QUARTERLY NEWSL .ETTER OF THE CLER IC S OF SAI NT VIATOR Volumel, Number 1
s pr i ng 1995
F A I T H
New CSV Presence: Springfield's Southeast Side _ _ _ _ __ I
\
Itwas the vision of Father Louis Ouerbes, founder of the Clerics of St. Viator, to offer the gilt of a good education, built upon a foundation of Christian values, to those children most in need of it. His vision found new expression in the Summer of 1994, when the Chicago Province, at the invitation of Bishop Daniel Ryan of Springfield, illinois, accepted the administration of St. Patrick's Parish on th~ southeast side of Springfield Father john Eck, then ministering in Springfield as an assistant pastor at St. joseph's parish, and chaplain of St. John's Hospital, and already known in that city for his commitment to social justice, was appointed the first Viatorian pastor. In addition to parish and chaplaincy work, john comes to this appointment with a background in high school teaching and counseling, experience at several levels of our formation program, and nearly ten years of teaching and counseling at the Prologue School, an alternative school, founded by Franciscan Sisters, serving Chicago's racially, cultural ly and economically diverse uptown neighborhood. In Springfield, john is active with the Social Concerns Committee of the Springfield Diocese, and its task force on racism.
Saint Patrick's Church originally served a large segmental Springfield's Irish and German population, but the past fifty years has seen the southeast section of the city become, for the most part, a racially segregated and economically deprived black neighborhood. Today, only two hundred and thirty families are registered, nearly all of whom are white.
Letter from the ProvindaJ _ __
The grade school, staffed by the Springfield Dominican Sisters (whose services are freely contributed), is attended by eighty-two children, about 70% of them black, and few of them Catholic. Some of the children
March 1995
have left the public school system because of discipline problems, or because they needed more individual attention than was available there; others have opted for the valuesoriented education offered by St. Patrick's. Working together with his newly-formed parish council, john has articulated a mission statement which describes the primary goal of the parish as one of EVANGELIZATION The parish family seeks to reach out to those hurt members who have left the church, offering them love and reconciliation; it reaches out to the unchurched of the community, offering the
continued on page 3
Dear Friends of the Viatorians, Greetings and welcome to this second issue of VIATOR. It is a pleasure and a privilege to share some of our Viatorian story with you I hope that you find this quarterly newsletter a useful way to stay in touch with our Community. As I said in the first issue of VIATOR, we strive to remain true to a common mission and vision to proclaim the Gospel by faith and actions. This issue continues to tell that story, featuring new efforts at evangelization in the Springfield region. You will also see a special feature on Father Phil Clifford, a Senior Viatorian who spent many years of ministry in Las Vegas, Kankakee, Springfield and the Chicago area. I hope you enjoy this story of a truly dedicated Viatorian. Our initial efforts at reaching the thousands of you who have been touched by the Viatorians have been very well received. Many of you responded and asked for further information on the Community and on individual Viatorians. We would like to hear your comments and suggestions, so please feel free to write. Finally, please know that you remain in the prayers of all the Viatorians. As I have often said, you are and always will be our partners in faith Through this newsletter, we hope to keep you involved in that partnership. Thank you for the support and encouragement that you give to our Viatorian community. Sincerely,
~ ;11. t,&lN! , csv Robert M. Egan, CSV Provincial
Keeping in Touch _ _ _ __ Father Phil Clifford,
Phil was appointed Provincial Treasurer of the Viatorians in
entered the Viatorian Community from his home in Park Ridge, Illinois in 1936. After finishing his novitiate in Lemont, Illinois, Phil took first vows in 1937. Phil attended St. Viator College, and often reminds us he is the youngest living Viatorian to have this distinction. Upon completion of his theological studies, at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, he was ordained a priest on june 2, 1945, in Chicago. Phil then began his long and fruitful ministry that took ~.· '"'''·:· . him all over the United States . '' He Phil's first assignment was as Assistant
1968. He served the community in this capacity until 1974. As Treasurer, Father Clifford was responsible for the financial concerns of the Province. After serving as Treasu rer, Phil was then appointed Assistant to the Provincial, Father Ken Morris. He served in this post from 1974 to 1980, and from 1980-1985 Phil was the Director of the Retirement Wing.
'Wheft,:twQtkqi, I-workecli*sWh.m I loaf~d, I <loafed ti:
'
and when I got sick, I got sick"
Pastor at St. Patrick Church in Kankakee, Illinois. He began his teaching career at Cathedral Boys' High School in Springfield, Illinois in the fall of 1945. His next assignment brought about a third "career change" when he became Chaplain at Manteno State Hospital in 1950. Phil returned to the classroom at Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, then Spalding Institute in Peoria, Illinois and finally Bishop Gorman High · School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Phil also served as Treasurer of Bishop Gorman High School where he was recently honored at the Knight of the Gael 40th
anniversary dinner for his many years of service to the Gorman community. Although Phil has had some difficult illnesses he reports that he always enjoyed his ministry in the many parishes, schools and hospitals where he served.
He sums up his life by saying "When I worked, I worked, when I loafed, I loafed and when I got sick, I got sick." Phil keeps
busy these days keeping in touch with his many friends, either by correspondence or "Ma Bell." He enjoys hearing from his many former students
and parishioners. Phil can be reached at 1212 East Euclid, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004.
Brother Dale Barth, who was stationed at St. Viator High School from 1967-1990 (Brother Barth wore many hats Religion Teacher, Bookstore Manager, Yearbook Moderator, Assistant Dean, Building Manager and Bingo Coordinator) is currently working in the Treasurer's office at the Province Center in Arlington Heights, Illinois Recently, he was named Administrator of all Province properties. The "Bear" continues to stay in touch with many Viator alumni and their families. Dale can be reached at 121 2 East Euclid Street,
Father Phil Clifford Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004.
He started a career in school administration as assistant principal of Alleman High School in Rock Island, Illinois;
Father Pat Hayes,
after one year in that post, he became principal of Spalding Institute in Peoria. From 1972 to 1979 he was principal of St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Don can be reached at the Archdiocese of
a long time Chaplain, at Shapiro Development Center in Kankakee, Illinois and Associate Pastor at St. Viator Parish in Chicago, as well as St. Viator Parish in Las Vegas, is currently retired and living at the Viatorian Retirement Residence in Las Vegas, Nevada When not helping out at Guardian Angel Cathedral in Las Vegas, Pat can be found recording numerous events with his trusty video camera. Father Hayes' address is 4219 Pinecrest Circle East, Las Vegas, Nevada 891 21 .
Brother Don Houde is currently the Director of Administrative Affairs for the Office of Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Chicago where he has been since 1979. Administration is nothing new to Don. He began his ministry in the classroom; he taught English at Spalding Institute in Peoria, Illinois, Ampleforth College in England, and Griffin High School in Springfield, Illinois.
Chicago, Office of Catholic Education, 155 , E. Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 6061 1 .
Father Michael Ranahan former Provincial Treasurer, Associate Pastor at Maternity B. VM. Church in Bourbonna is, Illinois, Pastor of St. Viator Church in Chicago and Chaplain at St. Francis Convent in Springfield, currently resides at the Viatorian Province Center. Mike is recovering from recent open heart surgery. Father Ranahan can be reached at 1 21 2 East Euclid Street, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004 If there is a Viatorian you would like to hear from please call us or drop us a note and let us know. •
New CSV Presence (Cont) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ support of a concerned family; it reaches out to every child in the community, offering them the hope of a good primary education in a Christian context
community, St Patrick's parish seeks to establish and strengthen ecumenical bonds between and among them. Once o month, for example, a minister from one of the local churches hosts a service at the school for the children and staff The future St Patrick's
- an education emphasizing the value of each person. Realizing the effective presence of other Christian churches in the
short, strive to live out its mission statement The parish has the support of the Springfield Diocese in its work, having received from it for the 1994-95 school year, and for the first time, a donation of $100,000,
which has enabled the parish to keep the school operating within its budget Needless to say, John has the support of his Viatorian colleagues in this new and important work. •
of
parish, says John Eck, lies in its ability to become and remain a vital part of an integrated community. It must lead its people to a stronger faith, and a vision of Christian life with service at its center. It must, in
Vocation News - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Vialorian Vocation Office vocational choices. This is one has been busy in the promotion way that young people are of greater vocation awareness challenged to consider how they for the People of God at the will live their call to follow parishes and schools where we Christ Father Glancy, the serve. Sacred Heart-Griffin High Viatorian Vocation Director, has School in - - - - - - - - - - -... participated in Springfield, Illinois similar programs held a Vocation at St. Viator Day in November High School ir A panel of adults Arlington committed to living Heights, Illinois their faith met with and Bishop each of the senior Gorman High classes . Members School in Las of the panel Vegas, Nevad,J . included: a Working with Springfield Vocation Dominican Sisler, Directors from a married couple, a diocesan other communities and diocese he is also promoting vocation priest, a single lay person and through retreats for high school Father Chris Glancy, CSV Bishop Daniel Ryan was also and college youth, discernmert present for the first class period. programs for young adults ano a Students had the opportunity to Scripture reflection series for ask panel members about their Spanish-speaking young people
...young people are challenged to consider how they will live their call to follow Christ.
in the Chicago area. Father jim Crilly, Brother Greg Jones and Brother jim Lewnard collaborate with Father Glancy on a Vocation Advisory Committee for the Viatoriam; Together, they are working to invite and encourage men to join the Viatorians in
serving the People of God. Maybe you know someone who would make a good Vialorian Brother or priest If you do, encourage that person and let us know •
f.---
i !
Address Change - - - --- ------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - --Name
Address
!,',,
· ! Telephone
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------send To: Clerics of St. Viator Development Office 121 2 Euclid St. Arlington Heights, IL 60004
i,,
If you would like any information on the Clerics of Saint Viator or if you hove any special I comments , please write them here or on a separate sheet. Thank you. !
t ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ :·-----------------------------------------------------.::;------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------'
OIVd a60jS0d
Sn
ajo~ ~1n9
V0009 11 'sJy6!8H UOJ6U!jJV "lS P!l::ln:J ·3 Z: lZ: l
JOJe!J\ ·•s JO so1Ja1o