A spirit of collaboration was in the air as members of the Viatorian Community Council
Br. Michael Gosch, Fr. Dan Lydon and Associates Karen Cutler, Connie Gerber and Randy Baker take part in the VCC discussion
took their seats for their second meeting this year. They are a unique model of participation, formed in 2010, to advise on matters of community life.
As a group, they include three priests, three religious brothers and six lay associates. They come from across the province, including the Henderson/Las Vegas region, as well as the Bourbonnais/Kankakee, and Arlington Heights/Chicago regions.
“It’s lay and professed members coming together to talk about community issues,” Fr. Dan Lydon adds. “It’s meaningful.”
Fr. Patrick Render, CSV, third from right, chairs the VCC, seen here with Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, center, and Fr. Lawrence Lentz, CSV
The group addresses issues common to members of the Province, consequently, their discussions range from formation, vocations and community life, to broader issues such as mission, spirituality and ministry.
At this meeting, the group began making plans for next summer’s Provincial Assembly, which brings professed and associates together for three days of prayer, fellowship and renewal.
Yet most of their time is spent bringing forward issues related to the broader Viatorian Community.
Consequently, VCC members also reflected on the upcoming General Assembly coming up in November, which draws Viatorian delegates from around the world, as well as the Extraordinary General Council, which takes in provincials from every country where Viatorians serve.