QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE CLERICS OF SAINT VIATOR Volume 4, Number 1
Fall 1999
T E A C H E R S
0 F
F A I T H
Spring Sabbatical
Devastating Earthquake
Viatorians Lead Response _ _______ Ongoing Viatorian traveled overnight to Formation _ _ personally deliver rna terial goods to the victims.
A major Earthquake devastated the Armenia Region of Colombia, South America in late spring. Armenia is well southwest of Libano where the Viatorians staff the diocesan school, Colegio San Antonio Marie Claret, and although Libano escaped damage, the aftermath had a powerful effect on the Christian community of Libano. Viatorian Brother Brian
Cooper reported that the response was a major local effort mounted by Viatorians and other citizens to collect monies, food, clothing and other basic necessities for those who received a direct hit. During the Holy Week school break, a caravan of trucks, cars and wagons was accompanied by dozens of volunteers from Colegio Claret and Libano who
In addition, enough cash was provided to allow for up to five families to make a down payment on an existing home, or to purchase land for a new home to be built. This christian response of faith in action was warmly received by residents of Armenia. The gratitude of those receiving aid can best be shown by the comment of a resident who lost all material property. She said: "It's possible that all is destroyed, but our hope will never be destroyed!" •
Continued on page 3
Father Dan Nolan, pastor of St. Thomas
Fr. Dan Nolan , C.S .V
More Catholic Community in Henderson, Nevada was able to partake of a spring sabbatical to renew and update pastoral skills. It is also an opportunity to renew oneself spiritually and theologically. Occasional sabbaticals and continuing Continued on page 4
2
From The Provincial's Perspective _____ Dear Partner in Faith,
Viator Reverend Robert M. Egan, C.S.V. Provincial Publisher Philip J. Skeris Director of Development Managing Editor VIATOR is published quarterly by the Clerics of St. Viator, the Viatorians, for friends, families, parishioners and alumni of Viatorian apostolates. The Clerics of St. Viator are religious priests and brothers sent by the Catholic Church to teach the Faith and p roclaim Jesus Christ as Gospel. In parishes, schools, and a variety of other ministries Viatorians work with Christian communities to live, deepen and celebrate their faith. Our legal title is: Clerics of St. Viator.
Greetings to you from the Viatorians. I am pleased to share with you this Fall1999 issue of our Viatorian Quarterly Newsletter. Recent months have se~n an increasing number of stories detailing natural disasters across our entire world. This issue of our newsletter details the story of a major earthquake in the Armenia region of Colombia in South America, close to Libano where the Viatorians are involved in ministry. I am proud of the response of the Viatorians and the whole Christian community of Libano to this horrible disaster. You will also read about Father Dan Nolan from St. Thomas More Parish in Henderson, Nevada. Dan had the opportunity last spring to take a mini-sabbatical and this issue details some of the activities that he was able to take advantage of as part of a spiritual and theological renewal program. Your continued generosity and support of the Viatorians makes such experiences possible. Finally, you will notice a new feature in this issue of the newsletter entitled "Regional Roundup." We hope to use this aspect of our newsletter to highlight some of the activities that are taking place in Viatorian ministries and apostolates throughout the regions in which we serve. Thank you once again for your continued support of our Viatorian Community. Please know that you and all the members of your family are remembered in the prayers of the Viatorian Community. My best wishes to you. Sincerely,
~ ;11 . f 'fiNII1 1 cs v Robert M . Egan, C.S.V. Provincial
Rest In Peace Kindly remember in your prayers the following Viatorian who recently died: Brother Gerard LaMarre, C.S.V. Born to Eternal Life: May 12, 1999
3
Devasting Earthquake (continued)
Devastation Abounds
Relief arrives
4
Regional Roundup This new feature will highlight recent activities of interest in the Regions of the Chicago Province. LAS VEGAS: St. Thomas More, Henderson reports on a strong growth in the LifeTeen parish program. The initial LifeTeen Mass of 350 participants has grown over time to an assembly of more than 900 attending each Sunday evening!
KANKAKEE/ BOURBONNAIS Father Richard Pighini, pastor of St. Patrick parish in Kankakee was recognized for the beauty and ingenuity of the abundant flora and fauna in the rectory garden, which was included in the annual Kankakee Garden Walk.
Spring Sabbatical (continued) formation of Viatorians have been a wellestablished program for Viatorians for decades. Father Nolan' s minisabbatical followed four years of parish
building and expansion in the fastest growing community in the country. With Henderson as a neighbor of Las Vegas, parish growth continues at the rate of 12 - 15 families per
CHICAGO Brother Leo V. Ryan was awarded the Via Sapientia Award by DePaul University at the summer Commencement Ceremony. It is the highest award that the university grants to individuals who devotedly serve the purposes and ideals of DePaul University. Father John VanWiel was named "Teacher of the Year" at St. Viator High School for the past academic year.
SPRINGFIELD Brother James Lewnard, a faculty member at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School has been reappointed to the Springfield Diocesan Board of Catholic Education.
Father George Auger served as retreat master in summer for the Ursuline Sisters in Springfield. •
• week, and counting. Dan completed several courses at St. Mary of the Lake University in suburban Chicago, and he took the opportunity to visit other parishes to share in their liturgical life
Via torian Fathers: George Auger, Robert Carey, Joseph Tremonti, Thomas Wise No t present for photo: Fathers Roger Drolet and Norbert Bibeault
and to seek their insights. The program also provided for private study and reflection. •
5
Partners in Faith Provide
Points to Ponder.... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ One of my friends told me she has included the Clerics of St. Viator in her will, but I'm the only person she has told. Would it be important for her to tell you about her bequest?
Good question! Please
assure your friend that we always honor instructions to keep any gift to the Clerics of St. Viator on a confidential basis. But we hope she will notify us for several important reasons. For example, we would want to thank her for her thoughtful generosity and for her future support of our mission and ministries.
We would like to inform her about her membership in our Legacy Club, which . honors those who have included the Clerics of St. Viator in their wills and other estate plans. And knowing of her bequest will assist us in planning for the future in extending and expanding our mission and ministries. We want
to be sure that she used our correct legal name: The Clerics of St. Via tor. And finally, we would hope that the story and testimonial of her gift would inspire others to include the Viatorians in their wills and estate plans. Of course, your friend could chose to remain anonymous to all but the Viatorians. •
Temporary Family Shelter
Temporary Family Shelter
Brother Brian Cooper, C.S. V
Send To: Name
Development Office Clerics of St. Viator 1212 Euclid St. Arlington Heights, IL 60004 847-398-6805
Address
Telephone ________________________________________________
Please include your current label.
If you would like any information on the Clerics of Saint Viator or if you have any special comments, please write them here or on a separate sheet. Thank you.
"jpalio.tJ.sap aq .taaau JJ!m adOlf .tno J.nq 'pafiO.lJ.Sap SJ J111 J.VlfJ. azqJSSOd S,J.[,
09S ·oN .Tllil<IJ 1I '·s•H uo•2UIJJ'v'
01\fd a2e.SOJ Sn ·2JQ jlJOlJ-UON
vS£1-86S-Lv8
v0009 11 'slt.{'3~aH uol2u~pv "lS pq:m:;r ·:;r Gill lOlt?!A ·1s JO s:>paiJ