Missionaries of the Sacred

May 28, 2010 marked the 50th anniversary of Fr. Peter Campbell, MSC’s ordination to the priesthood. Fr. Peter is a member of the MSC community in Aurora, IL and has been very active in healing and retreat ministry throughout his career as a priest. In 1969, he became the program director at the Sacred Heart Retreat and Renewal Center in Youngstown, OH, where he served until 1986. That same year he became a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and in 1987, he was approved by the state of Ohio as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).  During his time at Sacred Heart Retreat House, Fr. Peter co-founded a retreat program called Life’s Healing Journey (LHJ), which he later expanded into three retreats: Life’s Healing Weekend, Healing Childhood Hurts and The Spiritual Journey. Today the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart offer all three retreats in the Chicago area in both English and Spanish, and have started offering retreats in Pennsylvania and California.

On May 29, which was also the Feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, family, friends and fellow MSC gathered at St. Therese Parish in Aurora, IL for an 11:00 am Mass. Fr. Mike Miller, MSC, pastor of St. Therese celebrated the Mass, and Fr Andrew Torma, MSC; Fr Joe Jablonski, MSC; Fr Joe Gleixner, MSC; Fr Jean Marie, MSC; Fr David Engbarth ,  Fr Norb Weber, MSC; Fr Tousaint Iluku, MSC and Fr Jovinus Rahail, MSC concelebrated. Fr. David Engbarth, pastor of Our Lady of Good Council in Aurora and good friend of Fr. Peter, was the guest homilist. Family members read the readings and intercessions, and Fr. Peter’s grandnieces and grandnephews brought up flowers at the offertory. Mass was followed by a reception in the parish hall. Guests recounted how 50 years ago, on his ordination day, Fr. Peter was so busy greeting and blessing his many guests that, by the time he finished, all the cake was gone. At the anniversary celebration, friends and family made sure that he was there to cut the cake and get the first piece.

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart USA Province thanks Fr. Peter on his many years of service to the congregation and to the Church. We recognize that he has touched the lives of many, bringing the love of the Sacred Heart to others especially through his work in healing and retreat ministry. Congratulations Fr. Peter, on your Golden Jubilee! May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere!