For their faithfulness and loyalty to the Augustinians, three couples with close ties to Malvern Prep were granted affiliation to the Order of St. Augustine, a special recognition meriting distinguished service to an Augustinian community. The new Malvern affiliates are: Marianne and Charles Connolly, Jr. ’66 P’01, Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Patricia and Gary Holloway ’73 P’96’98’01’04, Trustee Emeritus; and Mary and Larry Legner, theology teacher and Christian Service and Community Relations Director.

Affiliation is the highest honor the Order can bestow upon a person or religious outside of the Order, in recognition for outstanding commitment and support to the mission and ministry of the Order. This recognition enables the new affiliates to share in the spiritual benefits of the Order.

The affiliation ceremony for those being recognized was held last night at St. Thomas of Villanova Church. Rev. Michael F. DiGregorio, O.S.A., Assistant General of the Order, presided over the ceremony.

Said Rev. Donald F. Reilly, O.S.A., “The Augustinians have been blessed by the dedication and support of these affiliates. We are humbled by their support of the Augustinian way of life and rejoice in formally welcoming them into the Augustinian family.”

Marianne and Charles Connolly, Jr. ’66 P’01, Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Charles and Marianne Connolly have had a long relationship with the Augustinians.  Charlie has devoted much time to our educational institutions, especially Malvern Preparatory School and Villanova University. Marianne and Charlie have dedicated themselves to various philanthropic endeavors with a spirit drawn from Saint Augustine. Charlie has become increasingly involved in efforts to care for the sick and elder friars of our Province. Charlie has offered his financial expertise in several fund raising efforts to help our Augustinian Volunteers, our missions in Peru, Japan and South Africa, prison ministry, health clinics and legal clinics.

Patricia and Gary Holloway ’73 P’96’98’01’04, Trustee Emeritus
Gary and Patty have been associated with the Augustinians and with our way of life for many years. They and their family have a longtime connection with our friars at Malvern Preparatory School and Villanova University. Gary attended both of these schools and so have their children. They have generously and lovingly helped in our Province efforts to care for the infirm and elder friars of the Province, in the educational goals of our schools, as well as in our mission efforts in Peru, South Africa, and here in the U.S.

Mary and Larry Legner
Larry came in contact with the Augustinians when he began teaching at Msgr. Bonner High School in 1986. From 1987 to the present he and his wife, Mary, have been part of the family that is the Malvern Preparatory School community. As a teacher in the Theology Department and the Christian Service and Community Relations Director at Malvern, Larry has personified the Augustinian charisms of graciousness, charity and compassion. Larry has made a tremendous impact on the School’s Christian Service programs, in which the students serve the poor and underprivileged nearby and in other countries.