October 21 is the feast of St. Viator, the patron saint of the Viatorians. Here’s a look at the prayer and celebration around our province on this year’s St. Viator Day:
Henderson-Las Vegas Region
On the eve of St. Viator Day, at a regional prayer service at St. Viator Catholic Community, nine new associates made their initial commitments as Viatorians: Associate Joanne Andrews, Associate Randy Boynton, Associate Shaynee Boynton, Associate Lora Feely, Associate Cathy Flynn, Associate Jennifer Jones, Associate Georgina Martinez, Associate Jason Valle, and Associate Jackie White.
Additionally, five associates recommitted for three years: Associate Shelley Aguiar, Associate Patrick Aller, Associate Mary Ellen Dorough, Associate Paul Mertzman, and Associate Mary Thompson.
After the prayer service, the region enjoyed a meal together. Then, the new regional leadership team led a discussion, including those in active ministry sharing updates about their work to help identify additional places for Viatorians to volunteer and collaborate.
Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas)
For all-school Mass on St. Viator Day, the Viatorian Community took part in liturgical ministries:
- Br. Rob Robertson, CSV, gave a call to worship that retold the Viatorian history in founding Bishop Gorman, our serving there over its 70+ years, and the way we continue to share the charism through the many associates on faculty and staff.
- The Viatorians on staff received a special blessing at Mass.
- St. Viator Parish School alumni sat together, and many of them belong to the student-founded Viatorian Community Club, which took care of the petitions.
- Newly committed Associate Lora Feely and Associate Shaynee Boynton brought up the gifts.
St. Viator Catholic Community & Parish School (Las Vegas)
St. Viator Parish School shared in all-school Mass for the feast day, celebrated by Parochial Vicars Fr. Jhobany Orduz, CSV, and Fr. John Eustice, CSV, and retired priest-in-residence Fr. Bill Haesaert, CSV, with Associate Deacon Michael Underwood assisting.
Mr. John Paul Manfredi is the new principal this year, with Associate Paul Mertzman returning as vice principal. They hosted former principal, Dr. Katie Kiss, who now serves as associate superintendent for the Archdiocese of Las Vegas Catholic Schools and visited for St. Viator Day.
Cristo Rey St. Viator College Prep (Las Vegas)
The CRSV community shared in an all-school Mass to celebrate the feast day. Founding President Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV, celebrated the Mass with student ministers. The day included a special blessing of the class rings for the seniors, the Class of 2027.
Director of Catholic and Viatorian Identity Br. Carlos Flórez, CSV, oversees ministry, and he also treated the community to a visit from the Deja Brew coffee truck.
Additionally, Associate Rosy Hartz, Jamie Reyburn, Dennis Funtila, and Marty Flynn from St. Viator Catholic Community brought donuts for students, including St. Viator parishioners and CRSV students who work at St. Viator in the parish or school. Rosy directs youth ministry and faith formation for the parish; Jamie works on staff coordinting baptisms and safe environment protocols; Dennis is the volunteer coordinator of middle school campus ministry for St. Viator Parish School, a role Rosy founded and handed on to Jamie, who has now passed it on to Dennis; and Marty is a parishioner who volunteers often with youth ministry.
Colegio San Viator (St. Viator School) – Bogotá, Colombia
Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio celebrated St. Viator Day Mass at the school and recorded a video greeting for the wider community (below). Rector Fr. Edgar Suárez, CSV, chaplains Fr. John Alexander Avellaneda, CSV, and Fr. Felipe Montes, CSV, and Fr. Frank Enciso, CSV, pastor of Parroquia San Viator (St. Viator Parish) in Bogotá, concelebrated with the cardinal.
St. Viator Day also included special treats for the students and inflatables on the lawn for recreation.
Colegio San Viator (St. Viator School) – Tunja, Colombia
Fr. Edwin Ruiz, CSV, celebrated St. Viator Day Mass at the school with concelebrant Vice Rector Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV, and Br. Carlos Suárez, CSV, serving the Mass.
Students also created a video to tell the story of St. Viator and reflect on his inspiration of the Viatorian Community.
Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep (Waukegan, IL)
The Oportunidades Para Todos (Opportunity for All) student club held a student dress-down day fundraiser on St. Viator Day. The students raised over $600, which they donated to Viator House of Hospitality for young men seeking asylum.
Saint Viator High School (Arlington Heights, IL)
Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, celebrated Mass for the school, with Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Provincial, and Fr. Dan Lydon, CSV, concelebrating.
Viatorians on staff and in the region joined with the school community for Mass. They processed in with the ministers and received a special blessing during Mass.
Arlington Heights-Chicago Region
Viatorians in the region gathered for a community prayer service at the Province Center, which included a communal recitation of the Viatorian Vision Statement to strengthen our shared ministry and commitment, and Br. James Lewnard, CSV, preached a wonderful homily.
Afterwards, the group enjoyed a cocktail hour and meal in the dining hall.
Bourbonnais-Kankakee Region
Viatorians in the region gathered for a St. Viator Day Mass on the Saturday following our feast day.
A few members had to part after Mass, but a nice group headed out for a celebratory lunch together afterwards, too.
Br. Marc-Innocent Prophète, CSV, from Haiti has moved to Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bourbonnais. He is studying at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he has nearly completed his theological studies with a view to ordination. He is living at the MBVM rectory and joining in with region events.