St. Viator kicks off 50th anniversary celebration with Jan. 30 mass

St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights will kick off the celebration of its 50th anniversary with a mass at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30 in the school’s Cahill Gym.

Cardinal Francis George and other dignitaries will be in attendance as the liturgy is co-celebrated by members of the Clerics of St. Viator, with students serving as greeters, readers, choir members and among the musical ensemble.

The event is free and open to the public. Thousands are expected to attend.

The Clerics of St. Viator, answering a call from the Archdiocese of Chicago to open a Catholic high school for boys in the rapidly growing Northwest suburbs, opened the school in 1961 with 225 freshman and sophomore boys. Fifty years later, and after merging with the former Sacred Heart of Mary High School in Rolling Meadows, 13,000 students have graduated from the school.

Among future events marking the school’s anniversary are a series of highly-interactive forums, titled “Shaping the Future,” featuring renowned leaders from inside and outside the Saint Viator community, focused on fine arts, innovation and service, and a Night of the Lion Gala April 9 at Navy Pier.