East Coast Augustinians elect new prior provincial

On Feb. 16, the Augustinian Friars of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova elected the Rev. Donald Francis Reilly, O.S.A., to succeed the Very Reverend John E. Deegan, O.S.A., as prior provincial. Having served two terms of office, 1994-1998 and 1998-2002, Father Deegan was ineligible for reelection.

The province extends from Massachusetts to Florida with missions in Japan, Peru and South Africa. As prior provincial Father Reilly will have the care and concern of 250 members of the Province, including many  elderly and infirm friars. He also will be responsible for the attraction of new members to religious life and priesthood, as well as for the varied ministries in which the Augustinians are engaged: parishes, schools, counseling and others.

Father Reilly was born on May 8, 1947, son of the late John and Mary Reilly. He is a native of Upper Darby, Pa., and was raised in Lansdowne. He entered the Augustinian novitiate on Sept. 5, 1966, professed first vows on Sept. 6, 1967 and took solemn vows on Sept. 11, 1971. That same year he graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. In 1974, he received a master’s degree in theology from the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. He was ordained a priest on May 18, 1974. In 1982 he earned the degree doctor of ministry in counseling from New York Theological Seminary.

From 1974 to 1977, Father Reilly served as associate pastor at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine parish, Jamaica, N.Y., and from 1977 to 1979, he taught at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine High School, Bronx, N.Y. From 1979 to 1982 he was a member of the Campus Ministry team at Villanova University and was a residence hall counselor.

He became pastor of Saint Denis parish, Havertown, Pa., in 1982 and served there until 1985 when he was elected to the Council of the Province of Villanova, the governing board of the province, and became director of personnel for the province. Having completed his term of office as counselor, Father Reilly took a sabbatical year of study and reflection. During this time, he germinated the idea of establishing SILOAM Ministries, a Philadelphia-based organization which serves the HIV/AIDS community. He co-founded and has served as executive director of SILOAM from since 1995.

A popular and gifted speaker, he is often called upon to give retreats, parish missions and talks to various groups as well as giving specialized talks and information for those who wish to know more about HIV and AIDS.

Father Reilly is a member of  the board of trustees of Villanova University.  He also is a board member of Prayer Power; Health Rite, Inc., Austin Center, and Spiritual Directors International. He served on the honorary committee of AIDS Alive Speakup 2000 and is president of the board of Best Nest, an adoption agency in Philadelphia.

Father Reilly will be installed as prior provincial during the gathering of all members of the Province of Villanova in June 2002. The Most Reverend Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A., who resides in Rome as prior general of the Augustinian Order, will be here for the occasion.