Fr. Alan Syslo, CSV, celebrated 50 years of priesthood with parishioners of St. Fr. Alan SysloThomas More Catholic Community in Henderson, NV, where he has served for the last year.

He is one of three Viatorian priests to reach this milestone this year.

“It is a significant moment in the life of ministry in the church — and here at St. Thomas More,” wrote Fr. Mick Egan, CSV, pastor, in their church bulletin.Fr. Alan Syslo

Fr. Syslo celebrated Mass on Saturday, his actual jubilee, and then celebrated with parishioners after each of the Sunday Masses.

“We are blessed to have him at St. Thomas More,” wrote one of the parishioners on the parish Facebook page.

Fr. Alan Syslo, CSV

Fr. Alan Syslo, CSV

Fr. Syslo joined the Viatorian Community in 1958. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1966 at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Chapel in Olympia Fields, IL.

Over the years, Fr. Syslo has served as a teacher, parish priest, chaplain, in campus ministry, and as a social worker, ministering to persons with AIDS.

Fr. Syslo was at the forefront of ministering to people with HIV/AIDS in the Monterey area of northern California. He helped secure two group homes for people living with the disease who had been homeless and he stood by them in times of crisis and even in their last days.

He went on to earn a master’s degree in social work at Rutgers University in Camden, NJ, and serve as a counselor to Vietnam veterans.

He brings his years of experience — and religious life — to the more than 6,000 families at St. Thomas More Catholic Community, which is one of the largest parishes in southern Nevada.