Q & A with Associate Ann Perez

Associate Ann Perez has a long history in youth ministry and Catholic education, but the religious community she decided to join as a lay person was the Viatorian Community. Here, she describes why.

Q . How did you come to decide to become an associate?

A. I was invited to become an associate by Br. John Eustice and Fr. Dan Lydon after working at Saint Viator High School for two years. Prior to working at the high school, I was a youth minister at parishes in Montana, Colorado and Nebraska, along with teaching at other Catholic schools in Nebraska and Chicago. I have worked with other religious communities throughout my career, but I feel the Viatorians are the most inclusive of lay partners in their community. I felt called to become a part of the Viatorian community as an associate because I am committed to Catholic education for young people and I want to help them see the importance of God in their lives.

Q . What has been your career progression at Saint Viator?

A. I started working during the 2014-2015 school year as a theology teacher, teaching freshmen and sophomore classes. I continued teaching those before adding senior ethics. It was then that I began working with Rita King on adult faith formation for faculty and staff. I was the cocoordinator with Rita for a year before she retired. In the middle of that year, Br. John Eustice became the Vice President of Identity and Mission, and I continued working with him on adult faith formation. When Br. John announced he was leaving, and Fr. Dan Lydon was appointed as the next president, I was appointed to my current position as the Assistant to the President for Mission and Director of Campus Ministry.

Q . What does this new role entail?

A. My role includes coordinating our Adult Faith formation including Viatorian formation for new faculty and staff, parents, collaborating with our Diversity & Solidarity team, taking a lead role in the Service & Song summer camp, and any other things Fr. Dan asks me to help with here at Saint Viator. I am also teaching one section of senior ethics.

Q . What’s the best part of this new role?

A. The best part is working with our whole high school community, from the students to the teachers to the a dministration. As Director of Campus Ministry, I get to work with our campus ministers on our all-school liturgies, retreats and service outings with our students. I also have the opportunity to work with the administrative team to help continue advancing our strong Catholic identity and Viatorian mission in all that we do.

Q . How have you enjoyed partnering with the Viatorians?

A. As an associate, I enjoy being in community with other lay people, brothers and priests who truly care about the faith journey and religious education of young people in our church today. The support and encouragement from the Viatorians makes me see my new role as worthwhile and rewarding. I am able to share the Viatorian charism with my students in the classroom, student leaders on retreat, with faculty and staff when we meet during personal development time, administration members through our collaboration, and all who are a part of the Saint Viator family. To explain the Viatorian charism, I like to use this quote from Fr. Querbes about disinterested zeal: “Love that is more intense, more alive, more ardent; it is yours. Zeal is nothing less than divine love set in motion… [ It is tenderness, compassion, humility.”