Campbell named as All Saints interim-principal

BAY CITY – Bay Area Catholic Schools Administrator Michael J. Knoff on Thursday named Brian Campbell as interim-principal for All Saints Central High School for the remainder of the 2008-2009 school year.

Campbell succeeds J. B. Watters, who resigned his position November 30 to become principal at St. Michael the Archangel High School in Fredericksburg, Va.

"It is a pleasure to be able to appoint Brian Campbell as interim principal at All Saints," Knoff said. "Brian exemplifies the qualities that we seek in a Catholic leader. Being a product of our schools has helped him to develop a great understanding of our charge to educate students in a Catholic faith based environment. His strong commitment to quality education will help All Saints to continue on its path of being the best. I look forward to working closely with him.”

Campbell is an All Saints alumnus, a 2003 graduate of the Univeristy of Michigan and a 2005 graduate of Saginaw Valley State University. Since 2005, he has served as a social studies teacher at All Saints, teaching such courses as U. S. history, global studies, world history, current events, government, and economics.

In addition to his classroom work, Campbell chaperoned and managed a All Saints student volunteers who spent their 2006 Christmas break in New Orleans, laboring for Hurricane Katrina recovery, and has been assistant varsity baseball coach for since 2004.

"Brian Campbell will provide strong leadership for All Saints,” said the Most Rev. Robert J. Carlson, Bishop of Saginaw. “His commitment to the mission of Catholic schools is outstanding. Brian’s stepping forward at this time of transition will provide the school with great stability as it moves forward in its quest to become an exceptional Catholic school.”

To learn more about Bay Area Catholic Schools, visit http://www.bacschools.org/.

Our New Father:Tipton Ordained to the Priesthood

SAGINAW - Bishop Robert J. Carlson ordained Prentice A. Tipton Jr. to the priesthood on Dec. 5 at St. Mary Cathedral in Saginaw. Father Prentice, 55, has been assigned as assistant pastor at St. Hyacinth Parish in Bay City, where he previously served out is deacon internship. He is the eighth priest ordained for the Diocese of Saginaw by Bishop Carlson during the past two years.

Two diocesan schools earn mention on National Catholic High School Honor Roll

GRAND RAPIDS - The National Catholic High School Honor Roll has announced its fifth selection of the best 50 Catholic secondary schools in the United States. The purpose of the Honor Roll is to recognize and encourage excellence in Catholic secondary education. It is a critical resource for parents and educators that distinguishes those schools that excel in three categories: academic excellence, Catholic Identity, and civic education.

Both Nouvel Catholic Central High School in Saginaw and All Saints Central High School in Bay City earned honorable mention in the area of civic education. Nouvel made the list of the Nation's Top 50 Catholic High Schools in 2007.

To see a list of the top 50 schools for 2008, as well as lists of the 10 honorable mention schools in each category, visit www.chshonor.org.

The Honor Roll is an independent project of the Acton Institute, an international research and educational organization. It is produced in consultation with an advisory board comprised of Catholic college presidents and scholars. Advisory board member Very Rev. David M. O'Connell, President of Catholic University of America, said the Honor Roll's evaluation method is indispensable. "Catholic schools must examine themselves on a regular basis using a well-rounded approach that assesses adherence to the Church's educational calling," he said. "The Honor Roll strengthens schools by encouraging high standards and vibrant Catholicism."

In its five years, the Honor Roll has seen more than 50 percent of America's nearly 1,300 Catholic high schools participate at least once. This year nearly 300 schools completed the three detailed surveys that measure a school's adherence to the Church's educational mission. Each school also receives an evaluation to see how it compares to other schools nationwide.

The best schools demonstrate a balanced excellence, which includes an active Catholic culture, sound college preparation and integration of Church teaching in all departments. These schools also display sound moral, catechetical and civic formation that prepares students for vocations in the world as political, religious, scientific, and business leaders.

About The National Catholic High School Honor Roll

The National Catholic High School Honor Roll is a list of the top 50 Catholic high schools in the United States, where schools are examined on the criteria of academic excellence, Catholic identity, and civic education. The purpose of the Honor Roll is to recognize and encourage excellence in Catholic secondary education, and is a resource for parents, schools, donors, and colleges.

The Honor Roll is an independent project of the Acton Institute, an international research and educational organization. The Honor Roll was produced in consultation with a national advisory board comprised of Catholic college presidents and Catholic scholars. For more on Acton, please go to www.action.org.

Bishop Carlson: 'Our witness must grow stronger'

SAGINAW – Bishop Robert J. Carlson today released the following statement upon the historic election of Barack Obama and the passage of Proposal 2 in Michigan:

“First, I congratulate Senator Barack Obama on his historic achievement. I urge all Americans of good will to pray for our next president and others who govern our great nation so they may lead with wisdom and courage in diffi cult times. Today we should make a commitment to pray for our civic leaders every day.”

“Sadly, however, this moment in American history also comes with many setbacks in the continuing struggle to protect the rights and dignity of all people, especially the unborn.”

“Here in Michigan, voters chose to pass Proposal 2, a direct attack on human life. The fact that other states failed to pass initiatives that would have led to the greater defense of the right to life shows the great task that still lies ahead of us as people of faith.”

“The culture has chosen to reject the matters that are nearest and dearest to the Catholic heart. Therefore, our witness must grow stronger.”

“This election has shown that any child who is born in America has the opportunity to ascend to the highest political offi ce in the land. We must continue to work and pray tirelessly for the day when every child who is conceived will have the right to live.”

“May God continue to bless the United States of America.”

Bishop Robert J. Carlson has released a statement for Catholic voters preparing for the November 4 General Election. Read it here.

Saginaw's St. Helen is a 'Cool School'

SAGINAW - WNEM TV 5 featured St. Helen School in Saginaw as a "Cool School" on its Friday morning broadcast.

Check out the video: http://www.wnem.com/video/17738614/

Rest in peace: Obituary for Fr. Robert G. Navarre

SAGINAW – Father Robert G. Navarre, 89, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, died Thursday, October 2, 2008 at the Toni and Trish House in Fisherville.

Father Navarre was born on March 2, 1919 in Essexville, son of Leo and Mary Navarre. He attended St. John the Evangelist Parish and School in Essexville before studying for the priesthood at St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids, Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained on February, 24, 1945 by Bishop William F. Murphy at St. Mary Cathedral in Saginaw.

During his priesthood, Father Navarre served as an assistant pastor at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Bay City, and St. Andrew Parish, Saginaw. He served as pastor at St. Felix Parish, Pinnebog; St. Roch Parish, Caseville; St. Denis Parish, Lexington; Sacred Heart Parish, Bad Axe; St. Helen Parish, Saginaw; St. Cecilia Parish, Clare; St. Michael Parish, Maple Grove; and St. Mary Parish, Albee. He was granted senior priest (retired) status in 1989.

Father Navarre is survived by three sisiters: Rosemary Pope, Margaret Miller, and Maureen Poirer; sister-in-law, Betty Navarre; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he also was preceeded in death by a sister and two brothers, Katharine Bergevin, John Navarre Sr., and Joseph Navarre.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. today, Monday, October 6, 2008, at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Essexville with Bishop Robert J. Carlson presiding. Burial will follow at St. Partrick Cemetery in Bay City.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Toni and Trish House or St. John the Evangelist Parish. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of W. A. Trahan Funeral Chapel.