The history of the Kairos retreat in our province is a providential story of collaboration that links many Viatorians, parishes, and schools. In an added layer of Providence, when Kairos reached Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, it helped ignite a Viatorian vocation and deepened life of faith for a student participant: Associate Bridget Michlik.
“I was on Kairos 1 here at Gorman!” Bridget said. “We never had campus ministry before Fr. Tom and the Viatorians set it up. It had a profound impact on me, and it helped me decide I wanted to go to Catholic college. It was life changing.”
Many years after Bridget went on the Kairos program that Br. Rob helped start, they are now fellow Viatorians. (Photo from 2012 Provincial Assembly)
In 1993, Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV, took the reins as president of the school, and he tapped then-Br. Corey Brost, CSV, and future associate Karen Cutler to establish campus ministry and a Kairos retreat program. Br. Rob Robertson, CSV, who had just started Kairos at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL, had also joined the faculty and shared the retreat materials. Additionally, Bridget’s aunt worked in development for the school, and her family came to know the Viatorians quite closely. It all pointed Bridget toward an ever deepening life of faith.
“I’ve always gone to Catholic school, ever since kindergarten: Our Lady of Las Vegas, Gorman, and then Marquette,” Bridget said – she headed to Milwaukee to study marketing after Bishop Gorman. “After college, I went to work for Community Counseling Service and only worked with Catholics dioceses and parishes,” Bridget said.
In the early 2000s, Fr. Tom had moved on from Bishop Gorman to become president of Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL. He heard Bridget was working in the area and invited her to lunch with an idea: join the administration at Saint Viator working in communications. Though initially a little hesitant, she dove in.
Bridget (right) at a St. Viator Catholic Community reception for the Viatorian Community during the 2024 Provincial Assembly, with (left to right) Associate Rosy Hartz, former St. Viator Principal Dr. Katie Kiss, and Associate Deborah Perez.
“I never thought education was my thing with my marketing background, but when I got to Saint Viator everyone was so welcoming. I felt so at home there, and I was making an impact that I could feel in the school community. I was shaping the story and helping us put out a good message,” Bridget said. “And I was going on retreats with the students, which continued to bring me more deeply into my faith, including getting to be sponsor for kids for Confirmation.”
From 2002 to 2006, she worked with Fr. Tom and Director of Advancement Brian Liedlich, her mom’s brother who she knows as “Uncle Brian” who would go on to serve as school president. With Bishop Gorman’s Knight of the Gael as a guide, Bridget developed and ran Saint Viator’s Night of the Lion, which has been held annually since then. After four years in Illinois, Bishop Gorman offered her a similar role in communications, and she decided to return to her alma mater.
“I was reluctant to go, at first, thinking I’d settle in the Chicago suburbs. When I returned, I found a similar experience of good mentorship, community comfort, and the chance to rise into positions with great responsibilities and opportunities,” Bridget said. “When my director left, she recommended me for the advancement role. I wasn’t sure if I was ready, but she encouraged me.”
Associate Kim Martinez (front left) and Bridget (front middle) with students on a Kairos retreat.
Bridget has worked in administration at Bishop Gorman ever since, including her current role as director of advancement. As association took shape and grew in our province, Viatorians in the region encouraged her to consider it. Bridget undertook formation and made her initial commitment in 2009. “Amid the move, I was really missing my people. When the Viatorians invited me to join them as an associate, it was exciting to make that connection and continue at Gorman as a Viatorian,” Bridget said.
In the mid-2010s, the Viatorians tapped Bridget’s experience and expertise in the preparation process for opening Cristo Rey St. Viator College Prep in North Las Vegas. She served on several boards and committees, working especially on advancement and corporate work study partnerships. Additionally, at Bishop Gorman when the Kairos program faltered, Associate Kim Martinez brought in Bridget – with her experience as a student and an adult leader – and others to help restart and stabilize the program.
For these reasons, Bridget loves working for the Church, and for her, it’s all about the students and families of this Catholic school.
“I couldn’t imagine working in a secular setting and not being able to have this sort of environment with our faith and our young people. I love getting to help the community be true to our mission and our Viatorian charism. It’s the only way I know how to do this! I love Catholic education, and it’s what I’m passionate about,” Bridget said. “Every new class is a new group, a new experience, their first experience of this Bishop Gorman community. So, each year, you do it all over again for the next wave.”
More on Bridget from Viatorians.com:
- Saint Viator, Pray for Us! Celebrations for 2025 (2025): At Bishop Gorman, Bridget read at all-school Mass and attended students’ first meeting of the Viatorian Community Club.
- Viatorian Legacy Showcased at Bishop Gorman HS (2025): Bishop Gordon dedicated a new student union at BGHS. Bridget steers these projects in her admin role, and Viatorians gathered to mark the dedication of the St. Viator Gallery.
- St. Viator School Foundation Honors Fr. Richard Rinn (2025): With many fellow Viatorians, Bridget celebrated St. Viator School and the foundation honorees.
- Bishop Gorman Hosts a Celebration of Service (2017): Bridget helped honor long-serving faculty at BGHS, including a few fellow Viatorians.
- Bishop Gorman High School Honors its Founders (2016): Adding to the school’s hall of fame, Bridget helped honor the Mowbray family for their central role in founding the school.