It was a busy summer for Viatorians serving in Arlington Heights, as professed and associates worked together to immerse young people in service opportunities. They organized the Viatorian Youth Congress and Saint Viator High School’s Service & Song Camp, both in June, while helping out at area parishes in sacramental ministry and accompanying asylum seekers, for starters.
Yet, on Saturday they relaxed. Gathering in the spacious backyard of Associates Randy and Julie Baker, these Viatorians drew strength and renewal just from being together.
“Everyone always comments that we should have an informal regional gathering, without an agenda,” Julie Baker says. “So we decided to host a summer barbeque and pool party.”
In all, 31 Viatorians turned out, both from the Arlington Heights and Chicago regions, as well as from Colombia, Haiti and the Republic of Benin in West Africa. The international contingent included Br. John Avellaneda of Colombia, Fr. Jean-Didier Sohotode of Benin and Br. Marc-Innocent Prophète, of Haiti. They are all staying in Arlington Heights while they pursue English language classes, but they were eager to experience a summertime barbeque with other Viatorians.
“It was a fun time,” Fr. Tom Long said. “It was great to be together and enjoy a summer day and lots of good food.”
While the Bakers supplied the hamburgers and brats, everyone else shared a side dish, making this July picnic a veritable feast. Throw in games, like corn hole and swimming in the pool, it all added up to summertime fun that was good for the soul.
Not lost in all of the festivities was one of the main tenets of the Viatorian Community, namely to build up communities where faith is lived, deepened and celebrated. As a Viatorian Community, where associates and professed are equal members, this type of informal, social event went a long way in celebrating their joint commitment to advancing the Viatorian mission.