Associate Donna Schwarz traces her close connection to the Viatorians back to 1995, when she was job hunting and landed a role with the Office of Viatorian Missions as an administrative assistant.
The second group of associates committed in 2000: here (left to right) is Kay Dowling, Fr. Charlie, Fr. Tom, and Tim and Donna Schwarz.
A little more than five years later, she moved into a new role as administrative assistant to the Provincial Superior, and she went on to work with Fr. Charlie Bolser, CSV, Fr. Mick Egan, CSV, Fr. Dan Hall, CSV, and Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, during each of their terms.
Through working with Viatorians, Donna and her husband, Tim, discerned a calling to join the community as lay associates. In fact, they were among the second group to become Viatorian associates. They made their first commitment in 2000 and their definitive commitments in 2010. At subsequent assemblies, they have again been celebrated for reaching 15, 20, and 25 years – and counting.
Donna and Fr. Tom attended one of the plenary sessions during the General Assembly in 2011 in Colombia.
Donna has also played a lead role in animating the spiritual and social life of the community. She has served on both the regional committee for Arlington Heights-Chicago and the Viatorian Community Council, each of which plan and carry out important spiritual activities within the community. In 2011, she was also elected to serve as a delegate of the Viatorian Community in the US for the Viatorian General Assembly in Bogotá, Colombia.
In 2019, Donna retired after 24 years on staff with the community. Donna and Tim moved down to the Houston area to be near their son and his family. They consider their daily faith lives to be their Viatorian ministry, especially in their neighborhood relationships and parish activities. Plus, they make a point of traveling to the annual provincial assembly and finding whatever ways they can to stay close to Viatorian life – from special events like ordinations to one-off opportunities, such as a Catholic conference in Dallas when they could drive up to assist.
More on Donna from Viatorians.com:
- Viatorians Enjoy a Day of Summertime Fun (2025): During a summer swing to Illinois, Tim and Donna jumped into a social day with Viatorians in the Arlington Heights-Chicago region.
- Celebrating Jubilarians and Recommitments (2025): Donna and Tim were recognized at Provincial Assembly for 25 years in Viatorian life.
- Viatorians Talk Vocations at NCEA Conference (2023): When Associate Dan Masterton traveled solo to Dallas to represent the Viatorians at the National Catholic Educational Association conference, Tim and Donna roadtripped up from Houston to team up at the table with him.
- To Donna, with Love! (2019): A special photo slideshow captured the sendoff for Donna after 24 years of service.
- Unique Viatorian Community Council Convenes (2018): Donna served on the VCC, contributing to community discussions and consultation for the congregation’s leadership.
- Viatorians Work to Fight Hunger (2015): Donna joined with Viatorians in a community action to address hunger in the Chicago suburbs.
- CRSM Begins Second Decade of Service (2015): Frequently making essential contributions behind the scenes, Donna then had some opportunities to enjoy celebrations with Viatorians, including this reception at Cristo Rey St. Martin.
Updated by Associate Dan Masterton on July 8, 2026.