QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE CLERICS OF SAINT VIATOR Volume 3, Number 1
November 1997
T E A C H E R S
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F A I T H
Fr. "Vector's" Mission
Prayers and Perseverance
St. George Parish 125th Anniversary ~~-- Combating Science Brothers of the Clerics of Illiteracy __ St. Viator from St. Viator
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St. George Church
A small wood frame church built near Bourbonnais, Illinois in 1848 was dedicated to St. George by the French Canadians who arrived in this area of floods and strong storms. Served by the priests of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in nearby Bourbonnais, the parishioners built the first stone structure in
1869. In what was to be the first in a series of churches, this church was destroyed by a tornado just three months later. In 1872 the second stone church was completed, and the permanent mission of the parish began. A school for boys ages 10 through 24 began in the church basement in 1876, run by the
College in Bourbonnais, which heralded the beginning of Viatorian presence in the parish. Rev. Francis V. Chouinard, C.S.V. served as the first Viatorian pastor of St. George Parish from 1898 to 1903. Unfortunately, a
Once again, through prayers and perseverance, the people of St. George rebuilt and repaired the church. tornado in the early 1900's sheared off the Continued
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By: Phil Skeris F r. John Milton, C.S.V. is a physics teacher with an unusual mission. In a recent visit, he noted a special goal is to corrtbat science illiteracy. Fr. Milton is an engineer as well as priest and physicist, and he brings these talents and gifts to his teaching. He has taught physical science in high schools, colleges and universities for almost 37 years. He taught math at Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield, IL and at Spalding Institute in Peoria, IL, followed by math and religion assignments at Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee. Fr. Milton served 22 years on the faculty of St. Viator High Continued
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