Associate Mary Finks was part of the first group of American lay associates, back in 1999, and 10 years later, she made her commitment definitive. She’s never looked back.
(L-R) Associates Mary Finks, Marilyn Mulcahy and John Ohlendorf were among the first group of associates
As a registered nurse and cantor at St. Patrick Parish in Kankakee, she brings her Viatorian mission to all she encounters in her many roles. Fr. George Auger, CSV, first asked Mary to consider becoming an associate, and she still values his invitation. “I’ve always been a spiritual person, but (the invitation) gave me a reason to look beyond myself and be more well read. It called me into a deeper spiritual life and more prayer,” Mary said. “Plus, becoming an associate surrounded me with other spiritual people who felt as passionately as I did about the Catholic faith.”
Mary retired after serving Hospice of Kankakee Valley (now called Uplifted Care) for 15 years, including as director of clinical services. She started in 2002 as a registered nurse with the agency but eventually moved primarily to seeing patients at the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Manteno, IL.
Mary cantering during Provincial Assembly in Arlington Heights, above in 2012 and below in 2025.
“That’s where my role as a Viatorian came in,” Mary said. “Many of these veterans had no families visiting them. I found myself walking in the footsteps of Fr. Querbes, ministering to those accounted of little importance.”
For more than 30 years, or all of the years she and her late husband, John, have lived in Kankakee and attended St. Pat’s, she has served her parish as a cantor. “A cantor sings the word of God, and that’s special to me,” Mary said. “I get to profess the word of God through my singing.”
Mary also shares her love of music at nearly every Provincial Assembly, where she leads the community in song, with Associate Susan Bourgeois, who accompanies her on keyboard.
“No matter what type of liturgy she’s at, her leadership as a cantor makes it more meaningful,” Fr. John Peeters, CSV, longtime pastor of St. Patrick, said.
In retirement, Mary is active with our community life, including a stint on the executive community as chair of our Viatorian Community Council.
More on Mary from Viatorians.com:
- FEATURE – Living the Charism in Many Careers (2026): Along with other Viatorians in non-Church careers, Mary gives witness to carrying the charism without working full-time for the Viatorians or one of our ministries.
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Mary is a fixture at Viatorian gatherings, including 2025 Provincial Assembly (above) with Associates Juliann Dwyer, Deborah Perez, and Rosy Hartz, and (below) the retirement celebration for her longtime St. Patrick Pastor Fr. John Peeters, CSV.
End-of-Life Accompaniment (2023 – Viatorian Voices podcast appearance): Mary reflects on her ministry of nursing and hospice care, reflecting on the tenderness and reality of accompanying people through their terminal illnesses.
- Viatorians Find Renewal in Summer Gathering (2021): Mary and the lively region of Bourbonnais-Kankakee enjoyed a summer gathering as the world came out of COVID pandemic times more and more.
- Associates in Music Ministry (2021 – Viatorian Voices podcast appearance): Along with frequent music ministry collaborator and accompanist Associate Susan Bourgeois, Mary gives witness to the ministry of cantor and singing at Mass.
- Stations of the Cross from a Viatorian Perspective (2021): Thanks to special AV tech at St. George, Mary and fellow Viatorians in the region recorded a Stations of the Cross video for Lent.
- Three Women Associates to Lead VCC (2020): This article provides a bit deeper explanation on Mary’s role with the Viatorian Community Council.
- Association Reaches Milestone (2019): On the 20th anniversary of the first American associates’ commitment, this article celebrates our trailblazers.
Updated by Associate Dan Masterton on February 11, 2026.