One of the main priorities of the Viatorian Community is building up communties where faith is
lived, deepened and celebrated. That mission was on full display Sunday at Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais, where high school teens served as leaders and mentors to eighth graders in the parish at their confirmation retreat.
Carrie Rink, director of youth ministry, organized the retreat while Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV, pastor, helped out and celebrated the opening Mass. However, the young leaders did the rest, including helping with all parts of the Mass — as lectors, musicians, singers and ushers — and moderating group discussions and activities during the retreat.
Fr. Jason Nesbit with Carrie Rink
The power of the day centered around this theme: “Jesus, the way home.”
“A huge thanks to these great high school students who led the confirmation retreat this year,” Rink said on the parish’s Facebook page. “Say a prayer for the eighth graders who will be confirmed in March, as well as a prayer for these high school leaders who gave up their day — however, they sure did seem to have fun!”
This kind of collaboration between pastoral leaders and young people dates back to the beginning of the Viatorian Community, as expressed in its vision statement:
“As Viatorians, in the spirit of our founder, Fr. Louis Querbes, we minister to and with young people in the Church and are committed to their faith development and active membership in their respective faith communities.”