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The annual Viatorian assembly was held July 6-8, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the first time in the community’s history.  The Viatorians, who have served in Nevada for over fifty years, staff and administer Guardian Angel Cathedral and St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas, NV, and St. Thomas More Catholic Community in Henderson, NV.

Fr. Robert Schreiter, CPPS, was the keynote speaker for the first two days of the assembly.  His presentations offered both an overview of and challenge for the mission of today’s Church.  He stressed the importance of evangelization in today’s world and noted that effective evangelization requires examining our culture, demonstrating what it means to live together, and joining with those of different backgrounds to discern how God is calling us and where God is leading us at this particular time in our lives.  As evangelizers, we must actively proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ while dialoguing and listening to others’ experience, promoting justice, peace, and the integrity of creation, and fostering reconciliation.  As professed members of a religious congregation, we are called not to do this on our own but in concert with the laity to whom and with whom we are called; this common mission of evangelization flows from our Baptism. As we seek to understand where God is calling us today, as we seek to accompany others on their journey, we must be ever mindful of welcoming the stranger, of making room for others at the Lord’s table of fellowship, and maintaining hope for what still can be.   

The third day of the assembly was devoted to community business that included preparation for General Assembly II that will take place in Bogotá, Colombia, in February 2011.  The general assembly, which consists of associate and professed members from the sixteen countries where Viatorians live and minister, will address how association is lived throughout the international community.  It will also address how to better promote international solidarity both within and outside the community.

Built into the assembly were presentations on the ministry that takes place at each of the three Viatorian parishes.  Each presentation was followed by a tour of the parish and a special Mass celebrated in each of the three parishes.  Associates Donna and Tim Schwarz made their definitive commitments as Viatorian associates during Mass at St. Thomas More Church.  The Viatorian Community celebrated the jubilee anniversaries of ten Viatorians during a Mass at Guardian Angel Cathedral.  Fr. Thomas von Behren and members of the provincial council commissioned each Viatorian to “Live the Viatorian Mission” while bestowing a medal of St.Viator and Fr. Querbes during a commissioning Mass at St. Viator Church.