At St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas, teens in the parish’s youth ministry are known simply as Viator Youth, a shortened name for a high profile, active group. Under the leadership of Associate Rosy Hartz, Faith Formation Coordinator at the parish, the teens began this academic year undergoing leadership training and will begin confirmation preparation this weekend.
Fr. Richard Rinn helps man the bake sale with two Viator Youth members.
On Sunday, they hit the ground running. For starters, they held a bake sale after Masses to help them afford their annual trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference in November in Long Beach, CA. NCYC is the largest youth ministry event in the country, which last year drew more than 12,000 people — and 22 bishops — for three powerful days.
Its stated mission is to engage the young church.
Mission accomplished at St. Viator, where Viator Youth members attend several national retreats, as well as the Viatorian Youth Congress, and all as part of their development as young, faith leaders, or the young church.
Their spiritual development is important to Viatorians and to the parish. These Viator Youth members — and their bake sale — drew the support of Viatorians on staff at the parish, including Fr. Richard Rinn, CSV, Pastor and Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV, Parochial Vicar, as well as Associate Deacon Michael Underwood and his wife, Associate Kathy Underwood.
Associate Rosy Hartz and Associate Deacon Mike Underwood support the cause.
That same evening, youth members returned to the parish to participate in the 5 p.m. Mass and an informal evening organized by Associate Deborah Perez and Natalya Sayegh, that included team-building with food, games and fun.
“At St. Viator, faith formation is a major part of our mission,” parish leaders say. “It provides opportunities for spiritual growth and enrichment for young people of all ages and their parents. Faith formation comes from one’s experience of God in the word, worship, service and community.”
Fr. Dan Belanger joins in a game of Jenga.
Bottom line, accompanying young people on their spiritual journey is central to the mission of the Viatorians, as stated in the community’s vision statement: “As Viatorians, in the spirit of our founder, Fr. Louis Querbes, we minister to and with young people in the Church and are committed to their faith development and active membership in their respective faith communities.”