Viator House of Hospitality: A Deepening Ministry for Viatorians

Associate Susana Tellez holds a special place with participants of Viator House of Hospitality. Officially, she is a house assistant. Unofficially, she wears many hats, including serving as surrogate mother to the young men who find refuge there, far from their native countries. “I really feel like they are my children,” says Ms. Tellez. “Some of them call me mother and I am godmother to three of them. I was with them when they were baptized and made their first communion, and I helped them prepare.” Ms. Tellez has been at Viator House since before it opened four years ago. She was among the first group of volunteers who stepped up to help wash down walls and prepare its kitchen before the first men moved in. Her commitment is personal. A native Spanish speaker, Ms. Tellez is a faithful parishioner at St. Viator Parish in Chicago, where she is active with its Latino community and for the last 10 years has worked on the parish staff. Most recently, Ms. Tellez assists Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, and Br. Michael Gosch, CSV, in their immigration work based at the parish, including fielding calls from authorities about young men turning 18 and aging out of juvenile detention. Assisting the young men seeking asylum who come to Viator House – run by Fr. Brost as executive director and Br. Gosch as director of programs and housing – was the natural next step. Ms. Tellez now works one day a week at the house, doing a myriad of jobs. She helps drive participants to school or their jobs, shops for food, organizes cooking nights with the men, straightens closets of donated goods and even makes repairs. “I’m the handywoman,” she says with a laugh. Br. Gosch describes her as indispensable and one of many committed individuals who make Viator House of Hospitality a home. Among them are a growing number of Viatorians themselves. They include: Associates Jackie Dupon, Betty Faraci, Chris Gucwa and Linda Nishi, who volunteer on Saturday nights; Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, who serves on the board; Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV, who serves as case manager; Associate Brian Hansen served as an overnight volunteer; Br. Peter Lamick, CSV, who mentored some of the men; Fr. Thomas Long, CSV, who tutors and applies for grants; Pre-Novice Ryan McMahon who tutors, Associate Joan

Associate Susana Tellez, left, attends a staff meeting at Viator House.

Viator House staff and members of the Viatorian Community celebrate the high school graduation of one of the participants.

Br. Michael Gosch, CSV, right, enjoys a feast with some of the participants

Pre-Associate Jason Wilhite, center, volunteered with participants

Associate Joan Sweeney: We’ve Both Grown

Gerardo came to VHH at the end of January 2018, and I met him the following month. At that time he was unsure of himself and his future – just a kid. He knew very little English and I knew very little Spanish. Journeying with him these last three years, I’ve seen him develop into a confident and talkative young man. He is kind, respectful and has a good sense of humor. Together we have had fun adventures at parks, art galleries, movies, libraries and gardens. We’ve played frisbee, card games, read books and made puzzles. He even helped decorate my Christmas tree. We’ve shared numerous meals of pizza, chicken, burgers, fries, tacos, salad, shakes, custard cones and Thanksgiving turkey. Quite the American experience! We’ve worked together in different settings, too. Gerardo was my summer intern in the Viatorian Community Archives. He was quick on the computer and always followed directions. Last summer, we cataloged and photographed a donated collection of over 200 bobbleheads for VHH. He understands the big picture and can focus on the details. The last two summers, Gerardo volunteered with me in the Viatorian Giving Garden. We prepared the soil, planted flower seeds, weeded, watered, picked the flowers and made bouquets for Associate Joan Sweeney worked in the Viatorian the township pantry. At the end of each season, he helped clean up the garden and prepared it for Community Garden with one of the participants. winter. He never complained – he enjoyed being outdoors in nature. He has mentioned that at times school and homework are hard, but he sticks with it. He is intelligent and a quick learner. Gerardo graduated high school this past summer and is now attending community college. It impresses me how far he has come in a language he is still learning. He has not told me about a specific career interest, but has indicated that he would like to help others in some way. That, I believe, is the influence of Viator House. He will give back. I witnessed his Confirmation and have attended a few Masses with him. I pray his faith in God stays strong during this time of waiting. Viator House has definitely given him hope and many friendships. It also gives me hope. 5 Sweeney mentors one of the men and applies for grants, and Pre-Associate Jason Wilhite was a college intern and continues to mentor one of the men.

In addition, Fr. Moses Mesh, CSV, and Fr. Patrick Render, CSV, helped welcome the first two men to St. Viator Parish before the home opened. Other Viatorians – both associates and professed – provide vital financial contributions.

While the home has drawn national attention and served as a model for other communities, the Viatorians who run it count the number of young men they have welcomed over those years as their biggest success. Viator House of Hospitality is now in its fourth year and its mission remains as strong as ever. Since opening in January 2017, Viator House has welcomed 71 men from 19 nations, with 49 of them having moved on to live independently or have been reunited with family. The majority have attended school and/or worked, many doing both. While living at VHH,10 have graduated from high school with five more graduating this year and four are in college. “Viator House has three main objectives,” says Br. Gosch, “to provide hospitality to asylum seekers, reunite them with their families and educate the public about immigrant children being detained.”