Fr. Moses Mesh, CSV, jumped right in after joining the pastoral staff two years ago at St. Viator Parish in Chicago and he expects to bring that same adaptability when he joins the staff of Maternity BVM Parish on July 1 of this year.FullSizeRender

The native of Belize, who formerly served as pastor of the Viatorian parish of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Corozal Town, Belize, found a growing need for more Spanish-speaking programs at St. Viator when he arrived — and he immediately responded.

Working in consultation with the parish’s pastoral migratoria members — an immigrant-to-immigrant ministry that promotes leadership formation and service — he worked to further the parish’s Spanish ministry.

Fr. Mesh also directs the parish’s RCIA program with Viatorian Associate Linda Nishi. He specifically helps Spanish speaking adults wishing to learn more about the Catholic faith.Teaching ESL Class

But that’s not all. He has added two more ESL classes. The parish already offered a Saturday morning class, and at the suggestion of the pastoral migratoria, he added new sessions on Monday and Friday evenings.

Already, Fr. Mesh says, the classes have nearly doubled in size.

Part of the role of the pastoral migratoria is to welcome and empower immigrants in their formation and integration as full members of the church, something Fr. Moses says he fully endorses.

“We are planning to offer even more services,” Fr. Mesh says. “People seem to be happy and thankful that we are offering more Masses and classes.”

When Fr. Mesh accepted his new assignment in July, as parochial vicar of Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais, he was reunited with his classmate, Fr. Jason Nesbit. They completed their seminary studies together at Catholic Theological Union and were ordained that same summer, in 2011.

Updated June 14, 2021