When the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window. The Reverend Mother whispered this axiom to her
postulant, Maria, in Rodgers and Hammersteins delightful
musical, The Sound of Music. During the past few weeks, the
Viatorian Community members in Colombia are living witnesses to this reality. Over the past years, they have explored the
establishment of a new school in Villavicencio. For a brief period the project looked hopeful, but challenging issues arose,
forcing the door to close on that plan.
In this Issue:
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Provincial Perspective:
If You Build It, They Will Come
Uncovering New Life in Saint Viator
Catholic Community Church
Paying it Forward on the Football Field
Building a Brighter Future with Young
Viatorian Leaders
Q&A with Kevin Ho
Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep Unveils
Plans for New Campus
www.viatorians.com
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Community
Responding to the Spiritual Needs of the
Hispanic Community in Kankakee
Provincial:
Fr. Thomas R. von Behren, CSV
Editor:
Fr. Thomas E. Long, CSV
Director of Communications:
Editorial Board:
Fr. Richard Pighini, CSV, pastor, rededicates the Our Lady of Grace statue during a dedication of the plaza in September
The 7 1/2-foot, 1,400-pound statue made of iron and dating back more than 100 years is the centerpiece of a newly
dedicated plaza, built over the summer to enhance the front
entrance of the church.
A parish family provided the lead gift for the renovation, but
several more donations have come in, including one from the
Viatorian Community, to finish the project. Fr. Pighini is
quick to point out that no money from the weekly collection
has been used for the enhancements.
The new outdoor plaza and gardens are the latest renovations
to the historic parish, which Viatorians view as the mother church. The Viatorians arrived in 1865 from Canada,
assumed the leadership of the parish and have continously
staffed it.
Three years ago, the church interior underwent a dramatic
facelift, with the painting of the ceiling cast as a starry night,
with gold leaf embellishments and all in contrast with the
altar and gleaming white sanctuary. One year later, a new pipe
organ was installed.
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Concentrate on technique, he adds to the blocking linemen during point-after drills. If you dont, youre wasting
your time.
Br. Lamick watched Fr. Hall put the young players through
their paces, and he smiled. He remembers hearing the same
commands when he played for him, and they helped shape
his life, literally.
Br. Peter Lammick, CSV, gives his freshmen team a pep talk before a
practice early in the season
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main goals was to mix teens with as many Viatorians as possible during their stay.
I think we succeeded with that, she said. Viatorians
served as delegation leaders, presenters, celebrants at Mass
and many new associates were interviewed and introduced
to the large group.
Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, helped design the unique congress
seven years ago, and he was on hand every day of this years
event.
The VYC helps our young faith leaders realize that they
are part of a worldwide family, said Fr. Brost said, that is
changing the world.
Eileen OGrady Daday
Br. Rob Robertson, CSV, gathers with some of the
delegates and leaders from the Las Vegas region
who participated in this years Viatorian Youth
Congress. (Photo by Matt Fitzgerald)
www.viatorians.com
Q&A
with Kelvin Ho
The 8th Day Center for Justice may not be a household word, but members of the Viatorian Community share its faithbased commitment to social justice. Viatorians are part of a coalition of 30 religious congregations that support the 8th Day
Center and its mission of promoting justice, equality and human dignity among all people. Together, they are committed to the
belief that all creation is sacred and interrelated, and they are driven to work together to advance change.
Viatorians do more than support the mission. They employ a staff member to advance their priorities. Kelvin Ho has been
in that role for one year. We caught up with him recently to find out more about him and how he forwards the Viatorian
mission.
Q.
A.
Ive also worked with groups like the Chicago New Sanctuary Coalition to support individuals facing deportation by
ICE. Around labor rights and economic justice Ive worked
with coalitions like Fair Economy Illinois and the Chicago
Teachers Union to push back against austerity measures in
Illinois.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
www.viatorians.com
Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep Unveils Plans for New Campus
A brief press conference took place last month at the site of a
former Kmart store in Waukegan, IL, but it shared big news
for supporters of Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep.
After more than 10 years of educating students in a former
parish facility, the school announced it had purchased a vacant big box store with the intention of converting it into a
state of the art school.
This is a milestone occasion for us as we formally embark on
our Cornerstone Campaign, said Preston Kendall, president
of Cristo Rey St. Martin. Our new facility will bring new
life, hope and a brighter future to both our students and the
communities of Waukegan and North Chicago.
Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, looks at the rendering of the new
campus with supporters
Jack brought in numerous photos and artifacts from his past. Visual materials prompt
memories and memories prompt stories. Sharing those with us, he described the love
he has for the church, school and especially for the Viatorians. Jacks family lived on
Addison Street, near the church and his grandfather and parents were very close to the
Viatorian pastors and their assistants.
Jack fondly remembers how the pastor would knock on the door every evening to sit
and watch the 10 p.m. news with his father back in the 1950s and how his mother always cooked a good hot meal for them
and the neighbors. Jack had to personally deliver these before he could sit down and eat his own dinner.
I think that makes them pretty good parish priests,
when you can remember stories of growing up with
them and relating to them, he said.
Now we need your help to uncover more hidden gems
from the past. If you attended St. Viator Church and
School, consider reaching out to Maggie Goschi Gebien 75 to share your stories and photographs and get on
the alumni mailing list. She publishes a newsletter twice
a year. Contact her at mgebien@stviatorchicago.org or
at 773-286-4040 ext. 31.
Joan Sweeney,
Viatorian Associate and Archivist
Class of 1956 in St. Viator Church with Fr. Edward Cardinal, CSV, pastor
(right) and Fr. Edward Gorman, CSV, assistant (left).
www.viatorians.com
2.
1.
4.
3.
1. Jubilarians include, from left: Fr. Fredy Santos, Fr. Michael Keliher, Fr. Simon Lefebvre, Fr. John Palmer, Fr. Alan Syslo and Fr. John Van Wiel. Missing: Fr. John Pisors
2. Fr. Patrick Render, left, Fr. Lawrence Lentz, center and Associate Enrique Valdovinos take in the displays during the Provincial Assembly.
3. Fr. Lawrence Lentz, left, Fr. Thomas von Behren, right, and Fr. Richard Pighini, second from right, congratulate Associates David and Susan Surprenant on making their
definitive commitments to the Viatorian Community.
4. First year Associates, front row, from left: Jackie Dupon, Betty Faraci, Gema and Jos Rangel, Susana Tellez, Enrique Valdovinos and Ivy Vera, Second row: Definitive Associates
Connie Gerber, left, and David and Susan Surprenant
They include: Fr. Simon Lefebvre, CSV, 70 years of religious life; Fr. John Palmer, CSV, and Fr. Michael Keliher,
CSV, 50 years of religious life; Fr. Fredy Santos, CSV, 25
years of religious life; and Fr. John Pisors, CSV, Fr. Alan
Syslo, CSV, and Fr. John Van Wiel, CSV, who all celebrated
50 years of priesthood.
Today, we give thanks that weve been able to serve the people
of God in so many different ways, Fr. Van Wiel said in his
homily, and pray for the grace to continue.
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parishioners. The
leadership training classes began
this month, and
they will focus on
the parishioners
developing their
personal, spiritual,
intellectual
and
pastoral skills that
they will in turn
share in their faith
communities.
Its an important
project, says Fr. Santos. These ministers are in formation,
working with professional theologians.
He also leads a family Bible study group every week, coordinates baptism and marriage preparation classes as well as
quinceaera celebrations. Fr. Santos is involved in the youth
group that all three parishes feed into, and last summer he
accompanied them to a retreat at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines, IL.
I am very happy in my ministry here, Fr. Santos says. By
providing formation, I am helping this community to deepn
their faith and live the Gospel.
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www.viatorians.com
In Memoriam
High School in Rock Island, IL. In 1966, he advanced
into educational leadership and served as principal of
Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, NV, until
1969. He also served as associate pastor and pastor at
St. Viator Catholic Community, and later as rector of
Guardian Angel Cathedral, both in Las Vegas.
university, overseeing preparation classes for outgoing volunteers. In 1966, he ultimately would serve as deputy director of
the Peace Corps in Nigeria.
Leo brought his whole career in management into the administration of the school, Br. Houde says. He wanted to make
Saint Viator a significant educational experience for students.
Br. Ryan lived that credo throughout his long life. He passed
away June 22, at the age of 89.
For Leo, it was about relationships, said Fr. Thomas von
Behren, CSV, provincial, at his memorial Mass on July 2 at
Saint Viator High School.
Br. Ryan grew up in the small town of Waukon, Iowa and enrolled at Marquette University in 1944, before being inducted
into the Army during World War II. He served in the infantry
and was chosen to be among the delegation to travel after the
war to the Central Pacific to test the strength of the atomic
bomb, authorized by President Harry Truman.
Witnessing the destructive force of the bomb firsthand, he
discerned a call to religious life, a decision from which he never
looked back.
He returned to Marquette to complete his degree before
pronouncing his first vows as a Viatorian in 1950. Br. Ryans
first assignments took him to Springfield, IL, where he taught at
Cathedral Boys High School and later at Spalding Institute
in Peoria.
A move to St. Louis University to pursue his doctorate in management and educational administration, after having earned
his MBA at DePaul, signaled a career change into higher education. From St. Louis, Br. Ryan returned to Marquette, where
he was an assistant dean of the evening business school and
continuing education director.
Toward the end of his eight-year assignment at Marquette,
Br. Ryan took over as director of Peace Corps activities at the
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Eileen OGrady Daday
www.viatorians.com
In Memoriam
Fr. Kenneth E. Yarno, CSV
1932-2016
In 1973, Fr. Yarno was tapped to serve as principal of Bishop McNamara High School in
Kankakee, where he would stay for eight years.
Beyond making physical improvements to the
campus, he also launched a new fundraising idea,
Madcaps, drawing on his theater background.
There were live performances on stages set up
throughout the school, says Viatorian Associate
Susan Surprenant, a former student.
He would earn degrees in philosophy, industrial arts and ultimately a certificate in educational administration. However,
his first assignment after ordination was as assistant director
and ultimately director of vocations.
Fr. Yarno not only resurrected the theater in time for its next
musical, but he stayed on as producer of the next three shows.
He will be missed.
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restoring liturgical participation by the laity at Mass, Fr. Francis writes. For this reason it promoted dialogue Masses. While
Cardinal Sarah promoted making the change as soon as Advent,
Fr. Francis said that activity is past. Read his entire article,
here
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/features/2/8626/which-waydoes-god-face-.
For the second straight year, Fr.
Jason Nesbit, CSV, was asked
by members of the Chicago
Bears front office to come and
say Mass for some of the coaches, players and staff when they
were at training camp at nearby
Olivet Nazarene University. Brian McCaskey, head of training camp operations for the Bears, asked Fr. Nesbit to return
and he brought Br. Peter Lamick, CSV, with him to serve
as acolyte. I know this is probably the most peaceful moment
they get for most of the day, Fr. Jason said. I wanted to respect
their privacy and also ensure that the main reason for going
over was to lead them in prayer and ensure those who were
there receive the sacraments. In other words, he didnt ask for
autographs, but he did grab a photo.
Parish duties at St. Viator Catholic
Community in Las Vegas kept Fr. Richard
Rinn, CSV, from celebrating an important
milestone in September: his 50th high school
reunion from Saint Viator High School.
He was remembered, however, during the
weekend event as one of many successful graduates of the Class of 1966. One
year after graduating from Saint Viator, Fr. Rinn entered the
Viatorian Community and he has never looked back. During
his nearly 50 years of religious life, he returned to his alma mater to teach and ultimately serve as its president. He continues
to advance the Viatorian charism in Las Vegas, where he has
served since 1999.