The Peru Gazette

Joe Purtell checks on Remi Beauharnois as she makes her poster

By John T. Ryan

Peru – At a time in history when many people stress the secular aspects of Christmas, Joseph Purtell has been attempting to expose Peru’s youth to the religious nature of the season since 1989. Purtell has served as Chairman of St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273’s Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest for 25 years. It would have been 27 consecutive years, except as member of the U.S. Air Force Purtell was called away to serve in Korea and in Operation Desert Storm.

Before the children arrive to draw their posters Purtell and his helpers place Christmas cards portraying the Christ Child on each worktable. He explained, “Sometimes they start off drawing Santa. We explain Christ to them and they quickly understand.” After having conducted the contest for so many years Purtell has many memories. He remarked, “I get to see the children grow and now I see their children. It’s wonderful!”

The Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest is a Knights of Columbus international program that began in the 1960’s. Several thousand K of C councils conduct the program annually for children ages 5 to 14. Posters are judged for each age level. The local youth judged to have the best poster this year will receive a special honor; their poster will be featured on St. Augustine’s Pastor Rev. Alan Shnob’s 2016 Christmas card.

Purtell said 2015 would be his last year leading the contest. He explained, “My wife Judy and I have 16 grandchildren living as far away as Florida and the Carolinas. We want to visit them more often. If I can’t commit, I’d rather not chair the program. If I’m here, I’ll be happy to help.

Coincidently the Peru Knights are in the process of reviving their Columbian Squires Circle, a youth group open to boys and young men ages 10 to 18. Purtell said, “I hope the contest can be passed on to the Squires. They conducted our contest in the 1980’s. It would be a great activity for them.”