Viatorian Community Spring 2013 Volume 18, No.

2
Historic Bourbonnais Parish Soars with New Life
Gospel of Matthew Drives
Belize Volunteers
Page 3
Bourbonnais Volunteers
Petal It Forward
Page 4-5
Four Viatorians Celebrate
50 Years of Religious
Life in 2012
Fr. Perham, CSV, celebrates
his 65th Anniversary of
Religious Lifes
Page 6
Q & A With Bart Higsen
Page 7
From the Archives
A Timely New Acquisition
Page 8
644 Thanksgiving
Meals Delivered to
Homebound Seniors in t
he Las Vegas
Page 9
In the Footsteps of
Our Founder
Page 10-11
Latino Union of Chicago
Marie Segal, 1929-2012
Page 12-13
Around the Province...
Page 14
Viatorians Launch
New Website
Page 15
Destination: the Viatorian
Province Center in
Arlington Heights
Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church is
the largest in the Kankakee/Bourbonnais area
and the oldest. Viatorians have served there since
the Civil War and consequently, it is considered to
be the communitys agship parish.
All of which prompted its pastor, Fr. Richard
Pighini, CSV, to give it a facelift last spring. With
the help of private donations and expertise from
Daprato Rigali Studios in Chicago, one of the
leading experts in church renovation, the parish
took on a dramatic new look.
I wanted to retain its dignity and its
character, Fr. Pighini says. I didnt want to
make it some Byzantine basilica or anything,
but I wanted to respect its original French
colonial design.
It hadnt been repainted in nearly 18 years, so
it needed it, he adds. Plus, I thought with the
right color, this little gem of a French Canadian
church, could really shine.
Fr. Pighini worked with a committee of
parishioners to come up with the color scheme
and preliminary designs, thoughe brought the
original vision: He had remembered visiting
Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal, and its
dramatic design scheme that combined blue
and gold.
The committee agreed, and the rst component
of their plan was to convert the churchs vaulted
barrel ceiling into a starry night.
With the deep blue color and stars, its
brought more warmth to the church, says
ElizabethRigali-Galvin, art director and
great-granddaughter of the founder of the
historic Chicago studio. I think the whole effect
accentuates the sanctuary and bring the focus to
the altar.
Another element in their skyscape was there all
along medallions. They only needed to unveil
them. For years, they had been painted white,
Continued on Page 5...

Mission Trip in Belize: Not Just for Students Anymore
www.viatorians.com 2
They came from all walks of life, with experience in
marketing and accounting, as well as teaching, ying and even
auto mechanics. In all, a group of 10 adults from St. Thomas
More Catholic Community in Henderson, Nevada traveled to
Belize last spring, and this much they knew: They wanted to
do more than sightsee. They wanted to dig in and help.
Admittedly, they had a connection: Bob and Natalie Eustice
led the group. Their son is Br. John Eustice CSV, who serves as
superior of the Viatorian mission at St. Francis Xavier Parish.
He works with Fr. Moses Mesh, CSV, and Viatorian associates,
in meeting the needs of parishioners in 23 surrounding villages.
There is much work to be done, but our main goal is to build
community with the parishioners and people in the villages,
said Natalie Eustice, a retired school teacher, before the group
left. We hope to gain a spiritual connectedness to the people of
Belize, as we work together.
Their community at St. Thomas More helped to fundraise for
their trip and supported them in prayer while they were gone.
It turned out to be a busy but exhilarating week. They met
rst with students at Chunox St. Viator High School, working
with teachers and students to improve English reading and writ-
ing skills. They also helped to nish building a house, by rming
up its concrete frame.
Not everything they did was manual labor. They also drew
on their accounting experience to help Br. John with his
bookkeeping work at the parish, and spent time visiting the
Mayan ruins.
One memorable day, they traveled to Fireburn Village, the most
remote place in the mission. It took three hours just to get there,
riding two ferries, driving along bumpy dirt roads, taking a boat
trip across a lagoon, and walking on board planks and a dirt track.
St. Viator Parish Takes Root in Bogota
Viatorians in Colombia took a lead set back in the 19th
century by their founder, Fr. Louis Querbes, when they branched out
recently to establish a new parochial ministry, St. Viator Parish in
Bogot. In doing so, they join several other parishes around the
world with the same name that Viatorians staff.
The new St. Viator Parish, located on the north side of Bogot
and directly behind Colegio San Viator, serves a rapidly growing
section of the city. Interestingly, its boundaries encompass many
religious schools and other religious communities.
This new church will offer thousands of people the opportunity
to attend Mass, celebrate the sacraments, and join in catechetical
classes in their own neighborhood for the rst time in their lives.
The project went forward, in part, because of the generous
response to last falls Partners in Mission campaign, which
raised more than $24,000 in gifts and donations from nearly 300
Viatorians supporters.
This is an exciting endeavor, said Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV,
provincial, to be able to build a new church and classrooms, where
thousands of young Catholic girls and boys will have a place to
learn about their faith and celebrate the sacraments with their
mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters.
Fr. Edgar Suarez, CSV, celebrated the rst Eucharistic
celebration on Oct. 4 in a tent and since then, the parish has grown
to approximately 300 families.
The laity is very enthusiastic, Fr. Edgar said, and families are
taking ownership of the parish.
Currently, three Masses are celebrated each weekend, two in a

3 3 www.viatorians.com
Their trek was worth it. Once they arrived, it seemed as if they
had stepped back in time, nding the tiny village dotted with
thatched roof houses and less than 100 people living there.
This is like stepping into the pages of my grade school
geography book or into a TV documentary about some
remote place almost never seen by modern civilization, Natalie
Eustice says. The amazing thing is that we can communicate
because they speak English.
They painted the inside of
the villages only schoolhouse,
while two of the volunteers tu-
tored the schools six students
outdoors, under the trees.
Rounding out their visit, they
visited with families and invited
them for a Communion service.
I have seldom seen such
happy, calm people, Natlie
Eustice adds.
Their nal project was working
with local contractors to build a
pigeryto house the students
hog operation as part of their
hands-on, animal husbandry
education.
All these adults come from a
wide variety of experiences, but share a common faith in Jesus,
Br. John says. They came to rub elbows with others and have a
real cultural exchange.
tent and one in a rented hall. Although the surroundings are a
bit unusual, Fr. Edgar describes the liturgies are alive and
spirit-lled.
Fr. Suarez is a Colombia native and former teacher and chaplain at
the Colegio. Most recently, he served as pastor at the nearby San
Basilio Magno parish, but the prospect of Viatorians having their
own parish, named for their patron saint, is exciting.
There is a real pioneering spirit about it, Fr. Suarez says, as
people are gathering together with a vision of creating something
lasting.
The community is growing and the spirit within the community
is deepening, he adds. Someday in the future they will have their
own church, which will serve as a testimony to their dedication,
that was planted and nourished by the Holy Spirit.
Eileen OGrady Daday
Fr. Thomas Long, CSV
Near the end of our rst retreat for young adults, one of the
quieter members in the group, John, raised his hand.
I have a question for you, he said. What does the church
plan to do with people like us?
I asked him to clarify.
We arent little kids preparing for conrmation and we dont
go to church to make our parents happy, John said. We go
to church because we want community and no one seems to
know what to do with us.
John is certainly not alone. Most of the young adults with
whom I serve are looking for something transcendent to give
meaning to their lives. They want to connect their hopes to
others and they want to belong to a community that takes their
questions seriously.
These two impulses to connect and to belong are nothing
new in the history of the church. Nor is the impulse to respond
to young people something new for the Viatorians.
Viatorian spirituality what Fr. Querbes called a lively and
enlightened faith is manifested in what we call a spirit of
availability.
Spiritual availability invites us to recognize Gods presence in
all circumstances of life as a means to enliven and increase our
faith. In practice, being spiritually available impels us to seek
out relationships with young people in hopes of accompanying
them as they realize, cultivate and respond to Gods call.
Viatorians do this as elementary school teachers, high school
counselors, parish priests, coaches and as youth ministers.
Both the Viatorian Youth Congress and the Belize Immersion
Program are expressions of this spirituality. Both are rooted
in a desire to remind young people that they are connected to
a community committed to helping them grow in faith and
holiness and that they belong in the Viatorian Community.
During the Viatorian Youth Congress we ask delegates to share
with one another how their faith is shaped by their Viatorian
identity. Participants invariably speak of how they learned
the importance of caring for those accounted of little or no
importance as a direct result of a friendship with a Viatorian.
In the Belize Immersion Program, young adults witness their
own Viatorian spirituality active in a culture different from
their own.
One young man remarked, Viatorians in Belize are just like
the ones who taught me in Arlington Heights. They wake up
with one purpose: to help young people fall in love with God.
Returning to John from the story above, I am proud to share
that he now is part of small group we are working with to
prepare a series of retreats for young adults in the Chicago area.
John is connected to the Viatorians. Please pray with me that
John and young people like him will nd a place to
belong among the Viatorians.
4
www.viatorians.com
Eileen OGrady Daday
Viatorians Vocation Offce: Manifesting a Spirit of Availability
www.viatorians.com 5
There was no white smoke, but Viatorian brothers and priests
gathered in conclave last spring to elect their provincial just
the same.
Unlike the recent papal election, their votes determined
the leader in one vote: Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV,
was overwhelmingly re-elected to another four-year term.
He is only the second provincial to be elected to a third
successive term.
I am honored, he told his confreres. It is with great humility
that I accept your election and your support for a third term as
your provincial.
Viatorians also elected two councilors to assist Fr. von
Behren in leading the province: Fr. Robert M. Egan, CSV, and
Fr. Dan Hall, CSV. Both bring strong backgrounds to the role.
Fr. Egan is a past provincial and
pastor of St. Viator Church in Chicago, now nishing up
eight years as president of Saint Viator High School. Fr. Hall,
a former Marine, helped establish the mission in Belize before
serving as a military chaplain and now teaching social studies
at Saint Viator High School.
Fr. Alain Ambeault, CSV, superior general, moderated the
election, which drew Viatorians from across the country as
well as from Belize and Colombia.
This is an important day in life of the Viatorian community of
Chicago, Fr. Ambeault said. You have expressed your choice
and entrusted the service of the community to them, a service
that is both pastoral and governmental for the province.
Fr. von Behren is the communitys 16th provincial, after
rst being elected in 2005. Only Fr. Kenneth Morris, CSV,
who was elected to three successive terms as provincial, and
the communitys rst provincial, Fr. Cyrille Fournier, served
longer. In the years when provincials were appointed,
Fr. Fournier served 22 years, leading the growing community
from 1882-1900 and again from 1904-1908.
In accepting the role, Fr. von Behren remains pastoral leader
of the Viatorian communitys 175 associates, brothers and
priests, serving in this country and in foundations in Belize
and Colombia.
I believe we have a wonderful future together, Fr. von
Behren told his confreres, and that we have the resources and
the personnel to continue to make a difference in our world
and in our church.
We simply need to be bold, he added, and say yes, walking
into a future of great promise.
but with the new scheme they were painted bronze with gold embellishments, which added a rich texture to the overall look.
We didnt change any of the architecture, Fr. Pighini says. Everything we did was with color and texture.
The ceiling and hand-stenciled back wall took one month to complete. Daprato Rigali artists erected their scaffolds and worked
to transform the ceiling and carefully apply their subtle handiwork to the wall behind the altar, stenciling a eur-del-lis pattern.
The ancient symbol dates back to the French monarchy, and subtly connects worshipers with the Viatorians French heritage.
Through the ages, the eur-de-lis also has represented purity and chastity and serves as an iconic attribute of the Virgin Mary,
which ts with the parishs name.
Everyone is just thrilled with the way its turned out and the way its made our stained glass windows stand out, says Teresa
Culver, parish secretary. Were just so grateful for Fr. Pighinis vision that has made the painting of the church so spectacular.
Fr. Pighini admits to having the vision, but it was the parishs visibility in the area that drove him.
This is a historic place, Fr. Pighini says simply, and I wanted to preserve it as such.
Continued from Page 5...
Eileen OGrady Daday
Eileen OGrady Daday
Eileen OGrady Daday
Walking into a Future of Great Promise
Historic Bourbonnais Parish
Soars with New Life
Historic Bourbonnais Parish Soars with New Life...
Q&Awith Connor Romenesko
Q. Tell me how you came to be so involved with the
Viatorians.
A. While at Saint Viator High School I was exposed to the
mission of the Viatorians and there were pieces that strongly
appealed to me. I am passionate about working with youth
and education, which is emphasized in the mission and that
made it easy to connect myself with the Viatorians.
Q. Was there something specic during your time as a
delegate to the Viatorian Youth Congress or in the Belize
Immersion Program that propelled you to get involved even
more?
A. Last summer I was able to work with young people
during my time in Belize as well as during the Viatorian Youth
Congress. During the Youth Congress I served as a young
adult leader and absolutely loved it. Through that experience
I discovered a passion for leading young people in ministry as
well as in service.
Q. What was it about this new
internship working with the
Viatorians in Belize that
drew your interest?
A. I have always
enjoyed the time I have
spent with the Viatorians,
so simply the fact that I would
have an opportunity to work
with them was appealing. I also
was drawn to the fact that I will
have the opportunity to shape
my own experience in Belize and
be able to get the most out of my
summer internship.
Q. What do you expect to be doing there?
A. I know I will be helping to coordinate the Belize
Immersion Trip at the beginning of June and working with
the partners in Belize to make sure it is a positive experience
for the participants. After that, I will be working with a youth
minister on service projects in the area. I also will have the
opportunity to work in some local schools and even, possibly,
lead sports camps for some of the local students.
Q. What are your expectations?
A. I am expecting to have an incredibly positive experience,
while still leaving time for personal reection. Mostly, I want
to develop my skills in ministering with young people through
service, and Im also hoping to improve my Spanish.
Q. Can you tell me a little about your life at St. Norberts?
What are you studying?
A. I am a sophomore at St. Norbert College, studying
political science, international studies, and peace and
justice studies. I am active in several aspects of campus life
including interning in the Norman Miller Center for Peace,
Justice, and public understanding, serving as president of my
fraternity (Phi Delta Theta), taking part in an on campus
interfaith dialogue group, and as a participant in the
colleges TRIPS program that takes students on service trips
internationally and around the U.S.
Q. Has your experience with the Viatorians inuenced your
college life?
A. The Viatorians have had a major impact on my
college life. My time on campus has involved doing service
and working for justice. This passion was sparked by Fr. Corey
Brost during my freshman religion class at Saint Viator and
the Viatorians have been helping me pursue this passion to
this day.
6
Connor Romenesko graduated from Saint Viator High School in 2011 and headed to college, but his involvement with the
Viatorians didnt stop there. If anything, it strengthened.
He was among the rst delegates to the Viatorian Youth Congress and then returned last year as a young adult leader. Connor
also traveled on the rst Belize Immersion trip in December 2012.
This summer, the college sophomore returns to Belize, to spend two months at the Viatorian mission in Belize, working along-
side Viatorian associates and professed.
We caught up with him at St. Norbert College in DuPere, Wisconsin, where he recently celebrated his sophomore year, to
reect on his deepening commitment to the Viatorian charism.
www.viatorians.com
Gracious God,
be forever blest for
your gift in
Fr. Louis Querbes,
dedicated pastor in the
education of youth,
and in the service of
sacred liturgy,
and founder of the
Viatorian Community.
In the Footsteps
of Our Founder...
Organizing the Novitiate
Upon his return from Rome, Father Louis Querbes recognized that his rst
priority was to organize the novitiate. The rst decision was where? Vourles
was the natural choice. But where in Vourles? The canonical requirement
for separate housing posed a challenge.
The property which Fr. Querbes acquired in 1832 was a collection of small
diversied buildings without accommodation or unity according to his
biographer, Fr. Pierre Robert (From this Root, p. 182). So a series of
decisions were necessary. Fr. Querbes, in his new role as superior general,
was prepared to make those decisions. The little boarding school or college
at Vourles was closed. The house for aspirants (postulants) at Le Payet was
closed and sold. Postulants transferred to Vourles to be near the novitiate.
Decisions were made about construction.
Fr. Querbes consolidated shaky walls, joined them, transformed them and
raised them in a way to make them an almost homogeneous whole. He
contrived two rooms for himself, to serve as ofce, library and bedroom.
In the center he reserved room for a modest chapel. (Robert, p. 182)
Fr. Querbes returned from Rome October 13, 1838; the remodeling was
nished in April 1839.
Only the ofcial appointment of the master of novices remained to be done.
Fr. Querbes, in his mind, had chosen Br. Liautlaud, the director of the
parish school in Panisssieres, for his age, experience, virtues and the
condence and esteem he enjoyed among his confreres.
Fr. Querbes had already discussed this possibility with the community retreat
master, Fr. Brumauld S.J., who concurred with the choice. Fr. Brumauld was
approved by his Jesuit superiors to guide the rst Viatorian novitiate and was
designated as novice master.
Without revealing his plans, Fr. Querbes sent Br. Liauthaud to Avignon
to begin the long Jesuit retreat. Any premonition Brother might have had
about his future assignment was conrmed when Fr. Brumuld arrived after
the four-week retreat. He brought documents about forming novices, along
with lessons devoted to developing interior and exterior direction for daily
religious life.
Br. Liauthaud returned on May 15 to Vourles, where Fr Querbes announced
his appointment as director of novices. The solemn inauguration of the
novitiate began on June 9, 1839, the feast of the Sacred Heart, after a novena
preached by Fr. Brumauld.
Fr. Querbes now could truly say, Adored and Loved be Jesus.
Br. Leo Ryan, CSV
7
www.viatorians.com
A growing ministry in the
Archdiocese of Chicago
that serves as a national model
to support undocumented and
documented immigrants
now is taking root at St. Viator
Parish in Chicago: the pastoral
migratoria program.
It is run through the Ofce
of Immigration Affairs and Immigration Education at the arch-
diocese, and succeeds in part because of its one-to-one ministry, or
immigrant to immigrant.
Its a ministry of leadership, says William Becerra, pastoral
organizer for the diocese. You have to be connected to the parish.
Its a ministry based on local needs.
Becerra is involved in the training and commissioning of parish
volunteers. Currently, there are 50 active pastoral migratoria
programs in Chicago and its suburbs. The St. Viator program is
among the newest, with Sergio Olmos and other volunteers being
commissioned in the ministry, in February.
As lay people, they were trained how to reach out to undocumented
immigrants, by providing them with information, as well as listen
to their struggles and support them in their spiritual journeys. The
ministers at St. Viator include Enrique Valdovinos, Onofre Reyes,
Leoncio Abarca, Antonio Gallegos, Wendy Robles and Sergio
Olmos.
As a one-to-one
ministry, a trust
level develops,
leading them to
address various
problems, Sergio
Olmos stated.
Sergio mentioned that a domestic violence victim may think she
has no recourse because she is undocumented. Utilizing the trust
between the ministers and congregation, members can point her
to groups that will intervene on her behalf and give her the help
she needs.
The same holds true with a person struggling with alcohol addiction
or a worker who has been exploited by the employer. Many young
adults were brought here as young children and can now qualify for
deferred action. Ministers can refer them to lawyers who specialize
in that work.
Health issues are a major concern since the vast majority of the
undocumented are uninsured. Thus, the St. Viator ministers have
joined with volunteers from eight other parishes to conduct a health
fair where families received a complete medical exam and diagnosis
for specic problems.
The pastoral migratoria program grew out of necessity, Becerra
says. Within the Archdiocese of Chicago, immigrants make up 42
percent of its Catholic members. So, it makes sense to have a minis-
try that is parish-centered, but also carries out social justice.
The members also bring their work to the political arena. St. Viator
parishioners participated in a huge march in Chicago on May 1 that
demanded comprehensive immigration reform.
The ministers helped distribute and collect postcards to send
to legislators demanding immigration reform Enrique Valdovinos
said. After the cards were collected, people from parishes through-
out the archdiocese marched to Holy Family Parish in Chicago on
May 30 where Cardinal George met them, led a prayer service,
and received the postcards that were immediately delivered to
Washington, DC.
You have to be in solidarity with people who have been affected by
immigration issues, Becerra says. This ministry accompanies these
families in this situation, both practically and spiritually.
A Ministry of Accompaniment: the Pastoral Migratoria Program
www.viatorians.com 8
Weaving the Viatorian Charism into Las Vegas Teens
A new ministry has
begun to revitalize
middle school stu-
dents at St. Viator
Parish in Las Vegas:
a campus ministry
department.
No longer is it the
domain of high school and college campuses. At St. Viator, youth
ministers started with junior high students and this summer they
intend to offer it to more youngsters in the wider parish community.
Weve taken teens to the Viatorian Youth Congress every
summer, where they meet other students from schools and
parishes around the country, says Associate Rosy Hartz. But we
started to think that we could do more in Las Vegas to help foster
the Viatorian identity. Basically, we wanted to get to them earlier.
Rosy and her husband, Viatorian Associate Paul Hartz, as well
as Pre-Associate Brian Barrett formed the new campus ministry
program, meeting with students once a month.
Although theyre attending St. Viator School, the presence of
our charism isnt always identited, Rosy says. As associates, we
thought we could help.
They gather in the parish center for a meeting lled with
faith and fellowship, teenage style. During a recent afternoon,
students joined with Fr. William Haesaert, CSV, and other
Fr. Thomas Long, CSV
www.viatorians.com 9
Fr. Mark Francis, CSV is considered an expert in sacramental
theology and liturgy, and already he has published several books
on the subjects. He admits that he would be happy to continue his
research and writing but the Holy Spirit has led him differently,
namely into leadership.
In April, Fr. Francis was named the 7th president of the
Catholic Theological Union, which is the largest graduate school of
theology and ministry in the country. In part, he believes he was
selected based on his 12 years serving in Rome as the superior
general of the Viatorians.
Im excited for the opportunity, Fr. Francis said, and I look
forward to continuing the vitality of this school, whose graduates
have touched so many lives around the world.
The announcement came as good news for CTU ofcials as
well as the Viatorians, who now have had two of their members
hold the position. Fr. John Linnan, CSV, led the union from
1981 to 1987.
As a community of educators, to have Mark lead such a
prestigious institution of higher learning, underlines our
commitment to education and especially to those in ministry
and faith formation, says Fr. Thomas von Behren, provincial.
He points out that 24 religious order communities sponsor the
union and send their students to CTU for professional and
ministerial preparation.
The Viatorian community was one of the rst congregations
to join the union that has become CTU, Fr. von Behren adds.
Many of our priests and brothers have attended CTU for
graduate studies and preparation for diaconal and priestly
ordination.
Overall, CTU is widely acknowledged as reecting the global
Catholic church with students from 46 countries, including
seminarians from religious orders, lay men and women, and
students of various faiths, including Jewish, Muslim, and
Protestant, all in dialogue with the Catholic tradition.
Its stated mission is to prepare effective leaders for the church,
ready to witness to Christs good news of justice, love and peace.
As it is, CTUs 3,500 lay and religious graduates are serving in
more than 65 countries worldwide.
Fr. Francis graduated from Saint Viator High School and was
ordained to the priesthood in 1982. With the Viatorians, he
attended Loyola University before earning advanced degrees from
CTU. One of his rst assignments was at Colegio San Viator in
Bogot, Colombia.
In 1988, he earned a doctorate in sacred liturgy in Rome, before
returning to teach liturgy at CTU for 12 years.
As superior general of the Viatorians, Fr. Francis lived in Rome
and worked with Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. He
now hopes to work with Pope Francis, in fullling his vision of a
church renewed in inclusiveness and concern for the poor.
I am committed to preparing ministers for this Church who
are open to the Spirit of God, Fr. Francis said, who continues
to surprise us in revealing Gods presence in the forgotten and
marginalized of our society.
Viatorian Named President of Catholic Theological Union
Eileen OGrady Daday
Fr. Thomas Long, CSV
Fr. Mark Francis joined Mary McAleese, the former president of Ireland
at CTUs trustee dinner in April, where he was announced as incoming president of
the college.
Viatorian associates in a word association game, using a ball of
yarn as the icebreaker.
Standing in a circle, each teen threw the yarn to another classmate,
asking them to answer quickly what church means to them. From
student to student, the yarn spun into a web, especially after a
second round of questions, when they answered about the
meaning of faith.
The strings, Rosy says, showed the students that they are all
connected as Catholics and as Viatorians even if they dont
always agree on every issue.
If one person were to let go, Rosy adds, the support of everyone
around them would pull them back in.
During another month, they focused on different styles of prayer,
during a 30-minute workshop. Students were able to choose from
praying with music, saying the rosary, meditating and hearing
spiritual readings in Lectio Divina as well as praying with art
in Visio Divina, doing sculpting prayer, journaling or helping to
prepare the homily for the next school Mass.
St. Viator Principal Kathleen Daulton says the new program has
benetted students and their parents as they learn about the Via-
torian charism.
The students really enjoy the various projects and programs that
they are involved in, Mrs. Daulton says. They come back with a
renewed perspective on our school mission.
Eileen OGrady Daday
www.viatorians.com 10
Celebrate Our Jubilarians...
Fr. Donald R. Wehnert, CSV will
celebrate the 50th anniversary of
his ordination as a Viatorian priest
on June 8, but his calling started
long before that. He recalls that by
his senior year at Cathedral Boys
High School he had decided that
he wanted to join the Viatorians.
I wasnt sure I wanted to be a
teacher or even a priest, but I was
sure I wanted to be a Viatorian,
Fr. Wehnert says.
Most of his career has been in services to many of the parishes
sponsored by the community. Twice he was assigned to work with
Viatorians at Guardian Angel Cathedral in Las Vegas from 1964
to 1970 and again from 1973 to 1981. Nearly half of his 50 years as
priest have been spent at St. Patrick Parish in Kankakee. His rst
period came in 1982 to 1989, before returning again from 1997 to
2002. In his semi-retirement starting in 2002, he chose to return
there where he continues to reside.
From 1989 to 1996 he served as pastor at St. Marys Beaverville and
St. Martins in Martinton, IL. Among other assignments was his
work as parochial vicar at St. Viator Church in Chicago in 1996-67
and St. Joseph Parish in Springeld in 1970-73. Fr. Wehnert is a
quiet man who is admired by the many people he has served not
only as celebrant of Sunday and daily Masses, but also by living the
corporal works of mercy. They know him to visit the sick, bury the
dead, feed the hungry and be model of all the works of mercy.
Fr. Daniel R. Hall, CSV came
to the Viatorians after having
completed college work at
universities in Virginia and having
served twice in Vietnam during
his early military years with
the U.S. Army special forces. All of
his life experiences have helped to
enrich his ministry as a Viatorian.
In the years from 1978 through
1989, Fr. Hall completed his
seminary training, served as dea-
con at Maternity BVM parish in Bourbonnais, and taught at
Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights and Bishop
Gorman High School in Las Vegas.
Yet, three assignments over his 25 years as priest have helped to
dene his ministry. From 1990 to 1997 he returned to military life
as priest and chaplain at Camp Pendleton, California, at the Navys
support facility in the Mediterranean at Diego Garcia, and at Camp
Lejune, North Carolina.
He went from military chaplain to establishing the Viatorian
mission in Belize and becoming pastor of St. Francis Xavier
Parish in Corozal, Belize. During two terms there, Fr. Hall served
the people of that very large parish, which includes 23 villages and
20 elementary schools.
At Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, where
Fr. Hall returned in 2003, he has been teacher, counselor and an
assistant football coach during three sessions there, helping to educate
students as faith-lled members of a global society.
Fr. Hall, did not join the Army or the Viatorians to see the world,
but he has seen it and been asked to serve in a variety of places
and ministries, and often in leadership positions. Just this spring,
Fr. Hall was elected by his confreres to serve as one of four
councilors to the provincial.
Fr. John E. Eck, CSV might be
called a streetwise man of God
by the hundreds of young men he
inuenced during his 50 years as
a priest. For the most part, he has
been drawn to working with young
people who have experienced
failure in traditional settings, as
well as helping those in need.
He is at once a stern mentor and
a good friend. He is committed to
promoting social justice in all
he does.
From 1966 to 1978, he was assigned to Alleman High School in
Rock Island, Illinois. Those were not easy times for teenagers, but
Fr. Eck was an understanding guide for many. From Alleman he
went to Chicago to become a leader and teacher at Prologue High
School that was designed to offer an alternative education in literacy,
job training and GED preparation.
After 7 years with the Prologue School, he turned to parish
work. During the 1990s, he worked at St. Joseph Church and
St. Patricks Parish in Springeld where he applied his
experiences in a new setting. At that time, he was active with the Social
Concerns Committee for the Diocese of Springeld and its task
force on racism.
In 1999, he went to St. Viator Parish in Chicago where he served as
parochial vicar until 2005. He then became pastor of the parish and
served there until his retirement to St. Patrick Parish in Kankakee,
Illinois where he now resides and keeps busy helping parishes who
need his ministry.
www.viatorians.com 11
Requests come into the
Viatorian archives all the
time for help in completing
research. Recently, a query
came in regarding Fr. John
W.R. Maguire, CSV and his
work with labor unions.
Mike Matejka, vice-president
of the Illinois Labor History
Society, was doing research
for an article in the spring
issue of Illinois Heritage, a
publication of the Illinois
State Historical Society.
With its labor theme this
issue, he hoped to learn more
about Maguires labor work.
He was also looking for
historic Illinois labor sites of interest to be posted on the Illinois
Labor History website.
Fr. John W. R. Maguire, CSV (1883-1940) was known as
one of labors best friends. Maguire was a nationally known
mediator in industrial disputes like the Green Mountain Dam
strike in Colorado and the Kohler (plumbing) strike in Kohler,
Wisconsin. He ultimately settled 87 out of 90 disputes. As a
result, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt appointed him to
the regional labor board in Chicago.
Maguires commitment to social justice exemplies the
Viatorian spirit today. In fact, peace and social justice were
cited as priorities for the worldwide congregation at last
summers general chapter meeting, and it will be the theme of this
summers provincial assembly, the annual meeting of the U.S.
Viatorian community in Arlington Heights.
Maguire founded labor organizations and programs, such
as the Catholic Conference on Industrial Problems and the
Catholic Association for International Peace. He also gave a series
of lectures on injunctions in 1928 on WCFL radio The
Voice of Labor in Chicago.
Maguire was described as a pioneer in the eld that
advocated a living wage. He gave every moment of his time to the
working man, in his obituary published in the 1940 Annuaire
by the Viatorian General Direction. He gave the eulogy at the
grave of Mary Harris Jones, better known as Mother Jones,
in 1930.
Fr. Maguire, who championed labor causes for 25 years during
his priesthood, was also a professor, college president, missionary
and World War I chaplain.
The Viatorian chapel at the Province Center in Arlington
Heights was dedicated to Fr. Maguire in 1951, at the request
of the Illinois State Federation of Labor. Its leaders cited
Fr. Maguires years of working to get the state legislature to pass
laws that advanced workers welfare, including the Workmans
Compensation and Occupational Diseases Act, the Injunction
Limitation Act, the Child Labor Law and One Day of Rest in Seven.
A memorial plaque displayed in the main entrance foyer of the
Province Center describes his legacy.
For more information about historic Illinois labor monuments,
sites and people, visit: www.illinoislaborhistory.org. The website
now includes a prole of Fr. John W.R. Maguire, CSV, as one of
its labor heroes and the chapel that is dedicated in his honor.
Fr. John W.R. Maguire, CSV
Maguire Memorial plaque at the Province Center
Joan Sweeney,
Viatorian associate and archivist
Fr. John W.R. Maguire Labor Hero
www.viatorians.com
12
Responding to Those Accounted of Little Importance
Immigration may be a hot button topic, but Viatorians have been
advocating for compassionate, comprehensive reform for years.
Members from the Chicago and Arlington Heights regions
came together last spring to discern how they could live out
the Viatorian mandate to reach out to those accounted of
little importance.
They quickly reached a
consensus that they reach
out to undocumented
immigrants, who live in
constant fear of being
stopped for any reason
and being deported. All
the while they struggle to
survive at the bottom of
the economic ladder, while
sending money home to
feed their families.
The response has been one
of prayer - and action.
Viatorians living in the
retirement wing of
the province center pray the rosary daily for immigration
reform. Viatorians associates and professed pray at the
detention center at the Broadview Processing Center where
the undocumented are brought there to say goodbye to their
families and loaded onto a prison bus bound for OHare
International Airport.
Before departing, Viatorians often pray with them on the
buses. The scene is reminiscent of an environment reserved for
hardened criminals, with wire mesh incarcerating passengers.
Viatorians attempt to lead them in prayers, but it takes the
detainees to repeat them for those in the back.
Prayer ows into action and Viatorians respond in various ways.
A post-detention accompaniment program sponsored by the
Interfaith Committee for Detained Immigrants and comprised
of lay and religious leaders of whom Viatorians are members
reaches out to those who are released from detention.
Often, they are completely bewildered because they were picked
up in another state and released in Chicago. Some may need such
basics as food and transportation to the bus station. Viatorians
have provided transportation and negotiated the purchase of the
tickets, while other released detainees may have nowhere to go.
Viatorians are responding to that need as well. The ministry
acquired a former convent and now is upgrading it to code.
When the renovations are completed, the building will be able to
welcome up to 18 people. In preparation, Viatorians have helped
to clean and furnish the house. They also have provided funding
for staff and rent.
Many of the detainees are so overwhelmed by the complexity of
the detention system, that a group of volunteers travels weekly
to the McHenry County Jail in Woodstock, IL to offer them
pastoral care.
Volunteers are driven by the
maxim of treating each other
with respect. The Viatorians
who participate, says that
simple act of humanity makes
a visible impact among upon
the detained.
Viatorians also have been
involved in advocacy for
reform. Members have
traveled to the state capitol
in Illinois to talk with their
legislators and visited local
ofces of their congressional
representatives.
As a community, Viatorians are working in various capacities
toward the goal of comprehensive and compassionate
immigration reform. True to the Viatorian charism, they are
working closely with other religious, priests and laity, seeking to
create a future one step at a time where the human rights
of people everywhere are respected.
Fr. Thomas Long, CSV
www.viatorians.com 13
Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, Named President of Saint Viator High School
Responding to Those Accounted of Little Importance
Eileen OGrady Daday
Fr. Thomas Long, CSV
For the last six years, Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, has been a familiar
face around Saint Viator High School, attending student concerts,
athletic contests and theater performances over and above the
time he spends with them in religion class.
Beginning next month, he will be ramping up his visibility, as he
takes over as president.
The announcement came as little surprise to faculty and
staff members. For past two years, Fr. Brost has served as vice
president of mission effectiveness at the school, working closely
with Fr. Robert M. Egan, CSV, president for the last eight years.
However, Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, came personally to make
the announcement. As provincial of the Viatorians Chicago
province and president of the schools board of governors, he
stressed how important it was to have a Viatorian lead the school.
I am proud to say that Saint Viator High School is one of the
few Catholic high schools in the Chicago area that can point to
having 11 of their community members on the faculty of their
own school, Fr. von Behren said. The Viatorians are committed
to Saint Viator High School today and for decades to come.
Fr. Brost earned his undergraduate degree in journalism and a law
degree from the
University of Illinois before starting his career at Saint Viator
High School in 1987 as anEnglish teacher. He soon entered the
Viatorian Community as a religious brother.
He now has spent 25 years as a youth educator and campus
minister for Viatorian schools and parishes throughout the
country and in 2006 was ordained a priest. He earned advanced
degrees in pastoral studies at Loyola University and in divinity
from Catholic Theological Union.
When I came back here six years ago, I thought I was going to
be teaching freshmen religion, Fr. Brost told the faculty. But day
after day, I am inspired, challenged, and in awe of you. I see
miracles happen every day at this school.
Fr. von Behren noted that Fr. Egan leaves the school on solid
ground.
He has brought new life to the mission of the school, Fr. von
Behren said, and he leaves with nothing but great possibilities
before it.
Fr. Egan brought a unique perspective to the role, having attended
the school himself, graduating in 1969. He went on to teach at the
school, head the Clerics of St. Viator as provincial, serve as pastor
at St. Viator Parish in Chicago, and ultimately lead the Arlington
Heights high school beginning in 2005.
Fr. Brost, C.S.V., has continued to serve as chairman of the
religion department and head of the vocation ofce for the
Viatorians while serving in the high schools administration.
This summer, however, he will devote himself full time to his new
assignment: preparing Saint Viator High School students to be
faith-lled, contributing members of a global society.
www.viatorians.com 14
Around the Province...
This issue of Around the Province highlights just a few current
and past partnerships between the Viatorians and others.
Collaboration be-
tween the Sisters
of the Living Word
and the Viatorian
Community was
recognized at the
Sisters 25th annual
Mardi Gras gala on
Feb. 1. In accept-
ing the Partners in
Mission Award, Viatorians acknowledged the many ways the
two religious congregations have worked together in recent years
to promote peace and justice both at home and abroad, which
includes opposing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing
seed money for a micro-lending program for families in tran-
sitional housing, and accompanying immigrants released from
federal detention.
On Feb. 10, Fr.
James Michaletz
celebrated the 50th
anniversary jubilee
Mass with alum-
nae from the for-
mer Sacred Heart
of Mary High
School founded by
the Religious of the
Sacred Heart of Mary, which merged with Saint Viator High
School in 1987. Fr. Michaletz told the women that he had his-
tory with the school as well. He served as a teacher in 1963 at
Saint Viator, when Sacred Heart opened, using two wings of the
boys high school while theirs was being built. He later served
as superintendent in 1972 during its transition into a diocesan
school. Throughout all of these changes, the one constant was
the student body and its graduates, its alumnae, Fr. Michaletz
told the crowd of 100 women and their families. They are the
people who continue its tradition, its legacy.
Br. Leo Ryan received the Career Achievement Award from
leaders of the national business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi, at
the Palmer House in Chicago on Feb. 16. The award came dur-
ing their Professional Business Leadership Institute conference.
The citation commended Br. Ryan for his lifelong pursuit of
knowledge, education and service to others while adhering to the
strictest code of ethics. Br. Ryan is known for the many part-
nerships he has fostered through his work with the Peace Corps,
Marquette University and DePaul University.
The Viatorian Community has provided a three-year grant to
the Interfaith Committee for Detained Immigrants (ICDI) to
provide housing and stafng for immigrants needing a place to
live. Several Viatorians have spent hours gathering furniture,
paint and donations to help transform an empty convent into a
home for immigrants needing a place to live. The Marie Joseph
House of Hospitality is scheduled to open this summer.
The Viatorian community co-sponsored the second annual
CROSSwalk that was held on March 22 to remember the more
than 800 children and youth who have been murdered in Chi-
cago since 2008. Founded at All Saints Episcopal Church, this
procession and vigil is an initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of
Chicago. One week later, the Viatorian community co-spon-
sored 8th Day Center for Justices 33 annual Good Friday Walk
for Justice that unites the Christian passion story with the jus-
tice struggles of today in an effort to open a space of reection,
memory and resistance.
The Provincial Council of the Clerics of St. Viator partnered
with other religious congregations and human rights organi-
zations recently by adding its name to six sign-on letters that
promote peace and justice.
The rst letter, drafted by
Churches for Middle East
Peace, calls on President
Barack Obama to work
towards facilitating a just,
durable, and nal negotiated agreement to end the Arab-Israeli-
Palestinian conict.
The second letter, drafted by Bread for
the World, calls on Sen. Mark Kirk to
protect funding cuts to vital programs
that provide food to them vulner-
able. Fr. Daniel Belanger, Fr. Charles
Bolser, Fr. James Fanale, Fr. John
Peeters, Fr. Richard Pighini and Fr.
Robert M. Egan joined other Illinois pastors, bishops, and agency
directors in signing the letter as well.
www.viatorians.com
15
Email: news@viatorians.com
Website: www.viatorians.com
Provincial:
Fr. Thomas R. von Behren, CSV
Editor:
Fr. Thomas E. Long, CSV
Director of Communications:
Eileen OGrady Daday
Editorial Board:
Fr. Thomas R. von Behren, CSV
Br. Michael T. Gosch, CSV
Br. Donald P. Houde, CSV
Br. Leo V. Ryan, CSV
Eileen OGrady Daday
Barton Hisgen
Joan Sweeney
Layout and Design:
Dianna Ehrenfried
Visualedge, Inc.
Gracious God,
today, as every day, we pray for your grace.
But today, we ask a little more---
for a grace that is costly, for a grace that is just,
and for the courage to choose this grace alone.
When your name is used like a slogan to promote
what offends you,
give us the grace to say, No.
When your word is spoken to exclude and divide,
give us the grace to quietly include everyone.
When your reign is reduced to nationalism or terrorism,
give us the grace to resist.
When love is called weakness,
and hope is dissolved in cynicism,
and faith is dismissed as delusion,
give us the grace to hold our ground and lift our voices.
Today and every day and for always,
we pray for the grace to take up whatever
cross we may face,
and to follow you down whatever road you show us.
We pray for the grace to be people who share
grace and justice,
even as we give thanks for the just grace
we have received.
by: John van de Laar
The third letter, drafted by First Fo-
cus, calls on Congress and President
Obama to create a new National
Commission on Children to ensure
the safety and well-being of every
child in America. Sadly, the U.S.
ranks 20 out of 21 industrialized nations in measures of child
well-being and relative child poverty. Almost 16.1 million U.S.
children live in poverty.
The fourth letter,
drafted by the Wash-
ington Interfaith
Staff Community
Pentagon Spend-
ing Working Group,
urges Congress to
reduce Pentagon
spending to a pro-
portion commen-
surate with levels prior to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Resources need to be redirected to address the urgent matters of
human security that we face as a nation.
The fth letter, drafted by Jubilee USA, calls upon Illinois Sena-
tors Richard Durbin and Mark Kirk to co-sponsor the Cut Un-
justied Tax Loopholes Act (S. 268) in order to close a myriad
of corporate tax loopholes that serve no public purpose and would
raise at least $190 billion over 10 years.
The sixth letter, drafted by the Latin American Working Group
in light of the peace negotiations between the government of
Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC), calls on President Obama and Secretary of State John
Kerry to re-orient its foreign assistances to Colombia so that it is
aid for peace, rather than aid for war.
Michael Gosch, CSV
Provincial Perspective
Clerics of St. Viator
1212 E. Euclid Avenue
Arlington Heights, IL 60004-5799
Newsletter Winter 2013
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
NON-PROFIT
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 7160
PALATINE P&DC, IL
INSIDE
You can feel it in the air! As summer approaches,
a new spring has dawned in the church. With the
election of Pope Francis I, Catholics everywhere
are talking about a new papal style, his appealing
personality, and all of which point to a hopeful sign for
our often troubled church. Yes, the election of
Pope Francis tugs on our heartstrings and touches the
conscience of a people looking for meaning and the
presence of Christ in our world.
What is it that Francis brings that has touched us so?
While it is early in his ponticate, Pope Francis has
shown a desire to live more simply, to be more human
and more accessible to the
people whom he has been
called to lead and to serve, and
to eschew some of the external
trappings of the papacy. His
desire to be connected to the poor, to the immigrant,
to the suffering causes all of us to pause and to reect
upon our own lives and our own living of discipleship.
His willingness to acknowledge the social issues of our
day gives hope that the ofcial church is open to listen, to
enter dialogue, and to embrace all of humanity as Christ
embraced those in his time and place.
As Viatorians, we are called to reach out to all those that
we serve, especially those who are often accounted of
little importance in our world. We are called to raise
up communities of faith and proclaim Jesus Christ to
those in need or who are abandoned. I believe that Pope
Francis would be happy to know that this is the mission
of the Viatorian Community. And I believe that Pope
Francis would be happy to bless our ministry and our
commitment to those who are young and to those who
are marginalized.
Yes, summer is in the air! A breath of fresh air within
the halls of the Vatican is being proclaimed by many.
And in this spirit of hope, we await the promise of a new
pope that will heal the wounds of the past and will create
a spirit of welcome and love for all. As Viatorians, we
rejoice in the election of Pope Francis and pray that his
example may be embraced by all those called to lead our
world and our Catholic Church.
Page 2
Mission Trip in Belize: Not
Just for Students Anymore
St. Viator Parish Takes Root in
Bogota
Page 4
Viatorians Vocation Offce:
Manifesting a Spirit of Avail-
ability
Page 5
Walking Into a Future of Great
Promise
Page 6
Q & A: with
Connor Romemesko
Page 7
In the Footsteps of Our
Founder...
Page 8
A Ministry of Accompaniment:
the Pastoral

Migratoria Program
Weaving the Viatorian
Charism into Las Vegas Teens
Page 9
Viatorian Named President of
Catholic Theological Union
Page 10
Celebrate Our Jubilarians
Page 11
Fr. John W.R. Maguire
Labor Hero
Page 12
Responding to
Those Accounted of Little
Importance
Page 13
Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, Named
President of Saint Viator
High School
Page 14
Around the Province...