St. Viator Parish in Chicago may be 125 years old, but this historic church still knows how to throw a party.St. Viator Winterfest

Parishioners worked to launch a first time neighborhood festival, Winterfest, over the first weekend in December. It featured an outdoor skating rink, a mistletoe market, wreath and tree sales, a snowflake café and hot cocoa bar, and photos with Santa to top it all off.

“It was a great success,” says Ken Shevlin, who led many of the volunteers. “We are so appreciative of the support that we received from the Viatorians. It helped us actually turn a small profit, which is an enormous achievement in year one of an event.”Santa at St. Viator Parish

The variety of indoor and outdoor activities drew families with children of all ages, who enjoyed the array of activities. But it also served to energize the entire parish and bring members together as part of a committed, faith community.