QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE CLERICS OF SAINT VIATOR Volume 3, Number 2
April 1998
T E A C H E R S
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F A I T H
Maternity BVM Sesquicentennial
Mother Church of The U.S. Viatorians Celebrates 150 Years Founding Viatorian Missionaries at Bourbonnais, Illinois Sept. 6, 1865 Father Pierre Beaudoin, C.S.V. Brother Augustin Martel,
c.s.v. Brother Jean Baptiste Bernard, C.S.V. Bishop Joseph Jmesch
Mayor Grover Brooks, his wife and Fr. Larry Lentz after mass
M aternity BVM in Bourbonnais, Illinois, the oldest parish in Kankakee County, is about 70 miles southwest of Chicago. Its history dates from the early 1800's, when Canadian and French settlers and trappers established themselves on
the banks of the Kankakee River. These pioneers in faith shared a strong Catholic faith. Thus Maternity BVM was established on April 20, 1847. The present church was begun in 1856, and completed by the parishioners in 1858. Viatorian priests have been serving the parish since 1865, 132 of the 150 years of the parish, and it represents the first Viatorian ministry in the United States. Fr. Beaudoin was pastor of Maternity BVM for the next 34 years. Brothers Martel and Bernard accompanied Fr. Beaudoin to the parish and were soon asked to take on the
village's public elementary school. In the next few years, the school was purchased by the Viatorians "for services rendered;" a high school was added, and classical studies were begun that became the nucleus of St. Viator College, founded in 1868. In fact, the reputation of the college was such that St. Viator College served as the seminary for the Diocese of Chicago until George Cardinal Mundelein opened St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in 1923. The Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame (CND), arrived in Bourbonnais as their first mission in 1860 to teach
the girls, followed by the Viatorian Brothers to teach the boys in 1865. The heritage of the Sisters of Notre Dame continues to this day, with the service of Sr. Elizabeth King, CND as principal of Maternity school. Additional Canadian Viatorians arrived at Bourbonnais, local vocations emerged, and parishes and schools were assigned to Viatorians in Kankakee, St. George, Beaverville and Aurora. In Chicago, Holy Name Cathedral School for Boys was staffed by Viatorians, and St. Viator parish was founded in 1890. With all this growth and service, the Viatorians in the USA were named a Province in 1882. Parish-wide planning for the sesquicentennial was directed by eight volunteer parish families, who chose to celebrate for the full year in anticipation of the 1997150th anniversary. Each month was Continued on page 3
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From The Provincial's Perspective _____ Dear Partner in Faith,
Viator Reverend Robert M. Egan, C.S. V. Provincial Publisher Philip J. Skeris Director of Development Managing Editor VIATOR is published quarterly by the Clerics of St. Viator, the Viatorians, for friends, families, parishioners and alumni of Viatorian apostolates. The Clerics of St. Viator are religious priests and brothers sent by the Catholic Church to teach the Faith and proclaim Jesus Christ as Gospel. In parishes, schools, and a variety of other ministries Viatorians work with Christian communities to live; deepen and celebrate their faith. Our legal title is: Clerics of St. Viator.
Since my last letter, I have been on the road, in the air and over the water. In October I was in Bogota for the Diaconate Ordination of Brother Carlos Luis Claro and to accept the Final Vows of Brother Fernando Nunez (see pictures below). In November, I attended the Extraordinary General Council Meeting in Rome- this meeting is attended by the Provincials of our Provinces in France, Spain, Canada and United States. I no sooner got off the plane from Rome and was on my way to St. Croix - no, not for a vacation- but looking at possible sites for a new mission for our Province. To say the least, it was a very busy fall and winter and to say the most, it is nice to be back home and not living out of a suitcase! Since I wrote to you last, Father Larry White, C.S.V., has died. Father White had served as a teacher in a number of Viatorian high schools; for the past 15 years he had lived in Tucson, Arizona and served as a hospital chaplain. Please keep Father White in your prayers. I hope your winter season has not been too harsh. The Viatorians pray that your Easter Season is filled with many blessings. Sincerely,
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Robert M. Egan, C.S.V. Provincial
Fr. Egan with Br. Carlos Luis Claro at his Oiaconate ordination
Bishop Sema ordains Carlos Luis Claro
Fr. Egan accepts the Final Vows of Br. Fernando Nun ez
Rest in Peace Kindly remember in your prayers the following Viatorian who has recently died: Rev erend Law rence R. White, C.S.V. Born to Eternal Life: January 23, 1998
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Mother Church of The U.S. Viatorians Celebrates 150 Years (continued) highlighted by a major celebration, beginning with a special Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Joliet Bishop Joseph Imesch in October, 1996. Some of the other monthly events included a festive brunch, concerts, a Tea Dance, an interfaith symposium, and a Mayor 's Prayer Breakfast. Several events were held in collaboration with facilities at Olivet Nazarene University, the immediate neighbor of the parish. Preparations for the anniversary by the parish included extensive redecoration, repairs and improvements to the church, while carefully observing and maintaining the historical integrity of the building. This project will better serve the weekly attendance of about 2,000 worshippers. The parish, now 1,336 families strong, is reflecting the Bourbonnais area's rapid expansion, and the parish is growing at the rate of about four or five ne'ÂŤ families each week. In reviewing the anniversary year, Fr. Lentz noted that the title
"Pioneers of Faith" aptly describes not only the Church, but more so the people of God who for these past 150 years have gathered and celebrated in God's name through all types of circumstances. Congratulations, Maternity BVM Parish, on your sesquicentennial anniversary year. Thank you for the witness that you are and have been to this local community. •
Viatorians (L-R) Jim Crilly, Bill Carpenter, Chris Glancy, Larry Lentz, Ma rk Francis, Bob Caret), John Peeters and Ray Field join parishioners on Nostalgia Day
Maternity BVM Milestones: 1841 Initial Viatorian Missionaries arrive 1847 Parish Founded 1858 Present Stone Church completed 1860 First Mission of the Congregation of Notre Dame Sisters arrive
Entrance Procession at the Thanksgiving Mass (L-R) Fr. Eugene Su ll ivan*, Fr. Glancy, Fr. Ega n, Fr. Lentz, Fr. Rinn and Fr. Tremo nti. *Fr. Sullivn11 Died October 10, 1997
1865 First Church of the Clerics of St. Viator in the United States 1919 Cemetery grotto dedicated 1949 Parish transferred from Archdiocese of Chicago to new Diocese of Joliet 1994 Landmark Bell Tower replaced 1996/ Sesquicentennial 1997 celebrated The pastor, Fr. Larry Lentz heraldi11g the year's open ing
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From The Mission House T hroughout the course of the year, we receive many requests for mass cards and prayer cards for special occasions. This is frequently true when your parish mass book may be filled for the year. Many of you may be familiar with these cards through your participation in our Nazareth League of
Prayers in support of the Viatorian Formation and Seminary Aid Association. We recently updated these cards with color pictures and images from scenes here at our Province Center in Arlington Heights. These pictures include scenes from our chapel and grounds, including the St. Viator window we
sent to you last October for St. Viator Day. As you might imagine, and although we are just a bit partial, we think these cards are very nice. Our selection of cards includes the following occasions: Birthday, Special Occasion, Speedy Recovery, Sympathy and A Prayer for You. Of course, the Mission
Office continues to offer the individual mass card and the perpetual mass card for both the living and the deceased. If you would like any of these cards, just call the Mission Office for details at 847/ 255-9292. •
Main altar at the Prov ince Center
LUX chapel window
St. Viator w indow
In Sympathy Card
The Birthday Card
A Prayer for You Card
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Points to Ponder.... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Would an adincome for life be of interest to you? While at the same time h elping to advance the good works and mission of the Viatorians? And with potential for significant tax savings
for you and your family? One of our recent benefactors did exactly that! By presenting a gift to the Clerics of St. Viator (our legal name) of a large farm with a current value of $312,000, he was able to gain an additional income for life, based on his age, some of which is considered tax-free. He
also received substantial tax savings on the appreciation of his longheld property, and also a significant charitable tax deduction. Although this was an extraodinary gift, real estate or other gifts of all sizes are gifts that benefit both the donor and the Viatorians. For more information on
how you can benefit your personal situation, and the Clerics of St. Viator, with a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust, please call or write: 847 I 398-6805 Philip J. Skeris, CAHP, CFRE Office of Development Clerics of St. Viator 1212 East Euclid Avenue Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Parishes: St. Alexius, Beardstown St. Boniface, Edwardsville Holy Family, Granite City St. Jude, Rochester St. Joseph, Springfield St. Patrick, Springfield Elementary: St. Boniface, Edwardsville Holy Family, Granite City St. Joseph, Springfield St. Patrick, Springfield
Did You Know? The Springfield Region of the Chicago Province of the Viatorians includes ministries ranging from elementary and secondary as well as religious education and parish pastoral work.
Secondary: Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, Springfield
RECEIVE A LIFETIME INCOME FROM A CHARITABLE GIFT OF REAL ESTATE. GIFT PARTNERSHIPS THAT BENEFIT US BOTH. If you own real estate and would like to explore options for generating a new income from it, call or write Phil Skeris at 847I 398-6805.
Send To: Name
Development Office Clerics of St. Viator 1212 East Euclid St. Arlington Heights, IL 60004 847-398-6805
Address
Telephone ________________________________________________
Please include your current label.
If you would like any information on the Clerics of Saint Viator or if you have any special comments, please write them here or on a separate sheet. Thank you.
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