Associate Brian Barrett dates his association with the Viatorians back to his youth, when he
Associate Brian Barrett attends the VYC in 2012
moved with his family to Las Vegas and entered St. Viator Catholic School. Fast forward to his adulthood, and he is paying his spirituality forward, working in youth ministry at St. Viator Catholic Community.
“I am proud to share that same charism with the youth of St. Viator,” Brian says. “I have witnessed the strength of the Viatorian Community and its ability to come together and support those around us.
Associate Brian Barrett, right, with Associates John Keating, left, and Don Wells, center, during their re-commitment ceremony in 2015
“That has given me courage to share my faith journey with others,” he adds, “and encourage the youth of our parish to do the same.”
Brian made his first commitment as a Viatorian associate in 2013, after seven years of working in youth ministry as well as serving as a catechist for confirmation students, volunteering in junior high Campus Ministry and in the parish’s Cub Scouts program.
During his discernment, Brian accompanied teens from the parish to the Viatorian Youth Congress, where he and they learned more about the Viatorian charism and how to advance its mission of social justice.
Over the years, Brian has worked in the hotel industry in the Las Vegas area, before working with the building trade and real estate. Last year, he made a career change and now is in his second year of pursuing a nursing degree at Nevada State College.
“The lives that I have been able to affect in the hospital setting,” he says, “are directly related to the teachings and influence I have received from the Viatorians.”