Provincial Perspective

Greetings from the Province Center, Here in the Midwest we are seeing the beginnings of fall as the leaves begin to change, and the morning air is brisk. It is a great reminder of the cycle of seasons as well as a time of reflection.

As you will read in this newsletter, this year has been full of historical moments in the life of our community as we look to the past and to the events of today which will be a part of our history. We continue to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Bourbonnais. There was a large gathering of parishioners and Viatorians on August 20th with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Ronald Hicks, the Bishop of Joliet. The leadership of the three religious communities who have served the people of Maternity - the Clerics of St. Viator, the Congregation of Notre Dame and the Sisters of the Holy Heart of Mary - were present to remember and to celebrate with the Maternity BVM community. Not too far away, at St. George, the community there celebrated its 150 years as a parish. Our community celebrated this milestone during our assembly in July. The hospitality and openness of the parishioners made everyone feel welcome and at home.

More recently, Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee celebrated its 100th year. It has its roots deep within the Viatorian Community as it began as St. Patrick High School and has had many Viatorians serve there as teachers and administrators.

Our roots in the Bourbonnais/ Kankakee area run deep and continue to have great impact on the lives of the people in our various communities there.

Another more recent milestone takes place in the western portion of the province. Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School marks the first year with all four grade levels present on campus. This institution holds great promise of having an extremely positive impact on the students, their families and the North Las Vegas community. As we celebrate the past and look to the future, we can be proud of and the mission which we work to advance. Men and women in our history have laid a great foundation for us to extend. With the help of God, we will be able to continue to spread the Good News and to raise up communities where faith is lived, deepened and celebrated.

Rev. Daniel R. Hall, CSV Provincial Clerics of St. Viator, Chicago Province

In this Issue:

2 Provincial Perspective 3 A Pilgrimage Across the Sea 4 From Universal to Particular

5 Q & A with Associate Ann Perez 6 So Many Lives Changed, So Many

Reasons to Celebrate!

7 Cristo Rey St. Viator: A School that Works 8 Viatorians Community Responds to Migrants Arriving on Buses 9 Colegio San Viator Goes All Out to Celebrate Its Patron 10 St. George Parish Celebrates 150 Years of Family and Faith 11 A Milestone Anniversary for Maternity BVM Parish 12 From the Archives: Viatorians Respond to the Deaf

14 Bishop McNamara Catholic School Celebrates 100 Years

13 In Memoriam: Fr. John Eck, CSV 16 Around the Province

Provincial:

Fr. Daniel Hall, CSV

Editor:

Fr. Thomas Long, CSV

Director of Communications:

Eileen O’Grady Daday

Editorial Board:

Eileen O’Grady Daday

Br. John Eustice, CSV

Br. Michael Gosch, CSV

Mr. Daniel Masterton

Mrs. Rebecca Skirvin

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