Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV, began his latest assignment last month, as Associate Pastor of St. Viator Parish in Las Vegas. He will be working closely with Fr. Richard Rinn, CSV, Pastor, Fr. Lawrence Lentz, CSV, Parochial Assistant, Associate Deacon Mike Underwood, as well as the incoming Pastor, Fr. Edgar Suarez, CSV, in providing sacramental ministry to its parishioners.
Fr. Dan Belanger in front of St. Viator Parish
After settling in, one of the first things he did was to collaborate with some of the Viatorian associates in the parish, including brothers Anthony and Tommy Gugino and Rosy Hartz, Director of Faith Formation at the parish, to learn more about its ministries.
Fr. Dan has a passion for youth ministry and meeting kids where they’re at, consequently, this week he paid a visit to the parish’s Vacation Bible School, run by Rosy, with the help of 30 high school and college-aged leaders. Fr. Dan came away impressed with engagement of so many young people, surrounded by vibrant underwater imagery as they take a deep dive into scripture.
Fr. Dan with Associates Tommy and Anthony Gugino
“The kids are having a blast,” Fr. Dan said.
Look for Fr. Dan to bring the same level of energy he had at St. George Parish in Bourbonnais, IL, where he served as pastor for the last 15 years. Without any other priests on staff at the rural parish, Fr. Dan worked closely with Viatorian associates in a variety of parish ministries.
Still, heading west is a coming of home of sorts for him. While he is a California native, Fr. Dan spent nearly 10 years in Las Vegas as a young adult. It was during those years that he met the Viatorians, while he attended St. Thomas Catholic Community in suburban Henderson.
Fr. Dan with Associate Rosy Hartz
He would join the community as a novice in 1995 and profess his first vows in 1996. Fr. Dan was ordained in 2007, at St. Thomas More, where his introduction to the Viatorians began.
“After 15 years, I’m melancholy about leaving,” Fr. Dan said before leaving St. George, “but I’m excited to start a new ministry in Las Vegas.”