The Viatorian Jubilarians of 2007 Different connections and circumstances shape our lives. Strong and slight ties link us to our vocations. We speak of a religious vocation as a call to dedicate one’s life to living the Christian virtues. In 2007, Viatorians celebrate significant anniversaries of five men who have spent many years bringing the Gospel message to multitudes in different parts of the world. Fr. Francis P. White, CSV Fr. Francis White met the Viatorians when, as a young freshman, he entered Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield, IL, his hometown. In September 2007, he will celebrate the 70th year of his religious life. Ordained a priest in 1944, he served as a teacher and pastor in Japan, New York, Chicago, Springfield, and Peoria. After many years of serving the people of Nevada as pastor of St. Viator Parish and associate pastor of Guardian Angel Cathedral, Fr. White recently retired to the Province Center in Arlington Heights, IL. He enjoys living with his confreres and recently said that his 89th birthday (Sept. 17, 2006) was the nicest of all times. He keeps his sense of humor and maintains his interest in everything and everybody. Because St. Viator College is so important in the history of the Chicago Province, it is worthy to note that Fr. White is the last Viatorian to have attended St. Viator College in Bourbonnais, IL. He is now the dean of the Viatorian Community. Fr. Kenneth R. Morris, CSV Fr. Kenneth Morris hails from St. Lucy parish on the west side of Chicago and is a graduate of the Christian Brothers’ St. Patrick High School. While a student, he learned about the Viatorians from a neighbor and schoolmate, Fr. Hugh Robbins, CSV. Fr. Morris pronounced his vows as a Viatorian on January 16, 1947 - 60 years ago. Little did
he know then that one day he would study in Rome, teach at the Viatorian Seminary, serve as novice master, provincial of the Chicago Province and vicar general of the Congregation of the Clerics of St. Viator. From 1994 until his retirement, he served at St. Viator Parish in Chicago and St. Thomas More Parish in Henderson, NV. He currently lives at the Viatorian residence on Belden Avenue in Chicago. He has not really stopped working. Among other things, he makes a contribution to the life of the Sisters of the Cenacle by presiding at their liturgies and leading a group in monthly scripture study. Fr. William C. Mayer, CSV Fr. William Mayer knew the Viatorians well before he chose to become one. He was a student of the Viatorians during his freshman and sophomore years at St. Patrick High School in Kankakee, IL. During his junior and senior years, the Viatorians were his teachers at Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield, IL. In the 1960s, he became principal of his alma mater in Kankakee. In the 1970s, he was a teacher at his alma mater in Springfield. After ordination in 1956, Fr. Mayer taught at Spalding Institute in Peoria, St. Philip High School in Chicago and Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee. From 1978 until 1991, his work was in adult religious education, after which he became parochial vicar at the Church of the Holy Ghost in Wood Dale, IL. Fr. Mayer now lives at the Province Center in Arlington Heights and continues to assist at the Church of the Holy Ghost. On August 19, 2007, Fr. Mayer celebrates 60 years as a Viatorian. Fr. Thomas P. McCarthy, CSV In Boston, a chance meeting between a young Tom McCarthy and Fr. John Burke, CSV at the home of their violin teacher was the beginning of the 9
history of Fr. Thomas P. McCarthy’s 60 year life as a Viatorian. After his ordination in 1952, Fr. McCarthy taught at Alleman High School in Rock Island, Spalding Institute in Peoria and Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. From 1973 until 1992, he served as pastor or associate pastor in Reno, NV; Las Vegas, NV; Morgan City, LA; Chicago, IL; Marlborough, MA; and South Boston, MA. In 1992, he retired to the Province Center in Arlington Heights where he served as local coordinator until 1996. In 2004, he published a book entitled A Priest Forever, which tells much of his story. Now, after a long hiatus, Fr. McCarthy is back to playing the violin. Among the things that keep him busy during retirement is entertaining at residences for seniors in the Arlington Heights area. He is especially busy at Christmas time. Fr. Daniel R. Hall, CSV Fr. Daniel Hall was a member of the United States armed forces and served in Vietnam, where he was severely wounded. After he completed his military service, he traveled the world. “Viator” in Latin means traveler, and he was indeed a traveler. While working in Hawaii, he met the Viatorian vocation director, and his life took a new turn. On July 31, 2007, Fr. Hall will celebrate 25 years as a Viatorian. He taught at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights and Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. In 1990, Fr. Hall returned to the military to serve as a chaplain for the marines at Camp Pendleton, CA; Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean; Camp Lejeune, NC; and Kuwait. When his tour as a chaplain ended, he was asked in 1998 to be pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Corozal Town, Belize, a new Viatorian mission. He served there for four years before returning to St. Viator High School, where he chairs the Social Studies Department, teaches history, and coaches football and wrestling.