It was a natural when after seven years as associate pastor, Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV, was named
Fr. Jason, right, instructs delegates at the Viatorian Youth Congress
Fr. Jason Nesbit, left, enjoys a moment with Fr. Corey Brost, center, and one of the delegates at the Viatorian Youth Congress
pastor of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bourbonnais, IL. Now, after one year in, he inspires parishioners young and old.
In addition to his sacramental duties, Fr. Jason manages the parish and its many ministries, but he comes at it from a youthful perspective.
He is a frequent delegation leader at the Viatorian Youth Congress, accompanying teens to the four-day congress, where they participate in small and large group discussions, homily workshops and worshiping at Mass.
Fr. Jason has led vocation ministry efforts in the Bourbonnais/Kankakee region and last year, he organized a community-wide prayer service that drew 10 religious communities and affirmed their ministries during the Year of Consecrated Life.
“As a Catholic community, we are called to thank the men and women religious for saying yes each day,” Fr. Jason said, “to a vocation of consecrated life and service to the Lord.”
Fr. Jason Nesbit with Brian McCaskey of the Chicago Bears front office, after saying Mass at training camp
Fr. Jason grew up in Granite City, IL, located near St. Louis, and first met Viatorians when his parish, Sacred Heart Church, merged with two others to become Holy Family Parish, led by Fr. Bill Fisherkeller, CSV.
Fr. Jason says he knew from the time he was a child that he wanted to become a priest, but he explored other options during college, when he attended Southern Illinois University and majored in history and business administration, graduating in 2001.
He ultimately entered the pre-novitiate program of the Viatorian Community in 2002 and took his first vows in 2003.
Updated Nov. 25, 2019