Bishop Cistone to host press conference tomorrow

Bishop Joseph R. Cistone will host a press conference tomorrow, May 6, at 2:00 p.m. He will announce a significant and exciting investment impacting Catholic schools and the local community.

Information will be posted on the DoS News blog following the afternoon announcement.

Bishop Cistone announces Mary Ann Deschaine as Superintendent of Schools

SAGINAW – The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, today announced Mary Ann Deschaine will serve as Superintendent of Schools of the Diocese of Saginaw. She will begin her duties on July 1.

“Mary Ann has great passion for Catholic school education and continuous learning,” Bishop Cistone said. “I am delighted she will assist us in building upon the quality programs already in existence in our Catholic schools throughout the diocese.”

The search for a superintendent was among the first initiatives announced by Bishop Cistone following his installation as sixth Bishop of Saginaw in 2009.

Deschaine earned an Education Specialist degree from Saginaw Valley State University in 2010, a Master of Arts degree in education with a concentration in K-12 educational leadership from Michigan State University in 2004, a Bachelor of Science degree in foods and nutrition from Central Michigan University in 1985 and Montessori teacher certification from the Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute in 1999.

Since 2008, Deschaine, has worked as principal at Elms Road Elementary School in Swartz Creek. Previously, she worked as principal at Atkins Elementary School in Bridgeport from 2005-2008; a kindergarten teacher at List Elementary School in Frankenmuth from 2002-2005; as principal and first-grade teacher at St. Helen Catholic School in Saginaw from 2001-2002; and as directress and teacher at Midland Montessori School, Inc. in Midland from 1998 -2000.

Deschaine is a resident of Frankenmuth and member of Blessed Trinity Parish, where she has long served as a member of the parish council, faith formation catechist, and children’s liturgy of the word facilitator.

“I am honored and eager to serve the people of the Diocese of Saginaw, especially the children and families engaged in many wonderful Catholic school communities,” Deschaine said.

“I have tremendous respect for the personal commitment of Bishop Cistone to strengthen Catholic school education within the diocese. I look forward to developing relationships with the many key leaders of our schools and parishes, and especially with pastors, principals, teachers, staff members and school boards.”

There are 3,400 students enrolled in 22 Catholic schools located across the 11-county Diocese of Saginaw.

MCC: Statement on Welfare Reform Legislation

LANSING (MCC) – Michigan Catholic Conference released the following statement opposing legislation passed by the House Families, Children and Seniors committee today that seeks to reform the state’s welfare system by diminishing the number of caseloads and increasing the penalties for those found to be in noncompliance:

“It is regrettable that the legislation passed out of committee this morning will only create more cracks through which families and children will fall,” said Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy Tom Hickson.

“During testimony before the committee several weeks ago the Conference encouraged members to abandon plans to reform the Family Independence Program in light of the fact that the 2006 welfare reform legislation was determined to be working. Unfortunately, the committee has chosen to proceed with measures that will heighten the suffering many of our fellow Michigan citizens and their children are facing today.”

While the Conference recognizes the exemptions that are built into the legislation, and supports the income disregard increase that will allow recipients to work more hours while receiving benefits, it opposes House Bills 4409 and 4410 for the following three reasons:

1. The 48-month lifetime cap for assistance, and the retroactive nature of the legislation, if it were to be enacted, would mean some 12,600 families would immediately lose public assistance. This is akin to changing the rules in the middle of the game. Without any support mechanism built into the legislation for those who will lose assistance, it is inevitable that thousands of families and children will plunge into a dire situation.

2. The legislation shifts the penalty structure for noncompliance in the Jobs, Education and Training (JET) program to a three month ban for the first occasion, six months for the second, and a lifetime ban from public assistance for a third occasion of noncompliance. A lifetime ban on assistance is poor public policy for two reasons:

• It fails to take into consideration those who are able to find employment but later find themselves in need of assistance due to job loss or any other unforeseen circumstance;
• Only those with children are eligible to enroll in the Family Independence Program. The legislation fails to address the impact it will have on the children of those who have made repeated mistakes and will be banned for life from receiving assistance.

3. It is highly unfortunate that the legislation does not take into consideration the numerous counties in Michigan where the unemployment levels are up to double the state average. Where are jobs to be found in Lake County, for example, where over sixty percent of the property in the county is publicly owned? Simply put, there are no jobs in these areas, and those who will be kicked off of assistance likely do not have the financial means or ability to relocate immediately.

“Unless the above listed concerns are addressed, the Conference will continue to oppose this legislation on behalf of the most vulnerable residents of Michigan who have no other means to sustain a dignified quality of life,” said Hickson.

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

Pope Sends Prayers and Support to Tornado Victims

WASHINGTON (USCCB) — Pope Benedict XVI was saddened to learn of the death, devastation and suffering caused by the April 25-28 tornadoes across the Southern United States and sends his prayers and support to victims and those engaged in relief and rebuilding efforts, according to a message from the Vatican.

In a May 2 communiqué to Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of Mobile, Alabama, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, wrote:

“His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was saddened to learn of the tragic consequences of the devastating tornado which struck Alabama and neighboring states, and he asks you to express his deep solidarity and pastoral concern to those affected by this natural catastrophe. He joins all of you in offering fervent prayers that Almighty God will grant eternal peace to those who have died and consolation and strength to the homeless, injured and suffering. Upon the local civil and religious leaders, and upon all engaged in the work of relief and rebuilding, he invokes the divine gifts of wisdom, strength and generous perseverance.”

Sister in Rome: 'Something like this can only be explained by faith'

ROME - Sister Yvonne Mary Loucks, RSM, of the Diocese of Saginaw traveled to Rome for the beatification of Servant of God John Paul II on Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1.

Today, the day after the beatification, Rome is still packed with pilgrims and activity around the celebration of Blessed John Paul II.

There was a Mass in St. Pter's Square at 10:30 a.m. celebrated by Cardinal Bertone, the Secretary of State. About 300,000 people attended that Mass. St. Peter's Basilica was opened all night as people passed by the coffin of Blessed John Paul II, leaving piles of written intentions near him. You can be sure that we left the intentions of everyone in the Diocese of Saginaw when we went in to pray. We got in the line at 7:00 p.m., and at 10:00 p.m. we finally entered the

Basilica. It is remarkable how people still press hard to get a glimpse of him. There is truly a sense of his sanctity and of his prayerful concern for all who ask for his intercession.

At 5 :00 p.m. today, the official relic will be transferred to Santo Spirito Church, which is the Roman Church of Divine Mercy. Yesterday at the Beatification Mass, the nun who was cured of Parkinson's disease through his intercession, carried the relic up to the main altar. She had told her story of a complete cure during the vigil preparation for the beatification. She was almost completely debilitated with Parkinson's, and now she is completely healthy through Blessed John Paul's intercession.

It is awonder to us that people still have such intense devotion to Blessed John Paul even 6 years after his death. Without the gift of faith it would be odd to think of going to venerate the remains of a man who died and was buried six years ago. It is also odd to think that two million people from all over the world came to honor him at his beatification. Something like this can only be explained by faith, the very gift that he shared deeply with the whole world.

St. Valentine school to close, neighboring Catholic schools ready to welcome students

KAWKAWLIN — Following the recommendation of the local parish administrator, parish council, school committee and parish and school finance committees, the Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, today announced his acceptance of a collective recommendation to close St. Valentine School at Beaver upon the conclusion of the 2010-11 academic year.

The recommendation and approval come following a series of meetings of the school committee, parish council and finance committees, which determined the parish could no longer support the rising cost of operating the school.

In a “State of the School” address that was presented to St. Valentine parishioners and school families in February, data showed the per-pupil cost — with the current enrollment of 20 students — was more than $8,500. That cost was expected to rise as the projected enrollment for the 2011-12 school year was 13 students.

“While it is sad to close our parish school, we are thankful that our students will have the opportunity to continue their education at one of our neighboring Catholic schools,” said James Fielbrandt, who has served as principal of St. Valentine since 2002. “Our parents remain committed to Catholic education and the surrounding parishes in our community are generously supporting them.”

In a letter to St. Valentine parishioners, Bishop Cistone wrote, “I am most respectful of the 61-year legacy of St. Valentine School and grateful for the outstanding support of the school by this parish family. I hope that the parents and students currently enrolled in St. Valentine School will make every effort to continue their Catholic school education in neighboring Catholic schools which are prepared to welcome and care for them.”

St. Valentine School opened its doors in 1949 and has provided excellent Catholic education in the Beaver community for more than half a century. Plans will be made to hold a farewell gathering to give teachers, current and former students, families and parishioners an opportunity to celebrate the cherished history of St. Valentine School.

Sister in Rome:'The day was filled with celebration'

ROME - Sister Yvonne Mary Loucks, RSM, of the Diocese of Saginaw has traveled to Rome for the beatification of Servant of God John Paul II on Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1.

She reports: "On this day at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Pope John Paul II was beatified in all of the triumph and joy that can be imagined. Several million people from all over the world gathered for the event. The night before the actual Mass, many persons gathered in front of St. Peter's to spend the night waiting to get in to the Piazza the next morning. Pictures show the campers settling down for the night.

This morning very early there were many thousands of people already lined up to get in to the Mass. Many different languages could be heard as pilgrims hurried to get their places near the Basilica. The day was very hot and quite sunny.

At 10:00 the Mass began. The Vicar of the Diocese of Rome read a brief biography of the life of Pope John Paul and requested that the Holy Father proclaim him blessed. This the Holy Father did with great emotion. He said that by the power of his office he publicly proclaimed John Paul II to be blessed in heaven and he will be celebrated on October 22 every year. When the Mass began his image was covered. As he was proclaimed blessed, the cover was lifted and a thunderous applause occurred when the portrait was made visible. The image is a portrait of Blessed John Paul early in his Pontificate. It captures the vitality and love that he conveyed to everyone whom he met. It was a tremendous experience of the great joy of one universal

Church.

One outstanding thing occured at the time of the distribution of Holy Communion. At least 1,000 priests, many of them Americans, distributed the Eucharist to persons attending the Mass which covered approximately one full mile. It is estimated that two million people attended the Mass.

The day was filled with celebration. The evening brought the opening of the veneration of the relics. The casket of Blessed John Paul was brought up to the main body of the Basilica. Pilgrims began lining up to pray at the remains of the new Blessed immediately after Mass. This will continue through the night. We were in line for three hours to participate in this beautiful event. During that time we held all of the needs and intentions of the people of the Diocese of Saginaw in our hearts."