Tributes
The following members of the Augustinian family wanted to show their support through donations to the Gala. These gifts are tributes for specific Friars or individuals who have had an influence on their lives or for all the Augustinian Friars for their good works, ministries, and impact on their communities.
Diamond
Charles DeMartino - in honor of Fr. Tony Pizzo, O.S.A.
Linda Hartz
Michael and Jessica India - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead for his great ministry and his amazing impact on so many people, including myself.
John and Lori Paris - in honor of Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A. - A great example to our family of living the consecrated life as a priest and being part of a loving family life.
James and Annemarie Relstab - in honor of Br. David Relstab, O.S.A.
Francis and Kathleen Rooney
Dean Harrison - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A. and Clare Napleton
Gold
Ron Abbott - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Ted and Norma Berman - in honor of the Midwest Augustinians
Joe and Barb Brennan - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Tom and Nancy Brodnicki - from the time we met as members of the Midwest Augustinian Novitiate Class of 1968 and throughout our collegiate years at Tolentine College, it was a privilege to know and grow in friendship with our life-long friend, Fr. Jim Halstead. Together we prayed, played, studied, discovered our God-given talents and how we would live our lives in service to the Lord. Fr. Jim is a brilliant, faith-filled, and faithful Augustinian who would go on to bless the lives of all fortunate enough to know him in one or more of his many leadership roles for the Church over the years. May the Lord bless you abundantly for your years of service, leadership and friendship.
Mark and Susie Butterworth
Fr. Ron Essmann - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Jim Forde - in honor of the many teachers from my high school experience at St. Augustine Seminary in Holland, MI that gave me lifelong values and friends...and a Pope!
Gene and Karen Griffin - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Lisa and John Majcher - thank you to our St. Jude Augustinians
Robert and Linda Reins - in honor of Fr. Philip Cook, O.S.A.
Richard Steinbarth - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Roger and Marie Sullivan - in honor of Fr. Ray Flores, O.S.A.
Gerald and Denise Wirth - in appreciation of the many years of Augustinian service to St. Jude's
Silver
Emmett and Carol Driscoll
Rocco and Angela Gargiulo - in honor of Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A.
Howard Hart
Celeste and Mary Iacobelli - congratulations to Paul Paradiso for 25 years of commitment, dedication & faith in Villanova College, to the Augustinians & his students. Iacobelli and family
Mrs. Joseph Magee - in honor of the Augustinian Nuns
Peter Meyer - in honor of Fr. John Merkelis, O.S.A.
Joseph and Mary Kay Mullarkey - in honor of Br. Nick Mullarkey, O.S.A.
Robert and Karen Relstab
Cecelia Slezak - in thanksgiving for the unselfish work of the Augustinians in the world missions and United States
Sisters of St. Rita
Kenneth Stransky - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Bronze
Dominic Adducci - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Margaret M. Benson - in honor of Pope Leo XIV
Bill and Kathy Bingham - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Josephine Conlon - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Vito D'Ambrosio - in honor of Fr. Tony Pizzo, O.S.A.
Neil and Marge Gambow - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A. Keeping you in prayer as you always kept us in prayer!
Ted and Linda Graf - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A. From the Class of 67. God Bless you Jim from Ted and Linda
Bob and Peggy Heslinga - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Dan and Joy Kill - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Dan and Betsy Kniola - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Chuck Kukawka - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Randy Kunich - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Julio Lopez - in honor of Fr. John McKniff who was responsible for getting my family out of Cuba. He officiated at my parents’ wedding in 1951 as well as my sister’s wedding in 1993.
Janet Lucas and John Puskar III - in honor of Br. Jerome Sysko, O.S.A.
George Mampreian - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Donna Manheim
Tom McElligott - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Jaimen and Dorothea McMillan - in honor of Fr. Joseph Stobba, O.S.A.
Maria Adela and Cornelio Naguit - in honor of Pope Leo XIV
Allen and Peg Pepping - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead - From the first time we met as we headed up to Novitiate in '67, or the day you surprised me as you approached me on the stage at DePaul during the grad school graduation ceremony, to all the support and friendship you have provided to the members of our class and fellow Augustinians - Thank You. God Bless.
Mary Reynolds
Robert Schmitz - in honor of the 2026 Gala Honorees
Amy E. Totsch - in honor of Fr. Tony Pizzo, Imelda Salazar, and Jeff Bartow, in recognition of their work with Augustinian parishes and the good work they have accomplished in Chicago Lawn and beyond.
Greta Wagner - Congratulations to Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A., on your appointment as Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Villanova University, with gratitude for your leadership and guiding mentorship.
Red
Charles Cassity - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Paul and Kathleen Crylen - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Nancy Hunt - in honor of Frank Koscik, honorary Augustinian
John and Marianna Shields - in honor of Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A.
Patrick and Kimberly Skellett - in honor of Fr. Joseph Hartman, O.S.A.
Timothy Tate - thanks to the Midwest Augustinians for all you do!