The Vegas Lights professional soccer team opens each home game
with an unusual tradition: The team honors an individual or organization that helps to make the city of Las Vegas unique.
At the May 11 home game against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, it was the Viatorians who were honored for their more than 50 years of ministering in Southwest Nevada.
Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, former provincial and president of Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School, represented the Viatorian Community in the pre-game ceremony. During an interview he told the nearly 8,000 fans about the Viatorians and their newest school, Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School, opening in August.
With that, he raised the pink scarf, signaling game on.
The evening drew lots of families from St. Viator Catholic Community, founded in 1954 by the Viatorians in the heart of Las Vegas. Halftime even featured a scrimmage with its youth soccer team, the St. Viator Stallions.
“It was great exposure for (Cristo Rey St. Viator College Prep) and the Viatorian Community in Southern Nevada,” says Associate Dan Schwarz, director of communications and community outreach for Cristo Rey St. Viator. “And, it was a nice little fundraiser for the school.”