Oh, the places you’ll go!
Fr. Alan Syslo, CSV
Fr. John Pisors, CSV
Fr. John Van Wiel, CSV
On June 4, 1965, three Viatorians were ordained to the priesthood — Fr. John Pisors, CSV, Fr. Alan Syslo, CSV, and Fr. John Van Wiel, CSV.
Fr. John Pisors teaching at Colegio San Viator
While all three attended the seminary together and earned degrees from Loyola University, they would earn advanced degrees in different areas and eventually set out in ministries that would take them across the country and around the world.
Take Fr. Pisors. He grew up in St. Viator’s Parish in Chicago before ultimately joining the Viatorians in 1953. Two years after being ordained, he accepted what would turn out to be a life changing assignment, as a teacher at Colegio San Viator in Bogotá, Colombia. He has remained there nearly all of his 50 years as a priest, teaching core subjects as well as working in Viatorian parishes.
Fr. John Van Wiel taught chemistry at Saint Viator High School for 25 years
Fr. Van Wiel first met the Viatorians at Alleman High School in Rock Island, IL before he joined them in 1959. His career as a science teacher has taken him to Bishop McNamara, Alleman and Cathedral high schools, before settling into a 25-year career at Saint Viator High School, where he taught all levels of chemistry. Fr. Van Wiel also has served as a novice master during those years, most recently guiding the community’s newest member, Br. Peter Lamick, CSV.
Fr. Alan Syslo returned last year to Las Vegas to serve as associate pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Community
Fr. Syslo’s ministry began in teaching, first at Saint Viator High School and one year later at Spalding Institute in Peoria. However, for the last 35 years, he has ministered to people infected with HIV/AIDS in California and Las Vegas. He also counseled Vietnam veterans. He currently serves as an associate pastor at St. Thomas More Catholic Community, in suburban Las Vegas.