On any given day, Fr. William Haesaert, CSV, can be found assisting in pastoral ministry at
Fr. Bill Haesaert prepares to cut his cake during his 50th jubilee celebration last year
St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas, or working with its young people through Campus Ministry.
His easy-going and upbeat personality draw parishioners to him, young and old. At a parish-wide celebration for his golden jubilee last year, nearly 600 people lined up to congratulate him and have their photos taken.
Now retired from full time ministry, Fr. Bill lends his wisdom — honed from more than 50 years of religious life — to causes he loves most, namely helping to build communities of faith and ministering to young people.
If those tenets sound familiar, it’s because they are two pillars on which the Clerics of St. Viator were founded, more than 175 years ago.
Fr. Bill Haesaert greets parishioners as they head to the Taste of St. Viator
Like most of his confreres, Fr. Bill came to know the Viatorians through relationships built during his years at Alleman High School in Rock Island, IL, where he was taught by Viatorians. In particular, he was inspired by one of his teachers, Fr. Edward Anderson, CSV, who would go onto become elected provincial.
Fr. Bill Haesaert loves spreading the gospel with children
In reflecting on his life as a Viatorian, Fr. Bill gives thanks for all the places his ministry has taken him — and for all the people he has met.
“All that I am is a blessing from God,” Fr. Bill says. “My reflections sum up an attitude of gratitude for the support I have received from my family and from the Viatorians, who are my second family.”