Category: News

SDCCW 2026 Catholic Girl High School Graduate Scholarship

Posted on by Mike Johnson
Springfield Deanery of Catholic Women Council (SDCCW) is pleased to award $2,000 scholarships to four 2026 Catholic Girl High School Graduates in the Springfield dioceses in IL who exemplify our SDCCW Catholic values of Leadership, Faith, and Service.
Please see the attached application and information sheet to apply. Deadline of application is April 15, 2026.

 

2026 SDCCW H S Girl Scholarship Letter to Graduate

2026 SDCCW HS Girl Scholarship Application

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” — Psalm 118:1

Posted on by Mike Johnson

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, my heart overflows with gratitude for each of you. You are a blessing to our parish family—through your presence, your faith, your prayers, and your love for God. Every family, every individual, every child, every elder, every visitor, and every returning Catholic is important, valued, and welcomed here.

I want to assure you that I am here as your shepherd, walking with you in faith, joy, and hope. My prayer and my mission is to make our parish a place where all feel at home, where the lonely find friendship, the hurting find comfort, and the seeker finds Christ. Our parish is strongest when we stand united in Christ. Let us resist divisive thoughts, instead, let us build one another up in love, faith, and mission.

As St. Paul reminds us, “Let us pursue what leads to peace and to building up one another.” (Romans 14:19) Together, we can create a parish that truly welcomes everyone and reflects the love of Jesus. May your homes be filled with joy, peace, and gratitude this Thanksgiving, and may our parish continue to grow as a community of disciples who live, serve, and love as one family in Christ.

With prayerful gratitude and blessing,

 

Fr. Varghese Puthussery SAC

Beyond the Masks: Rediscovering the True Spirit of “Halloween”

Posted on by Mike Johnson

Beyond the Masks: Rediscovering the True Spirit of “Halloween”

Before the costumes and candy, Halloween was a night of holiness — a vigil of light before the Feast of All Saints. This year, let’s look beyond the shadows and reclaim its sacred meaning.

Each year, as October 31st approaches, our streets fill with costumes, candy, and carved pumpkins. For many, Halloween is a night of fun and fright — a time for spooky decorations and sweet treats. Yet few realize that this day has holy and ancient Christian roots. Behind the masks and marketing lies a story that calls us to rediscover the real meaning of Halloween and to celebrate it in a way that reflects its true spirit.

The Meaning of the Word: The name Halloween is actually a shortened form of “All Hallows’ Eve.” “Hallow” means holy or saint — as we say in the Lord’s Prayer, “Hallowed be Thy name.” “E’en” is an old term for evening. Put together, Halloween literally means “the evening of all the holy ones.” It is the vigil before one of the Church’s greatest feasts: All Saints’ Day on November 1st — the day we honor all the saints in heaven, both known and unknown.

The Origin of the Feast: From the early centuries of Christianity, believers have honored the memory of the martyrs and holy men and women who gave their lives for Christ. As their numbers grew, the Church set aside a single day to celebrate all who have reached heaven — the great family of the faithful who now live in God’s presence. By the eighth century, Pope Gregory III established November 1st as All Saints’ Day, and the evening before became known as All Hallows’ Eve. It was a time of prayer, reflection, and preparation — a vigil of hope before the great feast of light and glory.

How the Meaning Was Lost: Over time, as Christian Europe met different local customs and seasonal harvest traditions, some of the symbols of autumn and death became mixed with the Church’s holy vigil. In more recent times, especially in popular culture, Halloween has drifted far from its sacred roots. Instead of a night preparing to honor the saints, it often celebrates fear, darkness, and even things that mock the sacred. What began as a vigil of holiness has become for many a festival of horror — and, sadly, a highly commercialized one. The focus has shifted from honoring heaven’s glory to glorifying the eerie and grotesque.

A Call to Reclaim the Light: Yet this need not be the case. As Catholics, we are invited to reclaim Halloween and return to its true purpose — a time of joy, remembrance, and faith. Halloween, rightly understood, points us toward the victory of light over darkness, of life over death, of Christ over evil. We can restore the beauty of this feast by celebrating it in meaningful ways: Attend Mass or a vigil service for All Saints’ Day. Learn about and share stories of the saints, especially lesser-known ones. Host an All-Saints’ celebration where children can dress as their favorite saints or biblical figures. Pray for loved ones who have died, preparing also for All Souls’ Day on November 2nd. Light candles as symbols of Christ, the Light of the World, shining in the darkness. These practices remind us that Halloween is not about fear, but about faith — not about death’s power, but about the promise of eternal life.

Becoming Saints Ourselves: The true message of Halloween is one of hope. It calls us to remember that we are all made for heaven, and that sainthood is not reserved for a few — it is our universal call. As we honor the saints who have gone before us, we renew our own desire to follow their example of courage, charity, and holiness. So, this year, as pumpkins glow on porches and children laugh in the streets, let us also allow the light of faith to shine in our hearts. Let us celebrate All Hallows’ Eve as it was meant to be — a joyful vigil before the Feast of All Saints, a night when we look not into the shadows, but toward the radiant glory of God’s kingdom.

Fr. Varghese Puthussery SAC, St. Peter Church.

Come, let’s Adore Jesus in the Eucharist and Pray the Rosary!

Posted on by Mike Johnson
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This being the month of the Holy Rosary, during our time of Eucharistic Adoration, I’d like to speak to you about one of the most powerful and beloved devotions in the life of the Church: the Rosary—and why we are called to pray it regularly.
1. A Pathway to an Intimate Relationship with Jesus
The Rosary is much more than a string of beads or a repetition of prayers. At its heart, the Rosary is a meditation on the life of Christ—seen through the eyes of His mother, Mary. Each mystery we contemplate—the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous—is a doorway into Jesus’ life, His love, and His saving mission. As we pray, we don’t just recite words—we enter into sacred moments: His Incarnation, His Passion, His Resurrection. The Rosary becomes a conversation with Jesus and Mary, where we offer our hearts and listen in silence.
2. A Source of Peace in a Restless World
In the chaos and noise of modern life, we need spiritual silence. The Rosary, with its gentle rhythm and repetition, creates a sacred space for peace. It calms the mind, quiets anxiety, and re-centers our soul in God’s presence. St. John Paul II called the Rosary “a prayer of great significance, destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness.” He reminded us that it helps us become “conformed ever more closely to Christ until we attain true holiness.”
3. A School of Faith with Mary as Our Teacher
When we pray the Rosary, we are not praying to Mary, but with her. She leads us to Jesus. Her life—her “yes” to God, her courage beneath the Cross, her joy at the Resurrection—teaches us how to live with faith, trust, and love. As Pope Benedict XVI said, “The Rosary, when it is prayed in an authentic way, brings peace and reconciliation. It contains the healing power of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, invoked with faith and love at the center of each Hail Mary.”
4. A Powerful Weapon in Spiritual Warfare
The saints have always called the Rosary a spiritual weapon—a shield against temptation, discouragement, and sin.
  • St. Dominic in the 13th century is traditionally credited with receiving the rosary from the Blessed Virgin Mary as a weapon to combat heresy and bring people back to Christ. He preached it passionately, understanding the power of the rosary.
  • Centuries later, St. Louis de Montfort said, “The Rosary is a priceless treasure inspired by God.”
  • Padre Pio, a mystic and stigmatist. called Rosary “his weapon,” and would pray it more than 30 times a day.
  • St. Mother Teresa prayed it constantly amidst the suffering she witnessed, calling it her daily lifeline.
In our own struggles—be it doubt, temptation, suffering, or fear—the Rosary becomes a battle cry of faith, placing us under Mary’s protection and leading us back to Christ’s victory.
5. A Channel of Grace, Healing, and Intercession
Mary, as our heavenly Mother, intercedes for us. When we pray the Rosary, we bring her our needs—personal, communal, and global—and ask her to present them to her Son. We see this clearly in the Marian apparitions:
  • In Fatima (1917), Mary revealed herself as “Our Lady of the Rosary” and asked us to pray it daily for peace and the conversion of sinners.
  • At Lourdes (1858), she held a Rosary and prayed it with Bernadette.
  • In Akita (1973), she urged Sr. Agnes, “Pray very much the prayers of the Rosary.”
Over and over again, Our Lady has one consistent message: “Pray the Rosary.” It is her invitation—and her gift.
6. A Prayer for Our Time—and All Times
The Rosary isn’t just for saints and mystics. It’s for families, students, priests, the elderly, the struggling, the searching—for everyone. Pope Francis often urges us to pray the Rosary as a way to bring Christ into our daily lives. During the pandemic, he even led the whole Church in Rosary gatherings for healing and protection.
And I’ve experienced this personally. I was blessed to grow up in a family where we prayed the Rosary every day. That simple act of faith shaped my heart, helped me discern my vocation, and continues to sustain me as a missionary priest.
Dear sisters and brothers, Rosary is not just prayer—it’s formation. It’s protection. It’s healing. It is a treasure:
  • It brings us closer to Jesus through Mary.
  • It deepens our faith and trust in God.
  • It offers peace, protection, and hope.
  • It opens our hearts to grace and intercession.
  • And it unites us with the Church across the world and throughout time.
So, whether you’re just beginning your journey or have prayed the Rosary for years, I invite you: Pick up the beads. Pray slowly. Meditate deeply. Let Mary lead you to her Son. As you do, may the Rosary become for you what it has been for the saints: a path to holiness, a source of strength, and a lifeline to the heart of Jesus. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us. Amen.
 
Fr. Varghese Puthussery SAC

October 31 Day Challenge – October the Month of the Rosary

Posted on by Mike Johnson
Dear Parish Family,
October is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary, a powerful prayer that draws us closer to Jesus through the heart of His Mother. This year, we invite every family in our parish to take part in a 31-Day Rosary Challenge, praying the Rosary each day throughout the month of October.
Whether you pray the entire Rosary or simply one decade a day, your participation will help build a stronger culture of prayer in our homes and parish community.
Each week, we will focus on one set of Mysteries:
Ø Week 1 (Oct 1–7): Joyful Mysteries
Ø Week 2 (Oct 8–14): Luminous Mysteries
Ø Week 3 (Oct 15–21): Sorrowful Mysteries
Ø Week 4 (Oct 22–28): Glorious Mysteries
Ø Final Days (Oct 29–31): Open reflection or repeat favorite Mysteries
We’ve also included a simple daily chart with a short reflection to help guide your family prayer time. Let us ask Our Lady to intercede for our families and bring us closer to her Son!
Here are some of the other ways we’ll be nurturing a Rosary-centered parish life this month:
Ø Rosary before every Mass – arriving early becomes an opportunity to pray and prepare our hearts.
Ø 12-Hour Eucharistic Adoration with Chain Rosary – a day of deep prayer and intercession. First Friday ,10/3, at St. Peter
Ø Workshop and Potluck: “Why Pray the Rosary?”—a space to learn, share, and grow. Friday 10/17 at St. Peter.
Ø Walking Rosary on the parish campus – a way to combine prayer, movement, and community. 10/23 St. Peter Campus & 10/30 Holy Family Campus.
My dear friends, Mary’s Rosary is not just a devotion—it’s a school of love, patience, and peace. As we walk through the Joyful Mysteries this week, may we allow them to shape our families, our hearts, and our parish.
In Christ,
Fr. Varghese Puthussery SAC

Thank you, Teachers of Faith!

Posted on by Mike Johnson
“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope but do it with gentleness and reverence.” (1 Peter 3:15)
Dear Catechists, Faith Formation Leaders, and Volunteers,
On this special occasion of National Catechetical Sunday, I wish to express my deep gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for each one of you who so generously gives your time, your energy, and your love to the mission of passing on the faith.
This year’s theme, reflected in 1 Peter 3:15, is both a commission and a reminder: that we are called not only to know Christ, but to share Him—with confidence, clarity, and compassion. You are the ones who help make this possible in our parish. Whether you serve as a teacher/ volunteer at PSR, youth ministry, OCIA team member, Bible Study, Adult Faith Formation group, Sacramental prep volunteer, or Faith Formation Coordinator—you are living witnesses of the Gospel.
In an age where so many search for truth, meaning, and hope, your presence and ministry are more important than ever. You are planting seeds of faith in hearts young and old, and your dedication helps others encounter the living Christ.
As Pope Francis reminds us: “Being a catechist is not a title; it is an attitude. It is a way of being.”
Indeed, your ministry is not just about teaching content—it is about sharing your encounter with Jesus, walking with others on their journey, and forming disciples who will carry the light of faith into the world.
Please know that your parish stands with you, supports you, and prays for you. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide you, strengthen you, and bless the work of your hands.
With profound gratitude and every blessing,
 Fr. Varghese Puthussery SAC
St. Peter, Petersburg & Holy Family, Athens.

St. Isidore Pray for Our Harvest

Posted on by Mike Johnson
St. Isidore, you lived a humble life working the land.
You attended Holy Mass each morning which jeopardized the employment
that allowed your family to eat.
The Lord repaid your love by sending his angels to plow the fields
while you were at Church.
Dear Isidore, ask Our Lord Jesus to place deep faith in our hearts
and water it each day with your prayers that we may progress in holiness as you did.
Pray that as our heart grows in love and humility, we may be a living sign of Jesus
to those around us.
As a farmer who used his hands to bring forth nourishing food, please ask Jesus to bless us with a bountiful harvest.
Pray that our hands and bodies will remain strong that we may farm the land God has given us.
Ask Jesus to care for our gardens as he tends our hearts.
Pray that weeds will be kept far from our fields and likewise give us an aversion to sin.
Humbly we ask that you carry the petitions we hold in our heart to our most loving and generous Lord. – Amen
Fall is a time for to rejoice in the changing in the leaves, Friday night lights, and bonfire weather.  Another of God’s seasonal changes is the farmer’s harvest.  He blessed this land with wonderful men and woman who are up well before most of us, doing work in the wee hours of the morning until late into the day that most of us could not fathom.  Although in a hurry and faced with a large piece of farm equipment traversing the country roads to the next field can be frustrating, let us remember that this is a necessary job and that farmer has a family to get home to, homework to help with and miles of fields to plan for before they go to bed.  Let’s give some space and grace to ourselves and our farmers’ equipment in those moments.    Thank you, to our parish farmers, for all you do!
Learn more about Saint Isidore & Maria:
https://catholicrurallife.org/resources/spiritual/isidore-and-maria-patron-saints-of-farmers
Learn more about Illinois’ Ag:
Illinois Department of Agriculture https://agr.illinois.gov
County & Illinois Harvest Activities 2025:
Petersburg Harvest Fest September 20th
Indian Creek Farmstead Petersburg, IL https://www.indiancreekfarmstead.com
Jefferies Orchard (just south of Athens on 29) Springfield, IL https://www.jefferies-orchard.com
Spoon River Drive (10/4-5 & 10/11-12) https://spoonriverdrive.org
Must-Do Fall Activities in Illinois | https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/seasonal-adventures/fall-in-illinois/amazing-fall-activities-illinois

Sunday School

Posted on by Mike Johnson

 

PSR & Youth Group Registration is open! See our link on Facebook, petersburgcatholics.com and holyfamilyathens.com

Our PSR (Parish School Religion), aka Sunday School, meets most Sundays from 9:15 AM-10:15 AM at St. Peter Parish Center in Petersburg, IL. We serve Pre K (Ages 3-5) & K, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade (Reconciliation Sacrament), 3rd Grade (Confirmation and First Communion Sacraments), and 4-6th Grade in this program.

Our youth group serves grades 7th -12th and meets the 2nd & 4th Sundays of each month.

Please join us for our Kickoff Events:

Saturday September 6th after 4:30 PM Mass at St. Peter – PSR Meet the Teacher Night at St. Peter Parish Center.

Sunday August 24th – Youth Group kickoff party at St. Peter Parish Center.

If you are interested in volunteering, registering your child, or have any questions please reach out to Emily Wilson in the office.

Totus Tuus

Posted on by Mike Johnson
What a week we had!?! Thirty-two 1st -6th graders from St. Peter (Petersburg), Holy Family (Athens) and surrounding communities registered for our day program and five 7th & 9th graders for our evening program.
We laughed, we sang, we played games, enjoyed skits by our 4 missionaries all the while learning about the 5 joyful mysteries of the rosary, 7 sacraments, and some church etiquette.  Although the majority of our students were baptized Catholics, we still had a couple students that were not Catholic and they too enjoyed the games and lessons with their friends.
Totus Tuus, Latin for Totally Yours, is a weeklong summer bible camp like no other.  First, it is led by young, 18–24-year-old, missionaries teamed up to spread God’s word throughout the Diocese of Springfield, IL.  Mary Lorriane, Steven, Wyatt and Alexis were knowledgeable of our faith, energetic and very creative with acting skills for skits.  Quite literally wearing multiple hats and playing roles. Second, the kids are engaged in mass.  Catholic mass is awesome, but if you don’t know the significance of the parts it’s not. The kids were our lectors reading God’s words, our chorus singing beautifully, and our servers assisting our pastor with mass.  Each day before mass the missionaries and kids prepped with song practice, etiquette reminders, and discussion about a part of the mass or symbol within the church.  Even as an adult, I learned a lot.  Lastly, it is activities, songs, skits, games, throughout the day and evening. We even had a fire truck visit us and cool down the day before an epic water balloon fight in church parking lot.
Every program takes a village, and it cannot go unsaid how much our parishioners jumped in to make this week in July a success. Our missionaries need a place to stay, lunches, and dinners.  Our campers needed snacks, drinks and supervisors.  Our parish center and church needed helpers to prep and clean up. It’s the millions of little joyful actions of our parishioners that show we are Catholic.
I hope you will join us next year.
Thank you,
Emily Wilson
Director of Religious Education
Office Administrator

St. Peter and Holy Family Parishes

711 S. 6th Street, Petersburg, IL 62675

217-632-7118

Why a Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession?

Posted on by Mike Johnson
Processions in which the Eucharist is carried through the streets solemnly with singing, especially on the feast of Corpus Christi, the Christian people give public witness to their faith and their devotion towards their sacraments.
    Holy Family Church is hosting a procession in celebration of the Feast of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) after Mass Sunday, June 22, 2025. Special guest Monsignor David Hoefler will be the main celebrant of mass. The procession will begin 11:00AM at the entrance to the church and go around the perimeter of the parking lot stopping at 4 stations for prayer, song and a Blessing. We will also have a short time of Adoration. Upon completion of the four stations, we will process back into church for Benediction and Potluck lunch.
Here are a couple videos on the backround of Corpus Christi Feast and see you Sunday, June 22, 2025in receiving these special blessings and singing praise to Our Lord Jesus!!