Celebrating Mass in the chapel at the Viatorian Province Center — where 50 years ago he
Fr. Richard Rinn, CSV
first professed his vows as a religious brother — Fr. Richard Rinn, CSV, reflected on God’s goodness.
“We gather in prayer,” he said, “grateful to God for all the gifts he’s given to us.”
During his familiar, three-part homily, Fr. Rinn opened and closed with his reflections on his journey in religious life.
“Fifty years ago I came to this community in this very chapel,” he said. “I thought I was going to be a teacher, and teach U.S. history for the rest of my life.”
Fr. Richard Rinn, second in line, back in 1966 upon entering the Viatorian Novitiate
Instead, God and the Viatorians had other plans for him. He would go on to impact the lives of thousands of students and families during the next 50 years, as a brother and then a priest, quietly bringing them closer to God.
Fr. Rinn entered the Viatorian Novitiate a little more than one month after graduating from Saint Viator High School, in 1966. He professed his first vows one year later. Fr. Rinn would return to his alma mater as a teacher in 1971 and again in 1998 as its president.
Fr. Richard Rinn and Fr. Mick Egan enjoyed the jubilee celebration
His years in the Viatorian Community have taken him from Saint Viator High School to Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, where he served as a teacher and counselor before joining the administration as assistant principal, principal and president.
For the last 18 years, Fr. Rinn has served at St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas, where he leads more than 2,000 families and nearly 600 children in its school as pastor.
At his jubilee Mass, Fr. Rinn thanked his Viatorian brothers for supporting, encouraging and uplifting him.
“In this place,” he said, “we are reminded of what we do as religious. We work like Martha (in the gospel), relying on God’s grace every step of the way.”