Last weekend, the Archdiocese of Las Vegas held its annual archdiocesan conference, this year titled Pilgrims of Hope, in honor of the Jubilee.
Fr. Dan, Fr. John, and Fr. Edgar caught up at the Viatorians’ exhibit table.
The conference gathers faculties from archdiocesan Catholic schools and pastoral staffs from parishes for a slate of faith formation, discussion, and fellowship coordinated by the chancery. Archbishop George Leo Thomas, PhD, and several keynote and breakout speakers address the attendees. Many participants are working on ongoing faith formation credentials with the diocese in support of their ministry jobs or volunteer work in the archdiocese.
This was the first conference for Fr. Edgar Suárez, CSV, as pastor of St. Viator Catholic Community, as he attended with the faculty and staff of the parish and school, including Associate Anthony Gugino who takes part in the archdiocesan choir for conference liturgies. These Viatorians from St. Viator crossed paths with Br. Carlos Flórez, CSV, and colleagues from Cristo Rey St. Viator College Prep as well as Viatorians working in other archdiocesan ministries. Associates Kim Martinez and Kathy Keating continue to carry the charism as teachers at Bishop Gorman High School, and Associates Cheryl Schwarz and Juliann Dwyer serve on pastoral staff at St. Thomas More Catholic Community; both communities were founded by Viatorians, have associates who minister there, and continue to foster pre-associates in formation and discernment to join the community.
Fr. Dan and Pre-Associate Cathy Flynn from St. Viator caught up with Viatorians from around the archdiocese, too – here with Cheryl and Juliann from St. Thomas More.
In addition to these local Viatorians gathered for faith formation, Fr. John Eustice, CSV, joined in as an exhibitor on behalf of the community and our vocation ministry. During break periods and receptions, Fr. John hosted Viatorians who were attending the conference at this exhibit area, and, together, they shared our charism, ministry, and vocation promotion and resources. Fr. John, who grew up in nearby Henderson at Viatorian-founded St. Thomas More Catholic Community, has previously served as a presenter/facilitator for archdiocesan faith formation at this conference.
Viatorians continue to build on over 70 years of ministry in the area, dating to our arrival in the 1950s to found St. Viator and Bishop Gorman and evolving to serve in new ways such as Cristo Rey St. Viator, which opened in 2019.