At Saint Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas, students’ active faith participation doesn’t end when they graduate eighth grade. Thanks to Viatorian associates — who partner with Fr. Richard Rinn, CSV, Pastor and Fr. Lawrence Lentz, CSV, Parochial Assistant — that connection to the Viatorian charism remains strong long after they leave the school.
A Bishop Gorman students helps himself to a donut.
Last week, Associate Rosy Hartz led a group of associates in visiting St. Viator graduates at Bishop Gorman High School and then with freshmen from Cristo Rey St. Viator, who held their retreat at St. Viator Parish. The hook was the chance to take a break to enjoy donuts, but the impact of seeing their parish associates went deeper.
Rosy was accompanied by her husband, Associate Paul Hartz, Associate Deacon Michael Underwood and Associate Kim Martinez, a teacher at Bishop Gorman, in making the visits, while Jamie Reyburn — the new Director of Campus Ministry — closed out last week’s Campus Ministry meeting with donuts for the middle schoolers.
Associates Rosy Hartz and Kim Martinez
“As a Viatorian Parish, our Campus Ministry days allow our students to learn who we are as Viatorians,” Reyburn said during her introduction to the school. “We learn about developing our call to serve and how to live out Catholic social teaching, following the vision of the founder of the Viatorians, Fr. Louis Querbes.
“We do this in a variety of fun activities that challenge our youth to live out Fr. Querbes’ vision,” she adds, “to reach out “to those of little importance” in our world.”
Associate Deacon Mike Underwood distributes donuts to Cristo Rey St. Viator freshmen.
Last week’s visits reaffirmed the Viatorian mission and identity with students and they enjoyed seeing associates from their parish. Snacking on donuts, with familiar adults from their parish, well, felt like home.
“It was all about Viatorian hospitality and being present,” Rosy says, “and living out the charism.”