Viator

Iremember it well. It wasthe invitation that changedmy life. In 1969, a group

of classmates and I fromGriffin High School werereturning from spending timewith ten mentally disabledadults. They lived together ina home on the north side ofSpringfield, Illinois – myhometown. Every month several of us “Key-Clubbers”

would visit them. We would play cards, eat pizza, andlaugh until tears were streaming down our faces. Therewe were, every month, volunteering our time, visitingour special friends – always under the watchful, lovingeye of our moderator, Fr. Gerry Leahy, CSV.

Fr. Leahy never learned how to drive. I think he wassecretly scared to get behind the wheel. In any event,this fact meant that I would be “his” driver to and from the various events that we attended as members of the Key Club. One night, upon returning home from our time on the Northside, Fr. Leahy turned to me, got that serious look on his face, and asked, “Haveyou considered joining the Viatorians?” I didn’t flinch.It had been a question I had looked forward to for along, long time. It did not take long for me to respond.“Yes,” I responded enthusiastically. I had been thinkingabout it for over two years, and I was waiting to be invited.

This quarterly issue of Viator focuses on “Vocation” andthe call to serve Christ’s church through service andprayer. Vocation, today, continues to mean what it hasalways meant, namely, “to call” – to extend an invitationto someone to enter into ministry and service. Vocationwill be presented through the Viatorian perspective.

I hope that you are able to capture the spirit of our calland the commitment we have as Viatorians.

As you know, while the call remains the same, the invitation to become a Viatorian is now extended tomen and women. As lay and religious, we join in themission of Jesus Christ as presented to us by ourfounder, Fr. Louis Querbes. People are still called to be Viatorian – and that call is rooted in our baptismalcommitment to “come and follow Christ”. TheViatorians continue to call men and women, on a per-sonal level, to share our mission, our community, andour spirituality. The call is personal and then becomescommunal. It is by a personal invitation from oneViatorian to another, to come and experience, come andshare, come and help create the Viatorian Communityanew. It is in sharing that experience with otherViatorians that transforms the experience from personalto communal.

These are exciting times. While indeed we are experi-encing a “vocation crisis” within our vowed membership,we are experiencing “vocation growth” within associa-tion. Whether vowed or associate, I believe that theinvitation to be “Viatorian” is found first within the stirring of the Holy Spirit and then experienced on apersonal level – with a Fr. Leahy risking to ask, to invite,to journey with someone who is called. Let us not beafraid to invite, to mentor, and to share our life withothers. Let us be the Fr. Leahy of yesterday to those weencounter today.

Fr. Thomas R. von Behren,CSV, Provincial

Viatorian Community Spring 2006 Volume 11, No. 2

Provincial’s Perspective

Meet the Associates

Herculana: Eucharistic Minister and Coordinatorof lay leader at Patchakan Village

Ayonie Briceno: Standard 5 teacher at Our Lady of Guadalupe School; Eucharistic Minister at St. Francis Xavier Parish,Corozal Town

Desideria Cob: Eucharsitic Minister and Lay Leader,San Pedro Village

Rafael Cob: Music Minister and Assistant Coordinator of Lay Leaders,San Pedro Village

Glenda Francis: Co-Director of HelpAge, a service program for the elderly; active parishioner, St. Francis Xavier Parish,Corozal Town

Juanita Jimenez: Sacristan, St. Francis Xavier Church,Corozal Town; Vice President of St. Francis Xavier District Parish Council

Francisco Magana: Assistant Local Manager of Corozal District Catholic Schools; active parishioner, San Joaquin Village

Haydee Magana: Active parishioner, San Joaquin Village

Martin Noble: Eucharistic Minister and Director of Maintenance at St. Francis XavierParish, Corozal Town

Patty Noble: Eucharistic Minister at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Corozal Town

Esteban Pasos: Teacher and active parishioner,Paraiso Village

Sylvia Vargas: President of St. Francis Xavier Town Parish Council; Catechist at St. FrancisXavier Parish, Corozal Town

There was great cause for celebration as the first Belizean Associates were welcomed into the Viatorian Community during the 6:00 p.m. Mass at St. FrancisXavier Church in Corozal Town, Belize on Saturday, February 18, 2006.

After one and a half years studying Viatorian history, spirituality, and mission underthe direction of Viatorians Fr. Chris Glancy, Br. Moises Mesh, and Fr. John Peeters,Pre-Associates Herculana Bastarachea, Ayonie Briceno, Deisderia and Rafael Cob,Glenda Francis, Juanita Jimenez, Francisco and Haydee Magana, Martin and PattyNoble, Esteban Pasos, and Sylvia Vargas made a two-year commitment as Associates.Inspired by the mission of Fr. Louis Querbes as lived out by today’s Viatorians, thesemen and women committed themselves to deepen their faith and to witness and celebrate that faith by living an evangelical life in conformity with the mission of theCongregation.

During the ceremony, at which Viatorian Provincial Fr. Thomas von Behren presided,Br. Mesh and Fr. Peeters presented each Associate a Catholic study bible, and Fr. vonBehren presented each Associate with a Viatorian emblem made in Colombia.

Joined by Fr. Glancy, Br. Mesh, Fr. Peeters, and Fr. von Behren, Associates Michael andSusan Bourgeoise, Marilyn Mulcahy (Director of Association) from Kankakee, Illinoisand Br. Michael Gosch, CSV (Assistant Provincial) pledged their support of theBelizean Associates in the name of the larger Viatorian Community.

Parish members, family, friends andViatorians were treated to a deliciousBelizean feast prepared by the Associatesimmediately following the Mass in thenewly constructed parish pavilion.

We are most grateful to our BelizeanAssociates for their willingness to furtherthe mission of Fr. Querbes.

Welcome to Our Belizean Associates

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Bastarachea

Pre-Association in the Chicago ProvincePrior to becoming Associates in the Viatorian Community, Pre-Associates participate in a year-long discernment processwhich includes sessions on Viatorian history, spirituality, and mission. They gather with local Viatorian Religious and

Associates who serve as resources for self-study and reflection.Presently, seventeen individuals in three regions are in the Pre-Associate discernment process.

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Throughout February and March 2006, VocationDirector Fr. Dan Nolan, CSV has been meetingwith the vowed Viatorians in the various regionsof the province to discuss promoting vocationawareness and inviting new members to the congregation.

To facilitate these discussions, a program titledOpening Our Hearts and Homes is being used.This program provides an opportunity for mem-bers of the congregation to reflect on their ownvocations and to learn more about what youngadults are seeking in religious life.

The meetings are three hours in length and con-sist of four parts. Part One focuses on Why dowe invite? Here the brothers and priests reflecton what drew them to the Viatorians and whatare the signs of vitality among Viatorians todaythat would attract new members. Part Two,Whom do we invite?, assist Viatorians in understanding what younger people are lookingfor in religious life and what skills they need for community life and ministry. Part Three,How do we invite?, challenges Viatorians todevelop opportunities, strategies, and action locally to welcome and invite new members to

join the congregation. Part Four ends the meeting with a prayer service.

Personal invitation continues to be the most suc-cessful means of encouraging people to considerthe possibility of religious life and priesthood.Viatorians, and those served by the Viatorians,can make a difference in the future of religiouslife by the invitations that are extended.

Currently, Fr. Nolan is accompanying three men asthey discern their call to Viatorian religious life.Please join with us as we pray for these men in dis-cernment and those with whom they are discerning.

Opening Our Hearts and Homes

Dan Lydon ministers as Associate Principal of St.Viator High School (Arlington Heights) and boardmember representing the Viatorian Community atSt. Martin de Porres High School (Waukegan).Dan is a 1973 graduate of St. Viator High School.

Michelle and Ken Barrie have been leaders in youthministry at St. Patrick Parish (Kankakee) since 1984.Susan and David Surprenant have been involved inleadership and ministry positions for twenty-fiveyears at St. George Parish (St. George).

All our Pre-Associates bring with them a wealth of service to the Church. We are pleased to journey with them as they

discern their call to the mission of Fr. Querbes.

In the Las Vegas region, John Berger ministers to the sick and dying. Marlene and JoeCaprio are involved in parish liturgical life (Guardian Angel Cathedral) as well as severaldiocesan committees. Connie Gerber serves as a liturgical minister (Guardian AngelCathedral) and was a teacher and administrator at Bishop Gorman High School for fortyyears. Paula and Thomas Hannon are liturgical ministers (Guardian Angel Cathedral) andserve on various diocesan boards and commissions. Frank Lamping has served in numerousparishes and on several diocesan boards and commissions. Mary Jane and Dan Miller haveserved in liturgical ministry (St. Viator Parish) and have been involved in MarriageEncounter. Maggie Saunders has been very active in RCIA for over ten years (St. ThomasMore Catholic Community). Kathy and Michael Underwood have been involved in RCIA,liturgical ministry, RENEW, and parish retreats (St. Thomas More Catholic Community).

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On January 10, 1830 King Charles X ratified theAugust 8, 1829 Decision of the EducationCouncil approving “The Statutes of the Schoolsof St. Viator”. The responsiveness of the educa-tional bureaucracy and the government to ourfounder’s concept of a “Normal School” pleasedFr. Querbes. However, his joy was short livedwhen the Lyons Archbishop forbade him to proceed with his plan.

The Archbishop’s attitude shifted from “liked theplan” to “cold benevolence” to forbidding (“veto”)Fr. Querbes to implementation the Royal Decree.The Archbishop’s opposition had little to do withFr. Querbes and everything to do with Church-State relations.

Fr. Querbes was highly esteemed by the Vicar

General and the Archepiscopal Council. In 1827,the diocesan authorities wanted to appoint himSuperior of the preparatory seminary of St. Jodard.Later he was proposed as Director of the prepara-tory seminary at Argentiere.

Fr. Querbes always disposed himself with “deepest submission to all that His Excellencywould decide”. He was always permitted to remainas pastor, which he saw as a Providential sign thathis life and ministry was to be centered in Vourles.

In 1828, Church - State relations were tense. TheArchbishop was engaged in a struggle with theuniversity. He had refused to name his delegates tothe new government “free committee for elemen-tary education”. He unsuccessfully attempted legalapproval for the Brothers of Mary. He believed if

he were to encourage Fr. Querbes, it would con-tradict his standing posi-tions with the government.

Two Rhone deputies inter-vened. On March 24, Fr.Querbes was advised, “HisExcellency has at last agreed not to oppose the execution of the ordinance which authorizes theBrothers of St. Viator.”

Then came the Revolution of July, 1828 and theabdication of Charles X. The Duke of Orleanbecame Louis Philippe. Fr. Querbes faced newchallenges: a blessing denied, a revolutionarygovernment, a Normal school without teachers or students.Leo V. Ryan, CSV

In the Footsteps of our Founder - New Challenges

Fr. Lawrence Lentz,CSV who looks backon his 25 years as apriest says, “Some ofthe most fulfillingmoments of my min-istry can be clustered inmy classroom teaching,presiding at Eucharist,ministering through

the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and often beingsurprised when a homily I was not satisfied with gotrave reviews. The Spirit works in wonderful ways!”

Fr. Lentz taught at St. Viator High School inthe 70s. In the 80s, he served there as associateprincipal, principal, and by the time he left in1986, he was president.

After that he was parochial vicar at St. ViatorParish in Chicago. Fr. Lentz says, “I am mostgrateful for the education I have received, thevaried pastoral experiences I have had,the professionalism of the Viatorian Communityand the respect we are accorded.” From 1991until 1999, he served as pastor of MaternityB.V.M. in Bourbonnais. He then returned to St.Viator Parish, Chicago, as pastor. In 2002, hebecame rector of Guardian Angel Cathedral inLas Vegas. “More than half of my religious lifehas been lived as a priest. A quarter of a century.Wow! Where has the time gone? It seems likejust yesterday. Time does fly when you are hav-ing a good time and I have always enjoyed beinga Viatorian and a priest. No regrets!”

Fr. Richard Rinn,CSV has spent 19 of his 25 years as aViatorian priest serv-ing the people of LasVegas. “I have beenblessed with differentministries: St. ViatorHigh School, BishopGorman High School,

service to the Viatorian Community, and now St.Viator Parish. Along the way I have found goodfriends and good memories. God has been verygood to me. Anniversaries are good times tocount these blessings.” Fr. Rinn taught at St.Viator High School in Arlington Heights from1971 until 1977 when he left to begin seminarystudies. Between 1981 and 1993 he served atBishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas wherehe was teacher, counselor, assistant principal, prin-cipal and finally as president of the school. Herecalls, “ I remember in my early years in commu-nity when there would be an anniversary celebra-tion and I would see the Viatorians marking dif-ferent anniversaries 25 years, 50 years or whatever,and I would be thinking ‘how wise those menmust be, and how old’ and now I am thinking“not so wise and not so old.’

From 1992 until 1999 Fr. Rinn served the com-munity as assistant provincial. During 1998-1999he was also president of St. Viator High School.In 1999 he became pastor of St. Viator Parish inLas Vegas. He says, “I am blessed beyond words, Ido what I like and I like what I do.”

Fr. Simon Lefebvre,CSV celebrates twoanniversaries this year60 years as a religiousin vows, and 50 yearsas a priest. He grewup in Canada andjoined the CanadianProvince before trans-ferring to the Chicago

Province. Fr. Lefebvre is the true son of Viator (a traveler). He says, “After all these years I havefond memories of those who preceded us theViatorian professors, pastors, and teachers.” Hetaught for one year at Spalding Institute inPeoria, and then he was assigned to the foreignmissions in the Orient. He was chaplain andteacher at St. Viator High School in Taiwan from1958 until 1972 and again from 1975 until 1979.Today, he remarks, “I am impressed by the role,impact, and importance of associates in our lives.They are living witnesses to what we have seenand heard and proclaimed.” In the years between1979 until his retirement in 2004, Fr. Lefebvreserved as director of the center for Religion andLife; parochial vicar at St. Rose of Lima Churchin Chula Vista, California; parochial vicar at St.Charles Borromeo Church in San Diego;parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Church inSan Diego; and finally pastor at St. RichardChurch in Borrego Springs, California. Themaintenance of his collection of more than20,000 slides of art and literature keeps him busyas he enjoys retirement in Anguanga, California.

Fr. Lawrence Lentz, CSV Fr. Richard Rinn, CSV Fr. Simon Lefebvre, CSV

2006 JUBILARIANS

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Congratulations to Br. Martin Chilla, CSV ofthe Province of Chile who pronounced hisfinal vows on February 5, 2006 in the presenceof Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Superior General.______

Welcome to John Berger, Joseph andMarlene Caprio, Connie Gerber, Frank Lamping, Dan and Mary Miller,Maggie Saunders, and Kathy and Michael Underwood from Las Vegas, NVwho entered into Pre-Association on February 6, 2006.______

Fr. John Pisors, CSV published Para el joven que quiere pensar, acompilation of 60 reflections followed by questions to be used with youth.John has ministered in Colombia for over 30 years.______

Fr. Thomas Kass, CSV published “Morbid Melancholy, The Imagination,and Samuel Johnson’s Sermon” in the Fall, 2005 issue LOGOS: A Journal ofCatholic Thought and Culture.______

The latest song by Fr. Tom McCarthy, CSV, “The Ballad of Frank and MaryAnn,” has been recorded on Hilltop Record’s Heaven Is My Home.______

The artwork of Fr. Don Huntimer, CSV can be accessed by visiting his website at http://donhuntimer.com______

ColumbiaDuring the annualassembly of ColombianViatorians held on

January 21-22, 2006, Fr. PedroHerrera, CSV, Fr. John Pisors, CSVand Fr. Albeyro Vanegas, CSV wereinstalled as Superior and Councilors ofthe Foundation of Colombia respective-ly. The Community also welcomed Fredy H. Contreras, Whilman Y.Chaparro, Jorge D. Gonzalez, Oscar J. Gutierrez, Juan F. Londono, DiegoM. Salgado, and Jose E. Zapata into the Pre-Novitiate Program.______

In his efforts to reach out to those mostin need in Libano, Colombia, Fr. BrianCooper, CSV, assisted by volunteers atCentro Viatoriano, provides 110 monthlyfood packages and 150 monthly powderedmilk bags to households with children.For more information, please visitwww.bendiga.org

Belize Judy Glancy, mother of Fr. ChrisGlancy, CSV, recently completed

leading her 7th medical mission to ourFoundation in Corozal District, Belize in February. She, along with 15 health careprofessionals, provided medical check-ups andassistance to more than 2000 individuals.Many were treated for high blood pressure anddiabetes. The group brought financial contri-butions and medical supplies. The next medicalmission is planned for February 1-10, 2007.______

Associate Mike Bourgeois from Kankakee, Illinoisoffered a presentation on agriculture to the studentbody at Chunox St. Viator Vocational HighSchool in Belize on February 17, 2006. After thepresentation, Fr. Chris Glancy celebrated Mass forthe school community. In attendance wereAssociates Susan Bourgeois and Marilyn Mulcahy,Fr. Tom von Behren, and Br. Michael Gosch.Students and faculty provided a tour of the schoolfarm, agricultural storage sheds and classrooms,including the newly constructed computer labmade possible by a grant from the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.______

Fr. Jim Michaletz, CSV presented a keynote address at the Belize CatholicTeachers Convention on February 25, 2006. Fr. Chris Glancy and St. FrancisXavier Parish hosted the annual convention this year.______

Br. Leo Ryan, CSV was Visiting Research Scholar, Center for BusinessEthics, University of St. Thomas (Houston) February 1-12, 2006. Remarksfrom his public lectures on “Career and Ethics” have been accepted for PublicRadio Broadcast.______

On March 12, 2006, the Viatorian Community co-sponsored a town hallforum that explored responsible solutions to U.S. involvement in Iraq. KathyKelly, Founder of Voices of Creative Nonviolence, and Abdul Malik Mujahid,Chairperson of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago,appeared as panelists. Thom Clark, co-founder and president of CommunityMedia Workshop, served as moderator. For information, visit www.vcnv.org______

Br. Corey Brost, CSV will be ordained a priest, and Br. Dan Belanger CSVwill be ordained a transitional deacon by Bishop Joseph Imesch of Joliet onFriday, April 28, 2006 at St. Viator Parish, Chicago, Illinois.

Around the Province

Q What is the significance of “Adoretur et Ametur Jesus”?

AThe devotional phrase “Adoretur et AmeturJesus” dates to our founder, Fr. Louis Querbes.He prayed and recommended, to others, thephrase “Adored and Loved be Jesus”. Fr. Querbesfrequently used the phrase in his correspondence,sometimes abbreviated as “A.A.J”.

Our 1836 Directory established its Communityusage in Latin and French. “Adoretur et AmeturJesus” was to be displayed in each classroom. It was

the prescribed ending after the daily chapel read-ings. Variations of this devotional prayer were rec-ommended thrice daily: after Mass, at the noonand 3:00 p.m. chapel visits.

Fr. Querbes never proclaimed “Adoretur et AmeturJesus” as his personal motto, but his favored phraseexists today as the motto of the Congregation.

Leo V. Ryan, CSV

Fr. John Pisors, CSV, Fr. Mark Francis,CSV, Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV, and Fr.Albeyro Venegas, CSV

&Viator

Q A

Clerics of St. Viator1212 E. Euclid AvenueArlington Heights, IL 60004-5799

Quarterly Newsletter – Spring 2006

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 7160

PALATINE P&DC, IL

If you are receiving multiple copies of this newsletter and/or wish to be removed from our mailing list, please call our Development Office at847-398-6805 or fax your request to 847-394-4507.

VIATORIs published quarterly by theDevelopment Office of the Clericsof St. Viator, Chicago ProvinceEmail: [email protected] Website: www.viatorians.com

Our purpose is to present the mission, ministries, news, andneeds of our Community to thosewho continue to show interest inand support of our works.

Provincial:Rev. Thomas R. von Behren, CSV

Editorial Board:Rev. Thomas R. von Behren, CSVRev. Thomas E. Long, CSVBr. Michael Gosch, CSVBr. Leo V. Ryan, CSVBr. Donald P. Houde, CSVDianna Ehrenfried

Editor:Adam N. [email protected]

On January 11, 2006 Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyons, signed the canoni-cal decree approving the Introduction of the Cause for Canonization of our founder, FatherJean Louis Joseph Marie Querbes, priest of Lyons.

In Introducing the Cause of Servant of God, Louis Querbes, Cardinal Barbarin was respondingto the October 7, 2004, petition of Superior General Father Mark Francis, CSV.

Experts had approved the sermons, conferences and writings of Fr. Querbes, and theCardinal had consulted the Bishops of his Ecclesiastical Province.

The Congregation for the Cause of Saints at the Vatican, after reviewing documentationprovided by the Clerics of St. Viator and the Cardinal, offered their nihil obstat (no objection) to beginning the process.

The Cardinal appointed as Judge of the Diocesan Tribunal, Monsieur Jean Michael Fabre(Rodez); as Promoter of Justice, Monsieur Pierre Vignon (Valence), and as Secretary,Lyons Brother Pierre Duvert, CSV. The Tribunal began meetings in Lyons February 23, 2006.

We rejoice at the naming of our founder as Servant of God. Once two miracles attributedto Fr. Querbes occur, the process of Beatification and Sanctification are advanced. Pleasejoin us in promoting devotion to Fr. Querbes. At this special moment in our history, weViatorians – priests, brothers and associates invite the laity to join us in the familiar devotional prayer of Fr. Querbes: “Praised and Adored be Jesus”.

Prayer cards are available upon request by phone (847) 398-1350 ext. 109 or by mail.

Moving Towards Sainthood