If you had to describe Fr. Peter’s years in the Jesuit order in one word, it would be “transition.” He entered the order after high school in 1959, before Vatican II and before the civil unrest that defined much of the 1960's in our country’s history. “Pope John XXIII was the Pope then, but Vatican II was still a dream in his mind and heart,” said Fr. Peter.
For the first four years of his Jesuit formation, there was a sense of stability in the Jesuit community. A lot of men were choosing to join the Jesuits, and according to Fr. Peter, “There was a sense that the Jesuits would continue to be a big order and influential in the Church.” All of that began to change in 1963. The Second Vatican Council was convened in 1962 bringing with it many changes to the Church. As news of the changes spread through the Jesuit community, Fr. Peter shares that most Jesuits felt that they were good changes and “they were seen to be positive forces for renewal.” At the same time there was a lot of change happening in our country. The political climate became divided, resulting in protests and riots. Our country was changing at the same time the Church was changing and it was very unsettling in many ways. “I don’t know if the good outweighed the bad, but there was both very good things going on and very disruptive and strange things going on,” said Fr. Peter.
This unsettledness became a theme for Fr. Peter’s life as a priest. After returning from India after his tertianship year (the last formal phase of his Jesuit training), he felt a call to hospital ministry. But, it wasn’t until the early 1980’s before he found a certain peace or “getting settled.” As he explains, “I seemed to undergo a series of steps in those years from 1975-1981, beginning with a ministry program which netted me the D. Ministry degree. Then I went back into high school work for a few years, helping with retreats, teaching religion and heading up a “Senior Volunteers” program for 2 years. After that, I started again to hear the call to hospital work, which was destined to become a big part of my life.”
So in 1981, God brought him to hospital ministry. During the 15 or more years he spent as a member of chaplain teams in hospital ministry, Fr. Peter has ministered to patients with chronic illnesses, patients in rehab, and AIDs patients, among others. He’s ministered to people of many cultures and backgrounds, supporting them through their stresses and challenges, especially the challenges faced by people in poverty. “I think the Lord used me to minister to a lot of sick people. I was happy to do that,” he said.
Fr. Peter was also keenly interested in giving or directing the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, an important theme through his Jesuit life. He formed a “poetry retreat” at one point, based on the Exercises. Lately, he has continued his poetic interests, and in 2018 managed to put out a small book of poetry entitled, “Major and Minor Chords: My Life in Poetry.”
In recognition of his Jubilee, Fr. Peter will concelebrate with Fr. Bruce at a special Mass for the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola (the founder of the Jesuits) on July 31, 2019. The bilingual Mass will begin at 6:30 pm in the Church. There will be a reception with light appetizers, desserts, and live music in the Lewis Room and on the Plaza immediately following the Mass. All are invited to join.