QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE CLERICS OF SAINT VIATOR Volume 3, Number 4
February 1999
T E A C H E R S
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Join The Mission!
Spain in August
Viatorian Association Conference _____ where it already exists. Attendees could socialize, pray with and compare experiences as Associates throughout the world.
Members of Viatorian Associates from Peru, Canada, Taiwan, France, The Ivory Coast, Chile, Japan, the United States and Spain assembled for a conference photo.
The international aspects of the Viatorian Community were experienced on a firsthand basis by two parishioners of Maternity BVM parish in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Reisha Raymond and John Ohlendorf were invited to attend an eight-day meeting with 14 Viatorians and 15 lay Associates from around the world in Vallodolid, Spain last summer. The
F A I T H
Chicago Province was also represented by Viatorians Mark Francis, Corey Brost and John Peeters. The purpose of the meeting was to learn about, to plan for and to experience Lay Association with the Viatorians. All Provinces were encouraged to begin this lay collaboration, and to strengthen the program
An Associate is a lay person who affiliates with a religious congregation, in varying levels of formality, and seeks to apply the Community's charism to his/her life in the world. Associates are part of the Viatorian family, and share the Viatorian mission. They are doing much the same work as members of the
Br. Corey Brost, C.S. V Continued on page 3
Raising The Next Generation Of Viatorian Brothers & Priests ...For The Sake of Our Young People _ __ By: Br. Corey Brost, C.S. V. Director of Vocation Ministry The 14-year-old Bishop Gorman High School freshman was stuck"feeling like I'm not going the right way, but not knowing how to go the right way." He was leaning toward alcohol, violence, bad sexual decisions. But his life changed. And, four years later, he entered his senior year and looked forward to leading friends to retreats, into service experiences and away from the risky Continued on page 3
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From The Provincial's Perspective _____ Dear Partner in Faith,
Viator
Greetings and good wishes to you; I hope this issue of our Quarterly Newsletter finds you well and warm in this winter season! As I write, I have just returned from a trip from a visit to our new Foundation Mission in Belize. Father Dan Hall and Father Chris Glancy have sent a report on their ministry in Belize that you will read in this issue of our Newsletter. They are both very busy but enjoying their new work in sunny Belize.
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.
On the second weekend in January, Brother Corey Brost hosted four young men for a visit to our Province Center here in Arlington Heights; they had expressed an interest in joining our Community and came to share a weekend of prayer, reflection and getting to know the Viatorians. It was good having these men with us and all of us appreciated their positive comments about the weekend. Brother Brost is our Director of Vocation Ministry for the Viatorians and you can read a brief vocation reflection of his in this issue of VIATOR. As always, we appreciate the many letters and calls we receive from our Partners in Faith. Many of you called asking if any Viatorians were injured with the storms in the Caribbean or the earth qu ake in Colombia. Hurricane Mitch did little damage to our Foundation in Belize, however, the Viatorians in Honduras (these priests and brothers are from Spain) were part of a village that su ffered severe and extensive damage. In Colombia, the earthquake was west of our Foundation in Libano and all of the Viatorians in Colombia are safe. Please continue to remember all of the victims of these natural disasters in your prayers. I hope you enjoy this issue of our Newsletter. The Viatorians appreciate your continued support and loyalty to our Community and assure you that you and your families remain part of our prayers. God's blessings to each of you. Sincerely,
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Robert M. Egan, C.S.V. Provincial
1998 Jubilarians _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Our legal title is: Clerics of St. Viator.
(L toR): Viatorians Pedro Herrera, John Puisis, Michael O'Brien, Frank Czerwionka, Charles Bolser, Raymund Field, Dan Nolan, Arnold Perham
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Spain In August (continued) Congregation. By studying the mission and charism of the Congregation, they seek to live these things out, along with mutual support in prayer and in involvement in ministry as they serve others. They also seek to deepen their spiritual lives. Viatorian Associates are currently in place in Peru, Canada, Taiwan, the Ivory Coast, Chile, France, United States, Japan and Spain. Reisha noted that a conference high point for her was the opportunity to know that Association is a good thing, and can
be done in the United States. She also enjoyed gathering with Associates from other cultures, yet connected to the Viatorian charism. She "considered it an honor" to be chosen to attend. Reisha commented she has hope that Association will happen soon in the Chicago Province. John indicated that his interest in Association was sparked a year ago when invited, along with four lay women, to explore possibilities for Association in the Kankakee area. In Spain, he enjoyed the variety of
(L toR): Brother Corey Brost C.S.V, Father John Peeters C.S.V, Reisha Raymond, John Ohlendorf and Father Mark Francis, C.S.V
conference meetings, from full group to small break-out sessions, always ending with recommendations for growth. John found the conference as "a special time of grace," and "very
inspiring. Through the Holy Spirit, it is a time to revitalize the Viatorian practice of Association adapted to the culture of each country, and with unity throughout the world." •
Join us as we take a stand for young people, train young people as Catholic leaders and invite young men to join this mission as brothers or priests. Here's how you can help. Reach out and encourage young adult men concerned for youth to consider Viatorian religious life.
Many young people feel stereotyped - but never really listened to. Schedule some time this week with a teen. Ask him or her what teen life is like. What are the struggles? Where are teens making a difference for others? Then share what teen life was like for you. Just listen, learn and share. Those three things can make a big difference to a young person's day. •
Join The Mission! (continued) behavior that traps so many teens. He wasn't perfect. But he had found people who cared, people who showed him "how to go the right way." He had found Viatorian brothers, priests and lay partners. Young people suffer today. Many are hungry -for food, or for adults who care, or for a God who comforts and empowers.
Fr. Querbes responded to that hunger 167 years ago and founded our mission- a mission that has since unleashed Gospel power for thousands of young people worldwide. And as we near 21st Century America, it's clear that young people need this mission just as badly. They face more risks. There are fewer adults that help them avoid those risks.
There are a lot of 14-yearold freshmen who need you. A simple suggestion:
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Three months of activity
Fr. Dan Hall C.S. V and visiting Brother Michael Gosch, C.S. V on the grounds of St. Fancis Xavier parish in Corozal Town
Fr. Chris Glancy, C.S. V and mission children at Xaibe village chapel
Hugo Poncio, President of the Paraiso mission Youth Group, joins Dan and Michael for dinner.
Since the fall send-off to Belize of Viatorians Chris Glancy and Dan Hall, much has been accomplished in serving the people in the Corozal District of northern Belize, Central America. A recent report notes that Father Dan Hall has been officially installed as pastor, and Father Chris Glancy as associate pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Corozal Town, and they are
location. A typical weekend finds each of the Viatorians celebrating about 5 or 6 Masses on Saturday and Sunday. Baptisms are provided twice a month, with an average of 10-15 children at each. Weddings are three per Saturday. The custom in Belize is to have the funeral the day after death. Because most of the people in the District are related,
deeply immersed in their ministry to God's people in Belize. For example, the Corozal District has only one parish - St. Francis Xavier, for an area the size of a large county in the United States. Within the District there are 22 schools and several mission chapels, which have Mass and Reconciliation celebrated once per month at each
funerals tend to be quite large. Dan and Chris report that they regularly log significant miles on their two pick-up trucks, which fortunately are 4wheel drive and diesel powered. They are a great blessing, especially in the wake of Hurricane Mitch and the rainy season. Most of the roads they travel on are dirt, and they could not Continued on page 5
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Partners in Faith Provide
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general, charitable gifts of real estate can be very suitable for both parties. Your current home, vacation home, or perhaps an apartment building bought as an investment property some years ago have risen sharply in value. Such gifts provide a
charitable deduction for the value of the gift, which usually can be taken as soon a~ the gift is made. Capital gains taxes from selling the property are avoided, as are gift and estate taxes that result from passing land or other property on to heirs. •
For more information on supporting the Viatorian Mission with gifts of Real Estate, 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
Report From Belize (continued) make their regular rounds without them. Dan was asked to serve on the Board of Governors for the local community college, which relates to our four years of high school and the first two years of college. The Chairman of the Board is appointed by the Prime Minister, and Dan was elected a Trustee and Vice Chairman of the Board at his first meeting. Although they meet on his only day off, he agreed to accept the responsibility. Since a majority of students are Catholic, Dan felt it important to join this board. It has been an
extraordinarily busy time in Belize! Recently, the Bishop visited to dedicate
one of the outlying schools, and later in the day to commission lay leaders. More than 200 people are actively involved in ministry throughout the District. From altar boys and communion ministers to catechists, appropriate training is a high priority. Without them, the church would be without essential ministry. During the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch, the Viatorians took ten pickup loads of food and clothing to the Red Cross. It was a truly amazing response from people who have so very little themselves. Both Dan and Chris said: "the work is difficult, the hours are long, and everyday can be a challenge, but we are
Fr. Chris at Patchacan village chapel
Brother Corey Brost, C.S. V,visits an out-lying village chapel
blessed to serve people who strive to live the Faith, as we teach and witness the Gospel
among God's people in Belize!". •
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