QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE CLERICS OF SAINT VIATOR Volume 5, Number 2
Fall 200 I
F A I T H
Viatorian Annual Assembly _ _ _ __ International Viatorians from across the Meeting country gathered at Arlington Heights Aug 7-8 in Columbia
for their annual salute to jubiliarians, an Associate Renewal ceremony, and two days of continuing education, prayers and Eucharist. The assembly themes were drawn from the goals established by the Viatorian General Chapter meeting in Rome in 2000. The goals stress (1) Vocations and Youth Ministry and (2) Spirituality in the context of Viatorian life. Tom Beaudoin, Boston College and author of
Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Quest of Generation X, shared his research on American youth, their ambiguities and anxieties about their identity amid a divorce orientated and consumer focused culture. Despite their often apparent detachment, disconnectedness and disinterest in institutional religion there is a widespread quest for spirituality and a dramatic outpouring of volunteerism. The program arranged by Brother Corey Brost, C.S.V. highlighted a panel of five young men, Gary
Panelists (L toR) Tripamer, Keenan and Anderson (Arlington Heights) Quilao (Henderson, NV ) and Nes bit (Granite City, IL) share faith experiences during the Annuai Assembly.
Anderson, Ryan Keenan, Patrick Quilao, Jason Nesbit and Dan Tripamer discussing their interest in religious life. They reflected on their own faith experiences, their sense of "call" and what attracts them to Viatorian life and ministry. The discussion groups, which followed, were seeded with other young men of similar perspectives who confirmed, developed and expanded on the Boudoin research and its meaning for them and for Viatorian vocation recruitment. The first day ended with a celebration of the lives of 16 Jubliarians representing 815 years of vowed Viatorian religious life.
(See the story elsewhere in this issue)
The second day focused on meeting the challenges proposed out by author, lecturer and theologian, Jack Shea, around carving out daily time for a more mature spiritual life. Using a case study method, Shea posed questions suggesting parallels between the surgeon in the case and daily pressures of Viatorians. Group discussions reflected on applications of new modes and timing formeditation, reflection and prayer based on each person's apostolic assignment. The two fold General Chapter themes of vocations and the contemplative aspect of active ministry will continue to constitute the agenda for future Viatorian meetings and days of Recollection. •
Nothing more illustrated the international character of the Viatorian Congregation than the InterAmerican meeting convoked by the Superior General, Fr. Mark Francis, C.S.V. October 1-3 in Bogota. Responding to the appeal of John Paul II for greater collaboration between the churches of America's Northern and Southern Hemispheres, Viatorian provincials from Spain and France traveled to Bogota to meet with the Provincials of Canada and the United States to "explore deeper collaboration among the Viatorians in Latin America and the Caribbean" The provincials and general administration were joined by CSV Regional and Foundation superiors, from Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Haiti Honduras and Peru. "Viatorians are at a turning point for making decisions referring to our presence in Latin America and the Caribbean" noted Fr. Francis about the meeting. He called for "the development of mechanisms to assure a more efficient coordination of Viatorian efforts" including progress directed to a "deeper planting of the charism of Father Querbes" in the regions. Provincial Fr. Charles Bolser Co11 tilw ed 011 Page 5