As we move into the new school year, it’s a good time to catch up with our many Viatorian students studying at Catholic Theological Union, a graduate school of ministry and theology in Chicago co-sponsored by the Viatorians.
Br. Marc Innocent Prophète, CSV
This fall, Br. Marc Innocent Prophète, CSV, from the Region of Haiti and Province of Canada, begins his second full year of his ordination-track theological studies at CTU; Br. Peter Lamick, CSV, begins his first full school year of ordination-track theological studies; and Associate Ann Perez continues part-time studies toward a master’s in ministry with emphasis on spirituality.
Plus, Viatorian Youth Leader Viviana Tellez continues in her Pathways@CTU program toward her master’s degree, and pre-novices Tony Davies and Sal Solis are taking some courses in conjunction with their initial formation – including one asynchronous class where Sal is studying with Br. Marc, Br. Peter, and Ann.
Br. Marc is excited for his ministry practicum, where his classroom learning can play into ministry work. “My time at CTU has brought about significant growth, especially in broadening my understanding of the Church and my own ministry,” Br. Marc said. “I am particularly grateful for the way this journey has challenged the very conservative perspective I inherited from my Haitian social context, helping me to see faith and ministry in a deeper and more inclusive way.”
Br. Peter Lamick, CSV
Br. Peter is a natural student who is loving full-time studies after several years of apostolic ministry. “CTU is not just academic. There’s real consideration of who I am as a minister and my relationship with God, other people, and the world within that. So it’s really focused on the content as well as its integration into my self-conception and how I minister to people,” Br. Peter said. “It’s a real gift to be able to step back and revisit fundamental questions about the faith – how we understand God, how we understand the Church, and how we understand ministry.”
Ann’s role as Vice President for Mission and Identity at Saint Viator High School keeps her quite busy, but her one class per semester brings welcome ongoing formation. “In a lot of classes, many students are men earning divinity degrees toward ordination, but in my last course, The Spirituality of Lay Vocation and Ministry, our group was mostly lay people,” Ann said. “So, we had a different opportunity to focus on lay spirituality together.”
Associate Ann Perez
Br. Marc is one of many international students at CTU, and Br. Peter and Ann value the diverse viewpoints and experience their peer bring to CTU classes, both in person and in hybrid learning. “I get to be in small groups on Zoom with people literally all over the world,” Ann said of her hybrid learning experience. “Last fall, I was in class with people from Alaska and Missouri and then also students ‘Zooming in’ from Africa – it creates a unique environment.”
“You’ll be in class and realize half the people in there with you are from other countries – Pakistan, Uganda, Vietnam, and more,” Br. Peter added. “This international dynamic makes classroom discussions distinct.”
In addition to the many Viatorians who have studied at CTU, Viatorians have also been professors and presidents of the institution, which we continue to co-sponsor. To learn more, visit ctu.edu.
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At the Mass for the opening of the school year, Viv (front row, left) sang with the choir, and Br. Marc (front, middle) played violin.