Viatorian Voices: Conversations on the Way

Welcome into the Viatorian communications department! Every couple months, Associate Dan Masterton, director of communications, meets over Zoom with peers who do similar ministries for other Catholic organizations. They pray together and help each other review and improve our work. This time, they each shared a bit with Dan about why they prioritize bringing their group’s ministry online, what they seek to highlight, and how it can impact our Church and the People of God.Ernie Garrido is vocations recruiter for the Paulist Fathers (BeAPaulist.org).Rory Dayton is founder of VocationCRM (VocationCRM.com).Zachary Dmyterko is vocation director for the Alexian Brothers (AlexianBrothers.org).Jesús Leyva is director of communications for the National Religious Vocations Conference (NRVC.net) and editor for the Global Sisters Report (GlobalSistersReport.org).(This episode debuted on September 21, 2026.)00:00 Introduction01:22 Ernie: In-Person Positive Experience Continues Online04:08 Rory: Witness and Connection through Interest-Based Use06:49 Zach: Utilizing Rich History and Modern Authenticity09:41 Jesús: Sowing Seeds, Even to Unexpected Users11:43 Dan: Bringing Viatorian Groundedness Online12:34 Conclusion

Why did Br. Peter Lamick, CSV, spend his whole summer living in Colombia? He discerned a desire to strengthen his Spanish-language skills, but he didn't just want to take classes in Chicago. Br. Peter wanted to learn the language with his brothers, in a community home, studying in their country and culture. Hear about Br. Peter's 10 weeks with our Viatorian Community in Colombia, living at our formation house Casa San Justo (Saint Just House), commuting into Bogotá city center for language studies, and practicing his growing skills with his brothers. (This episode debuted on August 31, 2026.)00:00 Introduction01:43 Why 10 Weeks in Colombia?03:31 Immersive Language Studies06:54 Living with Viatorian Brothers09:43 Highlights of Living in Colombia13:10 Impressive Viatorian Formation 14:42 Conclusion

In this episode, we talk with Sr. Amy Mejia, SSCM. She professed first vows as a religious sister and Servant of the Holy Heart of Mary in April 2026. For the last year and half and counting, she has been ministering in two of our Viatorian parishes: Sacred Heart Church in Pembroke Township, IL, and St. Patrick Parish in Kankakee, IL. Here, she reflects on her vocation to the SSCM community and to religious sisterhood, only after a lot of life experience, and shared about working with Viatorians in our parishes. And of course, we gather her insights into discernment as a newly professed religious. (This episode debuted on August 17, 2026.)00:00 Introduction01:56 Roots of Vocation05:31 A Religious Sister, Mother, and Grandmother07:34 Ministering in Viatorian Parishes09:58 Appreciation for Viatorian Religious11:09 Insights for Discernment13:56 Conclusion

In this episode, we talk with the Young Adult Leaders for the 2026 Viatorian Youth Congress. These are college-aged young adults who have identified God’s invitation to servant-leadership and applied for this role. They undertake two days of leadership training as leaders and then lead the four-day VYC program for dozens of teen delegates from Viatorian communities around the province. So, with so many opportunities before them, from travel and time with friends to money-making jobs or career-advancing internships, why do these young people give up a week of their summers in service of these teens, the Viatorian Community, and the Church? That’s what we asked our YALs to share in this episode. (This episode debuted on July 27, 2026.)00:00 Introduction02:14 Felipe Moreno02:59 Trevor Lyon03:47 Abby Hartz04:29 Tommy Wilson05:23 Cecilia Wiedel06:15 Nevaeh Szparkowski06:54 Madeline Denk07:29 Aidan McLeod08:17 Antonio Mastro08:51 Austin Orock09:41 Amanda Mallous10:49 Jennifer Orozco12:04 Thomas Ribble13:13 Conclusion(Note: YAL Taylor Bair was not able to take part in interviews.)

In this episode, we explore God’s invitations to Br. Juan David Ramirez, CSV. He grew up in the Bogotá area of Colombia. After some chance encounters with Viatorians during his teacher training, he discerned with us, entered formation, and joined our community. Br. Juan David professed first vows in 2019 and perpetual vows in 2022. He has taught math for several years at Colegio San Viator, or Saint Viator School, in Tunja, Colombia, and he is now beginning theology and philosophy studies in Bogotá with a view toward ordination. Here, we trace the through-line of his vocation from childhood into life as a perpetually professed Viatorian religious. (This episode debuted on July 13, 2026.)00:00 Introduction01:35 First, a Vocation in Teaching03:08 More than a Teaching Internship06:24 A Big Leap in Obedience09:54 Seeking Further Formation10:52 In Discernment, “Accept the Challenge”12:17 Conclusion

In this episode, we head out on the way with Fr. John Eustice, CSV. For three weeks earlier this summer, Fr. John was a chaplain at Philmont Scouting Ranch in New Mexico. He assisted with camp setup for the summer trek groups and served in rotations around the property. Fr. John celebrated Masses and heard confessions, provided pastoral support to people in need of assistance, and spent time with trekkers, staff, and fellow chaplains. Fr. John is an Eagle Scout and has remained involved with Scouting through Catholic initiatives, Eagle boards of review, and more. Here, Fr. John takes us with him in this special summer ministry. (This episode debuted on June 29, 2026.)00:00 Introduction01:30 Roadtripping to the Ranch02:59 Setting Up Camp04:15 Living the Apostolic Life07:03 Serving in Solidarity10:30 Going Where Needed13:33 Scouting Evolves in Welcome15:45 Conclusion

In this episode, we take a closer look at Service and Song, an annual Saint Viator High School summer program for middle school students led by Viatorians and our high school students. Associate Ann Perez serves as the school’s Vice President of Mission and Identity, and, with Service and Song coming up next week, she shares how Service and Song is a vital way by which the school community can share and live out its mission. This happens particularly by forming its student to be servant-leaders, introducing future students to Christian service, and animating adults and young people together in proclaiming the Gospel and raising communities of faith. (This episode debuted on June 15, 2026.)00:00 Introduction01:28 Action-Packed Viatorian Formation03:57 SVHS Mission and Vision05:29 Collaboration and Partnership09:15 Mission Integration through Action12:10 Accompaniment & Discernment13:44 Conclusion

This summer and fall, 17 new associates will make their initial commitments as Viatorians. This follows a two-year period of discernment and formation, undertaken as regional cohorts with formation teams of Viatorian religious and associates. Two of our soon-to-be new members reflect on that process:Pre-Associate Dianne Marshall is a parish faith formation director and veteran pastoral minister who met the Viatorians while ministering at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL.Pre-Associate Jason Valle is a media teacher at Bishop Gorman High School and works alongside Viatorians there and in volunteer youth ministry at his parish, St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas.Hear about the pre-association process as we look ahead to welcoming new members! (This episode debuted on June 1, 2026.)00:00 Introduction01:38 Dianne: Learning the Charism02:54 Dianne: Prayerfully Discerning In04:00 Dianne: Viatorian Ministry in Archdiocesan Parish05:38 Jason: Affirming What He’s Already Doing07:18 Jason: Call to Accompanying Youth and Sharing the Faith 09:16 Jason: Desire to Go Where He’s Needed10:28 Conclusion