At our Provincial Assembly, the Viatorian Community is celebrating 60 years of religious life for Fr. Bill Haesaert, CSV and 25 years of priesthood for Fr. Alejandro Adame, CSV, and we’ve witnessed the 25-year mark for Associates Donna and Tim Schwarz and the recommitment of Associate Brigette Brankin.
Fr. Bill first encountered Viatorians as his teachers at Alleman High School in Rock Island, Illinois, including Fr. Edward Anderson, CSV who became a big influence. “I want to thank Fr. Anderson, who was my mentor, spiritual director, and confidante. Any decision I made in religious life came only after talking to him. He was the one who invited me to come into this community over sixty years ago,” Fr. Bill said.
Fr. Alejandro and Fr. Bill with our friends, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Fr. Bill professed first vows on September 1, 1965. He served in retreat ministry in McHenry, Illinois, in youth ministry in the Quad Cities, and as an associate pastor at St. Viator Parish in Chicago. His longest placement was with St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas, where he was parochial vicar from 1980 to 1985 and 1996 to 2013, when he retired from active priesthood but continued ministering to St. Viator Parish School students.
“My religious life has been filled with countless blessings, especially working with children. Being able to spend many years in Las Vegas has enabled me to celebrate Sacraments with generations within the same families, offering baptisms and marriages and funerals over the years,” Fr. Bill said. “I’m forever grateful for the Viatorian Community giving me all these opportunities, without which I don’t know where I’d be today. I appreciate all the love and support from both professed and associates.”
Fr. Alejandro celebrated Mass and preached the homily for his jubilee, with Fr. Bill concelebrating.
Fr. Alejandro was ordained a priest in 2000, nine years after professing first vows. “I remember with special admiration and gratitude Fr. John Pisors, CSV, for his dedication to teaching and work in Colombia; Fr. John Peeters, CSV, my Novice Master; and Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV, the first Colombian Viatorian.”
Fr. Adame has earned degrees in philosophy, languages, theology, and educational management. He has served multiple terms on the leadership team for the Foundation of Colombia and currently serves as legal representative for the foundation and rector of Colegio San Viator in Bogotá.
“I left the family God gave me, grateful for my parents, siblings, and Christian values,” Fr. Alejandro said. “God himself led me to the Viatorian family, where I would be formed as a religious and priest to carry out the mission in service to the People of God.”
Associates begin as pre-associates and undertake a two-year formation and discernment program. Initially, associates commit for two years; typically, associates who wish to continue will recommit for an additional three years, then another five years, and then have the opportunity to request a definitive commitment for life following at least ten years of association.
Tim and Donna now live in Texas, but in 2023, when Viatorians exhibited at a Catholic conference in Dallas, they joyfully drove up to pitch in.
Associates Tim and Donna Schwarz are definitively committed associates who have now reached 25 years in association. With association beginning just 26 years ago, these recognitions are a newer and exciting addition to our community celebrations. “As we looked as the mission statement, I realized we had been a part of each piece of it over the years. Now, we’re into this next part of our lives – maybe not raising communities in the same way but certainly more focused on sharing the life we have and the Holy Spirit with others,” Tim said.
Associate Brigette Brankin recommitted to association for five more years, following her initial commitment in 2020 and three-year recommitment in 2022. Mrs. Brankin is a math teacher at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights and an SVHS parent. “My family has been an integral part of my journey. My children know I am an associate, and my daughter, who is a Saint Viator graduate, has been one of my biggest cheerleaders because she understands what it means to be a Viatorian. It’s more than just having a photo on the wall at the high school,” Brigette said.
Associate Brigette Brankin has recommitted for five more years.
As Brigette continues in association, she remains active at Saint Viator, including supporting the middle school summer program Service & Song, supporting Kairos retreats as an adult leader and talk mentor for students, and as a coach of the school’s Math Team, which finished in the top 10 at this year’s state competition.
“Through this journey in association, I have found the Viatorians are a community that speak to my heart and who I am. I don’t think my spiritual journey would’ve been so strong if it wasn’t for Viatorian influence,” Brigette said. “I want to continue to be part of the community as an Associate because I know it is what I am called to do.”