Last week, four teen students and two adults from Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. George Churches, two Viatorian parishes in Bourbonnais, IL, joined Saint Viator High School’s Kairos 102 retreat. They welcomed members of our faith communities into their long-running retreat program as the parishes prepare to restart Kairos in Bourbonnais after a program pause there.
Amanda (left) and Amy (right) joined four teens from their parishes on Saint Viator’s Kairos 102 at Casa Iskali in Des Plaines, IL.
“I think one of the things Viatorians do best is hospitality. Having them here on Kairos with us felt no different – they’re our family. Our student leaders were so attentive to including them. Their presence was such a bonus for us,” Associate Cathy Abrahamian, SVHS Director of Student Ministry, said.
SVHS Chaplain Fr. John Eustice, CSV, directed the retreat, and Cathy coordinated much of the logistics. They were delighted to partner with Coordinator of Viatorian Youth Ministry Amanda Fierce, who ministers in both parishes, and St. George staff member Amy McCrary to bring these four young people into the Kairos fold. “Teaming up was a no-brainer. It was so easy to welcome them and incorporate them fully into our retreat. It felt really seamless,” Fr. John said. “Faith development that’s hosted at Saint Viator High School isn’t limited to helping just our current students. Our Viatorian mission spreads and tries to build the Kingdom however is needed.”
“We have a ton of notes about what we want to do, and we feel so much less pressure about taking charge of this. The adult leaders were a gift for us – they were all so calm and at home with supporting the students and leaders, and Fr. John and Cathy are a strong leadership team whose style works well,” Amanda said. “It’s a blessing to be mentored by them.”
Amy had never experienced a Kairos retreat, and the kids’ buy-in and witness motivated and inspired her. “I think our young people get a bad rap about phones and social media and technology. I wish more adults could see a big group of kids without their phones like this – they know how to communicate, come together, and share their faith openly. It was impressive,” Amy said.
SVHS Chaplain Fr. John (left) directed the retreat and celebrated the Sacraments, and he had some help from MBVM Pastor Fr. Jason (right), who came up for a day to assist with the Sacraments and visit with everyone on retreat.
Amanda, Amy, and their four students will gather for a “Fourth Day” reflection soon and begin reaching out to teens in the parishes and area, with an eye especially to public school students who don’t get these opportunities except through the parish. They have two supportive Viatorian pastors in Fr. Patrick Render, CSV, at St. George and Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV, at MBVM, who came up to Des Plaines, IL, to celebrate Mass on Kairos and visit everyone.
“I hope to bring it to the youth in a way that is exciting, attractive, and lasting for years to come,” Amy said, suggesting the pitch can be simple. “It’s about faith, friendship, and Christ in a way that’s learning about yourself with open-mindedness.”
Fr. John has ministered at MBVM as a young adult minister and later as a transitional deacon, and he values the tradition in the area of intentionally reaching out to public school students. “Our Viatorian parishes want to provide meaningful faith formation experiences for people in there are, and, like us, want to reach beyond their boundaries, just as we did in hosting them,” Fr. John said. “I hope they excel in reaching young people in their neighboring schools and parishes to bring them in and bring them together.”
Cathy pledges ongoing Viatorian partnership to support them, too. “They were so open and curious, asking lots of great questions,” Cathy said. “We pray for them to get a good program off the ground, and we are happy and ready to help them every step of the way – giving an adult talk, providing materials, or whatever we can do to support their growth.”
“I’ve already been thinking to myself about high school students who might be interested in Kairos – public high school students as well as Catholic school students who might like to go with a mixed group or outside their school,” Amanda said. “We’ve had save-the-dates posted online and in bulletins, and now these personal invites will keep it going.”