A tradition returned this week to Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, that brought its students
Fr. William Haesaert worked with students to celebrate the feast of St. Viator
back to their roots. Gathered in the Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni Chapel, they celebrated the feast of St. Viator, patron saint of the order that founded the school more than 60 years ago, the Viatorians.
Fr. William Haesaert, CSV, celebrated the liturgy with students, with a statue of St. Viator, prominently looking on. He also arranged it so that each student received a prayer card, containing the image of Viator and a prayer for his intercession.
Viatorians continue to work at the school, including: Br. Rob Robertson, CSV, in campus ministry, Br. Daniel Tripamer, CSV, in the mathematics department, Associate Kim Martinez in campus ministry and Associate Bridget Michlik in development.
Fr. William Haesaert and Associate Kim Martinez
While Associates Kim Martinez and Rosy Hartz both attended the Mass, it was the students themselves who worked to bring this tradition back.
A core of the students in attendance had participated in the Viatorian Youth Congress, where they learned more about the Viatorian mission — and its patron saint — and experienced ways to deepen their spiritual life.
The Mass took place in the Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni Chapel, with St. Viator looking on
A key component of the youth congress each year is sending delegates back to their home schools and parishes, charged with bringing back what they have learned. For these students from Las Vegas, who traveled more than 1,000 miles to the Chicago area last summer to attend, it appears their experience was worth the trip.