Viatorian Voices: Conversations on the Way: Recent Episodes
The Viatorian Community
Through short interviews with Viatorian brothers, priests, associates, staff, and community members, we'll celebrate and explore various elements of Viatorian ministry and community life. Join host Jim Mitchell (SVHS '77) in learning about the Viatorian Community and hopefully deepening your understanding of God's invitation for you.
Associate Mary Finks worked for many years as a nurse and then as director of clinical services for a hospice care organization. In this episode, Mary draws on her experience to offer some explanation of the terms and interventions involved in care of the seriously or chronically ill and those nearing the end of their earthly lives. She offers some reflections on her experience caring for the terminally ill and accompanying their families. And Mary offers some advice on questions to ask your loved ones and yourself to help you and your family prepare for the potential of these difficult but important conversations. (This episode debuted on January 23, 2023.)
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Fr. Greg Jones, CSV is a Michigan native. He professed first vows with the Viatorians in 1990, at the age of 40. Greg studied theology and earned an MDiv from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and then was ordained a priest in 1996. He served in many capacities, including at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, St. Viator Parish in Chicago, and in various campus ministries. Greg is now retired and lives in Tucson, Arizona and continues working with Church charitable outreach and Sacramental celebration. In this episode, Fr. Greg talks about discovering the invitations God has had for him in his life. (This episode debuted on January 9, 2023.)
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Beth Nabors is the Executive Director of Journeys the Road Home, a social services organization that works with people experiencing homelessness in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Beth is an alumnus of Sacred Heart of Mary, the girls' high school that merged with Saint Viator HS, and she has remained a close friend and collaborator with the Viatorians. In this episode, she explains some of the services and philosophy of her organization, and Beth talks about the ways she has partnered with the Viatorians and students from our schools. (This episode debuted on December 26, 2022.)
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Cristo Rey St. Martin is a Cristo Rey Network school in Waukegan, Illinois that is endorsed by the Viatorians. This high school has a unique campus: a reformatted former big-box store with a sizeable parking lot right off a busy, main street in town. The Viatorians are proud of the rich service outreach these students do in their community, directed by Mr. Jim Dippold, and two of their projects during the height of the pandemic really seized on the capacity of their unique campus. (This episode debuted on December 12, 2022.)
The Bishop McNamara Catholic Schools community, with its predecessor names and parish schools, celebrates its 100th year of Catholic educational ministry. Viatorians led the school for fifty of those years (1931-1981) and continue to support the school in various ways today. In this episode, Pre-Associate Terry Granger, former elementary school principal and current system president, shares more about the school community to celebrate its past and present and look forward to a bright future. To learn more, follow @BishopMcNamara on social media or visit bishopmac.com. (This episode debuted on November 28, 2022.)
The consistent ethic of life is an integral Catholic social teaching that life is dignified and valuable from conception to natural death. It was articulated by the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, archbishop of Chicago from 1982 until his death in 1996 from pancreatic cancer. Fr. Mark Francis, CSV had many interactions with Cardinal Bernardin during his time as a professor, as Viatorian Superior General, and also with peers and proteges of the cardinal while Fr. Francis was president of Catholic Theological Union, where the Bernardin Center is based. In this conversation, we tap into this connection to unpack the consistent ethic of life. (This episode debuted on November 14, 2022.)
As the regional population grew around Las Vegas, residents in the Green Valley area of Henderson saw a need to start a new parish in their area. Early gatherings started in 1984 and were held in a preschool and later a mortuary chapel. In 1986, the Diocese of Las Vegas established St. Thomas More Catholic Community with Viatorian priest Fr. Tom Long, CSV as its first pastor.
The parish first built a multi-purpose center where they then celebrated Mass for several years until their church was completed and dedicated in 1996. Several Viatorians have served as pastors and associate pastors, and many lay parishioners have become Viatorian associates. In 2019, the Viatorians handed administration of the parish to the Diocese of Las Vegas, concluding 33 years of leadership there. Today, we seek to celebrate the origins, ministry, and community life of this Viatorian-founded parish, and honor the good work that continues today. (This conversation was recorded in September 2022, and the episode debuted on October 31, 2022.)
Viatorian Associates David and Susan Surprenant run a family farm in Manteno, Illinois, near many Viatorian ministry sites in Kankakee County, Illinois. After decades of milking Holstein dairy cows, they sold them to start a cow-calf operation with Black Angus livestock. Care for God's Creation is central to their agricultural vocation, mindfully tending the soil and the cows. In this conversation, Dave shares some of the ways his family strives for good stewardship, caring sustainably for their land, for their animals, and for their stability and livelihood. (This episode debuted on October 17, 2022.)
Unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the US are initially placed in group homes, but upon turning 18, they are transferred to prisons. In 2017, Br. Michael Gosch, CSV and Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, with the support of the Viatorian Community, founded Viator House of Hospitality. This is a community home that receives young men on or after their 18th birthday and provide hope, healing, and opportunity while they await their asylum hearings and potential legal relief. To learn more visit viatorhouseofhospitality.com. (This episode debuted on October 3, 2022.)
Associates Ky, Tommy, and Anthony join Pre-Associate Dan Masterton from Vocation Ministry for a roundtable. Three Millennials and one Gen-Z'er talk about faith among young adults, the trends they see in the Church and lived faith among their generations, and the way association and the community life of the Viatorians are a strength of living faith. This episode was recorded during the Las Vegas Diocesan Conference of 2022. (This episode debuted September 19, 2022.)
Associates Romeo Perez and Paul Hartz are both Viatorian associates, husbands of women who are also Viatorian associates, and dads to two teenaged kids, and their families both belong to Saint Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas. In this episode, they offer some reflections from family life, and how their Viatorian identity informs their vocations as associates, parents, and spouses. (This episode debuted on September 5, 2022.)
This episode offers an audiobook version of excerpts from our discernment guide called Exploring God's Invitation. The episode offers a few guides and inventories meant to support people in the process of discernment. Each section has a musical cue to indicate that section has concluded, and that the listener(s) may want to pause the episode to take notes, journal, pray, or reflect. This book is available at www.viatorians.com/vocations/discernment (This episode debuted on August 22, 2022.)
In this episode, we catch some fresh reflections from VYC 2022's young adult leaders. Mikey Schumaker (St. Viator High School), Deja Otto (St. Viator Catholic Community Las Vegas), and Kyle Wallisch (St. Viator High School) share some thoughts live from St. George Parish in Bourbonnais, where they are among seven young adults serving as leaders with this year's delegates. Listen in for hope-filled thoughts on the life of the Church and the Viatorian Community today and going into the future! (This episode was recorded on July 26, 2022, and it debuted on August 8, 2022.)
This bonus episode is an audio companion meant for the participants and leaders of the Viatorian Youth Congress (VYC 2022), who on Tuesday, July 26, will take a short driving pilgrimage through the past and present of Viatorian ministries in the Bourbonnais-Kankakee region.
For those not at VYC, it could also serve as a brief history and overview of our presence in this area.
Associate Curt Saindon grew up in Beaverville, Illinois, where Viatorians led his parish, St. Mary, and then has settled in Bourbonnais, where Viatorians lead his parish, St. George. Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV, encouraged Curt to explore lay association, and the formation and discernment helped Curt integrate the parts of his faith life, joining his Viatorian history with his commitment to service and participation in his parish community. (This episode debuted on July 25, 2022.)
Associate Brian Hansen is a young adult who is committed to sound discernment and being of service to others. Here, Brian reflects on his time as a Saint Viator High School student ('11), his theological studies, his ministries as a Catholic retreat minister and theology teacher, and his exploration of religious life and eventual discernment of marriage and lay association. (This episode debuted on July 11, 2022.)
Mary O'Connell graduated from Saint Viator High School in 2016 and went on to study environmental science and theology at Saint Louis University, graduating in 2020. She has since served and lived as a horticulturist at Jerusalem Farm in Kansas City, MO, an intentional Catholic community. Mary shares about growing in her faith and coming to examine social injustice while at SVHS and the ways she tries to live that out and share sustainable practices with others in her life and work. (This episode debuted on June 27, 2022.)
Fr. Arnold "Arnie" Perham, CSV is living his religious life into his nineties, and his ability to reach back through these many decades of his life is chock full of perspective and wisdom. Listen in to hear stories of St. Viator Parish in Chicago back in the 1920s and 1930s, the amazing story of a Viatorian novice master freshly returned from internment by Japanese military forces in Manchuria, and perspectives on studying for priesthood and beginning to serve as the fresh air of Vatican II began to circulate. (This episode debuted on June 13, 2022.)
Fr. Mick Egan, CSV has served in many places around Illinois and Nevada as a professed Viatorian. Moreover, after his brothers twice elected him Provincial and now Superior General, he has gotten to walk with lots of Viatorians, and now is tasked with setting a course with the worldwide community. Drawing on decades as a Viatorian and many miles traveled in leadership, Fr. Egan has a unique perspective to reflect on the joys and hopes of Viatorian community life, which he shares in this episode. (This episode debuted on May 30, 2022.)
Fr. Moses Mesh, CSV professed first vows in 2005 and was ordained a priest in 2011. He is a native of Belize, and he first encountered the Viatorians while the congregation led a foundation in the country (1998-2015). Initially, Fr. Moses served the parish that the Viatorians led, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Corazal Town, Belize. He later came to the US, where he previously served as parochial vicar in St. Viator Parish in Chicago and now serves at Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais, IL. Learn more about how Fr. Moses came to understand God's invitations for him. (This episode debuted on May 16, 2022.)
For this roundtable, we are marking Religious Brothers Day, celebrated each year on May 1 along with the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. The Viatorian Community is comprised of professed brothers and priests as well as lay associates, so today we join the Church in celebrating the religious brothers of our community and all those who serve worldwide.
Our guests:
- Br. Rob Robertson, CSV has been in Viatorian religious life for 34 years. In his religious life, Br. Rob has served as a teacher, campus minister, and counselor at Viatorian schools in Illinois and Nevada. He currently serves as a counselor at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and also serves the Viatorian Community as a Provincial Councilor.
- Br. Peter Lamick, CSV has been in Viatorian religious life for 6 years and professed perpetual vows in 2019. Br. Peter has served as a teacher, learning specialist, and coach at Cristo Rey St. Viator College Prep in North Las Vegas, Nevada and at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where he currently works.
We’d like to take a moment to acknowledge all of our Viatorian brothers:
- Br. John Eustice, CSV: Director of Vocation Ministry
- Br. Carlos Florez, CSV: Director of Admissions and Recruitment for Cristo Rey St. Viator College Prep in North Las Vegas, NV
- Br. Michael Gosch, CSV: Director of Programs & Housing for Viator House of Hospitality and Assistant Provincial
- Br. Pat Drohan, CSV: Retreat Staff at Villa Desiderata Retreat Center
- Br. Michael Rice, CSV: a retired educator living at the Province Center
We pray that the witness and example of these men will inspire others to consider religious life and potential vocations to brotherhood.
Viatorians founded Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, NV in 1954, the first in the area and the only one until the opening of Cristo Rey St. Viator in 2019. Viatorians no longer lead the school, but some of us continue working on the faculty and staff. In this episode, we hear from Associate Connie Gerber, retired after 41 years at Bishop Gorman, including serving as its principal, and Associate Kim Martinez, who continues ministering and teaching for 25+ years. They celebrate the Viatorian roots and legacy and the enduring relationship we have with this school community. (This episode debuted on April 4, 2022.)
The Viatorian Youth Congress is a place where youth and campus ministers bring delegations of high-school aged young people from all of our Viatorian communities, but this great experience only happens with the leadership and coordination of young adults! Two young adult coordinators (YACs) and several young adult leaders (YALs) team up to make the four days special and fun for the delegates. Patrick Aller was a YAL in 2014, 2015, and 2016 before serving as a YAC in 2017; Jean Ang was a YAL in 2017 and 2018 before serving as a YAC in 2019. Here, they share about their experience, and invite young adults to apply to serve at VYC. (This episode debuted on March 21, 2022.)
In this roundtable, Fr. Patrick Render, CSV joins Br. John Eustice, CSV to discuss Viatorian religious life and community life across decades and generations, looking back and moving forward. The two men bring a diverse breadth of experience and offer a rich portrait of our community that will stir reflections on all that we've done as well as celebrate the potential in front of us in years to come. (This episode debuted on March 7, 2022.)
Cristo Rey St. Viator opened to its first students in fall 2019, and it's now it just months away from serving four years' of high schoolers. In this episode, Associate Deborah Perez, CRSV's Director of Corporate Work Study, and Principal Melissa Gruenhagen talk about the academics, student life, and school community they are raising together with the families of the Las Vegas area. (This episode debuted on February 21, 2022.)
To mark World Day for Consecrated Life, we gathered together a panel of two sisters, one priest, and one brother, representing four religious communities. Together, they offered witness to religious life today and offered reflections and insights to the Church, with a particular eye to young people and those exploring God's invitation to religious life. (This episode debuted on February 3, 2022.)
- Sr. June Fitzgerald, OP was born in North Carolina and grew up in Virginia. She met the Dominican Sisters at a retreat for young single women and soon became a volunteer and frequent visitor to their community. As a religious sister, June has served in retreat ministry, spiritual direction, congregational leadership, and now as the vocation director for her congregation. Today, she has the great joy of living in one of their Houses of Welcome for discerning women, candidates, and sisters in the beginning stages of formation. The Dominican Sisters of Peace are part of the world wide Dominican Order, engage in a wide variety of ministries, and always strive to be peace, build peace, and preach peace in their lives and ministries. Learn more at oppeace.org.
- Sr. Mary Yun, OP is a convert and became Catholic at age 8 along with her family. She immigrated to the US from South Korea and grew up in Southern California. She joined the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose in 2006 and has ministered as a social worker/therapist in many settings, and now serves as the Candidate Director. Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose belongs to the wider Dominican family, or Order of Preachers, which has an 800-year legacy of service in many settings such as Catholic schools, parishes, and social services, preaching the Truth in love to the young, the poor, and the vulnerable. Learn more at msjdominicans.org
- Fr. Rodrigo Ulloa, MM moved with his whole family from Guatemala to the US in 1999, where he later joined the US Air Force. His studies during military service were interrupted by the September 11 attacks, after which he was suddenly assigned to Abu Dhabi; there, a US Air Force chaplain who became his role model. After completing his service, Rodrigo entered the seminary and crossed paths with a Maryknoll father. That inspired him to join Maryknoll in 2004, after which he completed his overseas training program and was ordained a Maryknoll priest in 2011. Maryknoll is a Catholic Society of Apostolic Life of missionary priests and brothers who, for over 100 years, have modeled themselves after the compassion and love of Jesus Christ in reaching out to those in the world who are most in need. This happens by direct evangelization and various pastoral ministries like healthcare, education, agriculture, and many more. Learn more at maryknollsociety.org.
- Br. John Eustice, CSV was born in Illinois and grew up in Las Vegas. He has been a Viatorian since 2005. He has served in pastoral ministries in Viatorian schools and parishes in Chicagoland, in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and in Belize. John now is studying for priesthood, while continuing to serve as Director of Vocation Ministry for the Viatorians. Viatorians are professed brothers and priests, as well lay associates, who proclaim Jesus Christ and His Gospel and raise communities where faith is lived, deepened, and celebrated. Typically, Viatorian ministries focus on teaching the faith, leading liturgy, walking with youth, and working for justice with those people who society accounts of little importance. Learn more at Viatorians.com.
Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV serves Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais, IL as its pastor. As the first permanent mission of the Viatorians in the United States, it's seen as the mother church of the community in this country. In this episode, Fr. Jason shares some reflections from his perspective as pastor, from the excitement of the 175th anniversary of the parish to the fabric of parish life and youth ministry. (This episode debuted on January 24, 2022.)
VYC is set to return this summer! As we get our booster shots and continue striving to manage this virus responsibly, plans are moving ahead for VYC 2022 at St. George Parish and the Bourbonnais-Kankakee Region of the province. Join Br. John and Juliann in refreshing your memory on what VYC is all about and how we can get the ball rolling for a great event this summer! (This episode debuted on January 3, 2022.)
Mary Finks and Susan Bourgeois have a lot of great things in common: both live in the Bourbonnais-Kankakee region and belong to Viatorian parishes there; both are active and joyful music ministers; and both are lay associates in the Viatorian Community. We're delighted to share their witness to Viatorian ministry and community life. (This episode debuted on November 29, 2021.)
Fr. Mark Francis, CSV has a unique perspective on education ministry and servant leadership. He has served as the head of an institution of higher learning, on the leadership council of the province, and as the head of the Viatorians worldwide. In this episode, Fr. Francis draws from parts of all of these experiences to share some insights on education and leadership. (This episode debuted on November 8, 2021.)
Tommy and Anthony Gugino grew up in St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas, where they got to be a part of the Viatorian Youth Congress (VYC) from its early years. As they grew into young adulthood, they both explored God's invitation to association with the Viatorians, and they each have made commitments as Viatorian Associates. Hear more about their growth in faith, their discernment, and their experience of their first years as associates. (This episode debuted on October 25, 2021.)
In this roundtable, we listen in on a beautiful talk from one of our Viatorian Youth Connection events. In this reflection, Associate Barbara D'Urso connects our roots in founder Venerable Louis Querbes with our lives of prayer and Eucharist and points us toward a faith that seeks do serve and do justice. This episode also includes a walk-through of a valuable Scripture practice for you to try! (This episode debuted on October 11, 2021.)
Rosy Hartz is a Viatorian Associate and the Youth Faith Formation Coordinator for St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas, NV. Her daughter, Abby, is an alumnus of St. Viator School and now attends Viatorian-founded Bishop Gorman High School. In this episode, Rosy and Abby share about their family life in a Viatorian parish, at home (Rosy's husband and Abby's dad, Paul, is also an associate!), and throughout their lives of faith. (This episode debuted September 13, 2021.)
In this roundtable, Fr. Tom and Br. Michael draw on their decades of religious life and their myriad experience accompanying and advocating for populations who society often accounts of little importance. Their witness, reflection, and stories serve to help us examine how we can more fully live out a faith that seeks to do social justice. This podcast is a recording of a Viatorian Vocation Ministry Young Adult event from summer 2021. (This episode debuted on August 30, 2021.)
Br. Rob shares a bit about what he imagines is one of the most distinct vocation stories in the Viatorian Community — from unbaptized to Catholic school teacher to discerning religious life to now decades of professed Viatorian living. Listen in on Br. Rob's reflections on identifying God's invitation and responding with a life of witness and ministry. (This episode debuted August 16, 2021.)
This is the first of our ROUNDTABLES on the way, deeper dives and longer discussions to share! This recording comes from a Young Adult Ministry event on exploring God's invitation. Br. John Eustice, CSV, Br. Peter Lamick, CSV, and Br. Ryan McMahon (a Viatorian novice) share reflections on how they came to more deeply understand God's invitation for them. Mr. Dan Masterton from Vocation Ministry moderates. Enjoy!
As Viatorians strive to teach the faith well, our goal is to bring our charism into all areas of our schools. As Athletic Director at Saint Viator High School, Pre-Associate Jason Kuffel wanted to draw thoroughly on the mission, vision, and values of the school such that our teams all reflected Viatorian values with uniform strength. Working Br. Peter and others at the school, The Viator Way was born. Learn more about this Viatorian endevaor in this episode. (This episode debuted on July 12, 2021.)
The Viatorians first came to the US in 1865, starting at Maternity BVM Church in Bourbonnais, IL. Our ministry in Kankakee County continues today, and now includes also St. George Parish, St. Mary Parish, St. Patrick Parish, and Bishop McNamara Catholic Schools. Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV has served there for a decade and shares some reflections on Viatorian ministry in rural parish life. (This episode debuted on June 28, 2021.)
Viatorian Vocation Ministry strives to offer all members of our communities useful resources to support and accompany your discernment. Whether men or women, in considering invitations to single, married, or religious life, our webpages, videos, and social media are extensions of our personal desire to walk closely with all of you in understanding God's ongoing invitations. Listen to learn more! (This episode debuted on June 14, 2021.)
Amanda is a Saint Viator HS alum, a gardener at the Viatorian Community Garden, and also served as a Young Adult Summer Coordinator for the integrity of Creation, where her research included conversations with Kat, Program Director for the Saint Kateri Conservation Center. Their work and insight teach us to put divine love in motion by caring better for God's Creation, including registering places like our garden as Kateri Habitats. (This episode debuted on May 31, 2021.)
Fr. von Behren and Br. Flórez have been Viatorian educators for many years, and their experience and dedication have been a big part of initiating a new Viatorian ministry. After years of dreaming and planning, Cristo Rey Saint Viator College Preparatory High School opened in North Las Vegas, NV in the autumn of 2019. Hear more from these two Viatorians about the origins of this school and how the Viatorians continue to walk closely with the young people of Las Vegas and their families. (This episode debuted on May 17, 2021.)
Justin and Brendan both grew up in Las Vegas, NV as part of the Viator Youth crew at St. Viator Catholic Community. Now both away at college, these two young men talk about the positive roots and influences they found in their youth group and the positive connections that keep them going into adult faith now in college. (This episode debuted May 3, 2021.)
Dan is an alumnus of Saint Viator High School (’07), where he knew a few Viatorians as teachers, campus ministers, and administrators. He kept in touch with many of them and built friendships that continue into his adult and family life and now have brought him back to the Viatorians as Assistant Vocation Minister. (This episode debuted April 19, 2021.)
Fr. Corey joined the podcast to talk about how he has come to continually understand God’s ongoing invitation for him, from joining religious life with the Viatorians, to being ordained a priest, to serving as a companion and advocate to people in migration seeking legal relief. (This episode debuted April 5, 2021.)
Two members of our Young Adult Board share about some of the origins, early ideas, and newly beginning work to better serve and accompany college-aged and post-grad young adults across the Viatorian Community and beyond. (This episode debuted March 22, 2021.)