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Viatorian Community Spring 2012 Volume 17, No. 2

Fr. Christopher Glancy, CSV, recently experiencedone of life’s many surprises: Pope Benedict XVIappointed him as the auxiliary bishop of Belize.He had just completed 12 years of ministry in CorozalTown, Belize, where he led a parish of more than5,000 families that included the main church inCorozal Town, 23 village chapels spread throughoutthe countryside, 19 grade schools and one high school.

“The great richness of the church is the laity,”Fr. Glancy said. “They don’t have Mass every Sunday,but they gather every Sunday. They have great musicthat draws in the people. Belizeans love to sing.You don’t have a Mass without singing. That wouldbe foreign to them.”

Fr. Glancy took a liking to the small country (population315,000) where even though there is a dearth of priestlyvocations, there is a wealth of lay leadership and vitality.

Affirming the Belizean faith commitment and loveof lively liturgies, he implemented the Viatoriancharism of close collaboration with the laity andthe Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart andOur Lady of Guadalupe. The result is a thrivingparish whose parishioners now see their former pastoras their new bishop.

Last year, he returned to the United States to becomeassociate pastor of St. Viator Parish in Chicago andwas rapidly acclimating himself to his new ministry.“I was getting settled in at St. Viator Parish and really

Viatorian Priest Ordained Auxiliary Bishop in Belize

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The Cristo Rey Network of schools received a major donation in Aprilwhen the Walton Family Foundation made a $1.6 million investmentwith the goal of helping the network double its member schools acrossthe country.

They were just the latest investors to step up. Cristo Rey partnerswith companies and religious organizations — including the Viatorians— to ensure thousands of students have access to a promising future.

Currently, 24 schools make up the network, including St. Martin dePorres High School in North suburban Waukegan. As a Cristo Reymember, its students take a full load of college preparatory courses,while participating one day a week in a work-study program to fund themajority of their tuition.

Nearly eight years ago, Viatorians were among five religious communitiesto sponsor the opening of St. Martin de Porres High School.

Since the school’s inception, Viatorians have served in administration, onits board of trustees, as teachers and tutors, and in campus ministry.They include Fr. Charles Bolser, CSV, who led the school as president,Br. Carlos Ernesto Florez, CSV, who coordinated enrollment andBr. Michael Gosch, CSV, who currently serves as a social worker andhelps with retreats and the promotion of justice issues.

The school’s work-study program was the focal point at a continentalbreakfast hosted last winter by officials with Grainger, a Fortune 500industrial supply company located in North suburban Lake Forest.

Two students from St.Martin de Porres headlined the event andspoke to the business leaders. Ofelia Gonzalez and Carlos Paradaboth work at Grainger as part of the school’s work-study program.

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Going to Work and School: the Cristo Rey Connection

Students get ready to start their work day. (Photo courtesy of Jim Dippold)

Viatorian Parishes Move to the Forefront of Solar Energy

St. Viator Parish in Las Vegas already has an environmental servicescommission, but now its parishioners are counted among statewideleaders in conservation and renewable energy.

The parish and its school were among the first in the state’s privatesector to take advantage of incentives from NV Energy’s RenewableGenerations program for constructing solar panels on its school campus.

Their entry into the next generation “green energy” technologiesresulted from a partnership with Nevada Solar Solutions and itsunique, third-party ownership model.

“It’s an innovative process in which we’re able to monetize federaltax benefits for nonprofits,” says Rob Nielsen, program coordinatorwith Bombard Renewable Energy, a Nevada-based contractor andsubsidiary of Nevada Solar Solutions.

The private electric company proposed financing construction of thesolar electric system, and in return they will reap the benefits of itsdepreciation and federal tax credits. The parish school then receivedthe solar panels, which produce clean, sustainable energy.

When the depreciation timeline for the renewable energy systemruns its course — in approximately six years — Nevada SolarSolutions will turn over ownership of the solar panels back tothe parish.

Br. Michael Rice, CSV, plant manager at St. Viator Parish, describedthe proposal as a “win-win” for the church community. Consequently,they took the plunge last summer, when their interactive photovoltaic(PV) solar electric systems were installed on the roofs of St. Viator’sjunior high and elementary school buildings.

“Part of the project included installing new roofs on the schoolbuildings, which was huge,” Br. Rice says. “The roofs were old andsubject to leaking. So the school got an added benefit, and the energy

St. Viator School sports its new solar panels.

Each student is part of a job-sharing team of four that shares a full-timeentry-level position. Students develop practical job skills and experience ina variety of industries, including law, health care, banking, finance,engineering, architecture, education and nonprofit services.

Students like Ofelia and Carlos work five, eight hour days per month,without missing any scheduled classes.

“I look forward to coming to work every Tuesday,” Carlos said of his rolein the cash accounting department. “I look forward to learning new things.”

Ofelia, too, learns new skills being immersed in the risk managementdepartment, which identifies and analyzes loss exposures. She doeseverything from clerical work to preparing Excel spreadsheets.

“It’s experience that most other kids don’t get,” Ofelia said. “We get tofeel what it’s like in the corporate environment, where we’re treatedlike adults.”

This kind of on-the-job education supports data collected fromCristo Rey Network member schools. It demonstrates that the mostvulnerable and at-risk youth in America succeed in enrolling incollege when given a high quality, college preparatory high schooleducation experience.

According to the National Student Clearinghouse, the rates of CristoRey graduates who enroll in college and are on course to graduate arenearly twice that of peers from the same socio-economic background.

Greg Irving, vice president and comptroller at Grainger, described thepartnership with St.Martin de Porres and its students as a “win-win.”

“It provides a way for Grainger to deepen its potential diverse workforce,”Irving said, “by exposing students who might not have experience in aprofessional environment and understand its demands.”

St. Martin de Porres students win, too. They gain in job experienceand self-confidence, and that’s not to mention college admission.All of last year’s graduates were accepted into college and collectivelythey earned more than $6.4 million in scholarships.

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Students work five, eight hour days per month, without missing any scheduled classes.(Photo courtesy of Jim Dippold)

company had aclean surface onwhich to mountthem.”

St. ViatorPrincipal KathleenDalton andAssistant PrincipalPat Daly addthat the powertheir solar panelsproduce stays on

their own campus. Ultimately, they expect to save the school nearly$30,000 — and incorporate studying energy savings in the classroom.

“We’re hoping to be able to study energy use and conservation,”Daly says, “especially with our junior high science students.”

St. Thomas More Catholic Community in nearby Henderson followedSt. Viator’s lead and joined the renewable energy movement six monthslater. Working with Nevada Solar Solutions and their third partyownership model, the parish installed two 100-kilowatt solar electric

units — capable of producing 100,000 watts of electricity — on topof newly-installed covered parking portals.

They already have produced an abundance of clean energy. InSouthern Nevada, with its plentiful sunshine, one watt of photovoltaicpower generates an estimated 2,000 hours of power per year.

Their grid-connected system now links directly into the commercialpower infrastructure. Consequently, instead of producing electricityfor the parish, the generated power goes directly into NV Energy’ssystem, resulting in a sizeable rebate in the parish’s electric bill. Injust three months, parish officials say they have saved more than $4,000.

“We’re hoping that in the coming months,” says Ken Rosania, pastoraladministrator and Viatorian Associate, “we will eliminate our electric bill.”

Br. Michael Gosch, CSV, assistant provincial, sees the energyconservation by Viatorians at their Las Vegas parishes as anextension of the community’s charism.

“We need to be good stewards of the earth,” Br. Gosch says,“and mindful of ways we can conserve energy. We need to keep inmind the impact of our consumption of natural resources on thosewho lack access to what our world provides.”

A local Girl Scout troop learns about the practicality of solar energy.

Eileen O’Grady Daday

Eileen O’Grady Daday

On February 2, 1952, Br. Donald Houde,CSV, and Fr. Daniel Mirabelli, CSV,were the first Viatorians to profess theirvows in Arlington Heights. At that time,the novitiate was temporarily located inwhat is now the sisters’ convent. The chapelwas located in the large glassed-in porch atthe front of the building, while the “new”novitiate building (now the Province Center)was under construction.

Eight years later,Fr. Mirabelli wasassigned to be teacherand business managerat Saint Viator HighSchool in ArlingtonHeights. He servedin that role until1966 when he wasassigned to AllemanHigh School in RockIsland, IL, where he has served for 46 yearsin different roles; teacher of history andsociology, business manager, chaplain, andcurrently the director of development. Manyaffectionately call him Fr. Alleman HighSchool because of the enthusiasm and spirithe brings to his work.

After all these years, he says, “What I havebeen able to accomplish in my ministry,I credit to the Viatorians who were rolemodels during the early years of myformation. They made me into the priestI am today. I am especially thankful toFr. Powers who was my superior duringseminary years.”

Br. Houde beganhis career aseducator at SpaldingInstitute in Peoria in1957 where heserved as teacher ofEnglish until 1967.From there hetraveled toAmpleforth College

in York, England, where he taught English andreligion. He spent the next year at GriffinHigh School in Springfield. After that,he began many years in educationaladministration, serving as assistant principal atAlleman High School, principal at SpaldingInstitute and associate principal at Saint ViatorHigh School.

From 1979 until 1998 he served as anadministrator in the Office of CatholicEducation for the Archdiocese of Chicago.Today he remembers: “When we enteredthe community, we heard over and over thatour goal was to be teachers of Christiandoctrine and servers of the Holy Altar.Doing that has given me a full and interestinglife.” Since retirement Br. Houde has keptvery busy being a “servant of the Holy Altar”at St. Josaphat Parish in Chicago, where heserves as sacristan and as a consultant to thechurch's art and environment.

Fathers John Linnan, CSV, John Milton, CSV,and James Michaletz, CSV, pronounced theirfirst vows later that year, September 8, 1952,in the chapel of the newly-completed novitiatebuilding.

All three earnedgreat respect aseducators in theirfields of study andas ministers of theGospel. Fr. Linnanearned hisundergraduatedegree in philosophyfrom GeorgetownUniversity in Washington, DC, and hisdoctorate in sacred theology from LouvainUniversity in Belgium. Most of his career wasspent teaching at the Viatorian Seminary, theWashington Theological Union and theCatholic Theological Union in Chicago.In addition to his teaching at CatholicTheological Union, he served as its presidentfrom 1981 until 1987.

Fr. Linnan’s curriculum vitae is a thickdocumentation of jobs, lectures, directingretreats, pastoral assignments and travels.Viatorian Associate, Patty Wischnowski,says, “When I think of Jack Linnan, I thinkof a holy man who loves his church so deeplywhile seeing its strengths and weaknesses.He is an extremely wise and knowledgeableteacher. He has a wonderful sense of humorand an appreciation of the world around us.”

Fr. Milton earnedhis bachelor ofscience degree inelectrical engineeringat Fournier Institute.His master of sciencedegree is in physicsfrom St. LouisUniversity wherehe also did postgraduate work.

He taught at Cathedral Boys High School inSpringfield, at Spalding Institute and BishopMcNamara High School in Kankakee, butmost of his secondary teaching was his 20years at Saint Viator High School. He thenspent 20 more years teaching physics atDePaul University in Chicago and allwhile he continued to be an enthusiasticresource to high school science teachers inthe Chicago area.

For many years Fr. Milton was a regularcelebrant of Sunday liturgies at St. ZacharyParish in Des Plaines and facilitator forsmall prayer groups in the Northwestsuburbs. When reflecting on his 60years as a Viatorian, he says: “I appreciatethe emphasis in our formation years onFr. Querbes’ encouragement to cultivatean ordinary spirituality and to be preparedfor and engaged in both educational andparochial ministries.

“During my lifetime, I have seen our churchand community embrace and try to implementthe vision of the Second Vatican Council,

FiveViatorians Celebrate 60 years in Religious Life ...

a cause for celebration...4

though not without challenge and difficulty.The implementation of Fr. Querbes’ inclusivemodel—clerics and associates—has enabled usto share in his original dream on its way tofulfillment. I believe we are called to live theyears ahead in a spirit of hope.”

Another Viatoriancelebrating 60 years whohas a background in thesciences is Fr. Michaletz.He holds a bachelor ofscience in chemicalengineering, a master ofscience degree in organicchemistry and a PhD ineducation administration.Some of the assignmentshe has had over the years include principalof Saint Viator High School; assistantsuperintendent of schools, Archdiocese ofChicago and director of education, Dioceseof Springfield, IL.

Most of his career has been focused onleadership, which was the topic of his doctoralthesis. He is known for his effectiveness ingiving direction to board members in theirleadership roles. He has served as teacherand administrator at all levels of educationand has served on many boards. For a time,he was chairman of the board of the CatholicTheological Union. He also served on theboard of Provena St. Mary’s Hospital inKankakee and is currently a board memberof Saint Viator High School.

After so many years, he writes: “I have beenvery thankful that I have been chosen to be aViatorian and that sense of gratitude hasalways been paramount in my life. God hasbeen good to me in so many ways and I willnever cease thanking God for the ways I havebeen graced and blessed.”

Br. Donald Houde, CSV

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enjoying myself. We have a pretty mixed population, a large Hispanicpopulation, so I’m using my Spanish a lot, which I enjoy,” he said,“So I was a little surprised when they called to me to come back.”

Fr. Glancy assumes his new ministry with a long history of Viatorianinfluence. He had Viatorians as teachers in high school and began histeaching career at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights.After studying Spanish at the Maryknoll language school in Bolivia,he continued at Colegio San Viator in Bogotá, Colombia, the firstmission established by the US Viatorians. Between returning to the USin 1989 and leaving for Belize in 1998, he served as the Viatorianvocation director, provincial councilor and associate pastor.

Fr. Glancy’s ordinationto the bishopric tookplace on May 5 inBelize City. The papalnuncio to El Salvadorand Belize, MostRev. Luigi Pessuto,was the principalconsecrator, assistedby Bishops DorickWright and Jacques

Berthelet, CSV. Bishop Berthelet, a former superior general of theViatorians, is presently bishop emeritus of Saint-Jean-Longueuil,Quebec, Canada.

As Bishop Glancy begins his new ministry, the Viatorian Communitywishes him well and thanks him for his many years of service. Thecombination of his new position as the auxiliary bishop of Belize andthe Viatorian foundation in Corozal Town promises a future of evengreater collaboration to build up communities where the faith is lived,deepened and celebrated.

Continued from Page 1...

The papal nuncio to Belize and El Salvador, Most Rev. Luigi Pessuto, ordainsFr. Christopher Glancy, CSV, as bishop. (Photo by Ruben Wong from the Christian Herald)

Bishop Glancy blesses his mother, Judy Glancy.(Photo by Ruben Wong from the Christian Herald)

Fr. Thomas Long, CSV

In the Footstepsof Our Founder...

The Homeward Journey to Lyons

Fr. Louis Querbes was always thoughtful of his friends and accommodatingto his superiors. It was said that all he “had taken with him on his departurefrom Lyons was a little bag,” but on his return from the Eternal City, hebrought gifts to distribute to others.

His biographer, Pierre Robert, CSV, revealed that “he brought back fromRome a box of pictures, a trunk full of books for His Excellency, theBishop of Soissons, for M. Place [his mentor and teacher], who in hisage continued to be [a great reader], Fr. [Vincent] Pater [his friend,confidant and neighboring pastor, who would preach his funeral sermon]and himself; finally, a box of souvenirs and relics, including a first-classrelic of St. Stanislaus Kostka.” (Robert, From This Root, 179)

St. Stanislaus Kostka was a favorite among the many saints to whomFr. Querbes prayed. At his Jesuit Gesu retreat he especially intercededwith St. Stanislaus Kostka to facilitate approval of his society. He pledgedto dedicate the novitiate at Vourles to St. Stanislaus Kostka.

In the spirit of accommodation to church officials in Rome, Fr. Querbesaccepted an unusual assignment. He was asked by the Sacred Congregationfor Propagation [of the Faith] to transport the body of St. Exuperius,a martyr, to Lyons. The Sacred Congregation was making the gift of thebody of St. Exuperius to Lyons in appreciation for the great servicesrendered by the Church of Lyons to missionary activity.

The Congregation had originally intended to send the saint’s body to thePope’s Consul at Marseilles. However, Fr. Querbes’ friend, M. de Verna[President, Lyons Council, Propagation of Faith], asked him to personallyaccompany this gift from Marseilles to Lyons. In addition to the gift of themartyr, St. Exuperius, Pope Gregory XVI added a further gift of a magnificentreliquary. Fr. Querbes agreed to this request of his friend and benefactor.

Fr. Querbes did arrive in Marseilles on schedule. He immediately went ona one day pilgrimage of Thanksgiving to Notre Dame de La Garde. Hehad previously prayed at this same shrine on March 20 when first travelingto Rome. Because of the non-communication and the unexplained delays,the sacred remains of St. Exuperius did not accompany Fr. Querbesonward to Lyons. The saint’s body and reliquary did eventually arriveunescorted in Lyons in late November 1838. Fr. Querbes departed fromMarseilles on October 11 so he could arrive in Lyons late October 12.From there he would proceed the next day October 13 to Vourles.

Br. Leo V. Ryan, CSV

Gracious God,

be forever blest for

your gift in

Fr. Louis Querbes,

dedicated pastor in the

education of youth,

and in the service of

sacred liturgy,

and founder of the

Viatorian Community.

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Br. Rob Robertson, CSV, arrived, as he always does, for the finalprayer service at the Kairos retreat in April at Saint Viator HighSchool. The evening ended up revealing some importantmilestones not even he realized.

The retreat was Kairos 60 and campus ministers reflected that overthe years more than 3,000 students had made the four-day experience,and of those 600 had come back to lead it. And that’s just at SaintViator High School. Upon further reflection, it turned out that it wasBr. Rob who had brought the retreat to the school, and he later broughtit to Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. Saint Viator studentshave helped start Kairos at Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnaisand at a few suburban parishes outside Chicago.

We caught up with Br. Rob, who celebrates 25 years of religious lifethis year.

Q. How did you come to bring Kairos to Saint Viator?

A. During the spring of 1991, a student, Andrew Johnstone,approached me and told me about a retreat he had attended with hisbrother at Loyola Academy. He was so excited about it that he couldn’tstop talking about it. Tragically, Andrew was killed in an auto accidentat the beginning of that summer before his senior year, and when wereturned in the fall, students were mourning his loss so much, it wasimpossible to think about starting a new retreat. We took it up againthe next year. A lot of it was to honor Andrew’s memory.

Q. So it has been 20 years since you worked to start Kairos atSaint Viator. What went into bringing it there?

A. I gathered a select group of seniors and introduced the idea ofKairos to them. They enthusiastically embraced the idea of a retreatled by students. Together with some adults in the building who agreedto attend, we divided into teams and attended Kairos at area schoolsseparately. When we returned, we picked out details from each retreatthat could be incorporated into a Saint Viator experience.

Q. Without giving out too much about the retreat, what weresome of the details you considered when shaping it?

A. Our first decision was whether Kairos would be single sex orco-ed. There were pros and cons with each, but we finally decidedon the co-ed version. Our next order of business was to recruitstudents for the retreat. It was actuallyquite easy, since we had handselected some of the top students

in the school to be the original team leaders. We soon had our 60retreatants for Kairos 1 and 2, which were held back to back inMarch and April, 1993.

Q. How did the retreat spread to other Viatorian locations?

A. In 1994, I was assigned to teach religion at Bishop GormanHigh School in Las Vegas, where (then Br.) Corey Brost and (nowAssociate) Karen Cutler were the campus ministers. I had brought themanuals from Saint Viator and they held their first Kairos retreat thatyear. I think they are up to Kairos 58 there now and something like2,000 students have gone on it. Amazing.

Q. It didn’t stop there though, did it?

A. I returned to Saint Viator in 1999, and the next year teensfrom Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais came and went onKairos with our teens so they could bring it back and start one oftheir own. And then at least two (suburban) parishes have startedKairos and have used Viator kids to lead them.

Q. So it appears the Kairos retreat you started to honor onestudent’s memory and infuse his passion for the experiencein his classmates has taken on a life of its own. What do youthink of that?

A. Kairos was an overwhelming success right from the start, andI’m very proud to have been a part of it. What excites me the mostis seeing the relationships that get healed and the barriers brokendown between kids when they’re on the retreat. It’s really cool. Ifeveryone could walk around and see people without masks, we’dhave a better world.

Q & A with Br. Rob Robertson, CSVBr. Rob and His Kairos Legacy

Eileen O’Grady Daday

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Something fishy appears to be going on at Chunox St.Viator HighSchool in Belize. Along with their academic course load, students aredeveloping an aquaculture project that will help prepare them for acareer in the growing fishing and tourism industry in Belize.

Thanks to an institutional grant from the Viatorians, as well assupport from the Belizean government, students are growing tilapia,a fast-growing fish that is marketable to restaurants both in Belizeand beyond.

At present, they are maintaining six tanks to grow the fish fromfingerlings to a harvestable size. As the fish grow, students movethem from one tank to another, which are enriched with nutrientsto enhance their growth.

During a recent visit, it appeared that students took their tasks oftransferring the fish from one tank to another seriously. Patrick, astudent at Chunox St. Viator, says that the first tilapia are the easiest tocatch, while the smarter ones avoid them until there is barely any waterremaining.

Another student, Diveana, explains how important it is for themto move the fish to different tanks before algae overtakes the system.When the fish come to the surface gulping, she adds, it is time tochange the water because there isn't enough oxygen available.

Another student, Myron, describes his job of weighing the fish anddetermining the average body weight. This allows him to decide howmuch feed is needed to keep the tilapia crop well fed.

Once the fish reach the desirable weight, they are harvested andstudents work in an assembly line to clean and prepare the tilapiafor market.

Fish Farming: Viatorians Introduce Aquaculture in Belize

The last step: Students harvest the tilapia before getting ready to clean and process them.

A student transfers f ish to a different tank which is enriched with nutrientsto enhance their growth.

Maestro Torres, one of two agriculture teachers, describes how excitedthe students are to extend their learning beyond the classroom walls.

“They really do pay attention when we study the theory of agriculture,and that is apparent in their approach when working at the farm,”he says. “The students know what needs to be done – and they do it.”

For the next phase, the teachers want to introduce hydroponics,whereby the water from the ponds will be pumped to a nearbygreenhouse and provide the vegetables there with invaluablenutrients. Once the water has penetrated the root systems, it willemerge purified and oxygenated.

“This project teaches the students not only biology,” says Fr. DanielHall, CSV, former pastor of St. Francis Xavier, “but ecology, marketingand resource management. Plus, they’re having fun.”

Fr. Christopher Glancy, CSV, now the auxiliary bishop of Belize,started the school while he was pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parishin Corozal Town. His vision was that the school would offer botha sound academic and vocational training to rural students. Thecampus includes a classroom building, a barn, chicken coop,fields for crops and now a series of fish tanks. The school offersa well-rounded education where students are involved inlearningand growing in their faith, which is an outgrowth of the visionof Fr. Querbes.

Br. John Eustice, CSV

Vocations Continue to Increase in Colombia

With a new Viatorian priest ordained in February, two religious brothersmaking their perpetual vows and another brother professing temporaryvows, the foundation of Colombia continues to attract more vocations.

And that doesn’t take into account the number of pre-novices headinginto first and second years of the pre-novitiate.

Fr. Fredy Santos, CSV, is the latest native Colombian to be ordaineda Viatorian priest. After serving as a religious brother for more than10 years and serving as a deacon in Bourbonnais, Belize and Bogotá,Fr. Santos was ordained in February.

“Fredy exhibited a real patience and conviction that he was called tothe priesthood,” says Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, provincial. “Heovercame a lot of adversity and challenges, but he did it.”

His ordination took place at San Basilio Magno Church, one oftwo Viatorian parishes in Colombia, by Bishop Roberto Ospina,auxiliary bishop of Bogotá.Fr. von Behren, Fr. John Peeters,CSV, and Br. Carlos Florez,CSV, all were on hand forthe occasion.

As a newly-ordained priest,Fr. Santos will teach theologyand serve as chaplain, organizingretreats at Colegio San Viatorin Bogotá.

“Fredy has a passion to get young people involved in liturgy, especiallythrough music ministry,” Fr. von Behren added, pointing to the groupof singers who accompanied his ordination that he had formed 14 yearsago during his first years in parish work.

Earlier in the winter, Fr. von Behren presided when Br. Daniel Villalobos,CSV, and Br. Edwin Ruiz, CSV, pronounced their perpetual vows ofpoverty, chastity and obedience, while Br. Oscar Gutierrez, CSV, madehis first, temporary vows.

“There are many significant moments in a congregation, but none moresignificant than to celebrate perpetual professions,” Fr. von Behren says.“They’re committing themselves to us for life — and we are committingto them for life. It signals the start of walking together in community,ministering as brothers.”

Br. Villalobos is a native of Colombia who currently works as apastoral minister at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Corozal Town,Belize. Br. Ruiz studies theology at Universidad Javeriana whileBr. Gutierrez studies communications and journalism at Universidadlos Libertadores, both in Bogotá.

Their professions came during a busy weekend in Colombia. At thesame time, members elected Fr. Edgar Suarez, CSV, as their newsuperior. He will leave his position as pastor at San Basilio MagnoParish to assume the leadership role. Fr. Suarez will be assisted by hisnewly-elected councilors, Fr. Carlos Luis Claro, CSV, and Br. FrankEnciso, CSV, as well as Fr. Alejandro Adame, CSV, and Fr. RafaelSanabria, CSV, who were appointed.

Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, blesses Br. Oscar Gutierrez, CSV,while he makes his f irst vows.

Br. Daniel Villalobos, CSV, and Br. Edwin Ruiz, CSV make their perpetual vows.

Fr. Fredy Santos, CSV, a newly-ordainedViatorian priest, distributes communion. devotion

Eileen O’Grady Daday

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A Living Prayer for Children

The tragic murder of Trayvon Martin represents but one ofthousands of teen murders committed each year, each one leavingparents, family members and friends to cope with their worstnightmare from which many never fully recover.

This killing, with its symbolic ‘hoodie,’ has become a catalystfor so many who are fed up with the senselessness of theserandom killings. They are fed up with being fearful about theirown safety — and with the dread that at any time they mayreceive the news that their own children were murdered.

The Chicago newspapers and television so frequently report teenmurders, that the tragedy almost becomes routine – 632 youngpeople were killed in Chicago since 2008.

Realizing the need to respond, an Episcopal organization,CROSSwalk, organized a four-mile Holy Week processionthrough downtown Chicago to call attention to this realityand to take action. At each of the four stations - St. JamesEpiscopal Cathedral, Daley Plaza, Old St. Patrick's Church andStroger Hospital – the participants stopped and prayed.

Its premise focused on the fact that although the tragedies cannotbe undone, participants remembered the slain young people and

responded with the hope that these acts will not be repeated. Tomake that hope a reality, the procession offered the opportunityto connect walkers with resources to protect children, mitigateviolence and support families struggling with these issues.

The Viatorian Community and St. Martin de Porres HighSchool were two of the sponsors. Viatorians, students and stafffrom St. Martin de Porres, and a teacher from Saint Viator HighSchool participated in April 2nd march. For them, it was a fittingbeginning of Holy Week.

Jeanne Ann and John Sattler succinctly stated the impact of thewalk: “As members of the Old St. Patrick’s Peace & JusticeCommittee, we felt the need and were eager to participatein the CROSSwalk appeal and protest to stop the gun violencein our streets. The interfaith, non-violent prayer experienceswere inspirational and hopeful. May we all continue to unitein our interfaith effort to save human lives. It was truly apeaceful protest to stop the killings and advance the Gospelof the non-violent Jesus. It was great seeing Fr. Corey Brostand Br. Michael Gosch leading the students in this act ofsocial justice.”

Hundreds of CROSSwalk participants gathered at Daley Plaza,calling for an end to violence.

Every participant wore the same number, 632, signifying the numberof young people killed in Chicago since 2008.

Fr. Thomas Long, CSV

social justice

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Visit the second floor language lab at St. Viator Parish School inChicago and a familiar chorus rings across the rows: “Yes!”

Students around the room pump their fists in the air every timethey successfully answer a question on their computer screen.Wearing custom-fitted headphones with microphones, they seemoblivious to their classmates or to the adults in the room.

“Remember the old language labs with those big old headphones,tapes and study carols you had to sit in?” asks Principal KathleenKowalski. “These are nothing like that. The kids are totally into it.This new technology has made learning fun.”

Last November, St.Viator’s first through eighth graders beganstudying foreign languages through an online access programprovided by RosettaStone. Most spend 40 minutes per day in thelab, literally immersed in language studies.

A donation last fall of 30 desktop computers from Saint ViatorHigh School in Arlington Heights resulted in the new lab at thehistoric school, which turns 110 later this summer.

“It differentiates us from our neighbors,” Kathleen adds.

Each student chose from 14 languages available, ranging fromSpanish, Italian, German and French, to Polish, Gaelic, Tagalogand Mandarin Chinese.

“I already know Spanish,” said third grader Lindzy Berdon.“My mom wanted me to learn something different, so I’mstudying French.”

When it was suggested that with French she was learning to speakthree languages, she shook her head: “No, now I am going to knowthree languages.”

A trio of fifth grade boys took their places at their computersduring the next period. They each settled into their headsets and

then adjusted their microphone setting, before picking up in theirunits where they had left off the day before.

“I like everything about it,” said André Cady. “What I like best isthat it lets you correct yourself. If you take a quiz on anothercomputer, it won’t let you go back and make corrections. Here,you can’t go on until you get it right.”

Most students are working their way through the first level.Once they reach the fifth level – over the next few years – theirteachers expect they will reach conversational mastery throughthe written and spoken components in the course.

Bishop-elect Chris Glancy, CSV, former associate pastor atSt.Viator, observed how engaged the students were in the class.“They approach it almost like a computer game,” he said. “Theywant to get to the next level.”

Sr. Judith Murphy, OSB, from the Office of Catholic Schoolsof the Archdiocese of Chicago, said there is good evidence tosupport that style of learning. “Learning from the computer justcomes naturally for these students,” says Sr. Murphy, “I know thatthere is good educational theory that says learning is enhancedwhen it takes on the characteristics of play.”

Fr. Charles Bolser, CSV, pastor, says the goal is for students to beable to communicate via Skype with their peers at Viatorian schoolsaround the world, including in Central and South America, as wellas in Haiti and Canada.

“We live in a global world,” Fr. Bolser says. “Our students needto be aware of different cultures and languages in order to expandtheir own experiences. Learning another language helps to breakdown some of those barriers.”

Bonjour, Ciao, Hola! Students Think Globally

Eileen O’Grady Daday

12

Family genealogist, Ellen Hunt of Chicago, wanted to create herfamily tree and research her deceased parents for an upcoming familyreunion. She knew both her parents graduated from St. ViatorCollege, but she had no idea where to look for those records.Thanks to Google, she found the Viatorian Community Archives.

St. Viator College was founded in 1868 and operated in Bourbonnaisby the Clerics of St. Viator until 1938. Today, the ViatorianCommunity Archives for the United States Province, located inArlington Heights, holds the St. Viator College collection.

A preliminary search of the college transcripts revealed that her father,Edward P. Hunt, entered the college in 1929 and graduated in 1933.

Also, her mother, Mary P. Cruise, entered in 1931 and graduated in1935. Transcripts in the collection not only give the dates entered andgraduated, but also the students’ home addresses, the course of study,classes taken and the grades they received. Knowing the years attendedallows researchers to find more information in the catalogs, bulletins andnewspapers published by the college.

The most interesting information can be uncovered in the collegenewspaper, The Viatorian, but it takes a lot of research time.Knowing the records were preserved, Ellen and her husbandCharlie White came to the archives for an afternoon to delve intothese newspapers, dating from the years 1929-1937.

Graduation photographs of each ofher parents were found along with adescriptive article and listing of activitiesthroughout their college years. MaryCruise was the class valedictorian andher speech was published in the paper.She was a straight A student and scholar.Mary also was a contributor to TheViatorian all four years and served asassociate editor her last two years.Edward Hunt was a “man about campus.”

From the Archives…

St.Viator College Collection Provides a Treasure Trove for Genealogists

Mary P. Cruise

Viatorian Vocations: HaveYou Ever Asked?

Young people from St. Viator Parish in Las Vegas provided some of the music at a retreatlast summer sponsored by the Vocation Office.

It’s really that simple. I know a Viatorian Associate, a married man,who told me that his faith was important to him at Bishop McNamaraHigh School, a formerly Viatorian-run high school in Kankakee. He nowsays he would have considered life as a Viatorian, but no one ever askedhim to do so.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe he found God’s path for him – marriageand fatherhood. But his story makes me wonder about how many young

men would seriously consider religious life if adults they respect,Viatorians and non-Viatorians, asked them to do so.

God’s call to us almost always comes through the voice of a friendor mentor. They are the people who see our talents and interests,who know what brings us happiness. “They” are “us.” Part of activediscipleship is calling forth leaders for our church – leaders of allkinds, not just religious. All of us who care about young people,especially as Viatorians, need to help them look at where God iscalling them to invest their lives as adults. Are we doing that?

In recent years I have made a conscious decision to individuallyinvite high school and college men and women to consider life asa professional minister or religious. Almost always these youngpeople are flattered, many have even told me they have considered it.My invitation helped give credibility to their own thoughts. Finally,several of these young people now are actively involved with theViatorians seriously discerning whether or not God is calling themto life as a Viatorian associate or religious.

Think about this. Take some time to think about the young peoplein your parish or school. Ask the question.

Fr. Corey Brost, CSV

13

He was a well respected athlete – 4-yearfootball player – and served as classsecretary his last three years.

Both Mary and Edward were members of the drama and glee clubs.Together they performed in the opera, The Mikado. A photo ofthem and other cast members in full costume was published inthe newspaper. Even after they graduated, their engagement andwedding announcements were found in the Alumni News column.

Ellen was overwhelmed with emotion upon learning so much abouther parents. She found it amazing to think of her parents as youngcollege students, and she was excited about sharing it all with herfamily. In total, she found 50 citations about both parents in thenewspaper alone.

Approximately 90 percent of outside researchers that contact theViatorian Community Archives are genealogists. Most researchersfind out about the archives from the Viatorian website —

http://www.viatorians.com/archives — and usually make contactthrough email.

The St. Viator College collection is one of the most used and yetmost under-utilized collections in the archives. Most people areunaware that these materials still exist from the college. Althoughthe collection is not complete, it is still a valuable and untappedresource – literally, a treasure trove for genealogists. The hope is todraw more attention to it, so people become aware of all the materialsthat have been preserved and that are available for research.

The current exhibit case at the Province Center showcases manyof the materials from the St. Viator College collection. Throughthe records of one student, Thomas Shea, it shows just how muchcan be uncovered. Take a glimpse: http://csv-archivesnews .blogspot.com/2012/04/latest-archives-exhibit.html.

If you have a relative who attended St. Viator College, pleasecontact the archives for a research appointment by emailing me,Joan Sweeney, the Viatorian Community Archivist atjsweeney@viatorians.com. Let’s see what we can uncover!

Edward P. Hunt

It’s been a long time since Viatorian Associate Henrietta Chamnessplayed golf, but that’s just where she found herself last month at theKankakee Country Club golf course.

Henrietta was the first person to be honored at the annual ProvenaOur Lady of Victory golf outing. More than 100 golfers played inthe event, which raised money for a new van to transport its seniorresidents to community activities.

A recognition ceremony broke out at the first hole as guestscelebrated Henrietta’s leadership at Our Lady of Victory whichoffers skilled nursing and rehabilitation services for seniors.

They honored Henrietta, who was a former director of nursesand an administrator, from 1985-1990, and all after raising sevenchildren and retiring from working as a registered nurse at ProvenaSt. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee.

She also knew how to raise money. Back in 1985, Henrietta workedwith administrators to start the first golf outing, to raise fundsfor a new activities van. The benefit outing has continued everyyear and raised money for countless projects.

Now in her secondretirement, Henriettahas been a ViatorianAssociate for thelast 10 years. Sheshares her medicalexpertise atMaternity BVMParish, with theHispanic ministry inMomence and inBelize on medicalmissions trips.

Fr. James Michaletz, CSV, Fr. Jason Peters, CSV, and associatesPatty Wischnowski and Euchrist “Mush” Marcotte all played in afoursome to support Henrietta.

“She’s done so much,” Fr. Michaletz said. “She’s a wonderful ladyand we should acknowledge her contributions.”

Viatorian Associate Henrietta Chamness (center)at Provena Golf Outing

Viatorian Associate Honored in Kankakee

Eileen O’Grady Daday

Joan SweeneyArchivist and Viatorian Associate

The monthly Taizé prayer service held by the ViatorianCommunity in May drew a rare visit from three brothers fromthe Taizé community in France.

Br. Emmanuel and his confreres, Br. John and Br. Emile, spentmonths in Chicago planning their “Pilgrimage of Trust”conference, which drew more than 1,000 young people over theMemorial Day weekend to DePaul University. However, theymet with members of the wider Viatorian Community first.

“We love to see friends of Taizé who have been involved for along time,” said Br. Emile, of the Viatorian visit.

During the hour of reflective prayer and music, the three kneltin silence, distinguished only by their white hooded robes andplaces near the front of the chapel, on the floor.

“We never say anything during Taizé,” Br. Emmanuel said.“We don’t want to get in the way of God.”

Before the prayer service began, the brothers shared a pizzadinner with students from St. Martin de Porres High School,which the Viatorians co-sponsored. Their discussion was wideranging, but both groups left the meal moved and inspired.

“The brothers asked us what we liked best about Taizé prayer,”said senior Ulises Acosta. “I said it was the silence. Contrary topopular belief, you can really hear a lot in the silence. Sometimeswhen my days are hectic and stressful, it’s good to sit back andthink of when I've seen God in my day and didn't even realize it.It’s in the silence when I can actually begin to hear the answers.”

More than a dozen years ago, Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, brought thequiet prayer service to the Viatorian Community. Each month,worshippers of all ages gather in the chapel at the ViatorianProvince Center for the meditative experience.

“Those that come, tell me that they find a remarkable peace duringthe evening,” Fr. Brost says. “It’s a wonderful way to connect withGod. The music and ritual seem to open people up so that theyexperience God’s loving and peaceful presence.”

The DePaul weekend consisted of daily Taizé prayer services,but it also offered young people the chance to attend workshopsand presentations.

“We see the weekend as a gathering to sow seeds,” Br. Emilesaid. “We want to give young people a chance to discover moreabout their Christian faith. So many people tell me that after theycome, they think about their life in bigger terms, and about howthey can serve others.”

Taizé prayer was created in 1940 by Br. Roger Schutz, who starteda monastic community in central France. He was driven to“create a community with men determined to give their wholelife and who would always try to understand one another and bereconciled, a community where kindness of heart and simplicitywould be at the center of everything.”

Soon, his simple premise began to attract thousands of youngadults, drawn to the community’s music, chants and meditativestyle of prayer. Taizé now draws 100,000 young people annuallyfrom around the world who make a pilgrimage to France.

Taizé Brothers Headline Viatorian Prayer Service

Taizé monks draw young people into their meditative prayer experience.

14 Eileen O’Grady Daday

15

Email: news@viatorians.comWebsite: www.viatorians.com

Provincial:Fr. Thomas R. von Behren, CSV

Editor:Fr. Thomas E. Long, CSV

Director of Communications:Eileen O’Grady Daday

Editorial Board:Fr. Thomas R. von Behren, CSV

Br. Michael T. Gosch, CSVBr. Donald P. Houde, CSV

Br. Leo V. Ryan, CSVEileen O’Grady Daday

Barton HisgenJoan Sweeney

Layout and Design:Dianna Ehrenfried

Visualedge Creative Services, Inc.

Viator Newsletter is published three times a year by the Office of Mission Advancement for the Clerics of St. Viator, Province of Chicago.

A single mother,who found herselfburied in debt aftergoing through adivorce, is the firstrecipient of a microfinancing programstarted by FaithCommunity Homes,a nonprofitorganization inArlington Heights.

The no-interest loanconcept aims to helpsuburban families

manage their debts and get back on their feet, and it drew the supportof the Viatorians. In March, they provided the seed money to helplaunch the new program.

“Many families who come to us have debts that have accumulatedover the years, from credit cards, unpaid utilities and other necessaryexpenses they could not keep up with,” says Charles Warner,executive director of Faith Community Homes.

“The intent of our two-year mentoring and support program is to helpfamilies establish improved income, budgeting and with our support,be able to meet their current expenses,” he adds. “Prior debts haveoften become a hindrance to these families.”

They made their first loan last month to the young, single mother whowas working and going to school part-time and not able to keep upwith the outstanding bills she inherited after her divorce.

“She would have had to work full-time to try and pay these bills,”says Sr. Carrie Miller, SLW, a social worker with the agency.“That’s when we stepped in. She’s elated that we’ve come upwith a payment schedule she can meet and now won’t have allthis interest accruing.”

Faith Community Homes has worked for more than 10 yearsto assist low-income families – of all backgrounds – with theirhousing needs. The organization formed in response to the lackof affordable housing in Arlington Heights.

The Viatorian Community is one of the many religious organizationswho partner with Faith Community Home and their mission ofproviding safe, decent and affordable housing. Their particular focusis to help low-income, working families with school-aged children.

“For years, we have provided assistance to those living in impoverishedurban and rural communities where poverty is rampant,” saysBr. Michael Gosch, CSV. “Today, we are faced with a growingnumber of people from working class families who are experiencinghomelessness due to foreclosures, unemployment and the economy.”

Faith Community Home’s micro financing program will provide small,no-interest loans to families they currently serve, who have proven tobe reliable, financially responsible and determined to reach their goalsof financial stability.

“This young mother is a perfect example,” Sr. Carrie adds. “It’s a lowto no-risk loan for the organization.”

As executive director, Warner will monitor the repayment of all loans.He stresses they will not be handouts; a contract and schedule ofrepayment will be drawn up, with the family agreeing to its terms.

He adds, that as a loan program, the seed money provided bythe Viatorians will be replaced and reused for many familiesinto the future.

“This is a chance to make an immediate impact, with families rightin our own backyard,” says Br. Gosch. “We remain committed toaddressing the issue of poverty and working with organizations toalleviate it, no matter where it is experienced.”

To make a donation to the micro loan program, visit:www.fchomes.org.

Viatorians Help Launch Micro Loan Program

Charles Warner, executive director of Faith Community Homes,and Sr. Carrie Miller, SLW, with the first micro loan award,

made possible with seed money from the Viatorians.

Eileen O’Grady Daday

2

Clerics of St. Viator1212 E. Euclid AvenueArlington Heights, IL 60004-5799Newsletter – Spring 2012

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 7160PALATINE P&DC, IL

Provincial Perspective

As this issue of Viator arrives in your mailbox, nineprofessed Viatorians of the province of Chicago willbe preparing to board an international flight to Rome.Delegates and staff members of the province have beenpreparing themselves for the 29th convocation of theGeneral Chapter of the Clerics of St. Viator, to be heldJuly 4-18 in Ariccia, Italy.

As our constitution states, the General Chapter, whichmeets every four years, “is the supreme authority in theCongregation … (It) is responsible in a special way forthe fidelity of the Congregation to the intentions of ourfounder and to our Constitution. It is also responsiblefor promoting the vitality of the Congregation.” (c.43)During these early days of July, the elected and appointedchapter delegates will enter into dialogue and deliberationto address the 39 questions that have been submittedand adopted as the official agenda for this importantmeeting of the international community.

As the chapter nears its completion, the delegates willenter into a discernment process that will culminatein the election of a new general council. They also willengage in consultation with the new superior generalregarding the appointment of the new general councilmembers. Our present superior general, Fr. MarkFrancis, CSV, completes his second six-year term(mandate) and has accepted a position as a “visitingscholar” at Santa Clara University in California forthe 2012/2013 academic year. I would like to takethis opportunity to express our sincere gratitude toMark for his leadership and his willingness to give12 years of his life to the ministry of service to theinternational Viatorian Community. His leadershiphas moved the community forward in many ways,

and we are stronger because ofhis care and guidance. Onbehalf of the entire ChicagoProvince, thank you, Mark.We look forward to your return to your home province.

As we travel to Rome, I ask for your prayers andsupport. As partners, we need your prayers. Duringthese important days, we will be addressing major issuesthat will shape our congregation and the ViatorianCommunity for the next six years, and beyond.Topics that we will address include issues of Viatoriansolidarity, internationality and mission. We willdecide new directions, especially regarding vocationministry, governance and financing. We will redefinethe congregation in light of the new ViatorianCommunity that has emerged over these past 20 years.

These are important issues. Let us all pray that theHoly Spirit will descend upon everyone involved in themaking these important decisions. And, may weespecially be blessed through the election of a newsuperior general who will be a leader for the future, onewho will care deeply for each member of the ViatorianCommunity and help promote and advance the charismof our founder, Fr. Louis Querbes.

May God bless each of you abundantly and extendHis blessing to your family and friends.

In St. Viator and Fr. Querbes,

Rev. Thomas R. von Behren, CSVProvincial

Inside

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Page 1Viatorian Priest Ordained Auxiliary

Bishop in Belize

Page 2Going to Work and School:the Cristo Rey Connection

Viatorian Parishes Move to theForefront of Solar Energy

Page 4Five Viatorians Celebrate

60 years in Religious Life...

Celebrating Our Jubilarians

Page 6In the Footsteps of our Founder

Page 7Q & A with

Br. Rob Robertson, CSV

Page 8Fish Farming:Viatorians Introduce

Aquaculture in Belize

Page 9Vocations Continue to Increase

in Colombia

Page 10CROSSwalk: A Living Prayer

for Children

Page 11Bonjour, Ciao, Hola!

Students Think Globally

Page 12-13Viatorian Vocations:Have You Ever Asked?

From the Archives...St. Viator College Collection Provides

A Treasure Trove for Genealogists

Viatorian Associate Honoredin Kankakee

Page 14Taizé Brothers Headline Viatorian

Prayer Service

Page 15Viatorians Help Launch

Micro Loan Program