Patty Bailey assumes role as youth minister
Kankakee Country Club honors community's top volunteers. Allison Saathoff, Emily Saathoff, Patrick Bailey and Patty Bailey.
Three years ago, Br. Dan Belanger, CSV, became the youth minister at Maternity BVM in Bourbonnais, Ill. Br. Dan knew the laity had to assume a larger role in the youth ministry program because he would not be around in a few years; he was leaving to begin studies to become a priest. He searched for a strong successor who would have the energy, knowledge and charisma to work with the kids. Patty Bailey never realized that a simple lunch with Br. Dan would lead to a career move toward youth ministry. "I had been teaching religion at Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee,
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Fr. Charles G. Bolser, CSV, Provincial
Ill. and decided I didn't want to work full time. I planned on being a substitute teacher," said Patty, who at one time ran her own daycare center.
word of mouth, and it did. When activities weren't met with success, the programs were refined to meet the needs of the students.
Patty was invited to prepare to become a youth minister. She enrolled at Loyola University to become a certified youth minister.
The youth ministry offers four or five trips per year for the students that may include a Qyest Retreat, Confrontation Point, One Bread One Cup and Nazareth Farm in West Virginia. Some tentative trips include participation at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Texas and a mission trip to either South Dakota or Appalachia to build a home.
Her first year as a volunteer, Patty worked closely with the junior high students. By year two, she was committed to the program as a part-time staff member. The mother of five teenagers finally assumed the role of the full time youth minister on July 1, 2003. "The Maternity BVM youth ministry runs like a well-oiled machine," laughed Patty. "We have nine parents on the board, along with 12 students representing the kids. There is also a peer ministry of 40 students who plan the retreats, work with confirmation classes, and are involved in the liturgy and planning social events." Br. Dan believed that if the ideal situation could be created, the ministry would grow by
There is a core group of five parishes in the Joliet/ Kankakee area that work together to build unity and a greater sense of community. They are known as the RAT PAC, Radically Active Teens Positioned to Acclaim Christ. Collectively, the students raised more food for the food pantry than the pantry accumulated in a whole year. According to Patty, of the 330-plus active students involved in youth ministry, about five continued on back page
Once upon a time ... ...not too long ago, the Church was identified as the Pope, Bishops, Priests, and Religious. The laity was not included. The laity was seen as the sheep or those in need of salvation that came through the actions of the ordained. A famous Cardinal in Rome once said that the Church needs the laity, while the famous saying, the role ofthe laity is to pray, pay and obey was seen to have more than an ounce of truth to it. In more recent times, due to many factors, not the least of which is the declining numbers of priests and seminarians, the laity are assuming many of the various ministries formerly restricted to the clergy such as hospital visitations, sacramental preparation, leaders of prayer, parish administration, catechists for both youth and adults, Diocesan officials,
and others much too numerous to mention. In other times and places, the priests were perhaps the most educated and trusted persons within the parish. Today, the clergy are in some places not as well educated as many of the laity that they serve, and the trust factor has been eroded considerably due to decisions and actions of both priests and bishops. The clergy in the past, while well schooled in Latin and Greek, philosophy and theology, were placed in positions of authority which demanded skill and knowledge of finance, management, construction and maintenance, fund raising, and strong people skills. They were also placed in positions of authority where they did not depend or in many cases, even want processes of consultation or collaboration. They were in continued on page 2
Once upon a time ...
Father to save us, but that together, we are called to be a people of life and Light, feeding and nourishing not just one another, but those in the world without hope, without faith, and most importantly,
continuedfrom page 1
charge and therefore the first and last voice in any decision that was to be made. They were the boss. While their education moved in one direction, for the most part, their success was judged on their success as builder and manager. They could, therefore, get by with
without love. We together are called to be the incarnate presence of the Christ in the world today. St. Paul reminds us that each of us has different gifts and
less than adequate preaching, liturgical or spiritual leadership. The institutional model was that of the military with designated officers and enlisted troops, and it was the role of the officers to command and the role of the enlisted to obey without question.
talents, given to us not for our own aggrandizement, but for the good of the world. St. John reminds us that we as Church are called to actively participate in the ongoing creation. Life and death are constant and signs of God's presence in the world.
In more recent years, we have begun to develop a different self image of ourselves as Church. The Second Vatican Council called us to understand that the Church is larger than the Pope, Bishops and
Today, therefore, how do we discern the gifts of those called to priesthood? In order to engage in this process of discernment, we also need to discern those gifts which are given naturally to the laity and which are
Priests. This new understanding demanded that we
held in common by all. It seems to me that celibacy, for
begin to see that the Church is fully and completely inclusive of all of the Baptized and it is the whole Church that is called to mission - to proclaim the
instance, is not a gift restricted to the role of priesthood or laity by its very nature, but is instead a gift that is given to individuals for the sake of the Kingdom. In our tradition, the role of the priest is to preside at the community liturgical celebrations that are the center point of our reality as Church. It is obvious that many
Kingdom in Word and action. This reality calls us to understand that those of us who sit in the pews on a given Sunday are not simply the lost sheep waiting for
Contemplative prayer methods practiced Silence does the work of the Spirit when words
Today's Church is calling the laity as well as priests and religious to contemplative prayer and to personal holiness in order that the world may be transformed by their presence in it.
are stilled." Sister Jean explained that when you practice contemplative prayer, you leave the active intellect and go into the passive intellect. This inner silence activates the spiritual self and, according to Abbott Thomas Keating, you "begin to see as God sees."
"Contemplative prayers bring a new energy; we renew ourselves in jesus." Fr. Charles Bolser; CSV
She explained that this transformation takes place through a spirituality based on an Apophatic
Contemplation comes from the Latin word contemplate, meaning "in the temple." Contemplation
(imageless) contemplation along with the renewal of
is a way of spending time "in the temple" of silence
the traditional Christian prayers leading to Cataphatic (through images) contemplation.
with God. It is a prayer of reception; an act of listening silence.
Contemplation, although the highest form of prayer, is "The idea of developing a sense of contemplative prayer came from the General Council in Rome in 2002," said Fr. Charles Bolser, CSV, Provincial, who
not an elite, lofty endeavor for special, holy people. It is for ordinary, happy, uncomplicated people who enjoy being with God. St. Augustine says that through contemplation we are dealing in the sacred sanctuary of the core of our being. In other words, it is a personal experience with God.
sees contemplation as a deeper prayer that acts as a spiritual foundation to all his ministry. On July 8, 9, and 10, 2003, Sister Jean Lavin, OSB, from Stillpoint Contemplative Prayer Ministries in
Viatorian Associate Donna Schwarz participated in the three-day session and was amazed at how energized she felt after just one ten-minute contemplative prayer session. "However, it's very easy for distractions to
Erie, PA, led a retreat and explained to many Viatorians, the power of contemplative prayer. "Meditation and contemplation have always been basic elements of Benedictine spirituality," said Sr. Jean. "We provides opportunities for individuals to develop or further develop a practice of meditation and contemplation in a manner that continues our long-time Benedictine tradition. We hope to quiet the
keep popping up in your mind when you know you have many things to take care of," said Donna who is trying to practice contemplative prayer on a daily basis." How do we prepare to contemplate? We stop, listen and be still. We find a quiet place and still our hands and feet then close our eyes and ears. We let go. We
self and the noise of everyday life enough to hear God.
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of the laity are interested in and trained to be financial managers, responsible for ongoing needs of buildings and grounds, fund raisers, interpreters of the law, and even preachers of the Word, as well as catechists and community leaders. It is at least one role of the priest to listen carefully to the whole community- to listen to their hopes and aspirations, as well as their fears and their pain. It seems that in listening carefully to the community, it might be possible to hear the whisper of God speaking quietly but powerfully. In this, listening, healing and nourishing of the spirit is possible. Rather than being the boss, it might then be possible to become the servant,
and in becoming the servant, God might become visible in the world. It is not that the Church needs the laity; the Church is the laity as it is the clergy and bishops - working and praying together, equally sharing the life of Jesus the Christ in compassion and love for the world in which we live.
at assembly collect ourselves; we must relax and be still. Consider the fact that in the word silence is the word listen. We must be silent to listen. Sister calls it a "process of interior puriftcation." She says to take deep breaths and repeat a single word like love. If you become aware of thoughts, return to the sacred word.
Campus ministry builds a stronger laity through faith action The campus ministry at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Ill. allows the students to integrate their faith into their daily lives. Brother Rob Robertson, CSV, along with Betsy Fons build a faith-based foundation for the students on three levels: worship, service and retreat. "By keeping their faith life alive, the students really are trained to run campus ministry for themselves," said Br. Rob.
'Students celebrate mass as Eucharistic ministers.
Involvement starts at the beginning of the school year when the call goes out to students to train for the Eucharistic ministry. "It's not unusual for 80 to 100 students to answer the call to be trained," continued Br.Rob. "Many students then get involved at their parishes in 路Eucharistic ministry." This training increases the students' participation in the monthly Mass on campus. Along with the priest's at Mass, the students are 100 percent involved in the planning of the liturgy, being the lectors, the Eucharistic ministers, performing the liturgical dances and songs. Campus ministry is about actively worshipping the Lord.
There but for the grace of God go I. Catholicism is about service and twice a month campus ministry takes the responsibility to bring groups of students to work in the soup kitchens in Chicago. Many students are amazed that when they interact with the homeless, their perception of life changes dramatically. One student couldn't understand how a college graduate could end up homeless and in a soup kitchen. The ministry also plans trips to the HIV coalition once a month. Three times a month, St. Viator students have the opportunity to perform service. Participation in the campus ministry is voluntary, yet many times students will be so taken by the service that when they go off to college, they pursue a career in social work or in the pastoral studies. Campus ministry introduces students to Special
Abbott Thomas Keating writes that contemplative prayer is the "opening of mind and heart, our whole being to God, who is the Ultimate Mystery beyond thoughts, words and emotions." Fr. Bolser believes contemplation is a spiritual dimension. "Often times prayer is just words, babbling. If we stay at that level it becomes superficial," he continued. "I believe that every one of the participants gained different experiences from the contemplative prayer assembly. So many times we are wrapped up in being busy and we don't have time to really understand what we're doing. We need to take time to listen; we need a few minutes to center and ask ourselves "what's the foundation of my focus?" "Contemplative prayers bring a new energy; we renew ourselves in Jesus," Fr. Bolser explained. "We center in on the essence of our life, Jesus Christ. We are then able to share this spiritual dimension with the community and with the parishioners."
Olympics, food drives, blood drives and other charities throughout the community. "But it's the retreat program where it all happens. When God touches a heart on retreat, it lasts forever," said Br. Rob. Student retreats begin in freshman year and are held on a Saturday at the school. This retreat is a Br. Rob Robertson, CSVposes with students. requirement for all freshmen. At this level, the goal is to build awareness among the students, that service is what it means to witness their Catholic faith. At one point, parents speak to the students about parental concerns and expectations as a parent of a teenager. The parents also ask the students what they expect from their parents. Teachers and upperclassmen are also invited to share their faith with the group. Student retreats then start to become voluntary with Qyest Retreat being the first overnight experience for the sophomores and juniors. Student leaders run the retreat; it is there that students hear other students witness their faith. By junior and senior year, students lead the four day Kairos Retreat; for most, it is regarded as the highlight of their high school career. It's four days with no distractions. By this time, the students are ready for witnessing their faith.
Contemplation leads to action. It's an understanding that there is God's presence in every atom, every molecule and every living thing on earth."
"It is our goal that St. Viator students take ownership of their faith through our campus ministry," said Br. Rob. "We want to make a conscious effort, enabling faithfilled students to take leadership roles, because they are the future the Catholic Church."
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Colombia: Bogota July 5, 2003, Brother Edgar Suarez, CSV, was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Jose Luis Serna, Retired Bishop of Libano. Brother Suarez will
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Belize:
Bishop Osmond Peter Martin of Belize City spent a week at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Corozal Town. He confirmed almost 300 young women and men, mostly in seventh grade,
at ten Confirmation liturgies in nine villages in the Corozal district.
spend his deacon year with Fr. Luis Eduardo Lopez, CSV at San Basilo Magno Parish, Bogota. Family, friends and Colombian Viatorians participate@ in the ordination and joined in a celebration organized at the parish.
Libano On the Feast of St. Peter Claver, September 9,
I I ) Canada: ~ The Provincial Council of Canada and the Provincial Council of the United States met in Arlington Heights, Ill.,
Bishop jose Luis Serna ordains Br. Edgar Suarez, CSV
2003, Brother Gustavo Lopez, CSV, pronounced his First Vows as a Cleric of St. Viator in a ceremony in Libano. Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV, was his novice master. Provincial Charles G. Bolser, CSV, received the vows. Fr. Dan Nolan, CSV, Province Vocation
June 16- 19 to explore and discuss ways of collaboration between Canada -
Director attended as well as many Colombian Viatorians.
U.S. and other Viatorian Provinces. A North American Congress is planned for 2005, at Maternity BVM, Bourbonnais, The Mother Church of the U.S. Viatorians. In 1865, three Canadian Viatorians came to Bourbonnais Grove, as it was then called, accepted the
The St. Vincent de Paul Society in Libano arranged a 5-year rent-free, former school building to serve as a base for the various
parish and began a school, later to become St. Viator High School and College. The 2005 Congress of Canadian and U.S. Viatorians will commemorate the past, celebrate the present and plan their collaborative futures.
ecumenical, humanitarian and Brother Gustavo and his novice master volunteer programs organized by Padre Pedro Herrera CSV Fr. Brian Cooper, CSV. The facility has been named the Viatorian Center. A special thanks to The Rotary
The last day of the joint Canadian- U.S. Council Meeting, June 19 was designated a day of Pilgrimage to U.S. Viatorian parishes originally founded by Canadian Viatorians. Fr. Alain Ambeault, CSV, Canadian Provincial presided at a con-celebrated Mass in French for the parishioners of Maternity BVM. He was assisted by Assistant Provincial Thomas von Behren, CSV, and John E. Linnan, CSV, Pastor and six other Canadian and U.S. Viatorians. A parish reception and luncheon followed the Mass. Visits followed to St. Patrick's Church and Pighini Gardens, Kankakee; to St. Anne Shrine, St. Anne, Ill. and to "The
Club of Mission Viejo, CA for their gift of $2,900 for Fr. Brian's ongoing
Cathedral in the Plaines" (St. Mary's) Beaverville.
~ Chile: -
Brother Mario Mansilla Brecher, CSV, was ordained a Transitional Deacon, May 26, 2003, in Santiago, Chile by Bishop Sergio Valech Aldunate. Congratulations to the first Viatorian ordination since the establishment of the Province of Chile.
Libano housing project.
•••IIIII •
The Province of Spain celebrated the 100th Anniversary of their establishment as a Province, August 13-15.
Fr. Charles G. Bolser, CSV, arrived early to attend a meeting August 12-13 for Viatorian provincials. U.S. Province representatives at the Centennial also included: Fr. Robert Erickson, CSV, Fr. Bob Bolser, CSV, and Fr. George Auger, CSV (all from Chicago), Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV, Fr. Rafael Sanabria, CSV, and Br. Edgar Suarez, CSV, (all from Colombia). All were also attending an August 16-23 worldwide meeting ofViatorian Formation Directors in Valladolid. Fr. John Norbert Peeters, CSV, (Belize) served as English-Spanish-French translator for the Centennial meetings. Felicitations are extended from U.S. Viatorians, associates and especially our Mission and Formation Club Members.
Fr. Dan Nolan, CSV, Vocation Director "One Bread One Cup was an awesome experience for me." St. Patrick Parish teen, Andrea Bourgeois shared. "Getting to meet people from all over the country was neat, especially when we were put into our small groups to share in depth more about ourselves. During our times of prayer ... I thought a lot about my faith and life." On Saturday, June 7, 2003, 30 teens and their youth ministers from Viatorian parishes (St. Viator in Las Vegas, St. Patrick in Kankakee,
One Bread, One Cup participants gather at Provincial Center.
Maternity BVM in Bourbonnais, and St. Francis Xavier in Corozal, Belize) arrived at the Province Center in Arlington Heights for a
helped with expenses. Overall, this experience successfully helped
two-part, weeklong leadership conference.
them to a deeper understanding of how they share in the Viatorian Mission in their parishes.
Activities beginning Saturday evening through Monday morning offered the teens time to pray together and opportunities to learn more about the Viatorian community and its mission as Educators of Faith. Presentations were given introducing the teens to Fr. Louis Qyerbes (our founder) and our patron St. Viator, explaining the Viatorian charism, and inviting them to join the Viatorian mission as Educators of Faith. An additional highlight was the Sunday afternoon excursion to Navy Pier in the city. Viatorian priests, brothers and associates from Arlington Heights and Kankakee were on board to participate in the activities and to serve several meals. On onday morning, following a sen ing-forth blessing given by Provincial Fr. Charlie Bolser, CSV, students began their trip to St. Meinrad School ofTheology in Indiana for a youth liturgy leadership training conference. The rest of the week, these teens (along with 48 other teens)
the formation of young people in liturgical ministry and brought
Summing it up, Irma Zuniga from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Belize described her experience at St. Meinrad's stating, "I learned a lot of different things about our church: why we practice our religion, songs, and most importantly, how to live happily in our faith communities. I hope to bring all these things I learned back to St. Francis Xavier Parish."
Association continues growth O n July 21, 2003, Fr. Tom Langenfeld, CSV, who coordinates the associate program in the west, welcomed 15 people as pre-associates during a prayer service at St. Viator Church in Las Vegas. These lay men and women are from several parishes including: St. Viator, St. Thomas More, G uardian Angel Cathedral and Prince of Peace.
attended morning and evening prayer services, daily mass, and classes on Theology of Eucharist and training sessions for liturgical ministries.
This very diverse group of people are students, homemakers, retirees, professionals, etc., however what they all have in common is a deep
The teens and their adult leaders participated in really fun-filled icebreaker exercises, a hilarious talent show and an indoor "Beach Party" dance.
As association in the Midwest continues to grow, the following men and women, upon recommendation of the of the Commission on Association and after a discernment process, have made a two-year
Emily Saathoff from Maternity, BVM Parish said, "This retreat moved me in a way that I thought nothing could. I have never met so many kind and open people in my life. We really connected and
commitment as associates: Arlington Heights: D on Abrahamian, Kay Allen, Joseph Majkowski, Karen Cutler and Geraldine Roller; Kankakee: Michael and Susan Bourgeois; and Bourbonnais: Francis (Foo) Chamnes and Eucharist (Mush) Marcotte.
our relationship with God grew even bigger! One thing I will always remember was the reconciliation service. I learned a great many things and I hope to be able to pass them on to help others." Mter lunch on Friday, the teens and their youth ministers began the journey back home. Upon arriving at Maternity BVM Parish, one of the CSV associates explained how the Viatorians established their first permanent ministry site in Bourbonnais, Ill. A simple supper hosted by the parish followed this presentation.
connection to the Viatorian mission and charism.
Three associates, Mary Finks and John Ohlendorf of Bourbonnais, along with Marilyn Mulcahy of Kankakee, also renewed their commitment for another two years. Associates serve their faith communities as parish council members, E ucharistic ministers, lectors, ushers, homebound ministers, RCIA catechists, sacristans, choir members and Religious Education catechists. They also serve in many areas of outreach.
The "One Bread One Cup with the Viatorians" experience was
Our best wishes to all those who have joined the Viatorians in their
partially supported financially by the Viatorian Provincial Leadership Council, while the participants and their parishes also
Mission as Educators of Faith, servants of the H oly Altar, and servants to the poor.
Viatorians in the News St. Anne, Ill. The 123rd Annual Novena to St. Anne was celebrated July 18-26 at Illinois' oldest shrine of St. Anne. Pastor Fr. James Fanale, CSV, invited Fr. Richard Pighini, CSV, pastor at St. Patrick's, Kankakee and Sister Therese Galvin, ND, nationally-known spiritual director, to conduct the novena. Over 1,000 persons participated in the novena, attending the Mass of Healing, receiving the Sacrament of Anointing, or participating in the Solemn Festival Mass and the Rosary Pilgrimage of the Relic of St. Anne through the town. This St. Anne novena is reported to be the longest running in the country.
Chicago Brothers Corey Brost, CSV, and Douglas Hudson, CSV, both from St. Viator H.S. and Brother Daniel Belanger, CSV, Youth
Minister at Maternity BVM, Bourbonnais began Theological Studies this fall at Catholic Theological Union. They will reside at St. Viator Parish at 4170 W. Addison St., Chicago, IL 60641.
a liturgical commemoration of the life of Laraine Perhats Storm. The Superior General, Very Rev. Mark Francis, CSV, presided at the memorial service for his mother. Condolences to Father Francis, Laraine's family and friends.
Arlington Heights Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, President, St. Viator High School In Memoriam: announced that 290 young men and women enrolled in the Class of 2007. The new Catherine "Kay" Dowling, Viatorian school year began August 26, 2003. Two • Associate, died September 22, 2003. Kay, hundred twenty-eight graduated in June 2003. former Administrative Assistant to Fr. Charles Total enrollment at St. Viator for 2003-2004 Bolser, CSV, at St. Viator High School and is 1030 students. Associate since October 2000, is survived by her husband Dan, six children and 13 The chapel at St. Viator High School was grandchildren. She was a lifelong friend to filled July 3 with family, friends, Viatorian many. Please remember her in your prayers. religious and associates coming together for
Fall Commemorates Founder's Day & Patron Saint's Day Father Querbes - September 1 In 1830, Father Louis Joseph Marie Qyerbes, of the Diocese of Lyons, established a society of catechists under the patronage of St. Viator. Louis Qyerbes, born in 1793, was reared and educated in the parish of St. Nizier. This church was built on the site of the ancient church of the Holy Apostles, where Just presided as Bishop, and Viator served as lector. After his ordination in 1817, he returned to his home parish where he served as an associate pastor and teacher in
the school. In 1822, he was appointed pastor of the Church of St. Bonnet in Vourles, a nearby village. It was there that his association was established. By the year 1838, it had become a religious congregation of priests and brothers and was papally approved as the Congregation of the Parochial Clerics or Catechists of St. Viator. On October 21st, the feast of St. Viator is celebrated in the community and institutions which bear his name.
Saint Viator - October 21 The patron saint of the Viatorians is St. Viator, who lived in the fourth century. His life is entwined with that of St. Just, the Bishop of Lyons in Gaul, France. In ancient Martyrologies, Viator is called "puer" and "juvenis". Some people have automatically assumed he was a young boy, but these words were also used to designate someone who is a servant or in a subordinate position. This harmonizes with another word used to describe him a "minister" or "servant". In 381 AD, Bishop Just attended the Council of Aquileia. Shortly after his return, he confided to Viator his intention to commit himself to ascetic life as a monk in the Egyptian desert of Scete. By the end of that year, Bishop Just secretly left Lyons for Alexandria, Egypt. Viator, knowing the Bishop's intensions, joined him on his journey to Egypt.
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In Egypt, they joined a community of monks in the Libyan Desert. Most of the monks lived in cells, either dug in the ground or built of stones, each out of sight of each other. They gathered on Saturdays and Sundays to celebrate the liturgy. They supported themselves by manual labor and ate only the poorest of foods. Fasting, prayers, silence and night vigils characterized their lives. Several years later, Bishop Just died. Viator died shortly thereafter. The cause of their deaths is unknown. When news of their deaths reached Lyons, arrangements were made to return the bodies. Monastic life was venerated as a form of martyrdom, and the remains of holy monks were honored as those of martyrs. On August 29, 1287, eight theologians verified the relics of Just and Viator. The bodies were found in the same tomb, as well as documents attesting to their holy lives.
Gorman High School graduate cycles against poverty Fresh off a Kairos retreat at Bishop Gorman High School in 1995, Ryan Hall asked the Viatorian campus ministers for tips on how to better live out all he had learned about Christ. They suggested he join classmates for an evening trip to a local soup kitchen. He went along. That decision started a justice journey that took him on another trip this summer he never would have imagined. Ryan joined about 20 other cyclists on a cross-country ride to raise awareness about poverty in the U.S. The "Brake The Cycle" tour was sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the arm of the Catholic Church which provides grants to agencies that work with low-income people to fight poverty. Organizers and riders hope the bike tour will
call attention to the fact that 33 million people in the U.S. live in poverty. The riders began their journey June 1st in San Francisco and ended August 1st in Washington, covering nearly 4,000 miles. They rode 50-90 miles each day and stopped many evenings in local churches to meet the press and dialogue with local Catholics about poverty issues.
Mter graduating from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, he joined the local Catholic Worker movement, where he eventually learned about the "Brake the Cycle" tour.
Ryan, a 1997 Bishop Gorman graduate, has a • "Although physically Ryan Hall long history in service. He helped start a taxing at times, the clothing ministry to homeless people while at tour was a great experience," Ryan said, which Bishop Gorman High School. He also worked caused him to reflect deeply about his with Viatorians in Belize, where he helped set relationship with God and to those trapped in up an immersion trip for U.S. college students. economic poverty. For more on the tour, Ryan served for a few years as a young adult poverty in the United States and how Catholics leader at St. Thomas More Catholic Community, can help, visit www.povertyusa.org. a Viatorian ministry site in the Las Vegas area.
Pastoral ministry leads to diaconate ordination During his nearly 40 years as a Viatorian, Br. Dale Barth, CSV has been involved in many ministries. He helped run a retreat house for high school students in McHenry, Ill., he worked as the assistant dean of men at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Ill. and worked in the Provincial Treasurer's office. Mter a three-year position as the business manager for St. Viator Parish in Las Vegas, Nev., the 60-year-old brother wanted a change from the business of business and sought pastoral ministry. Brother Dale Barth, CSV
Br. Dale now ministers to the parishioners at Maternity BVM in Bourbonnais, Ill. Mter completing his period of
preparation, he was ordained a permanent deacon on September 13, 2003. "I feel more satisfied working with the poor, the homeless and the sick," said Br. Dale. "My job is helping people get through tough times. I make time to visit families, to make communion calls to the sick and their families." There are now three permanent deacons able to preside at weddings and baptisms along with funeral services for nearly 1300 families in the parish.
Frequently Asked Questions about Deacons 1. Who is a Deacon? A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. There are three groups, or "orders" of ordained ministers in the Church: bishops, presbyters (priests) and deacons. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served." The entire Church is called by Christ to serve, and the deacon, in virtue of his sacramental ordination and through his various ministries, is to be a servant in a servant-Church.
that cause such needs. No matter what specific functions a deacon performs, they flow from his sacramental identity. In other words, it is not only WHAT a deacon does, but WHO a deacon is, that is important.
3. What is the dijference between a permanent and transitional deacon? A man who is studying/preparing for ordination to the priesthood is ordained a transitional deacon before he is ordained a priest. One is usually a transitional deacon for six months to a year and is usually assigned to a parish and ministers as described above.
2. What are these ''various ministries" ofthe Deacon? All ordained ministers in the Church are called to function as ministers of the Word, Sacrament, and Charity, but bishops, presbyters and deacons exercise these functions in various ways. As ministers of Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church. As ministers of Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct wake and funeral services. As ministers of Charity, deacons are leaders in identifYing the needs of others, then directing the Church's resources to meet those needs. Deacons are also dedicated to eliminating the injustices or inequities
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A permanent deacon is a man who is ordained to serve the church by performing the various ministries also described above. A permanent deacon is not preparing for the ordained priesthood and he may marry if he is not a religious brother. Some permanent deacons are employed full time by the Church and can serve in different capacities depending on their training. Many permanent deacons would have non-Church jobs (for example: teachers, lawyers, businessmen, etc.) and volunteer their ministry in their parishes as needed.
Clerics of St. Viator 1212 E. Euclid St. Arlington Heights, IL 60004-5799 847-398-6805 www.viatorians.com
NON-PROFIT OR G. US POSTAGE
PA ID ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL PERMIT NO. 560
Quarterly Newsletter -Winter 2003 If you are receivi ng multiple copies of thi s newsletter and / or wi sh to be removed from our mailing list, please call our Development Office at 847-398-6805 or fax your request to 847- 398-6247.
Viatorians EDUCATORS OF FAITH 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 ministries, Viatorians work with Christian communities to live, deepen and celebrate their faith .
Fr. Dan Nolan, CSV, Vocation Director 1212 E. Euclid St., Arlington Hts., IL 60004 • 847-398-6805 DanNolan@viatorians.com
Patty Bailey assumes role as youth minister... continued.from page 1
percent are not Catholic; however, this year three students are converting to Catholicism because of the strong faith lives
Thanksgiving Prayer Dear Lord, We ask You to give us strength and hope. Give us peace and joy. And since we do not understand all things we should, we lean on Your Word,
shared by many of the students committed to this enthusiastic
and we obey Your Word by saying right now, thank You dear L ord for
and viable ministry.
all things.
At a past Youth Leadership Conference held in Joliet with approximately a thousand students attending, the conference leader invited students on stage if they had plans to be religious or work in pastoral or youth ministry. Many of the participants came fo rward. T he leader told them that they are responsible for their ever-growing role in the future of the Catholic Church.
Christmas Prayer
Taken from Christmas Mass at Dawn
Almighty God, a child is born for us and a son is given to us. Your eternal Word leaped down from heaven in the silent watches of the night, and now your Church is filled with wonder at the nearest of her God. Open our hearts to receive his life and increase our vision that our lives may be filled with his glory and his peace, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen