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'St. Peter is where we can encounter Christ'
By Brenda Schory
Fifteen years ago, Rev. Mark Campobello pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse of two girls, age 14 and 15, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Geneva and at Aurora Central Catholic High School. The revelations caused an uproar. Last month, 395 Catholic members of clergy, publicly accused of childhood sexual abuse, were named in a report that highlights their Illinois service histories, allegations of abuse, history of their subsequent transfers and disciplinary by both church and authorities. The list included 13 priests who served in Kane County, including Campobello. In the meantime, St. Peter has worked to rebuilt trust among its parishioners. Rev. Jonathan Bakkelund, who is now the pastor of St. Peter, said when he arrived in 2016, people spoke to him about the pain of the Campobello era. “Folks wanted to ... share with me the hurt that the parish had gone through – and the healing,” Bakkelund said. “There had been several years of prayers and moving forward and staying together. It did cause some folks to leave.” Bakkelund said Rev. Monsignor Joe Jarmoluk did a good job of beginning the healing, but when Rev. Martins Emeh came in 2009, that "is when the real healing began." "He said, ‘Let’s move forward,’” Bakkelund said. “We have a future full of hope. We say our prayers and love one another and serve God’s people and build up the kingdom here in Geneva and in the wider Fox Valley community.” Bakkelund said Rev. Monsignor Joe Jarmoluk did a good job of beginning the healing, but when Rev. Martins Emeh came in 2009, that "is when the real healing began." "He said, ‘Let’s move forward,’” Bakkelund said. “We have a future full of hope. We say our prayers and love one another and serve God’s people and build up the kingdom here in Geneva and in the wider Fox Valley community.” By the time Bakkelund arrived, St. Peter was ready to focus on dynamic leadership where people would come to Mass “and really walk away feeling fed and encouraged and strengthened spiritually.” The church hosted retreats and focused on its school to “make sure we're doing everything we can to raise up miniature disciples,” Bakkelund said. “We are very happy to report the parish is growing,” Bakkelund said. “Weekend Mass attendance from 2016 is now up 40% and about a thousand more people attend per weekend than three years ago.” New families are joining St. Peter Church, among them Leslie and James Rife of Geneva with their two sons, age 6 and 3. James Rife was on active military duty for 10 years, moved eight times in those years and belonged to as many different Catholic churches. Leslie Rife said St. Peter is "like a second home to us." “We absolutely love it,” Leslie Rife said. "The parish is extremely welcoming. It’s a great community. You can see it every Sunday after church – they serve doughnuts and coffee after church and people are still there an hour later.” James Rife agreed. “To Leslie’s point, this is far and above the best parish in terms of sacramental graces that we receive … and sense of community provided,” James Leslie said. Leslie Rife, who volunteers at her younger son’s preschool class, said she went through rigorous training. “Knowing any volunteer who comes into the classroom is required to have this training puts me at ease,” Leslie Rife said. As to the past, Leslie Rife said, “Every church, every parish is going to have bad seeds here and there.” Both Emeh and Bakkelund have addressed it from the pulpit directly, he said, "condemning that behavior. It was not something to shy away from.” “Despite the worst failings of the past, St. Peter is where we can encounter Christ and the sacraments,” James Rife said. “Despite what happens within the church, that is where we find the truth." Contact: bschory@shawmedia.com
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