Viatorian associates come from all walks of life, but this much they share: They all make commitments to partner with professed Viatorians in carrying out the Viatorian mission.
Fr. Mark Francis presents medals to associates (L-R) Dan Masterton, Patrick Aller, Larry D’Urso, Mary Ellen Dorough and Shelley Aguiar.
At this week’s annual Provincial Assembly, going on in Las Vegas, seven new associates made their first commitments to the Viatorian Community. They included: Shelley Aguiar, a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Community in Henderson, NV and retired administrative specialist with the Henderson Police Department; Patrick Aller, a recent MBA graduate now working for a start-up in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas; Mary Ellen Dorough, a fifth grade teacher at St. Viator Parish School in Las Vegas, Larry D’Urso, a retired librarian and active volunteer with Viator House of Hospitality in suburban Chicago; Dan Masterton, Coordinator of Pastoral Ministries for the Viatorians; Paul Mertzman, Assistant Principal at St. Viator Parish School and Mary Thompson, who teaches religious education at St. Thomas More.
Their new commitments reflected the sense of joy that permeated the opening of the Assembly Tuesday in Las Vegas, as associates, brothers and priests came together from Arlington Heights, Bourbonnais, Chicago, and Kankakee, and all as one Viatorian Community.
(L-R) Associates Shelley Aguiar, Mary Ellen Dorough, Paul Mertzman, Larry D’Urso, Patrick Aller, Mary Thompson and Dan Masterton
Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Provincial, described the annual assembly as an important part of Viatorian life in welcoming the nearly 70 people. He described the gathering as a fortifying relationships and friendships, but also coming together in a prayerful way to advance the mission of the community.
In part, the assembly picked up where it left last year, when Viatorians explored synodality, in response to Pope Francis’ request that all Catholics participate in this two year synod process. Synodality is a way of reflecting prayerfully with one another, Fr. Francis explained, while opening hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit.
Fr. Edgar Suarez and Associate Susana Tellez listen intently.
In fact, the theme of each morning’s prayer service, The Spirit Will Guide Us, was aimed at opening everyone up to new ideas and hearing the word of God.
Associates Christine Gucwa and Anthony Gugino accompany the morning prayer service.