January 21, 2026

Dear Parishioners,

The journey from childhood to being grown-up is the one on which our schools accompany our young people, working hand in hand with their families. It’s the journey out of self-preoccupation and into Love for others and for the world, the most challenging journey of all: to Grow in Love after the heart of Jesus.

Catholic schools throughout the United States, including our own Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School, are celebrating Catholic Schools Week from January 25 to 31. The logo and theme emphasize several core concepts that are at the heart of a truly Catholic education and not just Catholic in name. Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.

First, Catholic Schools like Saints Peter and Paul are truly communities, small families in their own right, but also members of the larger community of home, Church, city and nation. Faith, knowledge and service are three measures by which any Catholic School can and should be judged.

Today, I would like to give some of the main reasons why being the pastor of a parish with a Catholic school is so important to me.

First of all, a full-time Catholic education instills in students the conviction that objective truth exists and is honorable. We live in a culture and time that is ruled by a “dictatorship of relativism” that says there are no absolute truths, just many opinions. I am grateful therefore to be pastor of a Catholic School where we can teach all week that truth has a name - Jesus Christ - and that in seeking, knowing and living the truth in the classroom, on the playground, and in the home, our students will find the freedom to become truly happy, holy and wholly themselves.

I am grateful to be a pastor of a Catholic School where we can teach our students their great dignity as a human being, created by an all-good God as opposed to a random, godless mindless process.

We can teach them respect for the dignity of others from conception, all the way into eternity (That’s right, we can say in a Catholic School that there is a heaven and a final judgment).

I am proud that we can proclaim with no restriction that every single one of us matters, so much so that Jesus Christ died for us.

A full-time Catholic education is one of the most effective ways to form students in moral virtue. In our world today, we no longer can agree upon what the “good life” looks like. And thus, we live in a broken culture where violence, shouting, bullying, ostracizing, and rudeness are regular behaviors.

I am proud to be the pastor of a Catholic School, where based on the Bible and the Ten Commandments, discussions about how to better practice generosity, honesty, respect, tolerance and love are “regular behaviors.”

Every time we celebrate Mass as a school family, I remind and challenge the students that by living out their Catholic faith, each of them were called by God to change the world by loving God and others. In a sense they are called to save people by the virtue of love.

When I think of people who save people, I think of those who put their life on the line for others; and yes, I even think of superheroes.

I believe in Catholic Schools because I want to raise up “superheroes for Christ,” who will help Him, save the world!

That’s the gift of a Catholic school – it is group of good people, a place of faith and learning where we discover Christ in everything we do. Even when the world seems torn apart and confused, it is through our educating the future superheroes for Christ that is what will enable us to get through and build a future of joy and hope for one another.

I am proud of our school and so should you be, as well!!!

God Love Ya!

Fr. Reilly

 

Join us for our annual Winter Book Discussion and Potluck Lunch on Sunday, January 25 from 12:30 to 2:30 PM in the Parish Center Fr. Kovacs Room. This year, Sr. Judith Parsons, I.H.M., Ph.D., will be facilitating our discussion on Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper.

Prior registration is required no later than January 20. Please visit our parish website for more information or to register.

Our parish is collaborating with St. Elizabeth’s and other Chester County parishes for a special event with Chris Stefanick, a well-known Catholic author and radio/TV/podcast host.

Chris engages audiences all over the country with his incredible gift of speaking and evangelization.

Why not consider buying a ticket for the lapsed Catholics among your family and friends? For a promotional video, click here:

To buy tickets, click here:

We expect this May 13 event (at St. Elizabeth’s in Chester Springs) to sell out so buy your tickets early and be sure to get the word out to others who may be interested!

Saints Peter and Paul School is looking for a Third Grade Long Term Sub to begin on March 27, 2026. 

We are asking for a reliable, faithful and enthusiastic teacher to join our school. 

Please email your resume, cover letter, clearances, and references to [email protected]. 

We invite you to join the Saints Peter and Paul

community in honoring the Sacred Heart in Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Friday, February 6, at 7:00 PM. Concluding at 8:00 PM, this First Friday Holy Hour will consist of Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evening Prayer, the Litany of the Eucharist.

The men of our parish are invited to join Catholic men from throughout the Archdiocese for the 18th Annual Man Up Philly Men’s Conference on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Cardinal O’Hara High School.

Speakers include Father Douglas McKay, Archdiocesan priest and founder of Our House Ministries; Chris Gheysens, Chairman and CEO of Wawa; and Kevin Reilly, former NFL player and inspirational Catholic speaker. Back by popular demand, Mark Forrest, internationally recognized Irish tenor, will lead our time of prayer and reflection. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available, and the Conference will conclude with Mass celebrated by our Archbishop, the Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez.

For more information and to register go to the website: www.manupphilly.com

Please contact Ed Klenk with any questions - 215.436.0956 or [email protected]