Fr. Peter E. Campbell, M.S.C.

The Rev. Peter E. Campbell, M.S.C., a member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, 79, of Asbury Gardens, North Aurora, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 1, 2013 at Presence Mercy Center. He was born February 1, 1934 in Chicago, IL, to John and Albina (Elliott) Campbell, both now deceased. Fr. Peter graduated from Sacred Heart School in Lombard, IL, in 1948. In the fall of that year, he entered Sacred Heart Mission Seminary in Geneva, IL, where Fr. Peter completed four years of secondary education and one year of college. In 1953, he transferred to the novitiate in Youngstown, OH, making his first profession of vows in 1954 as a Missionary of the Sacred Heart. He continued his studies for the priesthood at Sacred Heart Seminary in Shelby, OH, making perpetual profession of vows in 1957. Fr. Peter was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1960, at Toledo, Ohio. Concurrent with additional studies at Christ the King Seminary, West Chicago, IL, he was appointed teacher, prefect of students and sports director at the Geneva minor seminary from 1961-62. He was then assigned as parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish, Revere, PA, until 1965. At that time, he became co-founder of the former MSC community in Oceanside, CA, and preacher of missions and retreats. In addition, he served as an auxiliary Navy chaplain while in Oceanside. From 1969-86, Fr. Peter was assigned as program director at the Sacred Heart Retreat and Renewal Center, Youngstown, OH. During this time, from 1973-75, he attended graduate school at Kent State University and received a master’s in counseling psychology, continuing with doctoral studies in organizational psychology. At the Youngstown retreat house, Fr. Peter developed a retreat program called Life’s Healing Journey, which he later expanded into a three stage process for conversion and renewal. This process incorporates the spirituality of the Heart of Christ with well-founded principles of psychology, with the intent of reestablishing spiritual and emotional integrity. In 1986, he was transferred to the provincial headquarters in Aurora, IL, bringing the program to the Midwest, and then expanded to California as well. He became chairperson of the provincial renewal board. From 1980-88, he was also a provincial councilor. In 1986, Fr. Peter was credentialed as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and in 1987, he was approved by the state of Ohio as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Over the years, Fr. Peter participated in a variety of recovery groups. In December, 2005, Fr. Peter was appointed superior of the MSC Aurora, IL community. He continued in that position until 2009. He retired in 2010 and moved into Asbury Gardens in North Aurora, IL. While there Fr. Peter achieved his dream of writing two books, Life’s Healing Journey, A Path to Peace, published in August of 2010 and You’re Not the Person I Want You To Be, published in December of 2012. Survivors include his sisters, Mary Ellen (Bill) Rynearson of Lisle, IL, Joan Mueller of Beloit, WI and Judy (Skip) Hushaw of Aurora, IL; his brothers, John (Elisa) Campbell of Eagen, MN, Joe Campbell of Wauwatosa, WI and Duncan Campbell of Prescott, WI; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Fr. Peter is preceded in death by his sister, Terri Campbell; his brother, Fr. Jim Campbell; and his brother-in-law, Chuck Mueller. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 3, 2013 from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM, with the Office of the Dead at 7:30 PM, at St. Therese Church, 271 N. Farnsworth Ave, Aurora, IL 60505. Visitation will also be held Friday, July 5, 2013 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM prior to the funeral Mass at St. Therese Church. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM with Fr. Raymond Diesbourg, M.S.C. as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, IL 60506. 630-631-5500. Please visit our interactive website at www.daleidenmortuary.com to leave condolences for Fr. Peter’s family or sign the guest book. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Fr. Peter’s name may be made to Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, 305 S. Lake St., Aurora, IL 60506 or Life’s Healing Journey, P.O. Box 270, Aurora, IL 60507.

Fr. Peter E. Campbell, M.S.C.

February 1, 1934 - July 1, 2013