Associate Karen Cutler committed as a Viatorian in 2003 as part of one of the first groups of lay Viatorians in the US, and her career with the Viatorians goes back even further.
As Karen retires from her role on the Province Center staff and career in the Church, we pay tribute to her 20 years as Coordinator of Programs and Special Events and her nearly 30 years of full-time Viatorian ministry and service.
Starting in Springfield
Karen grew up in Springfield, IL, where Viatorian ministries included Griffin High School, the boys’ school where her brothers went. The first Viatorian she remembers was Fr. Hugh Robbins, CSV, the drama teacher at her school, Ursuline Academy. “He was really over the top, just unlike any other priest I had ever met,” Karen said.
She studied communications and got a job in broadcasting, but Karen also served with Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) retreats alongside Viatorians, including Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV, Fr. Mick Egan, CSV, then-Mr. Rob Robertson, then-Br. Corey Brost, CSV, and others. “Something clicked. We became friends. TEC and my connection to the Viatorians drew me into ministry,” Karen said. “Then, I was sitting at dinner with Fr. Tom one night while working at a radio station. He asked me, ‘When are you going to get out of that radio station and get into ministry?’”
Associate Kim Martinez, Br. Rob Robertson, CSV, and Karen at Provincial Assembly in 2012.
Karen thought about it, did some research, and enrolled at Loyola University Chicago. Then Fr. Tom, who was serving as vocation director, asked her to help in the vocation office with administrative support for files, communications, and more. So, her Viatorian career began!
After earning her master’s in ministry, Karen went on to parish youth ministry. A few years later, Fr. Tom became president at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas and identified a need to start campus ministry. Once again, Fr. Tom tapped Karen, so she came to the school to work with then-Br. Corey to get things started.
“We did Kairos and Quest retreats. We started service programs through Catholic Charities and other organizations there. We had liturgies with students who were part of committees. We introduced all kind of things that the kids just latched right on to. They wanted to be part of all this stuff,” Karen said. “And I learned a lot from Corey through that time thanks to his experience in ministry, especially in terms of social justice.”
Invited on to the Province Staff
After eight years at Bishop Gorman, Karen returned to Illinois in 2002. As association began, she welcomed the invite and made her first commitment in 2003. Association has reinforced her identity and ministry. “As a community, the Viatorians are forward-thinking. As a woman, I’ve never felt shunned; I’m encouraged to be part of everything I could be in this community. Viatorians are inclusive,” Karen said. “I feel I’ve been at my best when I’ve been with the Viatorians. Together, we bring the Word of God to life.”
Among the many duties Karen assumed, she would order and arrange decor around the Province Center and chapel for various seasons, including the Easter flowers and the Christmas poinsettias.
In 2005, Fr. Tom was elected Provincial Superior. He saw the variety of gatherings and ministries that came through the Province Center, and he had yet one more idea for Karen: join the staff to coordinate Viatorian events. “So, in 2006, she came on and helped us with assemblies, special gatherings at the Province Center, eventually VYC, and she was sort of the face of hospitality for us,” Fr. Tom said. “She worked with me closely all through those terms.”
As Coordinator of Programs and Special Events, Karen led hospitality and gradually took on lodging organization, donation reception and donor tracking, prayer card distribution and prayer book inscription, provincial correspondence, and all kinds of tasks. Perhaps her favorite responsibility began a few years into this role, when Viatorians launched the Viatorian Youth Congress (VYC). Karen became the administrator of a fast-growing program – organizing registrations, reservations, materials, training, and more, in collaboration with other Viatorians.
“The teen and young adult years are the most searching years. You’re really starting to say yes or no. You’re starting to own things more. You’re on the threshold of everything. It’s the perfect time to give them options and ways for them to celebrate their faith and spirituality. At that age, they’re open to that because they’re searching,” Karen said.
Karen with the team of Young Adult Leaders for VYC 2019.
“Dealing with liturgy, community, prayer, social justice, and more, we give them a smattering of all of this to help them find what they like and feel drawn to do. Then, they also connect with peers in Viatorian communities who are hearing similar Viatorian things. They can come together to hang out, have conversation, and also pray together. It can be scary to do this in your parish, but VYC is a safe space for it.”
Not Goodbye – Just See You Later!
After almost two years working with vocation ministry, eight years at Bishop Gorman, and 20 years on Province Center staff, Karen has decided to retire after about 30 years of service. She might be packing up her office and trading her Arlington Heights, IL, apartment for a new unit in Chatham, IL, nearer to her family in Springfield. However, she will continue to take part in Viatorian gatherings such as VYC and Provincial Assembly. And, as an avid reader with even more time to enjoy her books, she will certainly keep up with Catholic and Viatorian news.
Provincial Superior Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, took the Province Center staff out for lunch last week to celebrate and bless Karen, who Fr. Mark thanked for her good humor and faithful teamwork. Administrative assistant Julia Carens organized a photo book with farewell notes from everyone. It becomes a companion gift to the amazing book that VYC Young Adult Leaders put together as a gift for Karen at this summer’s retreat.
Before his term as provincial concluded, Fr. Dan (third from left) took Karen (second from right) and the staff out for one last luncheon in gratitude for the shared work during his four years.
Fr. Dan Hall, CSV, who preceded Fr. Mark as provincial, shared his thanks, too, affirming her often unseen, behind-the-scenes work. “Her contributions covered a wide range, and I think that one of the most important things – and the one that gave her the most satisfaction was leading the VYC. It was a demanding job, and one through which she touched the lives of many young people. As she moves into retirement, I hope she does not forget the impact that she has had on them,” Fr. Dan said. “Working behind the scenes, sometimes people are overlooked – I want to make sure that is not the case with Karen. Karen, thank you for all that you have done for this community for so many years. You will be missed, but you will always be in our prayers.
And of course, Fr. Tom is ever grateful for this decades-long partnership. “It’s been an amazing journey to watch her continue to grow in ministry, from our time as younger ministers all throughout her professional development and so much parish and youth ministry,” Fr. Tom said. “It was great to welcome her to what she came to find as her home with the Viatorians. Her way of welcoming people and tending to the details have made people comfortable and helped them succeed in these ministries.”
Karen’s last day is September 30. Thank you, Karen! Happy retirement!
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Fr. Mark held a thank-you lunch for Karen and the staff last week.