Fr. Charlie (right) enjoys some downtime at Saint Viator High School with Fr. John Eustice, CSV (left), and Fr. Dan Lydon, CSV (second from left).
In his prolific religious life, Fr. Charles Bolser, CSV, has spent most of his career in high schools, first as a teacher at Griffin High School in Springfield, IL, then in school administration at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL, and Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan, IL.
He had also spent years in pastoral work, serving as pastor of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bourbonnais, IL, before his last assignment as pastor of St. Viator Parish in Chicago before shifting into retirement.
Yet, even in retirement, he continues to stay busy. He has led two Bible study groups – one for men and another for women – and he often celebrates Mass, including at the Province Center, Holy Family Catholic Community in Inverness, IL, with the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, and for the developmentally disabled adults of St. Coletta’s Foundation of Illinois.
Fr. Charlie held a fresh copy of his book, shortly after printing them in 2025.
After retiring also from driving, Fr. Charlie’s outings are a bit more selective, but he sustained his reach in part through writing. At first, he established a blog. Fr. Charlie started posting in the late 2010s, and he enjoyed the process of taking his thoughts, writing them out, and sharing them with people online. Most of the posts examine Scripture passages while others tackle broader themes. “I’ve always wanted to write a book,” Fr. Charlie said, during the early days of the blog. “This is my way of testing the waters. I have no idea if people are reading them, but I’m enjoying the chance to share some thoughts.”
Years later, Fr. Charlie had enough written out to get that book together. He reached out to his sister, Colleen Vondebur – who he credits on the cover as his editor – and leaned on her organizational skills. With her diligent work, including enlisting an extra editor and a friend who works in printing, Fr. Charlie’s work became a paperback book. He distributed copies to many friends and Viatorians, and he later connected with Saint Viator High School to utilize the book as a fundraiser for student tuition assistance.
These days, Fr. Charlie continues to enjoy quiet reading on social justice or the news of the day, usually while playing some classical or jazz music on a nearby radio, and happily welcoming visitors for chats.
More on Fr. Charlie from Viatorians.com:
- Stories of Historic Conclave One Year Later (2026 – Viatorian Voices podcast appearance): Viatorians shared “where were you when” stories from Pope Leo’s election, including Fr. Charlie’s joy over hearing the news of a south side boy.
- Fr. Charlie Brings Readers on a New Shared Journey (2025): Fr. Charlie’s book came to fruition and reached many readers.
- FEATURE – SVHS Kairos Reaches 100 (2025): Fr. Charlie talked about the first Kairos retreat, which happened under his watch as president and brought “a new level of spiritual sense” to Saint Viator students’ experience.
- Viatorians Provide Comfort at Alumni Mass
Fr. Charlie celebrated a theatre Mass in 2020.
(2024): Fr. Charlie perennially takes part in a special Mass for the late alumni of Saint Viator High School.
- Keeping Up with Fr. Charles Bolser (2024): In retirement, Fr. Charlie often juggles a slate of emails, texts, and phone calls with pastoral visits to celebrate Sacraments and reconnect with old friends.
- Roundtable on Viatorian Religious Life (2023 – Viatorian Voices podcast appearance): In this video episode, Fr. Charlie joined Br. Peter Lamick, CSV, and Br. Rob Robertson, CSV, to discuss Viatorian life from three generations’ points of view.
- Fr. Charlie Reflects on the Unfolding Journey of Life (2023): At 50 years of priesthood and 60 years of religious life, Fr. Charlie reflected on the path that led to that point.
- Celebrating Our Jubilarians (2023): Fr. Charlie celebrated 50 years of priesthood and 60 years of religious life at the 2023 assembly.
- Viatorians Help Distinguish Million Dollar Classic (2023): Fr. Charlie loved visiting with Saint Viator alumni at the annual golf outing fundraiser.
- Caring for the Earth in the Spirit of St. Kateri (2022): Fr. Charlie often offered the annual blessing over the Community Giving Garden at the Province Center.
- Breaking Bread around the Lord’s Table on Stage (2020): As Fr. Charlie ministered to school groups, he often came to the auditorium stage to celebrate Mass for the cast and crew of theater productions.
- Viatorian Relationships (2020): This article profiles Fr. Charlie’s ties with the Benedictine sisters.
- Taking a New Look at the Scriptures
Fr. Charlie often provides quite a range of pastoral visits, including this pet blessing at Saint Viator High School.
(2019): Here, we meet one of the lay bible study groups that Fr. Charlie supported with leadership and hospitality.
- Fr. Charlie Personifies Lifelong Learning (2016): Fr. Charlie had enough Spanish to celebrate Mass and converse, but he sat in on Associate Kurt Paprocki’s Spanish I class at Saint Viator High School to improve his skills.
- Fr. Charlie and His Fan Section (2015): This big time White Sox loves a trip to see his favorite team on the south side of Chicago, often with friends from his many tours in ministry.
- Fr. Charlie Celebrates with CRSM (2015): 10 years after starting a three-year stint as president, Fr. Charlie was back with the Cristo Rey St. Martin community to celebrate Mass.
This article was updated by Associate Dan Masterton on November 3, 2026.