Meet The Friars

Fr. Recchuti was born and raised in Philadelphia, graduated from St. Thomas More H.S., entered the Augustinian Novitiate in 1954 and was ordained at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. on June 5, 1961.

Upon completion of Theology studies in 1962, his first assignment was to a teaching apostolate at Msgr. Bonner H.S. After twenty-six years at Bonner, he was assigned to parish ministry, first for ten years in Flourtown just outside Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia and then for six years in Upstate New York. In 2006 he returned to his hometown of Philadelphia and was assigned to St. Rita’s where he currently serves in pastoral ministry and as Prior of the Augustinian Friars community that ministers at St. Rita’s.

“In reference to the many virtues of St. Rita, I see a virtue which may not be as prominent as her charism of reconciliation or her devotion to the Lord’s passion but nevertheless is very applicatble to religious. I call it the virtue of St. Rita’s “humility of adaptablility.” St. Rita in her humility, adapted herself to serve God in all the circumstances of the lay state (single, married, widowed) and in the religious state. Accordingly St. Rita teaches all Augustinian religious, including myself, to minister the salvation of the Lord, Jesus to all kinds of people, of all ages, in all kind of circumstances.”

Father Eugene DelConte, an Augustinian religious, ordained over 50 years, served the church primarily in the parochial ministry. At the present time, he is one of five priests involved  in the ministries at the National Shrine of St. Rita.

When asked, “What outstanding virtue of St. Rita of Cascia is most influential in his own religious life?” Fr. Gene (as he is called) stated the following:

“The principal virtue underlying all the other supernatural virtues St. Rita possessed was love of God. This supernatural virtue spills out to necessarily include love of neighbor. These two virtues always presuppose the other.”

“We are called to be disciples of Jesus, as He said: “Where I am, so my disciples will be.” St. Rita, by her example, points out the true path to Christ, so easily forgotten in this passing world.”

I was born in Philadelphia, baptized at St. Edmond’s Parish and later moved to Delaware County.  A member of the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Darby and attended the parish school and Monsignor Bonner High School (grad. 1969).  Graduated from the College of Steubenville (Ohio) in 1973 with a B.S. in Business Administration.   I entered the Augustinians because of the fine example shown to me by the friars at Msgr. Bonner H.S.

I entered the Order in 1975 and  professed vows in 1976.  I attended the Wash. Theo. Union.  I was ordained in 1983.  I served at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish H.S. in the Bronx, for seven years as a teacher of theology.  I continued teaching at Monsignor Bonner High School for 19 years as a teacher of theology and as an school administrator.

I am happy to be a member of the parish/Shrine of St. Rita; many of my relatives were married and worshipped here.

Virtue of St. Rita:  Perseverance in prayer.  Rita did not hesitate to discuss all of her thoughts and questions and to wait on God our Father for his response.

I was born in Darby Pa. and grew up in Yeadon and Havertown. I went to Villanova University (’89), where I met the Augustinians.

I worked in frozen pizza sales for several years with my uncle, out of college, later went into computer software for 14 years; I then received the call to be an Augustinian (not necessarily a priest).  After  9 years of school in both Washington and Chicago I was graduated with a Masters in Divinity and was assigned to the Church of St. Rita of Cascia.  I received my ordination on October 24, 2009 here at St. Rita’s with the wonderful people of the parish, family and friends attending.  My parents now live in Newtown Square; I have a brother and sister (both younger), 5 nephews and 3 nieces, and many relatives, some of whom live in South Philly.

I identify with St. Rita because of her perseverance; even throughout being homeless and being ostracized by her family, she stuck with the gift of forgiveness!

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Fr. Jim came to the Augustinian Friars in the Philadelphia area while he was working in the marketing and advertising business. Ordained in 1991, he served in parish ministry and college ministry for a number of years and went on to receive his doctorate and training in clinical pastoral psychology.

Fr. Jim is a  Certified Pastoral Counselor and Certified Anger Management Specialist-1.  He has worked extensively with individuals, couples and groups.  He recently completed eight years as Personnel Director for the Augustinians of the Eastern U.S. and currently serves on the Provincial Council.  In June, 2011 he was appointed Director of Cascia Center Ministries for the Shrine where he will oversee the development of new ministries to carry out the mission of reconciliation and peacemaking in our community.

“What inspires me in Rita’s life are not the heroic deeds that would seem to set her apart from us, but her real humanity–the struggle of opening her life to God’s ways in the face of violence and great loss.  She had choices.  She could have taken the road of bitterness and blame, as many do.  She could have held on to resentment.  Yet she permitted the gospel message of Christ to guide her life, showing the power of compassion and love to break hatred and create a community of peace.”

 

Ordained in 1973, served as the Shrine Director for 15 years until December 2007 when he was elected Assistant General for the Order of St. Augustine.  He now serves as Vicar General for the Order worldwide.  In 2008 Father began residing in Rome where he is able to see St. Peter’s Square from the windows of the friary in which he lives hence, his writing “The View from My Window” in The Peacemaker publication which began under his direction.