Jean Ang and Jason Wilhite have attended the Viatorian Youth Congress before — but this year they are running the show. Back in May, they were selected as young adult coordinators of the four-day congress which opens next week. Their training started today.
Associate Karen Cutler begins planning with Young Adult Coordinators Jason Wilhite and Jean Ang.
“It was such a significant experience for us when we were in high school,” Jean says. “We hope it will be just as impactful — spiritually, compassionately and as a community — for this year’s delegates.”
Both leaders said they hoped delegates will feel welcomed and accepted, and free to explore their faith.
“We also hope to challenge them,” Jason added, “to be more engaged in their faith — and to work for a better world.”
Jason Wilhite makes a presentation about Viatorians and social justice at last year’s VYC.
Nearly 70 people are coming, representing Viatorian parishes and schools in Arlington Heights, Bourbonnais, Kankakee, Las Vegas and for the second time, from Bogotá, Colombia.
While Associate Karen Cutler organizes all of the logistics and sessions for the delegates, it will be Jean and Jason that young delegates and their leaders look up to.
“They are two strong leaders who have had previous VYC experience,” says Associate Karen Cutler, who manages the congress. “They will be great examples to the other leaders and delegates, in modeling their faith and understanding of the Viatorian mission.”
Jean Ang makes a presentation to last year’s VYC delegates.
Both young people bring strong backgrounds to the role.
Jean grew up attending St. Viator Parish School and remains active in its youth ministry program, led by Associate Hector Obregon-Luna. She will be a senior nursing major at the University of Michigan.
Jason was active in Campus Ministry at Saint Viator High School and this fall he returns to his alma mater to serve as a campus minister. He graduated in May from St. Louis University, where he brought Pencils of Promise to campus, which works to make quality education accessible for children in Ghana, Guatemala and Laos. He also has volunteered at Viator House for Hospitality and has made a pilgrimage to the border with Fr. Corey Brost, CSV.