Today, Bishop Ronald Hicks released his pastoral letter, MAKE, to the Diocese of Joliet, and Viatorians at last week’s diocesan priests convocation helped him start the rollout.
Bishop Hicks’ process for discipleship. (Courtesy: make.diojoliet.org)
Bishop Hicks reiterates his priorities: that Catholics to be catechized and evangelized and put their faith into action, echoing his message to Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church from Camp MOSH this past summer. His letter added a new framework for how Catholics can go out and make disciples, just as Jesus asks at the end of the Gospel of Matthew: conversion, confession, commission, and communion, all founded on prayer.
Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV, MBVM Pastor, attended with the other Viatorian priests serving in the diocese. He feels recharged and excited to renew faith outreach and emphasize disciple-making, as Bishop Hicks terms it. “Sometimes, the Church is like a cruise ship, offering activities mostly to the same people who show up for events they like. How do we reach beyond?” Fr. Jason asked. “While some may propose acting like a battleship, I propose we think of ourselves like a rescue ship. We can leave port to meet people where they are, meet their needs with compassion, and bring them to a place that’s safe.”
Fr. Jason remembers receiving, GO, the 2018 pastoral letter of now-retired Bishop R. Daniel Conlon, and the adjustments MBVM made in response that strengthened parish life. “GO helped us make meaningful shifts that bore fruit. Moving confessions to Thursdays with Adoration greatly increased participation, and the parish came together to address capital improvements and celebrate 175 years,” Fr. Jason said. “After this convocation and in reflecting on this letter, I see how much I needed the four days away to rekindle a fire in me.”
Fr. Jason hosted Bishop Hicks at MBVM this past summer when the bishop came to offer a reflection on faith and service to the Camp MOSH volunteers.
Fr. Patrick Render, CSV, is Parochial Administrator for St. George Church in Bourbonnais. As a pastor in Chicago, Las Vegas, and now Joliet, he’s been to his share of convocations over the years, and he sees connections between Bishop Hicks’ priorities and what Viatorians are getting underway.
“Associate Mickie Prault has been a leader in bringing Alpha to Maternity and St. George. The response has been good,” Fr. Render said of the course meant to introduce Christian faith through accessible talks and discussions. “Hopefully, it will expand towards its target group of ‘seekers’ over time.”
Fr. Render also affirmed his excellent pastoral council. “Recently, our conversation about ongoing adult faith formation focused on specific groups’ needs, such as newlyweds, parents with children, or empty nesters,” Fr. Render said. “I want to continue on this path and help parishioners make disciples of people such as their adult children, their co-workers, and their neighbors.”
Here’s our Bourbonnais-Kankakee Region group photo from Provincial Assembly 2025 – Viatorians administer four faith communities in this region, all of which belong to the Diocese of Joliet.
Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV, is Pastor of St. Patrick Church in Kankakee and Parochial Administrator for Sacred Heart Church in Pembroke Township. St. Pat’s has added its weekly Spanish-language Mass, which is building a steady community, and Sacred Heart offers a distinct context in which bilingual ministry has been evolving and unfolding over our first six months as pastors.
As always, Viatorians prioritize partnering with members of our communities, forming them as leaders, and working with them to raise communities of faith. Fr. Jason is working with parish staff to share Bishop Hicks’ letter, website, and video, and in their homilies this weekend, he and Fr. Moses will preach toward cultivating authentic engagement. “I’ll ask all parishioners to be a part of what’s next,” Fr. Jason said. “There are many steps to be taken, and most of them are yet to be revealed by the Holy Spirit and in conversation. I hope people will pray intentionally. My heart is aflame for the work ahead – it’s holy work.”