Summertime brings a break in the school year, but plenty of Viatorians continue to be hard at work. As we reach the midway point of the summer months, here’s a slate of brief stories:
Cristo Rey St. Viator College Prep released a wonderful video of their Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony. You can spot Founding President Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV, and Director of Catholic and Viatorian Identity Br. Carlos Flórez, CSV, as they prayed and celebrated with students.
The Maternity BVM Parish Council Formation Commission worked with Pastor Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV, to bring in the “Man of the Shroud” exhibit for a weekend in July. In several displays around the parish hall, parishioners could study and learn about the Shroud of Turin – thought perhaps to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. The exhibit included a full-size replica of the 14-foot artifact.
At Saint Viator High School, the Service & Song summer program took place in June. Among the generous adult volunteers was Associate Larry D’Urso, seen here (third from right in photo) with his intrepid group of young people doing service.
Associate Ann Perez, Vice President of Mission and Identity, appeared on Viatorian Voices earlier this summer to share more in depth on the program as its director. Chaplain Fr. John Eustice, CSV, celebrated Mass and helped lead prayer.
At Viator House of Hospitality, the staff hosted their annual luncheon for Faith Community Partners. This coalition includes churches, mosques, and synagogues, building ecumenical and interfaith bridges with partners of goodwill.
In this video, Executive Director Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, introduced a few of these partners and shared more about the program.
Viator House welcomes new communities to partner in this ministry with and for young men seeking asylum. Full information is available at the VHH website.
At St. Viator Catholic Community, a new young adult ministry initiative began with “Dogs with My Dawgs,” a cookout on campus following Sunday Mass earlier this month. Viatorian Young Adults put out word in the area and drew in peers from five parishes.
Pastor Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV, and Parochial Vicar Fr. Jhobany Orduz, CSV, joined in and led prayer. Young adult Associates Patrick Aller, Anthony Gugino, and Tommy Gugino joined the gathering while young-at-heart Associates Deborah and Romeo Perez and Rosy and Paul Hartz pitched in with the grill and buffet.
Fr. John Eustice, CSV, joined a friend from the Divine Word Missionaries in accompanying his community of Karenni-American Catholics – a group of refugees from Myanmar.
Fr. John was invited to assist with catechesis to the young people, with Sacraments, and with their annual retreat.
Honoring a Late Peer
Fr. John Pawlikowski, OSM, a founding faculty member at CTU, died in June. Many from the CTU community, the Archdiocese of Chicago, and the Servite religious community (Order of the Servants of Mary) gathered for his memorial services.
Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, was unable to attend the memorial, so President Emeritus Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, was asked to read the cardinal’s reflection at the memorial service.
Fr. Mark and Fr. John were colleagues at CTU during Fr. Mark’s time as a professor there and as the school’s president.
En El Camino (On the Way)
This summer, Br. Peter Lamick, CSV, is living with our Colombian brothers for several weeks while he undertakes intensive Spanish studies in Bogotá. He is staying at Casa San Justo (Saint Just House). It’s our house of formation in Bogotá, where postulantes (postulants, or pre-novices) live with a formation director to prepare for and discern religious life. So, in addition to his classes, it gives him a way to practice at home in life with Spanish-speaking brothers and men in formation.
Br. Peter is currently a full-time student at CTU, studying theology with a view toward ordination. Br. Peter often ministers with Spanish-speaking Catholics in the US, including campus ministries at Cristo Rey St. Martin and activities and board meetings with Iskali for Latino Catholic Young Adults.