Nouvel grad named MCC Vice President for Public Policy

Lansing – Michigan Catholic Conference announced today that Tom Hickson has joined the organization as Vice President for Public Policy, effective January 31. Hickson’s primary role will be to act as the chief liaison between state government and the Catholic Church in Michigan.

“Tom has established himself on both sides of the aisle as one of the premier legislative advocates in this state, and we are very pleased he has chosen to bring his many talents and extensive experience in state government to our organization,” said Paul A. Long, MCC President and Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to joining the Conference Hickson was Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Association of Counties, where he was responsible for coordinating legislative strategies to advance that organization’s policy agenda. Tom has also served as legislative liaison for the Department of Environmental Quality, as assistant legislative liaison for the Department of Natural Resources, and as a policy advisor in the Michigan House of Representatives. He has also served as a legislative assistant to former State Representative Andrew Richner and as constituent relations assistant to former State Senator Jon Cisky.

In 2009 Hickson finished second in a MIRS News Insider Survey that ranked the state’s most influential lobbyists. He fills the vice president position left vacant by Paul Long, who in September 2010 was appointed by the MCC Board of Directors to succeed Sister Monica Kostielney as President and Chief Executive Officer. Tom is a 1996 graduate of Albion College, having earned duel bachelor degrees in Economics and Management and Political Science. He attended high school in Saginaw at Nouvel Catholic Central.

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state. Founded in 1963, the Conference presents to state government its positions on a wide range of issues that seek to advance the common good, including education, economic justice, human life, restorative justice, religious freedom and policies that impact children and families.

Record group to travel to Washington, D.C. to protest abortion—people at home can follow online

Bishop Cistone will board one of eight charter buses to lead a diocesan group to the annual protest marking the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.

WHAT: Bishop Cistone leads Diocese of Saginaw group to March for Life in Washington, D.C.
The Office for Communications will be posting news, photos and videos daily on the diocesan Facebook page and Twitter account. Members of the community are encouraged to follow the events of the pilgrimage online.

WHEN: Saturday morning, January 22, 2011
More than 400 pilgrims, the largest group to date, will gather at the Center for Ministry, 5802 Weiss St., in Saginaw Township, beginning at 7:00 a.m. They will leave the Center on eight charter buses, following an 8:00 a.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Cistone. Expected departure time is 9:00 a.m.

SAGINAW — More than 400 Catholics, teens and adults, will travel with their bishop to attend the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. to protest the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. The group, led by Bishop Cistone, is the largest to date and will leave from the Center for Ministry, 5802 Weiss St., in Saginaw Township on Saturday morning.

More than 60 students will join the diocesan pilgrimage from Sacred Heart Academy in Mt. Pleasant, around 50 students from All Saints Middle & High School in Bay City and nearly 20 students from Nouvel Catholic Central will be on board the eight buses. In all, more than 20 parish communities throughout the 11-county diocese will be represented among the group.

While in Washington, D.C., Bishop Cistone will celebrate Sunday Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception; it is the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and North America. There already are more than 2,000 marchers from across the country expected to be at the 9:00 a.m. Mass.

On Monday, Bishop Cistone and the diocesan group will join hundreds of thousands of people of all faiths for the annual March for Life from the National Mall to the Supreme Court. While Diocese of Saginaw groups have participated throughout the years, 2011 is the fifth consecutive year the diocese has sent a convoy of charter buses to the event.

The Saginaw group will make its return trip from Washington, D.C. on Monday evening following the March; the group is expected to arrive back at the Center for Ministry at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

Santo Subito! Servent of God John Paul II will be beatified on May 1

In the Photo: Then Bishop-elect Joseph R. Cistone (today the Bishop of Saginaw) meets John Paul II in 2004.

VATICAN CITY (VIS) - On May 1, the second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, Benedict XVI will preside at the rite of beatification for John Paul II in the Vatican.

According to a note released by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, "today January 24, Benedict XVI, during an audience granted to Cardinal Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, authorised the dicastery to promulgate the decree of the miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Servant of God John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla). This concludes the process which precedes the rite of beatification.

"It is well known that, by pontifical dispensation, his cause began before the end of the five-year period which the current norms stipulate must pass following the death of a Servant of God. This provision was solicited by the great fame of sanctity which Pope John Paul II enjoyed during his life, in his death and after his death. In all other ways, the normal canonical dispositions concerning causes of beatification and canonisation were observed in full.

"Between June 2005 and April 2007 the principal diocesan investigation was held in Rome, accompanied by secondary investigations in various other dioceses, on his life, virtues, fame of sanctity and miracles. The juridical validity of these canonical processes was recognised by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints with a decree of 4 May 2007. In June 2009, having examined the relative 'Positio', nine of the dicastery's theological consultors expressed their positive judgement concerning the heroic nature of the virtues of the Servant of God. The following November, in keeping with the usual procedure, the 'Positio' was submitted for the judgement of the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, who
gave their approval.

"On December, 19 2009, Benedict XVI authorised the promulgation of the decree on John Paul II's heroic virtues.

"With a view to the beatification of the Venerable Servant of God, the postulator of the cause invited the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to examine the recovery from Parkinson's disease of Sr. Marie Simon Pierre Normand, a religious of the 'Institut des Petites Soeurs des Maternites Catholiques'.

"As is customary, the voluminous acts of the regularly-instituted canonical investigation, along with detailed reports from medical and legal experts, were submitted for scientific examination by the medical consultors of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on 21 October 2010. The experts of the congregation, having studied the depositions and the entire documentation with their customary scrupulousness, expressed their agreement concerning the scientifically inexplicable nature of the healing. On 14 December the theological consultors, having examined the conclusions reached by the medical experts, undertook a theological evaluation of the case and unanimously recognised the unicity, antecedence and choral nature of the invocation made to Servant of God John Paul II, whose intercession was effective in this prodigious healing.

"Finally, on January 11, 2011 the ordinary session of the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints took place. They expressed their unanimous approval, believing the recovery of Sr. Marie Simon Pierre to be miraculous, having been achieved by God in a scientifically inexplicable manner following the intercession of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, trustingly invoked both by Sr. Simon herself and by many other faithful".

Holy Father accepts resignation of Bishop Adamec

It was announced today in Rome that Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of the Most Rev. Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Penn., who reached the retirement age of 75 last August, and named his successor.

Bishop Adamec is a native of the Diocese of Saginaw and served as a priest in this local church more than 25 years before his appointment as Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown in 1987.

He was born on Aug. 13, 1935 in Bannister and baptized there at St. Cyril Parish. Although he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Nitra, Slovakia, in 1946, he returned to his home diocese to minister in 1961.

Between 1961 to 1987, Bishop Adamec served as a parish priest at Blessed Sacrament in Midland, St. Casimir and Queen of the Holy Rosary, both in Saginaw, Sacred Heart in Birch Run, St. John the Evangelist in Ubly, St. Hyacinth in Bay City and Ss. Peter & Paul in Saginaw. He also served tenures as Assistant Chancellor, Mastor of Ceremonies, Secretary to the Bishop, and Chancellor of the Diocese of Saginaw. In 1980, Pope John Paul II recognized him as a recipeient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medel for "Service to the Church and Pope" and in 1985 the late pontiff named then Father Adamec as a "Prelate of Honor," granting him the title of Monsingor.

Learn more about Bishop Adamec through the Diocese of Altoon-Johnstown website, http://www.ajdiocese.org/.

First Friday Phenomena from Bay Area Catholic Schools

a Each year Bay Area Catholic Schools, along with dioceses and schools across the country, observe Catholic Schools Week, beginning the final Sunday of January. It is a special time to focus on our mission, celebrate, and reach out to the community. The schools’ service focus this year will be providing additional resources for homeless people in our area. Many other activities will also take place within each school. An All Schools Mass with Bishop Cistone is slated for Thursday, February 3. We look forward to the students and staff of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic School in Harbor Beach joining us for this liturgy. Due to their location, it will be their first time to celebrate with other Catholic schools during a Catholic Schools Week.

a With the establishment of the Development Office, grant writing has increased and is already bearing fruit. All Saints Middle and High School recently received charitable grants from

• SC Johnson and Sons Co. for improved lighting in the school and in The Little Theater. We look forward to the use of increased lighting at a reduced cost because of their help.


• The Helen Casey Memorial Fund to plant a community garden to assist the Good Samarian Rescue Mission in yet another way.


• The John W. and Rose E. Watson Foundation for $4,000 toward student equipment and supplies. It will be used for technology upgrades and ACT preparation materials.

All Saints is proud to partner with these generous organizations to improve our schools. Should you become aware of possible grant opportunities for Bay Area Catholic Schools, either the system or individual schools, contact Paul or Tim at (989) 892-2535 ext. 44.

a Marge Bullock, veteran teacher at St. James School and All Saints alumnus (‘83), also landed a MEEMIC Book Grant for her school. Last month the MEEMIC Foundation for the Future of Education presented Mrs. Bullock with a check to cover the purchase of more than $400 worth of Michigan History books and resources for St. James. Keiven Trombley, of the Enright-Trombley Agency, local MEEMIC Insurance representative, was entertained with Christmas carols by the second and third grade classes at the presentation ceremony. He also provided a treat for the children and a surprise gift certificate for Mrs. Bullock. The entire St. James School family is very appreciative.

a Earlier this week, Michael had the unique and wonderful opportunity of participating in the All Saints "Challenge Day" provided by the Bay Area Community Foundation. This program is designed to help individuals to recognize the values, challenges and gifts that are in each of us. When we become aware of how we affect each other, we are better able to build each other up rather than tear each other down. 100 young people experienced a day they are bound to remember for a long time. Better yet, coupled with the daily faith environment within our schools, the potential for significant change in how we treat each other is greatly increased because of this incredible day.

a Occasions for enjoyable evenings out are on the horizon as All Saints Middle School presents Winter Whoopee XIII. This annual student variety show welcomes special guest Magician Tim Carlson, who is "guaranteed to raise a smile". Performances are 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 14 and Saturday, January 15 at St. John Auditorium, 619 Main St., Essexville. $5 tickets are available at All Saints (989-892-2533) and at The Sweet Boutique, 816 Washington Avenue. Tickets for "Late Nite Catechism", also Saturday, January 15, 7:30 p.m. at The State Theatre (989-892-2660) are going quickly. We invite you to attend one or both of these events next weekend.

Look for more Phenomena: February 4.

Obituary for Fr. Michael H. Wolf

SAGINAW – The Rev. Michael H. Wolf, 96, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, died Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at his St. Francis Home residence.

Father Wolf was born on December 8, 1914 in Düsseldorf, Germany, the first-born of four children, all sons, to Veronica and Hubert Wolf. The family immigrated to the United States in 1923 and made its way to Bay City, where they were members of St. Boniface Parish.

He received his elementary education at St. Boniface School and went on study for the priesthood at St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids and St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Md. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1942 by the Most Rev. William F. Murphy, the first Bishop of Saginaw, at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption.

During his 34 years of active ministry, Father Wolf served 13 parish communities, including his native St. Boniface Parish. His longest tenure was from 1953 to 1967 at St. Michael Parish in Maple Grove. Following his retirement in 1984, he maintained residence at St. John the Evangelist Parish, where he continued to celebrate weekend Mass on occasion until 2007, when he moved into the St. Francis Home.

Father Wolf’s other parish assignments included Sacred Heart and the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, both in Saginaw, where served as an assistant pastor. He served as administrator at St. Patrick in Palms and Sacred Heart and Gladwin, where he later also was named pastor. He also served tenures as pastor at St. Anthony of Padua in Helena, St. Vincent de Paul in Shepherd and St. Leo the Great in Winn, St. Roch in Caseville and St. Felix of Valois in Pinnebog, and St. Francis Borgia in Pigeon. He also was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus served as chaplain to various local councils.

He is survived by two brothers: John Wolf of Bay City and Robert Wolf of Evanston, Ill., and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Herman Wolf.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 614 Pine St., in Essexville. The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw will preside. The Rev. Jack R. Johnson will preach the homily. The Rite of Committal will follow in the Priests’ Section of St. Patrick Cemetery in Bay City.

Visitation will take place from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 10, 2011, at St John the Evangelist Church. The Transfer of the Body to Lie in State will begin the visitation time at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Patrick C. O’Connor presiding. A Vigil Liturgy will take place at 7:00 p.m. with the Rev. Craig L. Albrecht presiding and the Rev. Thomas J. McNamara preaching.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of W. A. Trahan Funeral Chapel.

Fr. Michael H. Wolf, the Diocese of Saginaw’s most senior priest, dies this morning at 96

SAGINAW – The Rev. Michael H. Wolf, 96, the eldest and longest serving priest of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, died this morning, January 5, 2011 at his St. Francis Home residence.

He was born on December 8, 1914 in Düsseldorf, Germany, the first-born of four children, all sons, to Veronica and Hubert Wolf. The family immigrated to the United States in 1923.

"I have a very vivid recollection of being at Ellis Island as an 8-year-old boy," Father Wolf said during a 2007 interview with FAITH Saginaw magazine on the occasion of his 65th anniversary as a priest. "I can still see the hallways and all the people being led in and out of different rooms … For me, as a young boy, it really was an adventure, but it must have been a very hard and frightening time for my parents."

The Wolf family made its way from New York to Bay City, Mich., where relatives already were settled. They joined St. Boniface Parish, which was the town’s ethnic German church community at the time and young Michael began his American education at St. Boniface School, where he began to hear God calling him to his vocation.

"We came in as immigrants and we could not speak a word of English and they just took us in," Father Wolf said of the priests and religious sisters who ministered at St. Boniface. "They were my inspiration as a kid. I never had an idea of being anything but a priest."

With the help of his parish priest, young Michael went on from St. Boniface School to study at St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids and would later complete his theology formation at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Md.

Father Wolf was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1942 by the Most Rev. William F. Murphy, the first Bishop of Saginaw, at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw.

During his 34 years of active ministry, Father Wolf served 13 parish communities, including his native St. Boniface Parish. His longest tenure was from 1953 to 1967 at St. Michael Parish in Maple Grove. Following his retirement in 1984, he maintained residence at St. John the Evangelist Parish, where he continued to celebrate weekend Mass on occasion until 2007, when he moved into the St. Francis Home.

"Wherever I have gone, the people have been very good to me," Father Wolf said in that 2007 interview with FAITH Saginaw. "(And) I value, very highly, my brother priests because I have been blessed for so long by their support."

He also held a special place in his heart for converts to the Catholic faith, especially those who he helped enter into the Church as a pastor.

"There is great joy in sharing the truth of our faith with those seeking the journey home," he said.

"For all of them, it’s the same – it’s about the truth. They discover the truth of the Church that Christ established more than 2,000 years ago and they want to embrace it more fully … And, for most of them, the turning point, the thing that finally draws them in, is the Eucharist. They see Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist and they want to embrace it."

"It always makes me appreciate my faith, which was given to me, more fully."

Father Wolf also spoke of his deep gratitude to God for his life and vocation during that 2007 interview with FAITH Saginaw magazine.

"I’ve always considered myself just lucky to be here," he said. "I’ve never considered myself a wise person. As I celebrate my 65th anniversary of as a priest, I just can’t be grateful enough for the grace God has given me as a priest to share his grace with his people."

Funeral arraignments for Father Wolf are incomplete at this time. Look for his complete obituary later on the DoS News Blog.

To read the complete 2007 FAITH Saginaw interview with Father Wolf, see pages 20 and 21 of that year’s Summer issue.