“Jesus tells you, ‘You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others.’ You all receive a commission to be this important light,” Fr. Jhobany Orduz, CSV, said in his Baccalaureate Mass homily for Saint Viator High School’s Class of 2026.
Fr. Jhobany recalled leading a training exercise during his military service. He was training colleagues on using night-vision goggles, and he accidentally led his team into the mud. Reflecting back, he realize that night vision goggles might help a bit but they do not illuminate the darkness. Equipment alone is not enough to find the way; the light of Jesus Christ is the fullness of meaning and mission.
“Being the light requires courage. Stepping into the unknown is never comfortable. You will enter new places where your faith will be questioned, your values will be questioned, your fitting in will feel easier than standing firm,” Fr. Jhobany said. “Your mission is to reflect Jesus Christ, to shine with integrity when no one is watching, to shine in courage when it’s easier the be silent, to shine in kindness when others choose indifference, to shine your faith when the world is dark.”
The Viatorian Community is committed to teaching the faith, and this spring, we celebrate Viatorian-sponsored schools and their graduates. We pray that the faith formation and education that we’ve helped provide will make a lasting and profound impact on them and all who they will serve in their lives.
Here’s a look around our US schools in chronological order of their events.
St. Viator Parish School (Las Vegas)
St. Viator School held Graduation on Thursday, May 21.
Alongside the Class of 2026, we celebrate the Viatorians on faculty, staff, and administration: Pre-Associate Jennifer Jones, Associate Janet Manfredi, and Associate Paul Mertzman, with support from St. Viator Catholic Community clergy and staff.
We send our blessings with Dr. Katie Kiss, Principal, who will become Associate Superintendent for the Archdiocese of Las Vegas this summer. God bless you, Katie!
Bishop McNamara Catholic Schools (Bourbonnais-Kankakee, IL)
Bishop McNamara celebrated its 8th graders, who continue into high school as the Class of 2030, on Thursday, May 21, and then celebrated its high school seniors on Sunday, May 24. Bishop Chris Glancy, CSV, and Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV, helped with celebrating the Baccalaureate Masses.
Fr. Jason serves as Executive Pastor the school’s board; Pre-Associate Sue Goselin is principal of the Bourbonnais PreK-5 site at Maternity BVM Church, and Pre-Associate Scott Goselin serves in the Catholic Ministry Office. Additionally, Associate Terry Granger is President Emeritus. Viatorians have also served in a variety of ways in the schools’ history.
Saint Viator High School (Arlington Heights, IL)
SVHS held Baccalaureate Mass on Thursday, May 21, celebrated by Associate Chaplain Fr. Jhobany Orduz, CSV, with Provincial Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Chaplain Fr. John Eustice, CSV, Alumni Chaplain Fr. Charlie Bolser, CSV, and former school president Fr. Dan Lydon, CSV. Commencement ceremonies followed on Friday, May 22.
Alongside the Class of 2026, we celebrate the Viatorians on faculty, staff, and administration: Associate Cathy Abrahamian, Associate Jennifer Anderson, Associate Brigette Brankin, Fr. John, Pre-Associate Pat McGarry, Fr. Jhobany, Associate Kurt Paprocki, Associate Ann Perez, and Br. Rob Robertson, CSV.
Cristo Rey St. Viator College Prep (North Las Vegas)
Cristo Rey St. Viator held Baccalaureate Mass at St. Viator Catholic Community on Friday, May 22, celebrated by CRSV Founding President Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV, with Auxiliary Bishop Gregory Gordon as the community’s guest. Commencement followed on Sunday, May 24.
We congratulate all our graduates and celebrate our Viatorian in administration, Br. Carlos Flórez, CSV, Director of Viatorian and Catholic Identity.
Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep (Waukegan, IL)
Cristo Rey St. Martin held Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation on Saturday, May 23, with Mass celebrated by Fr. Jhobany Orduz, CSV.
We congratulate the Class of 2026, and we are proud to serve as a co-endorsing community for CRSM and support the school’s faith life in retreats, service, and liturgy.
Colombia
We send our blessings to Colegio San Viator – Bogotá and Colegio San Viator – Tunja! May all students in their final year at these schools finish strong and step forward into exciting next chapters.
Viatorian Legacy Schools
We also share our congratulations and blessings with graduating students at
– Viatorian-founded Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, where associates continue on faculty and administration
– our former parish school St. Viator School in Chicago
– and all our former school ministries throughout the US!