Our name “Viatorian” comes from a word for traveler or one “on the way.” In ministry, while we want to maintain strong brick-and-mortar institutions, we must also go out to where people are and minister to them and with them where they are gathering.
In the last week especially, Viatorians have been taking communal prayer on the way:
Fr. Tom celebrated Mass for the CRSV community at St. Viator.
Cristo Rey St. Viator Family Mass Goes Off Campus
Br. Carlos Flórez, CSV, Cristo Rey St. Viator Director of Catholic and Viatorian Identity, organized a family Mass at St. Viator Catholic Community on Sunday, February 1, celebrated by Interim Pastor and CRSV Founding President, Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV.
Members of the school community led the liturgical ministries, and Mrs. Lucy Peña, Assistant Principal of School Culture, shared a reflection on Catholic education’s impact in her life.
“I thank our students and their families for their prayerful presence. They continue to be a true blessing to our school and a living sign of the faith that unites us,” Br. Carlos said. “I ask God’s continued blessings upon their homes, studies, and daily lives.”
Taizé Prayer at Camp Duncan
Viatorian Retreat Has a Viatorian Host
Last week, Cristo Rey St. Martin was on retreat at Camp Duncan, one of three YMCA camp facilities under the purview of Associate Jason Kuffel, Executive Director. On Thursday, January 29, the group of juniors on retreat celebrated a Taizé Prayer service in the indoor meeting area with Jason, Fr. Tom Long, CSV, and CRSM Director of Campus Ministry Mr. Jim Dippold.
“It was truly inspiring to witness these young people come together in prayer grounded in faith, open in spirit, and attentive to one another,” Jason said. “May the Spirit continue to move among them, deepening their sense of God’s presence, strengthening their relationships with one another, and guiding them as they listen for where God is calling them next.”
Taizé Prayer continues monthly at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL, and Maternity BVM Church in Bourbonnais, IL, as well as periodic services at St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas.
Viatorian Priests Help Out Neighbor Parishes
Fr. John took in the desert landscapes of Mesquite (above) while Fr. Jason crisscrossed the Bourbonnais area (below).
Parish pastors and school chaplains often have to ask brother priests for help celebrating Masses, hearing confessions, making visits to the ill for Anointing of the Sick, and more.
Last weekend, Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV, Pastor of Maternity BVM Church in Bourbonnais, IL, pitched in for his neighbors, St. Joseph Church in Manteno, IL, and St. Joseph Church in Bradley, IL, for some weekend Masses. With Fr. Moses Mesh, CSV, Parochial Vicar, back from his visit to family in Belize, and Fr. Dan Lydon, CSV, visiting MBVM during a trip back from Colombia for a bit, Fr. Jason was able to help our diocesan friends.
“It was a great opportunity to celebrate the sacraments with different groups of people. I really enjoyed it,” Fr. Jason said.
Meanwhile, Fr. John Eustice, CSV, Director of Vocation Ministry, often hits the road to present on the Viatorians and our charism and discuss vocational discernment in schools, parishes, and more. Last weekend, it took him to Mesquite, NV, a slightly more distant neighbor of our ministry in Las Vegas, to La Virgen de Guadalupe Parish. The pastor invited Fr. John out to help when the two met at the archdiocesan conference last year, so Fr. John came and covered Masses, anointings, and funerals, and focused his homilies on vocations.
“These are wonderful people, and the church is situated in such great surroundings,” Fr. John said.
May our Viatorian charism continue to fuel our outreach and presence wherever we can help raise communities of faith!