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You Will Be My Witnesses Capital Campaign

Tue, 19 May 2026 17:30:25 GMT

A Campaign for the Rockford Diocese

Dear Parish Family,

At the heart of Christian life is gratitude. Everything we have is a gift from God, and our giving is a response to His generosity. In the Church, we typically speak of three distinct ways we are invited to give. First, there is our regular offertory giving. This is our primary and ongoing support of the parish. It sustains everything we do week to week—the celebration of the Mass, the sacraments, the formation of our children, our outreach to those in need, and the daily life of the parish and school. This is foundational. For many, this is guided by the biblical principle of tithing—giving a percentage of our income back to God. Second, there is the diocesan appeal, which takes place each year. Commitment weekend is May 2/3, 2026, and the theme is I Will Come to You. This supports the mission of the Church beyond our parish— seminarian formation, Catholic Charities, diocesan ministries, and assistance to parishes in need. This, too, is an important part of our responsibility as members of the wider Church.

Finally, there is the capital campaign. This is different. A capital campaign is not part of our ordinary yearly giving. It is an extraordinary invitation,

for a limited period of time, to make a sacrificial gift to address significant needs both here in our parish and across the diocese.

It is about strengthening the Church not just for today, but for the future.

A gift to the capital campaign should not replace your regular offertory or your support of the diocesan appeal. Rather, it is an invitation to give

above and beyond these commitments, each according to one’s means.

Let me offer an example. A family striving to tithe 10% of their income might already be giving regularly to the parish and contributing to the diocesan appeal. During the campaign, they might prayerfully consider an additional gift often structured in a manageable way, such as a monthly amount over three years. For some, this may mean redirecting other charitable giving for a time. For others, it may mean stretching beyond their current level of giving as an act of sacrifice and trust in God’s providence. What matters most is not the amount, but the spirit in which the gift is made. The Lord does not ask the same thing of everyone,

but He does invite each of us to respond generously.

An example based on the biblical tithe of 10% on $100,000 income:

• Parish offertory 5% - $5,000 (unchanged)

• Diocesan appeal 1% - $1,000 (unchanged)

• Capital campaign 4% - $4,000/year (from other charitable giving)

• Other charities - reduced/redirected temporarily to Capital campaign

This campaign is an opportunity for all of us to participate in something larger than ourselves to strengthen our parish, support the mission of the diocese,

and help ensure that the faith is passed on to future generations. I ask you to begin praying now. Ask the Lord what He is inviting you to do.

And trust that whatever you offer, given with love and faith, will bear fruit. Be assured of my prayers for you and your families.

If you have any questions as we approach the Diocesan Appeal and Capital Campaign, feel free to reach out.

In Gratitude,

Fr. Ryan Browning

First Communion 2026

Thu, 07 May 2026 01:04:04 GMT

This weekend, our parish joyfully celebrated First Holy Communion

This weekend, our parish joyfully celebrated First Holy Communion with two beautiful Masses celebrated by Fr. Browning and Fr. Nooraee. It was a truly special occasion as our children received the Eucharist for the first time, surrounded by their families, friends, and parish community. The children looked wonderful in their beautiful dresses and sharp suits, and the joy throughout the church was impossible to miss. Smiles, excitement, and reverence filled the room as families gathered to celebrate this important step in their faith journey. We are grateful to everyone who helped prepare the children for this sacrament and to all who made the celebrations so meaningful. Please continue to keep these children and their families in your prayers as they continue to grow in faith and love for Christ.

Walking with Moms Phone Line

Thu, 07 May 2026 00:53:23 GMT

630-232-0124 ext. 222. Messages can be left 24/7

We are excited to share that the Walking With Moms phone line is now up and running! This ministry was created to offer compassionate support, encouragement, and practical assistance to mothers and families in our community who may need a helping hand or simply someone to talk to.

If you or someone you know is in need of baby essentials such as diapers, formula, baby wipes, or other infant care items, we are here to help. Our ministry also offers the opportunity to connect one-on-one with a caring companion who is ready to listen, pray, and walk alongside you during pregnancy, postpartum, or any stage of motherhood.

Messages can be left 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and a member of our ministry team will respond as soon as possible. Whether the need is practical, emotional, or spiritual, no one should feel alone.

Most importantly, support through Walking With Moms is open to everyone. You do not need to be a parishioner or Catholic to receive assistance. Our mission is simply to provide loving care, dignity, and hope to every mother and family who reaches out. We are grateful to begin this ministry and look forward to serving our community with compassion and Christ-centered support.

"Radical Reorientation" Lenten Mission

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:49:17 GMT

Our 2026 Lenten Mission is coming soon!

Come join us March 1st - 3rd at 6:00m at St. Peter Church for our annual Parish Mission. This year presented by Hallow! We are so excited to have them this year! As our parish continues to partner with them to grow in prayer we will be focusing this mission on our hearts and how to radically reorient them towards Christ. We will be joined by Rob Montepare as he dives into his own personal journey with Christ through prayer!

We hope you can all join us for this free event, Sunday March 1st, Monday March 2nd, and Tuesday, March 3rd nights starting at 6:00pm. See you there!

Hallow here at St. Peter Parish

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:26:12 GMT

Building a new community of prayer here at St. Peter!

St. Peter Parish is thrilled to announce that we’ll be partnering with Hallow this year, the #1 prayer app! Through prayer and meditation rooted in the Catholic faith, Hallow helps people grow closer to God and find peace. Users can pray alongside Fr. Mike, Sr. Miriam, Mark Wahlberg, Jonathan Roumie, and many more. The app also offers mental health and sleep content, audiobooks, and sacred music.

We will have prayer challenges often throughout the year, so make sure to join our parish group and take a peek at all the wonderful small groups we have as well.

All parishioners – subscribers and those on the free version – are invited to be a part of the St. Peter parish page in the app. There, you’re able to create a profile, share prayer requests, and take part in prayer challenges together.

Already a Hallow user? You can access the prayer challenge by visiting our parish page on the Community tab of the app (at the bottom of the screen).

Brand new to Hallow? Visit hallow.com/parish , search for our parish (enter the zip code for the fastest results), and follow the prompts. You’ll be given a special, time-limited trial which gives access to all the app’s premium content (after which you have the opportunity to subscribe). If you’d like to forgo the trial and access the free version of Hallow, hit “Skip." Either way, you will always have access to the St. Peter parish page and all future prayer challenges.

We look forward to praying with you!

Issues with app access? Contact parishsupport@hallow.app .

Welcome Fr. Ryan Nooraee!

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:39:14 GMT

We are so excited to welcome Father Nooraee to our parish!

Father Nooraee has spend some time here as a Seminarian and a Deacon so you probably recognize him! His first weekend is June 21st - 22nd. Please make sure you introduce yourself and make him feel welcome!

Confirmation 2025

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:30:49 GMT

What a Beautiful Confirmation Mass we had this year. Thank you so much to Bishop Malloy and the Knights of Columbus for making it such a special Mass. The Holy Spirit really showed up for us! Thank you to all our families who have prayed, participated, and volunteered to make this year happen!

Rosebud Ministry

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:14:38 GMT

Prayer is Powerful.

This ministry gives you the opportunity to write a prayer card and place a rose for individuals in need of prayer such as parents, grandparents, loss of a baby, troubled times, mothers and fathers struggling with a personal choice for life in a current pregnancy, someone experiencing regret after an abortion, or someone discerning adoption. The vase of roses & prayer cards will be placed in the church for all to pray for these intentions. Parishioners can write prayer intentions any time. Monthly, prayer warriors will receive any newly placed intentions.

630 CATHOLIC

Fri, 02 May 2025 18:08:54 GMT

Come join us for faith fellowship this Monday!!

This Monday, May 5th come celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us at Sturdy Shelter in Batavia! Starting at 7pm we will be handing out free beers and spending time in conversation! Our dear friend, Seminarian Patrick will be here to give a talk and questions as well! We hope to see you there!!

Steubenville

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 20:49:14 GMT

Steubenville Mid-America is a high-energy youth conference where thousands of teens are invited to encounter Jesus Christ through dynamic speakers, engaging music, the Sacraments, small group discussions, and fellowship with other teens. Join us! Steubenville is open to current 8th - High School students. It is July 11th-13th, 2025.

REGISTRATION DUE: THURSDAY, APRIL 24 2025

New Baby Loss & Miscarriage Ministry

communications@stpetergeneva.org (Isabel Feldhaus) — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 20:35:56 GMT

Our goal is to provide a place of love and care for those affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and other types of baby loss. We hope to provide support and a place for moms to come together as they grieve and try to understand this unbearable loss.

We have three focus areas:

1) Providing Practical Guidance for Moms During & Immediately Following a Loss

2) Coming Alongside Grieving Moms & Families

3) Remembering and Praying for our Babies

Navigating Physical Loss & Healthcare Settings

We encourage you to speak openly with your healthcare providers. Ask questions and express your wishes for you and your child. You may wish to review the practical guidance provided by Catholic Miscarriage Support. This site has information about what to expect with different types of losses, how to provide end of life care

if applicable, what your options may be for collecting the child for burial, and more. Its goal is to address questions you need answered immediately. This site is not exhaustive; it does not include information or guidance about all possible situations and is not fully vetted or maintained by our group.

Support from Our Priests

Please know that you can reach out to the parish office at 630-232-0124 to notify them that you or a loved one are experiencing or have experienced the loss of a baby. The parish staff can relay your needs to our priests in an emergency 24/7. The parish office can also help connect you to additional resources that may be helpful.

Arranging a Special Blessing, Funeral or Burial

There are many ways to honor your baby. Some ways include having a special blessing, a funeral or burial. A funeral may not be necessary but it may be an option. Some families choose to have a very private and/or informal funeral with only the parents and priest but other family and friends can be included as well. To arrange a funeral, please contact Collette McKenna at ols@stpetergeneva.org.

Here is some information that may be helpful:

Malone Funeral Home (https://www.malonefh.com) is owned and run by St. Peter parishioners. They are sensitive to the needs of families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss. They can help you determine a plan for burying your baby. If cost is a concern, please let the Malone team know and they may be able to help.
Resurrection Cemetery is located at 37W210 Fabyan Parkway, Geneva, 60134. Resurrection is owned and maintained by the Rockford Diocese and has a special place where you may lay your child to rest, often at no cost. Collette McKenna and/or Malone Funeral Home can provide additional information. There is a special blessing for parents who have suffered a miscarriage that is included at the end of this document.

Support for Moms

Many members of our Mom’s group grieved in silence and solitude following their personal losses. Sometimes it can be helpful to have someone to talk with who has been in your shoes. We connect moms to walk 1:1 with you on your grief journey, pray for you and connect you with other resources if/when that is helpful. Our volunteer moms aren’t trained therapists or spiritual advisors but they are invested in helping moms wherever they are at. If you are interested in

participating, please contact us.

Hope & Healing Boxes & Meal Trains

We have a small box to give each family that experiences the loss of a baby. The box contains some special resources to help with prayer, grief, and remembering your baby. One of the resources in the box is a book called “Grieving Together: A Couple’s Journey Through Miscarriage.” It is written by Laura Kelly Fanucci and Franco David Fanucci, a Catholic couple who have helpful suggestions for mothers, fathers, and siblings. We would be honored to bring you a box

in your time of need.
If some meals would be helpful for your family please click the link below. We will reach out to the Mom’s group asking for volunteers to prepare and deliver a meal. Your name and reason for the request can be kept anonymous, if desired.

Attend an Annual Remembrance Mass

The Catholic Church has a beautiful tradition of praying for babies who have passed away before birth and asking for hope and healing for their families and loved ones. We are looking into scheduling a remembrance mass at St. Peter. More information is forthcoming. There is a beautiful annual mass of remembrance at St. Patrick Parish in Yorkville, IL. This year’s mass will be held on October 18, 2025 at 10 AM. All are welcome to attend.

Ministries For Healing

The St. Peter Respect Life Committee maintains a special place in our church ( to the left of the baptismal font ) to help our parish pray for and support those who are pregnant, grieving the loss of a child, waiting to become pregnant or adopt, and more. The display has different colored roses representing different types of intentions. We encourage you to visit the display and consider sharing your intention(s) by filling out a card and placing it in the box. A group of ‘prayer warriors’ at our parish will pray for your intention. Prayer intentions may be submitted anonymously. If you would like to become a ‘prayer warrior’ you can reach out to Mary Kay Rogers at marykay@cgtekinc.com.

St. Peter Church has a bereavement group that has several sessions per year. Each session meets once a week for 6 consecutive weeks. The group is welcoming and understanding of those grieving the loss of a baby. Reach out to Collette McKenna for more information at ols@stpetergeneva.org. There are also frequent announcements about the bereavement group in the bulletin.