It was a time for celebrating over the weekend, as Viatorians were on hand to send off graduating seniors at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Saint Viator High School and Bishop McNamara High School, all places where Viatorians played a
Bishop Gorman graduates celebrate.
major role in their faith development.
At Bishop Gorman, 327 seniors graduated on Friday. At the baccalaureate Mass held at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer, Bishop George Thomas was the main celebrant. Among its concelebrants was Fr. Richard Rinn, CSV, pastor of St. Viator Catholic Community, who was on hand to celebrate with his former students who attended the high school. Br. Rob Robertson, CSV, and Associate Kim Martinez serve in Campus Ministry, while Br. Dan Tripamer, CSV, teaches math and Associate Bridget Michlik heads up advancement for the high school, which Viatorians opened in 1954.
Fr. John Peeters, back left, Fr. Dan Lydon, back middle and Fr. Dan Belanger, far right, celebrate with Bishop McNamara graduates.
At Bishop McNamara in Kankakee, where Viatorians date their involvement back to 1930, some 84 graduates celebrated their baccalaureate Mass and commencement ceremonies on Saturday. Fr. John Belmonte, S. J. Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Joliet Diocese, was the main celebrant along with Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV, Fr. Daniel Lydon, CSV and Fr. John Peeters, CSV.
Fr. Dan Belanger and Associate Michelle Barrie lead the Christian ministry program at Bishop McNamara. While Fr. Dan leads regular liturgies and provides spiritual direction, Michelle organizes retreats and Christian service opportunities, encouraging students to be a beacon of service in the greater Kankakee community.
Saint Viator High School graduates process into the Cahill Gymnasium.
Finally, at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Viatorians’ namesake school which they opened in 1961, a total of 241 seniors graduated, including 33 international students, representing China, South Korea, India and Russia. Fr. Daniel Hall, CSV, Provincial, celebrated the baccalaureate Mass and was on hand for commencement.
All of these graduation ceremonies served to advance the Viatorian vision statement, from which Viatorians draw directly from their founder, Fr. Louis Querbes, back in 19th century France: “We minister to and with young people in the church, and are committed to their faith development.”