involved, meeting other young families who remain good friends 40 years later. The liturgies were vibrant with liturgical music, written by Fr. Shawn Tracey, O.S.A.

Several years later Anne joined the parish staff and had the privilege of seeing firsthand how the friars cared for parishioners, being on call 24/7 and bringing the sacraments in the challenging and the joyful times of life.

We are both retired and have updated our wills to include a gift to the Augustinian Order. It is our concrete way of expressing our love and gratitude for all we have been given by the Augustinians, who have been a major part of my life for almost seven decades. I hope our gift will assist those friars in need as they helped us for so many years.

—Dennis Murphy

We would be honored to help find the giving option that is best for you. Contact Madonna Sutter at 267-272-3048 or madonna.sutter@augustinian.org today.