QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE CLERICS OF SAINT VIATOR Volume 3, Number 2 April 1998

T E A C H E R S 0 F F A I T H

Maternity BVM Sesquicentennial

Mother Church of The U.S. Viatorians Celebrates 150 Years

Bishop Joseph Jmesch

Mayor Grover Brooks, his wife and Fr. Larry Lentz after mass

M aternity BVM in

Bourbonnais, Illinois, the oldest parish in Kankakee County, is about 70 miles southwest of Chicago. Its history dates from the early 1800's, when Canadian and French settlers and trappers established themselves on

the banks of the Kankakee River. These pioneers in faith shared a strong Catholic faith. Thus Maternity BVM was established on April 20, 1847. The present church was begun in 1856, and completed by the parishioners in 1858.

Viatorian priests have been serving the parish since 1865, 132 of the 150 years of the parish, and it represents the first Viatorian ministry in the United States.

Fr. Beaudoin was pastor of Maternity BVM for the next 34 years. Brothers Martel and Bernard accompanied Fr. Beaudoin to the parish and were soon asked to take on the

Founding Viatorian Missionaries at Bourbonnais, Illinois Sept. 6, 1865 Father Pierre Beaudoin, C.S.V. Brother Augustin Martel, c.s.v. Brother Jean Baptiste Bernard, C.S.V.

village's public elementary school. In the next few years, the school was purchased by the Viatorians "for services rendered;" a high school was added, and classical studies were begun that became the nucleus of St. Viator College, founded in 1868. In fact, the reputation of the college was such that St. Viator College served as the seminary for the Diocese of Chicago until George Cardinal Mundelein opened St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in 1923.

The Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame (CND), arrived in Bourbonnais as their first mission in 1860 to teach

the girls, followed by the Viatorian Brothers to teach the boys in 1865. The heritage of the Sisters of Notre Dame continues to this day, with the service of Sr. Elizabeth King, CND as principal of Maternity school.

Additional Canadian Viatorians arrived at Bourbonnais, local vocations emerged, and parishes and schools were assigned to Viatorians in Kankakee, St. George, Beaverville and Aurora. In Chicago, Holy Name Cathedral School for Boys was staffed by Viatorians, and St. Viator parish was founded in 1890. With all this growth and service, the Viatorians in the USA were named a Province in 1882.

Parish-wide planning for the sesquicentennial was directed by eight volunteer parish families, who chose to celebrate for the full year in anticipation of the 1997150th anniversary. Each month was

Continued on page 3

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Viator

Reverend Robert M. Egan, C.S. V. Provincial Publisher

Philip J. Skeris Director of Development Managing Editor

VIATOR is published quarterly by the Clerics of St. Viator, the Viatorians, for friends, families, parishioners and alumni of Viatorian apostolates.

The Clerics of St. Viator are religious priests and brothers sent by the Catholic Church to teach the Faith and proclaim Jesus Christ as Gospel. In parishes, schools, and a variety of other ministries Viatorians work with Christian communities to live; deepen and celebrate their faith.

Our legal title is: Clerics of St. Viator.

From The Provincial's Perspective ____ _ Dear Partner in Faith,

Since my last letter, I have been on the road, in the air and over the

water. In October I was in Bogota for the Diaconate Ordination of

Brother Carlos Luis Claro and to accept the Final Vows of Brother

Fernando Nunez (see pictures below). In November, I attended the

Extraordinary General Council Meeting in Rome- this meeting is

attended by the Provincials of our Provinces in France, Spain,

Canada and United States. I no sooner got off the plane from Rome

and was on my way to St. Croix - no, not for a vacation- but looking

at possible sites for a new mission for our Province. To say the least, it was a very busy

fall and winter and to say the most, it is nice to be back home and not living out of a

suitcase!

Since I wrote to you last, Father Larry White, C.S.V., has died. Father White had served as

a teacher in a number of Viatorian high schools; for the past 15 years he had lived in

Tucson, Arizona and served as a hospital chaplain. Please keep Father White in your

prayers.

I hope your winter season has not been too harsh. The Viatorians pray that your Easter

Season is filled with many blessings.

Sincerely,

~ ;11. ft&w1' csv

Robert M. Egan, C.S.V.

Provincial

Fr. Egan with Br. Carlos Luis Claro at his Oiaconate ordination

Rest in Peace

Bishop Sema ordains Carlos Luis Claro

Fr. Egan accepts the Final Vows of Br. Fernando Nunez

Kindly remember in your prayers the following Viatorian who has recently died:

Reverend Lawrence R. White, C.S.V. Born to Eternal Life: January 23, 1998

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Mother Church of The U.S. Viatorians Celebrates 150 Years (continued)

highlighted by a major celebration, beginning with a special Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Joliet Bishop Joseph Imesch in October, 1996. Some of the other monthly events included a festive brunch, concerts, a Tea Dance, an interfaith symposium, and a Mayor 's Prayer Breakfast. Several events were held in collaboration with facilities at Olivet Nazarene University, the immediate neighbor of the parish.

Preparations for the anniversary by the parish included extensive redecoration, repairs and improvements to the church, while carefully observing and maintaining the historical integrity of the building. This project will better serve the weekly attendance of about 2,000 worshippers. The parish, now 1,336 families strong, is reflecting the Bourbonnais area's rapid expansion, and the parish is growing at the rate of about four or five ne'« families each week.

In reviewing the anniversary year, Fr. Lentz noted that the title

"Pioneers of Faith" aptly describes not only the Church, but more so the people of God who for these past 150 years have gathered and celebrated in God's name through all types of circumstances.

Congratulations, Maternity BVM Parish, on your sesquicentennial anniversary year. Thank you for the witness that you are and have been to this local community. •

Maternity BVM Milestones:

1841 Initial Viatorian Missionaries arrive

1847 Parish Founded

1858 Present Stone Church completed

1860 First Mission of the Congregation of Notre Dame Sisters arrive

1865 First Church of the Clerics of St. Viator in the United States

1919 Cemetery grotto dedicated

1949 Parish transferred from Archdiocese of Chicago to new Diocese of Joliet

1994 Landmark Bell Tower replaced

1996/ Sesquicentennial 1997 celebrated

Viatorians (L-R) Jim Crilly, Bill Carpenter, Chris Glancy, Larry Lentz, Mark Francis, Bob Caret), John Peeters and Ray Field join parishioners on Nostalgia Day

Entrance Procession at the Thanksgiv ing Mass (L-R) Fr. Eugene Su ll ivan*, Fr. Glancy, Fr. Egan, Fr. Lentz, Fr. Rinn and Fr. Tremonti.

*Fr. Sullivn11 Died October 10, 1997

The pastor, Fr. Larry Lentz heraldi11g the year's open ing

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From The Mission House

T hroughout the course Prayers in support of the sent to you last October Office continues to offer

of the year, we receive Viatorian Formation and for St. Viator Day. the individual mass card

many requests for mass Seminary Aid Association.

As you might imagine, and the perpetual mass

cards and prayer cards We recently updated and although we are just

card for both the living

for special occasions. these cards with color a bit partial, we think and the deceased. If you

This is frequently true pictures and images from these cards are very nice.

would like any of these

when your parish mass scenes here at our Our selection of cards cards, just call the

book may be filled for Province Center in includes the following Mission Office for details Arlington Heights. at 847/ 255-9292. •

the year. Many of you occasions: Birthday,

may be familiar with These pictures include Special Occasion, Speedy

these cards through your scenes from our chapel Recovery, Sympathy and

participation in our and grounds, including A Prayer for You.

Nazareth League of the St. Viator window we Of course, the Mission

Main altar at the Prov ince Center LUX chapel window St. Viator window

In Sympathy Card The Birthday Card A Prayer for You Card

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Points to Ponder .... __________ _ Would for you and your family? an ad- One of our recent

benefactors did exactly income that! By presenting a gift for life be to the Clerics of St. Viator

of interest to you? (our legal name) of a While at the same time large farm with a current helping to advance the value of $312,000, he was good works and mission able to gain an additional of the Viatorians? And income for life, based on with potential for his age, some of which is significant tax savings considered tax-free. He

Did You Know? The Springfield Region of the Chicago Province

of the Viatorians includes ministries ranging from elementary and secondary as well as

religious education and parish pastoral work.

also received substantial how you can benefit your tax savings on the personal situation, and appreciation of his long- the Clerics of St. Viator, held property, and also a with a Charitable significant charitable tax Remainder Annuity deduction. Although this Trust, please call or write:

was an extraodinary gift, 847 I 398-6805 real estate or other gifts Philip J. Skeris, CAHP, CFRE of all sizes are gifts that Office of Development benefit both the donor Clerics of St. Viator and the Viatorians.

1212 East Euclid Avenue For more information on Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Parishes: St. Alexius, Beardstown

St. Boniface, Edwardsville Holy Family, Granite City

St. Jude, Rochester St. Joseph, Springfield St. Patrick, Springfield

Elementary: St. Boniface, Edwardsville Holy Family, Granite City

St. Joseph, Springfield St. Patrick, Springfield

Secondary: Sacred Heart-Griffin High School,

Springfield

RECEIVE A LIFETIME INCOME FROM A CHARITABLE GIFT OF REAL ESTATE. GIFT PARTNERSHIPS THAT BENEFIT US BOTH.

If you own real estate and would like to explore options for generating a new income from it, call or write Phil Skeris at 847 I 398-6805.

Name

Address

Send To: Development Office

Clerics of St. Viator

1212 East Euclid St.

Arlington Heights, IL 60004

847-398-6805

Telephone ______________________________________________ __ Please include your current label.

If you would like any information on the Clerics of Saint Viator or if you have any special comments, please write them here or on a separate sheet. Thank you.

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