Quarterly Newsletter of the Clerics of St. Viator
Celebrating the past, serving the present, embracing the future “We are committed to serve the people of feathery Corozos palms. He invited others to God,” echoed the St. Francis Xavier parish join him and on October 29, 1847, christened leaders as they renewed their commitment to the place ‘San Narcisco de Corozal,’” chronithe ministry in Belize. One by one the priests, cled Father Henrey Gillet, SJ. religious sisters, extraOther Jesuits arrived in ordinary ministers of 1861, followed by the communion, ministers religious orders of the of the word, music Sisters of Mercy and ministers, lay leaders the Pallotine Sisters and alter servers joyfully some 40 years later. On responded to the September 15, 1998, invitation to serve the U.S. Clerics of St. during the Eucharistic Viator from Arlington celebration of the 150 Heights, Ill. accepted years of evangelization Students from San Andres Village demonstrate the Belize mission. a Maya Mestrizo dance. of Belize. Both Fr. Daniel Hall, St. Francis Xavier parish hosted a gathering of CSV and Fr. Chris Glancy,CSV began their over 2,000 of the faithful on August 25, 2002 pastoral ministry at St. Francis Xavier in at the Corozal Civic Center. The crowd Corozal along with Viatorian Br. Carlos received the Eucharist, shared a meal, and Ernesto Florez from Columbia. Fr. John enjoyed cultural presentations and displays on Norbert Peeters,CSV from Maternity BVM, the history and life of the Church in town and Bourbonnais, Ill. arrived in September 2002 as in the 24 surrounding villages. did John Eustice, a Las Vegas pre-novice, joinThere have been many changes in Belize since ing the staff for the 2002-2003 school year. the first “Yucatecan to build a house on this Moises Mesh from Chunox, Belize also joined shore was old Tata Solis from across the New as a pre-novice in September. Both men are River Bight, finding a good location among the continued on page 2
Provincial’s Perspective My dear friends in St. Viator, God Bless you in 2003!! Last year we were inundated with news about priests who have tolerated abuse. The Church allowed it to continue through ignorance or because of misplaced loyalties. We have seen the abuse and arrogance of power as a refusal to accept responsibility for allowing this criminal activity to continue and an
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Volume 8, Number 1
Medical help to Belize On November 4, 2002, a volunteer medical team from Maternity BVM Parish, Bourbonnais, Ill. left for a ten day mission to Belize. A doctor and five nurses were among the medical personnel participating in this trip. Patty Wischnowski and Brother Dale Barth, CSV, who organized the trip, collected donations as well as donated drugs and other needs. Dr. Hershel Wix, a cardiologist, brought along an Ultrasonic Cardiogram machine. It was the first time one was used to examine patients in Belize. Other team members included two deacons, the Mr. EJC “Mush” Marcotte and Mr. Francis “Foo” Chamness; Doreen Collins; Ruth Goodpasture; Mileen Joines; Terri Prentkowski; Olivia Waggoner and Henrietta Chamness. continued on page 3
Dr. Hershel Wix examines a Belize student.
unwillingness to listen to the pain experienced by those who have been abused. We have come, in recent years, to see the sinful church as very human indeed, subject to human failings and weakness. All of us share in complicity by our unwillingness to believe that priests could or would act in such a manner. All of us prefer not to believe the worst about others whom we normally trust. We excuse ourselves from having to make the difficult decision to make waves and risk disapproval. In other words, we are all participants in the human condition - we used to call it original sin. In some cultures, and to a great degree even in our own, the greatest punishment would be that continued on page 3