Prep Talk
Father and Son Communion Mass and Breakfast Emphasizes and Builds Father/Son Relationships
Posted May 15th, 2022
By: Tyler Gerst ’24
St. Augustine Prep hosted its annual Father and Son Communion, Mass, and Breakfast. The event was held in the Paul A. Rodio Gymnasium and the Consalo Dining Hall on Sunday, April 24. Fr. Robert Murray, Head of School, celebrated Mass in front of, roughly, two hundred Prep students, fathers, brothers, uncles, and grandfathers. Students participated in the Mass by leading the singing, lecturing, and being the Eucharist Ministers. John Terista ‘23 led the chorus in song alongside additional members of the chorus who gave up a few hours of their Sunday to help make the mass run smoothly. After the celebration of the Eucharist, guests joined the chorus in singing the Ave Maria and Alma Mater.
Breakfast was served to all of the families that attended. As breakfast began, Fr. Murray talked about the school community and the importance of a father in a boy’s life, as well as gave a prayer. Then, the boys and men enjoyed an excellent meal prepared by Chef Vincent Berti, Director of Dining Services, and all of his crew members.
Midway through the breakfast, Mr. Tony Rodio P’12 and his son, Anthony Rodio ’12 spoke from the front of the Dining Hall. Mr. Tony Rodio is a well-respected executive in the casino industry, having led such companies as Harrah’s Entertainment, Hilton, Tropicana, and Caesars. His son, Anthony, was a scholar-athlete during his four years at the Prep and played on the 2011 State Champion Hermits Baseball team. He is presently the founder/owner of Unitas Engineering, a mechanical, electric, and plumbing company. They spoke and shared about the challenges of what a demanding professional schedule can have on a father’s and son’s relationship during the high school years and how their relationship benefited from their perseverance.
As the breakfast continued, Fr. Tony Burrascano and Fr. Murray walked from table to table to have small chats with the Prep families, and shortly after, the breakfast concluded.
