The Viatorian charism of the Venerable Louis Querbes continues to inspire vocations: this summer and fall in the United States, 17 Viatorian associates will recommit to association, and 17 new associates will make their initial commitments. The US will have nearly 100 associates, and the total in our province will cross into triple digits.
Left to right, Associates Jackie Dupon, Susana Tellez, and Betty Faraci
Associates Jackie Dupon and Susana Tellez will make their definitive commitments, and Associate Betty Faraci will be granted a “lifetime commitment.” Additionally, 15 other associates will recommit. The typical sequence of commitments is two years, three years, and then five years; after ten total years, associates can commit definitively or renew for five years at a time.
The 2024-2026 pre-association regional cohorts concluded with 17 pre-associates requesting to commit and receiving approval: three from Arlington Heights-Chicago, four from Bourbonnais-Kankakee, and 10 from Henderson-Las Vegas.
Coordinator of Association Fr. Patrick Render, CSV, especially credits the “Come and See” evenings that Viatorians in Nevada host, where conversations and discussions help people consider pre-association. “It was the first time that I saw a Regional Leadership Team take such a direct role in this whole invitation process. I credit Associate Kim Martinez, who was then part of the team, and Associate Anthony Gugino for a lot of the drive behind this,” Fr. Pat said. He also affirmed the outreach by associates ministering at St. Viator Catholic Community and Parish School as well as Viatorian-founded Bishop Gorman High School at St. Thomas More Catholic Community. “This activity generated several candidates.”
Viatorians in Nevada have a lively outreach around the archdiocese, like at the annual conference – left to right at the 2025 conference, here’s Pre-Associate Jen Jones, Associate Kim Martinez, Pre-Associate Jason Valle, Associate Kathy Keating, Associate Rosy Hartz, Associate Paul Mertzman, Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV, and Associate Kathy Underwood.
Each pre-associate undertook a two-year formation and discernment process with fellow pre-associates in their region, under the guidance of a regional leadership team. In Henderson-Las Vegas, Associates Juliann Dwyer and Connie Gerber worked with Fr. Larry Lentz, CSV, and Br. Carlos Flórez, CSV, in this ministry. “Throughout this time together, these women and men have demonstrated a sincere love for learning, a deep openness to the Gospel, and a genuine desire to understand the charism entrusted to us by our founder,” Br. Carlos said. “They approached this process with humility, generosity, and authentic discernment.”
In Bourbonnais-Kankakee, Associates Susan Surprenant and Paula Wasser teamed with Fr. Moses Mesh, CSV, and Fr. John Peeters, CSV to lead pre-association. In Arlington Heights-Chicago, Associates Cathy Abrahamian, Chris Gucwa, and Linda Nishi partnered with Br. Rob Robertson, CSV, to form pre-associates. “The experience over the two years was a challenge and delight. We had to be prepared because our candidates came to each meeting with their reading done and questions ready for discussion,” Chris said.
Chris (second from right) participates in activities at a 2024 retreat on Laudato si’ with fellow Viatorians.
It was Chris’ first time in this role, and she was blown away by the experience. “My favorite meeting was our last one. We spent very little time on the reading; instead, they shared thoughts and questions from their discernment, and we responded with experiences of association, expectations in community life, and how we grew into leadership over the years,” Chris said. “I feel the Holy Spirit has been with our humble cohort. I look forward to seeing how our pre-associates grow in their commitments and contribute to our Viatorian Community.”
Recommitting for five more years are Associates John Dussman, Gema and Jose Rangel, and Cathy and Kurt Saindon; recommitting for three more years are Associates Shelley Aguiar, Patrick Aller, Jennifer Anderson, Larry D’Urso, Mary Ellen Dorough, Terry Granger, Dan Masterton, Paul Mertzman, Charles “Buddy” Miller III, and Mary Thompson.
We’ll have more on our new members after they each make their initial commitments at this summer’s Provincial Assembly or at regional Querbes Day and Viator Day services this fall. We congratulate all the recommitting associates and soon-to-commit associates!