$6M Dollar Donation By Chesco Couple To Augustinian Ministries

VILLANOVA, PA — Barb and Brian Riley of Chester County gave a $6 million gift to the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova to support the underserved communities in need.

The gift, which will span five years, will be used to establish the Barb and Brian Riley Fund for Mission and Ministry to support friars and their ministries including the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, which serves a diverse population in South Philadelphia.

“We are all called to be a witness to God’s work and love, so we would like this gift to have the most impact possible and encourage others to do the same,” said Barb Riley, who grew up in St. Thomas of Villanova Parish in Radnor Township.

Barb Riley also attended St. Thomas of Villanova grade school currently serves on the Augustinian Advancement Council.

Brian Riley said: “We are grateful to the Augustinians, and we know that their Order and mission are focused on serving Jesus Christ and all of God’s children.”

The Rileys children go to Malvern Preparatory School, where Brian Riley serves as a member of the school’s board of trustees.

Prior Provincial Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., said the friars “are humbled and grateful for the Rileys’ extraordinary gift that will strengthen the ministries’ mission and create positive change in this world.”

About the Augustinians

The Augustians are members of the Order of Saint Augustine, an international Catholic religious community of men and women following the rule of St. Augustine. The Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova founded and sponsors these educational institutions:

• Villanova University
• Merrimack College, near Boston
• Saint Augustine Preparatory School
• Malvern Preparatory School

The Villanova Province serves nine parishes from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania and staffs inner city ministries serving those living on the margins of society in the U.S. and in Japan and Peru.