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The Origin and Early Development of All Saints University Parish: A Journey of Relationships and Persistence Turlock, California Introduction The following summary history report is primarily an attempt to factually record from first-hand knowledge, and verification from accessible surviving documents, the infancy and maturation of the Catholic Newman Student movement in Turlock from a tiny college student club through the planning and building of a multipurpose worship facility (1960-1999). It will be left to recent Pastoral Council members and other current parishioners to write a more complete and detailed modern history (2000-present) of this community, currently known as All Saints University Parish. The author takes complete and exclusive responsibility for the content of this publication, although he wishes to acknowledge that he received from All Saints staff and community members helpful cooperation, support and assistance with preparation and distribution of this report. Chaplain Salvador deserves much credit for the initial gentle insistence many years ago which led to production of this document. A final draft of this history report has been read by the three most recent All Saints priests, but no Community priest can be held accountable for report content or presentation. An attempt has been made to acknowledge all of those who have made a worthy effort or contribution to the foundational development of this church community. Most of the early pioneers can be recalled by this writer and are mentioned by name---but this is at the risk of omitting one or more who deserve remembrance and recognition also. Apologies are offered if adequate recognition of the efforts of any pioneer has been overlooked; such oversight, and/or any possible misstatement found, should be reported to the author or the Parish Office for whatever correction might be possible. Many of these pioneers are no longer living. If readers do not recognize any named contributor, hopefully they will recognize at least one local family name. Edward J. (Ed) Aubert (eja) edwardaubert@charter.net January 27, 2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Early Student Club Years, 1960-1979 Presently All Saints University Parish ministers primarily to a small rectangular, mostly residential, neighborhood in north Turlock which includes the acreage, students and employees of California State University, Stanislaus. The University was initially called Stanislaus State College, was later granted University status, and is now fondly called Stan State. The College was named after Stanislaus County where it resides and the local Stanislaus River. This waterway received its identification from the name early California Franciscan Friars gave to the famous local Native American Indian Chief Estanislao, he named after the beloved Polish Saint. This vibrant faith community has a rich, nearly 60-year history. It began as a small college Student Body-chartered Catholic Student Club that included a few college faculty and staff at the then 700+ student public institution which started classes in the Fall of 1960 using turkey, swine and produce exhibit buildings at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock. This Catholic Student Club and

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the later expanded Catholic Campus Community (CCC) consisted of believers who deliberately and gradually matured in vision, industry, sacrificial efforts and generosity. The student club was served during the early years by interested and available local volunteer priests---mostly for special occasions. In 1965 the College relocated to its present 230-acre site with the main entrance on Monte Vista Avenue (now also called University Way). Greatly supported by some Catholic faculty and staff of the College and a few local families and helped by some area priests, the CCC matured as did the College. Soon after the California Legislature’s decision to construct a California State University & Colleges campus in Stanislaus County, a Turlock location was selected to accommodate politicians’ preference for a non-competitive location as distant as feasible from the College (now University) of the Pacific (UOP), a private institution. Three suitable potential campus sites in Modesto were rejected as too close to UOP in Stockton. Turlock has become a nearly ideal college town, generally open to a cordial and mutually beneficial “town-gown” cooperative relationship over six decades. Upon the Turlock campus selection, property values immediately grew. The local Anthony & Demintina Ferreira family, while disposing of their large agricultural acreage (outside of Turlock city limits) adjacent to and north of the selected college site, arranged for 10 acres (39,200 sq. ft.) at McKenna Drive (formerly North Dels Lane) and Christopherson Parkway (formerly Zeering Road) to be beneficially sold to the Stockton Diocese and dedicated exclusively for the purpose of an eventual Catholic Newman Student Center. The Diocese accepted this property without a legally binding commitment of future usage---under its policy of not accepting anything with attached conditions. The college started with junior and senior undergraduates as well as school-service credential and master’s degree students. Initially, the average age of the student body was slightly older than the average age of the of the teaching faculty. In the initial years over half of the student body attended classes less than full time. Almost all were commuters from homes in nearby Valley and Foothill areas. Many students were married and had children. Most students were first in their families to attend college and earn a college degree. More than a third of this student body had been raised Catholic. The primary commute service-area of the college included the hundreds of square miles of San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa counties. The nearest other public senior colleges at that time were about 100 miles away in Sacramento, San Jose and Fresno. The College’s primary service-area in 1960 had a severe shortage of fully-credentialled teachers, with 1,100+ area residents only provisionally credentialed to teach. Many of these partially trained teachers were already employed by area elementary and secondary school districts and local private schools due to this shortage. Educating and training fully qualified teachers was a high priority of the College. Within weeks of the start of classes student body officers were elected and student clubs recognized if sponsored by both students and a member of the faculty. The Catholic Student Club qualified for charter recognition in 1962. This emerging Catholic community was family oriented nearly from its beginning, including children at all faith-community events, other than enrolled student business meetings. Some of the couples active in this early campus ministry also were active in supporting local Catholic Marriage Encounter.

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Freshmen, then sophomores were added at the college in 1965 and 1966 after relocation from the fairgrounds into three large new buildings at the central commons area of this 230-acre flat, then treeless unpaved site. This acreage previously was without buildings, was covered with maturing alfalfa and was a hospitable home to kit-foxes and jackrabbits. The City of Turlock promptly extended its legal official boundaries about two miles north to incorporate only the narrow center strip of Geer Road and the college acreage. The park-like campus appearance of today exists because one of the earliest actions of the cabinet of first President J. Burton Vasche’ was to exchange funds designated for a few large mature trees to surround the first buildings in favor of funding hundreds of small saplings planted over the entire property and waiting for them to mature. The campus now has over 3,500 trees, mostly native varieties. President Vasche’, raised in nearby Oakdale, was appointed initial campus CEO when his position as Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction for State Colleges was eliminated to place the then 100+ year old teachers’ normal school/college system under a chancellor and a newly created board of trustees that included appointed prominent Californians, the governor and a few state officers. Unknown to the public and his staff, Vasche was suffering from cancer. He died in his second year as President; for many months the College struggled to survive and thrive. Monsignor Manuel Vieira Alvernaz, from the Azores and Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Turlock, along with his associate pastors including Fr. Louis Sweeney, Fr. Enda McGuire, Fr. Oliver (Ollie) O’Grady and Fr. Francis (Frank) Prendergast (in the mid-70’s), were generally supportive of local Catholic students at all levels. Additionally, Father John Armistead volunteered to assist club faculty advisor Alice Worsley (English) and serve students in the early period. Early support came to the student club primarily from Catholic faculty and staff at the College. Besides Worsley, early faculty advisors included professors Sylvia Ghiglieri (Music), Douglas McDermott (Drama), R. J. Moriconi (Education) and Ed Aubert, who retired as Emeritus Dean of Admissions. The private, primarily residential College of the Pacific in nearby Stockton (founded as California Wesleyan College and later named UOP), had a small residential group of Catholic Newman Club students who were most generously supported by San Francisco, then Stockton, Diocesan funds. The UOP residential Newman House is still located at 4101 N. Manchester, Stockton. The Newman Association/Club movement is named after the eloquent preacher Blessed Cardinal (Saint on October 13, 2019) John Henry Newman, 19th C. Anglican convert to Catholicism and founder of the St. Philip Neri Oratory in Birmingham, England. The Newman movement still exists at numerous secular colleges and universities internationally. In the early CCC history, use of the Newman name for both the Club and the CCC was generally avoided, partly because this movement was generally unknown in the California Central Valley, partly because it was considered somewhat narrow in concept (and thought of by some as out of date), and partly because of the nearby town named Newman. The Stockton Diocese favored the traditional Newman naming. The UOP Newman Chaplain during this early period was Fr. Robert J. Silva, who also held the title of Director of Diocesan Campus Ministry. The Stockton Diocese, formerly parts of the San Francisco and Sacramento Dioceses, was created in 1962 (a year after start of the College and during the initial year of the Stan State Catholic Student Club). The Stockton Diocese geographically overlaps most of the Stan State primary

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service area, including the additional sparsely populated counties of Alpine and Mono, but excluding Merced and Mariposa counties which are part of the large Fresno Diocese. Merced County and the Fresno Diocese are immediately adjacent to the southern boundary of Turlock. The Catholic Student Club, later part of the Catholic Campus Community (CCC), and sometimes called Newman Center Community, always has been accountable to the Stockton Bishop, to this date a sequence of six who are: Hugh Donohoe from San Francisco (1962-1969), later appointed Bishop of Fresno; Merlin Guilfoyle from Mission Delores, San Francisco (1970-1979); Roger Mahony (1980-1985), later appointed Archbishop of Los Angeles and elevated to Cardinal in 1991; Donald Montrose from Los Angeles (1985-1999); Stephen Blaire from Los Angeles (1999-2018); and Myron Cotta of Merced County, from Fresno (2018-present). Fr. Richard Forti (10/11/41-1/31/88) & His Campus Ministry (1979-88) Born in Buffalo, New York, Richard L. Forti worked as a youth in a restaurant his family operated near the tourist traffic of Niagara Falls, New York. His education included a high school diploma in Toledo, a bachelor’s degree in French at Niagara University; preparation for and first vows with the Oblates of St. Francis de Salles in 1961 and ordination in 1969; further Oblate training (1970-74) with a degree in Theology from St. Thomas University in Rome and a Theology Masters from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Initial Oblate assignments were teaching high school and as oblate vocation director. Later he formally discerned that his personal mission was among college students. His Order was very supportive of this dedication. From the outset of Fr. Richard Forti’s service to Stan State, Oblates’ leaders were supportive also of the distant budding Turlock Catholic community. St. Francis de Salles (1567-1622), the patron of writers, informally became the patron saint of the early CCC. Born to a minor nobleman of French Savoy, St. Francis studied in Paris and Padua, earned a law degree, was ordained in Geneva and was sent to a remote region to convert the 60 thousand Calvinists there. His personal motto was “He who preaches with love, preaches effectively.” After four years, two-thirds of his assigned population had converted. When St. Francis became Bishop of Geneva, his priorities were teaching the young and the clergy, plus daily speaking with and writing to as many and as often as he could. He was canonized in 1665. Fr. Forti followed the lead of St. Francis de Salles. Fr Forti’s transition to campus ministry began while he was visiting St. Mary’s High School, Stockton, in 1975. Diocese Chancellor Fr. Larry McGovern invited Fr. Forti to consider being a Diocesan campus minister. Four years later in 1979, after repeated invitations and additional encouragement from Campus Ministry Director Father Robert Silva, Fr. Forti agreed to explore ministry among community college students at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton and/or Modesto Junior College, Modesto, and possibly at Stanislaus State College. He was provided housing at Central Catholic High School in Modesto. Within a few months it became apparent that support from the administrations at the two community colleges at that time was inadequate. Fr. Forti discovered that he was greatly needed and wanted by the early Stan State Catholic community.

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One Catholic Chaplain serving three or four of the region’s colleges was not considered a feasible alternative. In 1979, Fr. Richard Forti spiritually discerned and volunteered, with later formal permission by Stockton Diocese bishops, to serve as the first full-time CCC Chaplain and was soon aided by an active, supportive and democratically elected lay council. On September 1, 1979, Bishop Merlin J. Guilfoyle, under the Diocesan Newman Apostolate, formally contracted with Chaplain Forti to direct Campus Ministry at CSC, Stanislaus (and possibly MJC) according to locally devised Diocesan Ad Experimentum Guidelines. Fr. Forti was compensated by a $4,000 annual salary (later increased), $2,000 housing allowance, social security, health insurance and retirement benefits plus professional support. The Catholic Campus Community soon accepted responsibility for all other ministry expenses. Initially this amounted to Diocesan Newman community financial support at UOP that was eleven (11) times greater than at Stanislaus---for two similar size student communities. Bishop Mahoney, when invested a few months later, approved Fr. Forti as CCC Chaplain and budgeted continued salary, health and vacation/leave benefits like that received by other Diocesan priests. This employment contract later included a description of the Chaplain’s priestly faculties and major responsibilities. Fr. Forti was subsequently named Associate Diocesan Director of Campus Ministry. The Community’s future appeared very bright. Turlock’s Sacred Heart Associate Pastor Fr. Oliver (Ollie) O’Grady (who later became negatively infamous in the Diocese and beyond) asked Fr. Forti to substitute for him at all of Fr. O’Grady’s assigned October 1979 Masses in Turlock, while he visited his homeland, Ireland. Temporarily, Fr. Forti moved into the SHCC Rectory, stayed there until January 1980 (4 months) when he rented from Turlock’s Briarwood Apartments (341 E. Monte Vista Avenue) to be closer to the College and have more flexibility to offer hospitality to students. Chaplain Forti was graciously welcomed by the gregarious Sacred Heart Pastor, Msgr. Manuel V. Alvernaz. Monsignor’s brother was Most Rev. Jose Alvernaz, Archbishop of Goa (India) and Patriarch of the East Indies, who seven years earlier had dedicated a new Sacred Heart Church. Fr. Forti was encouraged to participate in Sacred Heart parish life. He celebrated the Eucharist weekdays and weekends at Sacred Heart where he routinely visited the parish elementary school and helped organize a youth group. He also daily visited the College on weekdays, initially offering Mass to the college community at his apartment complex’s recreation room and then holding Sunday Mass regularly in a campus classroom. Fr. Richard reported consistent support and encouragement from Msgr. Alvernaz, Associate Pastor Fr. O’Grady, and later assigned Associate Fr. John Fitzgerald. Beginning with Chaplain Forti’s appointment, Stockton Bishops usually visited the Catholic Campus Community annually for Confirmation. Bishops Mahoney and Blaire were especially supportive of Community programs and progress, the former participating in a 1983 informal CCC Council session at a Turlock family home and personally encouraging community leadership and persistence. Bishop Blaire was accessible to the Newman clergy leadership, decisive in Diocesan management and supportive of the breadth the Newman presence and its transition to a defined personal Parish.

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When Fr. Forti was declared Chaplain, he was told by the Diocese that the Catholic Campus Community was to be designated as a Public Association of the Faithful (according to Cannon Laws 312-319.) He reported that proudly to all concerned. In fact, Bishop Montrose did not take this formal official action on Catholic Public Association status until nine years later after Fr. Forti’s death, leaving the CCC as an unrecognized unofficial mission outpost. During Chaplain Forti’s service to the Diocese, designation of the CCC as a limited personal parish was considered but unsupported as unmerited or totally premature. Formal membership in the Stan State Newman Community was initially recognized (as at UOP) only for currently enrolled students and employees of the College. A Diocesan ruling limited community membership to others only if they obtained written release from their geographical home pastors. This regulation also limited reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, and Matrimony. Limited further was the celebration location of Mass and Sacraments. Non-released persons could only be served for Penance and Eucharist---and were expected to return to their original home geographic parishes for other Catholic services. This proved to be most cumbersome for some individuals, frequently for student weddings. Fr. Richard had immediately engaged the Stan State student body, spending weekdays greatly visible in Roman collar on campus and among students at many athletic and social events such as drama and music presentations, art exhibitions and other student gatherings. He was commonly seen delivering donuts at dawn to a bus full of student-athletes departing for an away-event. He held virtual office hours in the college dining area and other public places. Stan State President John Moore designated Fr. Forti as the official (unpaid volunteer) University Chaplain for the entire campus although there were four other Christian ministries active with ministers on campus, including Associated Christians, Campus Ambassadors, Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship (called The Net) and Sword Productions Outreach. Chaplain Richard Forti’s motto, applauded and adopted by the CCC, was “Love Is Including, Not Excluding.” This motto was made part of the official red and white CCC logo of two hearts and the dove of the Holy Spirit. The logo was eventually greatly visible on CCC bulletins, posters and clothing for years until after the Newman Center was built. Additionally, Fr. Forti initially assisted Fr. Valentine Freitas, Pastor of the Turlock Portuguese Parish Our Lady of Assumption (OLA), with Masses and Sacraments in English and with a youth group---during a time there was somewhat of a Portuguese/English language controversy there. Chaplain Richard also visited patients in local hospitals, supported the local food bank, participated in local interfaith ministries, and promoted Diocesan Catholic Charities, Diocesan Second Collections, the Heifer Project, Bread for the World and a local social justice group.

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Fr. Richard Forti/CCC Logo Fr. Forti celebrated Mass on campus, mostly on Sunday evenings, until 1981 when it could be arranged to rent specific hours for Mass and social activities at St. Thomas Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church on Berkeley Avenue, Turlock---with some access to an adjacent meeting hall where bingo, potluck meals and socials were enjoyed. The married Assyrian St. Thomas Pastor lived with his family in an adjacent home and celebrated Masses partly in the modern Aramaic language, an evolved version of the language that Christ spoke on earth. Aramaic and Hebrew dialects both stem from an earlier language of the Palestinian-Jordanian region. Physical development of the St. Thomas property had benefitted greatly from one of the payments the U.S. extracted from the government of Iran after seizure of American properties there and because such payment benefits were restricted to U. S. entities culturally related to the Middle East. The St. Thomas congregation was responsible to an Assyrian Patriarch in Detroit, not the Stockton Diocese Bishop, although this branch of the Catholic Church pledges loyalty to the Pope. St. Thomas’s Turlock facilities were excellent, but not all parishioners there welcomed the CCC outsiders. Also, the CCC cost burden for expensive public liability insurance via the St. Thomas coverage became a divisive issue (while the CCC was unable to view a copy of the actual insurance policy).

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Temporarily, both Sunday evening and morning Masses were offered. Bill Marson, Anthony Coelho, and young Jeff Persons were some of the early community musicians. Jeff was one of the campus Club Presidents in the early years of the CCC. From the earliest years, CCC lay Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers were identified by wearing a personal crucifix on a chain around their neck while serving at Mass (as an alternative to wearing robes, as is still done at Sacred Heart Church). Occasionally, that crucifix would be passed on to a younger lay minister by the family of a deceased minister. The former regular Sunday morning before Mass commentator, while serving as a Lector, currently wears one of those antique crucifixes---one from deceased pioneer Lector Bill Monroe. The Catholic Campus Community in this early period quickly grew to more than 200 active participants. In 1982 a governance steering committee was formally initiated as the acting Community (pastoral) Council. It was chaired by Professor R. J. Moriconi (Education) and created to establish a permanent elected Community Council of a maximum of 15 to govern and support Chaplin Forti and community operations. Essentially, by majority vote, this Council made all major decisions for the Community other than those relating to faith and morals. In addition to Fr. Forti, in alphabetical order, this steering group included: Ed Aubert Brian Cabral Judy Chargin Lenore Conklin Kathy Donoghue Shelia Manning Shelia Judd Jim Mendonca Carol Levering Richard Levering R. J. Moriconi Dick Schaff Shirley Schiffman Karen Sebok Janelle Sanford Dorothy Walker On May 15, 1983, the first duly elected lay Community Council was chosen: Ed Aubert Caryl Brewer Athena Golder Ed Golder Therese Henson Mark Hite Sheila Judd Richard Levering Fran McDaniel Harry Neely Dan Onorato Dorothy Walker Grady Weston Dorrie Whitlock Initially, the student members of the Council were Kathy Donoghue and Shelia Manning with authorization to name one Alternate. The Council student membership usually changed annually. The other 14 were elected to two-year staggered terms at the first election from 22 candidates after 3 Sundays of voting using photos of the candidates. The first CCC Council elected Officers: Chair Ed Aubert, Vice-Chair Brian Cabral, and Secretary-Treasurer Dorrie Whitlock, Attorney-at-Law. Meetings were usually held in the evening at private residences. A Council rule limited service to four consecutive years (two consecutive terms). Ed Aubert was re-elected to the Council every year he was eligible from 1982-1994, served as Chair until July 1987, additionally serving as Acting Chair in 1991-92 when Mark Hite took leave for illness. This representative pastoral legislative-advisory group fostered full trans- parency to the entire community (especially concerning financial matters), mostly through publicizing all meeting agendas well in advance, meetings open to all interested, delaying action on substantive motions until after the awareness of and discussion by those interested, and via publicly posting detailed minutes of all meetings. These efforts of making parish business greatly visible to stakeholders stimulated the Community to thrive with increased awareness of issues, greater volunteer involvement, and enthusiastic feelings of membership, trust and belonging. In less than three years, the cooperative attitude at Sacred Heart Parish ended when Fr. Francis Prendergast became Pastor in September 1982. Pastor Prendergast dismissed consideration of a discussed possibility of moving Community Masses from St. Thomas to Sacred Heart. He then

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forbade Fr. Forti from visits to, or involvement with, Sacred Heart school and youth groups, and he discouraged Fr. Forti’s ministerial involvement in parish life there. Similarly, Fr. Freitas then cancelled Fr. Forti’s involvement at OLA. Bishop Montrose personally interceded to achieve a cordial parting with Fr. Freitas and OLA parishioners without resolution regarding any of the issues at either Parish. Only weeks later the OLA Parish Council approved an invitation for the CCC to move from St. Thomas to their facilities. This was done temporarily on a trial basis, but not permanently. Some parishioners at OLA at that time, as well at St. Thomas and Sacred Heart, seemed to generally have much difficulty sharing their home with any other group for other than a brief and defined period. When Bishop Montrose arrived in the Diocese in 1985, releases in the prior three years, including for relatives of Community members, had been very few and slow in coming from Pastor Prendergast of Turlock’s Sacred Heart Parish. This became a significant problem, especially among local families and extended families, local benefactors in the Community, for students after graduation who remained in the region and for those who retired or ceased working for the college but remained in the region. Later it was clarified, via Vicar General James E. Cain, that local Pastors should consider release exceptions, but only for family blood-relatives. Chaplain Richard Forti was directed to get Pastor approval to minister to any non-student or non-employee without a written release. Bishop Montrose was generally known as a spiritual, self-effacing and scholarly man, who was enthusiastically supportive of parochial schools and who avoided social activism. His highest priority on arrival in the Diocese was to establish a contemplative cloistered order of nuns to pray for the Diocese. He was very thorough and deliberate in his actions, which was viewed by many in the Diocese as his being indecisive. He reported to a Modesto Bee reporter that he would have been happy to serve his entire career as a parish priest, rather than be CEO of a Diocese. Msgr. Cain, Bishop Montrose’s “chief-of-staff”, consistently appeared resistant of even temporary and limited delegation of any authority to anyone outside the Diocesan Office. Relations of the CCC with other Christian ministry clubs at the college were consistently excellent, including with one called The Net, which (using a different name) still has a facility on the southeast corner of the front entrance to the University. Scheduled Masses and CCC meetings were welcomed in designated rooms at the campus by reservation, but dedicated or shared office space was un- available to religious groups at State institutions. Fr. Forti was assigned a mailbox at the Student Body Office. The CCC did not pursue office rental when space became available. When Fr. Forti’s retired mother, Jeanette, moved to Turlock, they resided together with a pet dog in a nearby rented home (2707 East Zeering Road, Denair). Stanislaus State College, viewed as the people’s public senior college, recruited grossly under-represented female students (a major challenge at that time, especially in this agricultural region), military veterans, returning college drop-out adults, junior/community college transfers, and international students from a variety of countries (since tuition was competitive then), as well as traditional young freshmen directly from high school and graduate students. As a tax write-off, the Win Oil Company invested in a small College Student Residence Hall (now demolished due to asbestos construction materials) on Geer Road adjacent to and east of the College. It was intended to serve area college students who had significant commuting distances

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and those from outside the Central Valley. This resulted in increases in the number and diversity of students and CCC participants. The Campus became an open, supportive and encouraging diverse environment. While not a UC Berkeley of that day, orderly and respectful dialog about a wide variety of social and political issues was permitted and supervised. From the first year on the new campus, a “free speech” Commons Area platform, named The Rock, hosted a wide variety of speakers, both students and invited visitors. To illustrate the notoriety of some visitors, included were political extremists George Lincoln Rockwell, the then Commander of the American Nazi Party; and Bettina Aptheker, daughter of Herbert Aptheker, Marxist political activist and Chair of the American Communist Party; and, genial California Governor Pat Brown. Participants and observers, including CCC members were challenged and stimulated to think about a wide variety of issues and ideas. Some CCC members chose to demonstrate for peace at the Livermore nuclear Laboratory, risking their arrest. In this post-hippie era in California Fr. Richard also ministered on occasion to the regional “gay” community. A great many area residents viewed as radicals anyone and everyone who was part of the fabric of the University. Fr. Forti meanwhile focused on helping minds, young and old, put all this in a faith context. A Chaplain at the residential Newman House at U.O.P. during the Fr. Forti period was Rev. Raymond F. Kennedy, C.S.Sp. He was later replaced by Rev. Charles Murphy, S.A. Chaplain Kennedy was supportive of the CCC leadership. The two Newman groups plus a faculty representative from MJC collaborated in Stockton about mutual concerns. They found much agreement regarding Newman ministry. However, they identified many need differences due to the contrast in the populations served. This mutual advocacy for mostly minor adjustments in Diocesan support and policy did not stimulate any change. The UOP Newman community was invited to have representation on the Diocesan Pastoral Council. The Stanislaus CCC was not represented. The Stanislaus CCC was rarely allowed to represent itself and its interests at Diocesan advisory group meetings during the 14 years of Msgr. Cain and Bishop Montrose. To report that Fathers Prendergast and Forti were much more than a generation apart in social and political views would be a gross under-statement. They infrequently spoke directly to each other. In 1986 Fr. Prendergast and Fr. Forti met to resolve differences, with Fr. Pat Condon as witness, and agreed that anyone related to families of individuals connected to the college could be served by Chaplain Forti if sacramental records were maintained at Sacred Heart Church. Immediately, this agreement was publicly proclaimed to all concerned as a successful resolution of a major disagreement. Only weeks later Fr. Prendergast excluded extended family members from the prior agreement. The greater Catholic public remained confused, stressed and disturbed. Based on informal communication, this discouragement was temporary because there still was great expectation and hope that Bishop Montrose would soon resolve these sources of friction. The CCC Council Chair reported widely that Bishop Montrose would reconsider this situation after seeking formal advice of his Consulters. This resulted in one CCC family campaigning for a flood of support letters to Bishop Montrose---which did not in any way help the CCC. The University Dean of Students pleaded in a letter to Bishop Montrose for more flexibility and authority for the CCC. The current President of the California Association of Catholic Campus Ministers pleaded with Bishop Montrose for the same. Bishop Montrose and Msgr. Cain were not pleased with the big stack of mail which they received. The expected resolution of issues failed to materialize.

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The CCC advertised on campus that anyone interested would be welcome at their celebrations and events. This Community became widely known as a joyous group committed to Christ and His teachings, sharing His love within and beyond members---seeking not to “have a nice day”, but to “make a nice day”. A few outsiders characterized the CCC as a “personal cult.” The Community proceeded to serve many Catholic families as do parishes, publishing a monthly calendar of events, conducting fund-raising activities, providing CCD and RCIA programs for children and adults, training lay ministers, offering bible study, planning worship liturgy celebrating the Seasons of the Church, holding monthly potlucks and annual picnics, holding retreats, conducting a Day of Prayer for Peace in the world, volunteering at soup kitchens, polling members about the focus of activities and issues, etc. Serving Fr. Forti and the CCC in these trying times and deserving mention, besides those already identified, additionally included: Lucy Amaranti Elaine Amrhein Dan Areias Anne Aubert John Aubert Mary Aubert Lynne Aubert Ed Bishop Mary Bishop Clayton Boudreau Rosie Boudreau Caryl Brewer Dennis Brewer David Bryant Carol Callahan John Callahan Eugene Campa Mavis Carey Maryalice Chandler Judy Chargin Lenore Conklin Fran Chavanak Tony Chavez Gloria Chavez Anthony Coelho Otto Coelho III Kit Corkery Shelia Cornell Darlene Cornwall Al Costa Efren Curiel Richard Curiel Ron Curiel Lucien Musso Mary Musso Manuel Sousa Dee Curiel Doreen Dalfol Joseph Dias Agnes Dias Paulette Dompling Jim Dupre Ray Duran Jeanine Duran Diana Feria George Fleshman Dawn Fleshman Jeanette Forti W. G. Franklin William Fritz Steven Friscia Yvonne Furtado Lisa Garcia Lorretta Jorge John Gill Bonnie Glover Doyle Gosney Beth Greathouse Carmen Halle Mich Hardenbrook Marge Hardenbrook Mary Hayward John Heilman Marge Heilman Therese Henson Lynn Herrman Mark Hite Mary Ann Hite Tony Jackson Elmer Jackson Lisa Johnson Jim Jones Loretta Jorge James Jorge Sheila Judd Jim Johnson Brooks Judd George King Barbara Klein Robert Klein Marie Kollmeyer Jeanne Lopes Clark Lovelady Stan Main Susie Manning Bill Marson Fran McDaniel Doug McDermott Nelda McDermott Julie McDermott Ed Miller Terri Miller Jan Mills MaryAnn Molles Coleen Moren Helen Murdock Marylou Nascimento Bob Nascimento Jerrilyn Neeley Alice Onorato Carol Parks Dorothy Parks David Paul Patricia Paulsen Lowell Paulsen Susan Purnell Jeff Persons Maryanne Pitti Francis Ratajzak Jr. Dennis Rodgers Teresa Rodgers Abe Rojas Sharon Rojas Carol Sanders Diana Sai Janelle Sanford Shannon Sanford Suzette Santos Dick Schaff Linda Schaff Jim Schiffman Gail Schiffman Shirley Schiffman Dan Schultes Sandra Schultes Dick Sebok Isabel Sousa Nancy Snodgrass Bud Swanson Mary Swanson Marlene Teixeira Patti Terra Theresa Stanger Judy Tiffin Liz Townsend Celeste Tremble Cyndy Tyree Anita Tyree Dave Vasconcellos Jean Vasconcellos Kevin Vasconcellos Peggy Vasconcellos Grady Wilson CCC college students held weekly meetings, social gatherings, retreats and fund-raising events. They freely functioned separately from the CCC, each group supporting and complementing the other. In November 1986, Club President Ed Golder and then Faculty Advisor Moriconi wrote Bishop Montrose complaining that restrictions on the Community and Chaplain plus lack of Diocesan public support have limited the growth and effectiveness of this Ministry and has become greatly stressful for all involved. Bishop Montrose responded, expressing concern and support but the situation remained unresolved. He responded that he would consult further, but at such meetings the CCC rarely would be permitted a spokesperson. CCC Operating Policies and Procedures had been established, expanded and modified as deemed necessary regarding budget, open meetings, elections, quorum, voting, pastor-veto, establishment of committees, etc. The Council deliberated at least monthly. Each ministry of the Community designated a liaison to the Council. This type governance persisted from 1982-1998 until substantially changed and reconstituted by Chaplain Arouje following opening of the Newman Student Center.

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The Council Chair, following a January 1987 discussion with Bishop Montrose, was designated by the CCC Council to meet separately with Fr. Francis (Frank) Prendergast and Fr. Richard Forti to attempt to mediate implementation of the Ad Experimentum Guidelines and disagreements between Sacred Heart Parish and the Catholic Campus Community. Fr. Prendergast simply stated he had no major complaints regarding the Community. Formal appeal to ease this membership restriction was denied by Bishop Montrose March 4, 1987, although he assured the Community that he “urged the parish priests to cooperate with those seeking release or permission enabled by the guidelines.” A significant reason offered by the Bishop for Pastor release denial was that the “Chaplain does not have a permanent staff to assist” even though Fr. Richard had adequate volunteer secretarial staff. The Bishop again repeated that he would seek further advice from Diocesan Priest Consultors. Meanwhile, Fr. Forti negotiated some modifications to his employment contract directly with the Consulters and Personnel Committee. Bishop Montrose scheduled a campus tour, soup supper and a CCC prayer service at St. Thomas on April 15,1987. University Chaplain Forti delivered the Invocation at University Commencement ceremonies on the following May 30. Exasperation grew greatly regarding what Community members viewed as Fr. Prendergast’s unfairly intruding and not being stopped. Fr. Forti and the CCC Chair wrote Fr. Prendergast stating that the CCC was officially “independent of Sacred Heart Parish,” that he was “usurping the authority of the Bishop,” and that “it is not your responsibility to evaluate us.” This simply made the writers and a few others feel better---but changed nothing. The Community continued to think of their flock as orphans. The conflict of interests among the Community, Sacred Heart and the Diocese remained unchanged. Despite great efforts to ease separation of families who worshipped with the CCC, the number of families formally released by all former parishes in this 9-year period totaled only 25 individuals, including releases from many parishes outside Turlock. Immediately after Fr. Forti’s death, requests to Sacred Heart for release to worship with the Community received Fr. Prendergast’s response “I really don’t see the reason for making such a request at this time since the ‘Ad Experimentum’ guidelines terminate on March 15, 1988.” Turlock was continuously growing. No one ever thought that the CCC was any kind of real threat to Sacred Heart Parish, a geographical parish then of over 3,100 families and over 10,500 parishioners that was experiencing over-crowding and parking problems. The Stan State student body had already grown to 5,800; two-thirds of the college students still came from homes in the Stockton Diocese. By 1987, Diocesan financial assistance to the Turlock Newman community grew to one-third of that provided to the now smaller UOP Newman group. The CCC 1987-88 self-support budget of $26,885, excluding the Chaplain $5,000 salary subsidy and other Chaplain benefits, was reported to the Diocese. However, it was understood that this budget would require a significant increase in Diocesan subsidy should so few parish releases dictate that many CCC member families and benefactors must return for worship to their former parish. In mid-January of 1988 Fr. Forti became ill and was hospitalized in Turlock at Emanuel Medical Center for treatment of a viral infection. His health rapidly declined, and he was transferred to Doctor’s Medical Center in Modesto. On January 27th Fr. Forti went into a coma, his heart stopped, and he was kept alive briefly with life support systems. This was an agonizing time for his family and his many friends. According to the death certificate, at 1:14 pm on January 31, 1988, Dr. David

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A. Olson declared death from brain injury, cardiac arrest and pneumonia. A few rumors circulated speculating other death causes. Allen Mortuary in Turlock supervised funeral arrangements. It was 20 months later that Fr. Richard Forti’s brother, Lewis, made a public statement that Richard learned only five days before he died that he had AIDS. Lewis said that Richard’s reaction to his news was that he wanted to meet with his Community, “explain and ask for their acceptance.” He never got that opportunity. Members of the Community soon after reacted by publicly displaying a panel for inclusion in the huge AIDS quilt being assembled on the Capital Mall in Washington, D.C. to give expression of the tragic consequences of this fatal disease. Crafted by Ruth Enero, the panel displayed Fr. Forti’s name over a colorful background of ascending balloons, the brightest one being red, carrying his photo and rising. University Chaplain Richard Forti was known as a personal spiritual mentor to hundreds, regardless of religious persuasion. He was a gentle, soft-spoken ever-present smiling friend, sensitive and caring---an anytime available confessional in a college cafeteria or anywhere. A primary forte’ of Fr. Forti was his ability to elicit personal trust and hope from anyone who paused to listen to him. Tony Jackson’s eulogy at the memorial Community Mass reflected the thoughts and feelings of those present: “For us Fr. Forti was a spark challenging our ideas, changing our lives, firing our faith; he leaves us, now, as the spark, continuing his vision, living our faith, igniting the lives of others; a living memorial to a man of love.” Others made public statements about how Fr. Forti taught responsibility for being a citizen, worker, neighbor who made the world a better place. Chaplain Forti was quoted, “I am an available presence for students, sowing seed for the future if they have crises.” University flags were flown at half-mast for two days. The annual publication of the Anthropology Department was dedicated to University Chaplain Forti. Fr. Richard was a spiritual mentor to any student, faculty, staff or anyone else who sought him. This has been the only time in Stan State 60-year history that a formal memorial service, including casket with body, was conducted on the University campus. Fr. John Kasper, Oblate and Fr. Forti’s close friend (currently a parish pastor in Moraga, CA), conducted this service on February 1,1988, and delivered a welcome and an opening prayer before the assembled crowd of nearly 1,000, many still in a state of shock . There was much sad and boisterous song. Prof. Moriconi read a scripture passage; Jeff Persons and Dan Onorato shared personal reflections; and closing remarks were offered by University President John Moore and by Fr. Alfred Russell, National Provincial of Fr. Forti’s Order. A funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Church the next day. Another requiem Mass followed in Niagara Falls, NY, with final committal rites and burial at the Oblate Community Cemetery in Childs, Maryland.

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CCC/University Chaplain Richard Forti Grief counselling was made available from Fr. Richard’s brother, Dr. Lewis A. Forti, and from Dr. Karen Mendonca of the campus Health Center, as well as from Turlock’s Family Service Agency. Memorial Scholarship Funds were established at the campus, as well as a Memorial Fund for the Oblates and a memorial fund for the future of the Catholic Campus Community.

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An era ended; a new era and a new struggle for Community survival began. Fr. Richard’s sudden and early demise at age 46 left the CCC stunned, immensely saddened, and adrift without a Chaplain replacement, without assurance of a future, nor of any further Diocesan funding. Many in the Community suffered serious temporary bouts of deep frustration and depression. Community members tried to adjust to living with even more uncertainty and the following repeated periods of suspense. On February 19, 1988 the entire Community Council met in Stockton to seek support for the future from Bishop Montrose. The remaining Community felt threatened with extinction, lost some members, gained some new community support, and sadly mourned their great loss and apparent uncertain future. This meeting had a substantial agenda, but it evolved mostly to group catharsis. Many observers now simply waited for the CCC to dissolve. On June 25, 1988 Bishop Montrose told the Modesto Bee: Fr. Forti’s community is “perceived as an out of the ordinary group. It doesn’t fit what a normal parish would be.... It differs, with guitar music, less kneeling, spontaneous applause, hugging, modified-democratic governance sharing power.” Community representatives instead described the CCC as an “outlet to allow adults to decide what they should do to stand up for what they believed.” Annual acknowledgement of Fr. Richard’s death has traditionally been held on the last weekend in January, referring to him as the St. Peter of All Saints. Fr. Forti’s demise at age 46 after nine years as Chaplain left a strong, caring faith community which struggled, grew, flourished and eventually developed and built a Catholic Student (Newman) Center facility in fulfillment of Fr. Richard’s fondest dream. Surprisingly, this small community further evolved into All Saints University Parish serving Stan State, as only a few Newman student communities have done. The success of this church community and the over- coming of many significant obstacles were dependent upon great and small efforts and contributions of many giving pioneer supporters---some who learned to listen for the Lord’s inspiration and reflect his light on other humans. As did the biblical mustard seed, this tiny faith-family grew beyond the expectations of its outside local observers. Most of Fr. Forti’s original disciples and early supporters have now joined their creator. The few associated with Richard’s time, and/or the period immediately after his death, who are still active decades later and listed in the current All Saints University Parish Directory are Dorothy Walker, Frank & Cheryl Ratajczak, Jeff Persons, Bill Marson, David & Gladys Holmes, Greg & Susan Dudley, Mary Jo Sai, Mary Sai, Lorraine Gonzalves, Michaeleen Klee Klarich, Mike Seymour, Dee Curiel Aubert and Ed Aubert. Efforts to Survive and Develop a Newman Center, 1988-1999 Without a Chaplain for the Community, local volunteer priests were recruited and paid honorariums to celebrate Sunday Masses at St. Thomas (and were budgeted for in the category of “Rent-a-Priest”). This included, among others, Fathers William Hughes, Pat Walker, Manuel Souza, Robert Silva, John Fitzgerald, Oliver O’Grady, Liam Moore, and Mark Wagner. At St. Thomas the Community organized the first Turlock regularly scheduled Sunday morning primetime (9 am) Mass in English. Prior to this, that hour in Turlock had been reserved primarily for Masses in Portuguese, Aramaic, Spanish or Latin.

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Council officers visited and consulted established Newman student communities in Fresno, Sacramento, Hayward, Chico, Davis, and Tempe AZ obtaining insight about services, functioning, facilities and development. During the year without a Chaplain, active community members included, among others, regular Lectors Mary Jo Sai, Lillian Smith, Greg Scharlach, Michaeleen Klee, Ed Aubert, and Eucharistic Ministers Dee Aubert, Patti Terra, Mike Seymour, Frank and Cheryl Ratacjzak, Gerry Klee, Mary Sai and Janelle Sanford. Dee Aubert composed the church bulletin and arranged Lector and Minister assignments. Priests were recruited to celebrate Mass on a week to week basis. In part due to a St. Thomas renovation, and making matters more challenging, the Community was sadly unable to continue rental of St. Thomas beyond 1988. An adequate notice was given to the Community. However, this eventually forced temporary cancelation of regular Sunday morning Masses in English. Fr. Prendergast promptly offered the CCC use of Sacred Heart Church. CCC Chair Tony Jackson wrote Bishop Montrose reporting on area facility alternatives and stated that “the existence of the CCC as an Association of the Faithful would be at risk if we were to accept the offer” from Sacred Heart. Attempts to rent from Turlock churches were unsuccessful, except for offers from the Latter-Day Saints and the Seventh Day Adventists, but Monsignor James Cain, Bishop Montrose’s Chancellor, disapproved of these options. Arrangements then were made to temporarily hold a CCC Sunday evening Mass at St. Anthony’s Parish, in Hughson, about 7 miles north of Turlock. Pastor Bill Hughes was a most supportive and appreciated host. During the years of Chaplain Forti and the following fund-raising period after his death, the Community Council planned and promised some way to publicly recognize benefactors and generous contributors of time, talent and resources with a public memorial display of these names at the Newman Center. This was not organized and approved before the Center was built and dedicated. When efforts were attempted to recognize these local disciples, at least with a large temporary public display, permission was denied by Chaplain Arouje. Although complete reliable documentation (and verification of name spelling) is not preserved, the following names are provided to acknowledge as many as possible of the loving CCC members and supporters in addition to those previously mentioned, without whose combined efforts the Newman Center would likely not exist today: Christiana Almeida, Gary Almeida, Jeanette Amador, Lucy Amarante, Celeste Ameer, John & Elaine Amrhein, Josey Amlin, Cathie Ancalade, Mary & Gene Apalatea, Ed Aubert, Mary Aubert, Anne Aubert, John Aubert, A. C. Bagnani, John Baird, Jerome Beamish, James & Marilyn Bertucci, Betty Bethel, Amy Bill, Doug & Betty Boehme, Allison & Todd Borges, Caryl & Dennis Brewer, Kenneth & Lita Brown, Liz & Brian Cabral, Diane & Tom Campbell, Cartco of California, Catholic Social Service Guild, Judy Chargin, David & Fran Chovanak, Anthony Coelho, Joe L. Coelho, Lenore Conklin, Sheilia Cornell, Darlene Cornwall, Andy Cota, Diane Cotellessa, Frank & Alyce Crowe, Dee Curiel, Jim & Vicki Damiani, Janet Daniel, Cheryl Dennis, Agnes & Joe Dias, Rose Dolhun, Richard & Paulette Dompeling, Susan & Greg Dudley, Lenore Dupre, Jim Dupre, Jeanie & Ray Duran, Jerry & Caria Emig, Shawn & Ruth Enero, John & Eva Feeney, George and Dawn Fleshman, Yvonne Fortado, Richard Forti, Lewis Forti, Jeanette Forti, Anthony Forti, Anne Forti-Sciarrino, Sister M. Camilla Forti R.S.M., W. G. Franklin, Aileen & Marie Gallo, Enzo Gambasiami, Lisa Garcia, Ray Garcia Jr., Martin Guerriero, Sylvia Ghiglieri, Bonnie Glover, Ed & Athena Golder, Rosemary Rice Gosney, James & Nora Hallock, Therese & Leroy Henson, Lynn Herman, Susan Herr, Mark & Mary Ann Hite, Andy Hite, Michael & Damen Hobby, Anita Holding, Charles & Pat Holmes, Dave & Gladys Holmes, Loren Horton, Londa Iwata, Tony Jackson, Agnes Johnson, Elmer Johnson, Chris Jones, James Jorge, Loretta Jorge, Sheila & Brooks Judd, Fr. John Kasper, Robert & Barbara Klein, Hershey Kletzky, Jerry Klimbal, Jim & Kay Knauf, Linda Lee, Maria Lerin, Dana Lopes, Tony & Jeannie Lopes, Richard & Carol Levering, Marie Loethan, Anna Marie Machado, Edward Mann, Sheila Manning, Susan Manning, Ken Marshall, Bill Marson, Wilfred & Caroline Marson, Julianne Martin, Shiela

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Mayo, Daniel McCauley, Kevin McClarty, Fran McDaniel, Nelda & Doug McDermott, William & Nancy McLaughlin, Ken & Debbie Mello, Jean Mello, Janet Mills, Ed & Terri Miller, Stacey Mohr, Fr. L. Wm. Moore, Bert & DeeDee Moosekian, Coleen Moren, R. J. Moriconi, Helen Murdock, Lucien & Mary Musso, Harry & Jerri Neely, Michael Noonan, Liz Nunes, John & Barbara O’Brien, Linda & Bob Occhi, Dan & Alice Onorato, Cecelia Pacheco, Lynn Patricio, Jack & Frances Patterson, Julie Paul, Lowell & Patricia Paulsen, Irma Peichoto, Genna Penner, Jeff Persons, Janice & Leonard Phillips, Madonna Pratt; Frank, Cheryl & Frances Ratajczak, Michael & Carolyn Ratto, Alice Recore-Williams, Mary Jane Reynolds, David & Sandra Reiswig, Mildred Richmond, Clinton Rigaud Jr., John & Lynette Rocha, Bob Roe, Abe & Sharon Rojas, Catherine Rylaarsdam, Felix J. Sanchez, Janelle & Shannon Sanford, Suzette Santos, Gail & Shirley & James Schiffman, Donna Sciancalepore, Dick & Linda Schaff, James G. Sciarrinino, Suzi Scott, Richard & Karen Sebok, Hazelle V. Silva, Anne Silva, Lillian & Larry Smith, Rosemary Sobals, Theresa Stanger, James Stevens, Francis & Marjorie Steichen; Bud, Mary & Eric Swanson, Marlene Texeira, Diana Terra, Patricia Terra, Rita Thomas, Judy Tiffin, Michelle Tiffin, Delia Toberer, Vincent & Camille Tower, Liz & Suzy Townsend, Robert & Nadine Townsend, Celeste & Ronald Tremble, Miles & Rita Twaddell, Anita Tyree, Danny & Cindy Tyree, Jeff & Debbie Tyree, Alan Vallarine, Russell & Sylvia Van Hook, Eva Varga, Robert Vargas, Brian Vasconcellos, Dave & Jean Vasconcellos, Lewis & Alberta Verissimo, Bonnie Vierra, Dorothy & Tony Walker, Gracy & Gerrely Weston, Cindi Whitaker, Dorrie Whitlock, Christine Wilde, Tony & Joanne Wildenberg, Julia & Allen Wilson, Gary & Lynn Winkleman, Juliet Wofford, Austin Yang, H.J. & S.M. Yang. The author apologizes to any benefactor unintentionally overlooked. Many of those acknowledged in this brief history are no longer with us, but hopefully all will be participants in a future grand after-life reunion celebration. Rather than concede defeat, the Catholic Community Council continued to govern the Community. It collectively filled the leadership gap and efforts were doubled to accomplish their mission and achieve future objectives. Without an off-campus home, a U.S. Postal Service Box in Turlock was rented to use as the CCC home address. The CCC limped along without a permanent replacement Chaplain. Without support of the Diocese, the CCC also attempted unsuccessfully to recruit and support a priest from outside the Diocese. It was believed that the Diocese was simply waiting to see if the CCC might soon evaporate. Consolidated efforts of all concerned now sought gifts to raise a substantial down-payment for development of a 4-acre Newman Student Center on the 10-acre Diocesan property north of the University. CCC members were generously making 3-year pledges of $100 monthly, or less according to their ability. Since the CCC had no Diocesan offer of building support, it proposed that the Diocese grant the Community a ten-year loan for the amount to cover the amount that could not be promptly raised. Specifications for a multi-purpose facility including priest housing was developed. The original All Saints facility is remarkably like those plans, which specified a multipurpose Chapel, apartment, administrative and counseling spaces, kitchen, vestments and storage room, classrooms, and parking area. Because it also appeared necessary for the Community to seek an additional steady stream of revenue, the adopted Center furnishings concept was for easily moveable seating for maximum flexibility and rental of the main space for weddings, receptions, lectures, and other events. When furniture was eventually selected for the Student Center, Chaplain Arouje chose un-stackable heavy chairs with attached kneelers and a glued processional burgundy carpet on the polished concrete floor. This eliminated most opportunities to rent the facility for income. Fortunately, Community members have always been so generous that there never has been a dependency upon rental income. The CCC Council still desired to develop, as soon as possible, the dedicated ten acres north of the University to fulfill Fr. Forti’s long-term dream, but support was not forthcoming publicly from

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Monsignor Caine, nor Bishop Montrose, for any plan or any timeline. The CCC independently started a major fund-raising campaign by establishment of a completely independent Newman Center Trust Fund at Turlock’s American Savings Bank---out of reach of the Diocese. The Oblates permitted use of their non-profit organization tax exempt ID Number for this account to avoid any connection with the Diocese. Trustees were Cindy Tyree, Dick Schaff and Ed Aubert. The Council directed the Trustees to not release trust funds donated for a facility until a Diocesan commitment to a construction plan for a Newman Center was announced publicly. Existence of this trust fund conflicted with Diocesan fund-raising policy. Early in 1988 Bishop Montrose was provided with a CCC Student Center position paper package regarding the need for a permanent program facility, a Catholic Campus Community financial commitment, shared Diocesan respon- sibility for Campus Ministry, the continued benefit to Turlock area Catholics, the equitability of shared Community-Diocesan financial commitments, the plan for debt-retirement and the Community’s plan and specifications for site develop- ment. A draft Press Release and draft letter to Parish Pastors were also provided to announce Diocesan commitment to making the Newman Center a reality with a feasible three-year plan. These documents collected much dust for years. The Forti family, greatly discouraged over lack of Diocesan support of the CCC, inquired regarding a refund of their gifts to the Student Center Fund for their use for other purposes. Bishop Montrose was consulted and replied that a refund to Forti family members might be of “some advantage for the Diocese”. The Trustees postponed refund action and persisted to insist that the Student Center would eventually be a reality. Facing a wonderful opportunity and a gigantic challenge, and with the help of hard-working volunteers, the fund drive proceeded with the public goal to preserve and maintain a tolerant and loving permanent alternative Catholic Community for University students and locals. Donations small and large came from expected and unexpected sources. While John & June Rogers and Robert & Marie Gallo families declined being Honorary Fund Drive Chairs, both were most supportive of a Newman Center facility. Local egg businessman Ernie Gemperle, whose children were positively influenced by Fr. Richard’s ministry, assisted the Trustees drive for contributions, giving a large stock gift and opening the doors to some prospective benefactors---including a $25,000 gift from an aging Aileen Gallo, widow of corporate co-founder Julio. Honorary Chairs initially were Jeannie & Tony Lopes and Jeannette Forti. Later Ernie Gemperle was so honored. When the drive was completed, Ernie personally and privately guaranteed to the Diocese assurance of no liability beyond the eventual commitment of $300,000 plus a $200,000 four-year loan to the CCC. Ernie later quietly added to his earlier gift the remainder needed to finish equipping the kitchen and installing nine beautiful interior stained-glass windows designed and crafted by local artist Ira Kessey. In February 1989 Bishop Montrose for the first time orally and privately signaled personal support for a Newman Center eventually at an undetermined future time. This excluded support for the CCC requested commitments to Center naming after St. Francis de Salles, or a nominal memorial to Fr. Forti, or some type of public recognition of all building benefactors. As it developed, obtaining construction commitment from Msgr. Cain and Bishop Montrose took 8 years (1988-1996); and occupancy of the Center was to be 10 years following the off-the-record private statement of support for this objective. This came 20 years after the initial obvious student need and CCC

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support for the primary development cost; and 35 years after a suitable property was made available to the Community and the Diocese. It was in June1989 that Bishop Montrose finally agreed to CCC’s request to hold a local press conference with the CCC Trustees to publicly announce Diocese commitment to an unspecific plan for a Newman Center facility. This led to release to the Diocese of nearly $300,000 from the CCC Trust and $20,000 from other Community funds. It also led to partial Diocesan short-term loan financing for the original All Saints multi-purpose facility, separate Chaplain’s home and necessary infra-structure for four of the ten dedicated acres. This financial arrangement was like the conditions at that time of Diocesan support for parish expansion. The CCC request for a ten-year loan had been ignored. The CCC committed to a greater debt burden than hoped for or expected. The shorter-term debt was fully paid by the CCC before the four-year term ended. In hindsight, the CCC consistently has been a financial asset to the Diocese, not in any way a financial liability. From initial Council specifications for these facilities, it was discovered that a multi-purpose building at St. Anthony’s parish in Hughson easily could be modified with economic benefit for immediate Newman Center needs. The architect for that building was Deacon Ray Flanders of St. Anthony’s, now retired and currently an active member of All Saints Parish. The Center dedication plaque omitted acknowledgement that Ray was architect for the initial Newman Center construction. This reference is a belated substitute effort to address that oversight. The CCC negotiated directly with the Turlock City Planning Office for driveway access and all the required approvals to proceed. All the inaction delays nearly doubled the Center cost from $600,000 to about $1,000,000+ (exceeding the $820,000 total cost of Sacred Heart Church, dedicated in 1972). With independent fund-raising and Community funds the CCC has paid for about 70% of the total final cost (all but $300,000) of initial Newman Student Center construction including the Diocesan Chaplain’s separate private residence. In October 1988 Fr. John Fitzgerald was named Chaplain by Bishop Montrose, shortly after celebrating his 25th Jubilee. This news was happily received by Turlock Catholics and the entire Newman Community. Fr. John was already established as a long-time member of the Stockton Diocese clergy-fraternity. It was a happy time for regional Catholics, both those who previously were supportive of the CCC and those who were not. The CCC was then invited to return to Turlock and again rent St. Thomas Church. As expected, no jurisdictional disputes arose between Fr. John and Sacred Heart, St. Thomas or Our Lady of Assumption. To respond to past criticism of the CCC, Cindy Tyree, a CCC volunteer, now proceeded to verify the accuracy and inclusiveness of every prior and current Sacramental record in the register maintained at Sacred Heart. Bishop Montrose designated Ed Aubert as his personal legal agent in all dealings with the City of Turlock for site development, permits, and annexation. Annexing the Center site to Turlock became a delaying issue since the property was under Stanislaus County jurisdiction. The CCC wanted permits for a building regardless of City annexation. The City wanted postponement to consider a much larger northern annexation. The City also was seeking nearby school and park sites. The Florsheim Development firm, which was planning the zoning and annexation of the Ferriera northern 100+ acres, generously lobbied the CCC to yield their corner property for one of two other Christofferson Parkway parcels. At this point the CCC elicited the City Planning officials to obtain Stanislaus County power of attorney to negotiate all necessary arrangements directly with the CCC. The City desired to designate a western deceleration lane for McKenna access. This enabled the cost for Turlock permits for site development and other city fees to be deducted from the value of

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the acreage transferred to the City for an access lane right-of-way, a most favorable functional and financial arrangement for the Newman Community and the Diocese. CCC Council Chair Mark Hite became gravely ill in 1991; Ed Aubert was selected Acting Chair. Council members then were Mary Jo Sai, Val Valerio, Greg Scharlach, Jan Mills, Frank Rataczak, Patti Terra, Mike Seymour, Michaleen Klee, and Yvonne Fortado (Secretary-Treasurer). Patti and Yvonne were CCD teachers. Dee Aubert published the weekly CCC Bulletin and assigned Mass Ministers. Frequently serving at Mass in addition to Dee were Frances Ratajczak, Susan Dudley, Gerry Klee, Mike Seymour and Anne Aubert. Supporters with Bulletin advertising included: Vaskey’s Repairs, Wells Fargo Bank, Jenines’s Floral, Carrs Cleaners, Allen Mortuary, Hauks Pharmacy, Harders Printing, Linda’s Bookkeeping, Turlock Flowers and Attorney Joe Calderon. Fr. John resigned as Chaplain early in 1991, partially due to health reasons. In October of that year, he was assigned to St. Mary’s Parish, Oakdale. Bishop Montrose had become reluctant to renew Fr. John’s Chaplaincy because of a complaint from a few CCC members about their confidence in him and about his energy level to serve campus students. For most Community members Fr. John’s departure was “déjà vu” with new fears that Community objectives would remain unfulfilled. This uncertainty lasted almost another year. In May 1991, Fr. Myron Effing (accompanied by his assistant, Brother Daniel Maurer) was appointed temporary acting Chaplain for 5 months. This arrangement lasted until their previously scheduled departure via Alaska for service to a parish in Russia. The Council governed the community during this period and continued to attempt to attract a priest-chaplain from outside the Diocese. Fr. Myron adopted a Council rule that a husband and wife would be ineligible to serve simultaneously. This led to Dee Aubert’s decision not to seek Council re-election. In 1992, when Bishop Montrose selected Fr. Lonachan W. Arouje as Chaplain (since he was deemed primarily qualified because he had college teaching experience in India), the Diocese allowed plans to proceed for Center property development. Progress within the CCC proceeded. The Student Club persisted. Mike Seymour became Council Chair under Father Arouje. Council members during this period initially included Yvonne Fortado, Jan Mills, Patti Terra, Sally Mulkern, Michaeleen Klee, Bonnie Glover, Greg Scharlach, Mary Jo Sai, Karl Kollmeyer, George Sempel, Tom Abram, and Ed Aubert. Professor Michael Fuller (English/French) ably continued leadership for RCIA, the adult education sacramental preparation program. The Community had become nearly self-supporting financially and otherwise. Necessary bulletin advertising support at this time came from the Knights of Columbus Insurance, Scharlach Chiropractic, Brenda Fitness Club, Harder’s Print Shop, Allen Mortuary, Carr’s Cleaners, Sharkey’s Billiards, Linda’s Bookkeeping, Dean Floral, Whitehurst Norton, Smith Quick Stop, and Attorney Joe Calderon. Unfortunately, Fr. Arouje initially faced some student and community relation- ship difficulties but resisted attempted assistance in dealing with the significant cultural differences between young California students, especially females, and persons like him from the affluent cultural caste-system environment in which he was raised in India. Fortunately, on his own, he gradually adjusted somewhat to improve some relationships. Fr. Lonachan Arouje judged that the Community and his leadership would be stronger if all former CCC lay ministry leaders were replaced by Community members who had no earlier loyalty to the first Chaplain. The tasks of these volunteer workers were hastily reassigned, in most cases without

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personal advance notice. Some active Community members then left to support Sacred Heart or another parish. Some sadly abandoned their faith, at least temporarily. Five months after Ed Aubert’s final Council membership term expired, Fr. Arouje presented him with a community trophy memorializing his contributions. This presentation was handled somewhat like a forced retirement of a productive pioneer, not yet senior citizen. Council by-laws, Council composition and operating rules then were revised significantly to meet Chaplain Arouje’s needs. Professor Tom Abram (Math) served several years during this period as official Faculty Advisor to the Catholic Student Club. Also, with his wife Leslee, he ably served Chaplain Arouje with accounting for donation receipts, advice and other assistance plus chairing a major fund-raising silent auction to pay some of the Newman Center debt. George Semple Chaired the 1993 Building Committee and explored possible borrowing from the Central Knights of Columbus, if such became necessary. The plan of many years to name this facility after St. Francis de Salles was discarded officially now by Fr. Arouje. He substituted the current name All Saints in preference to any name linked to an individual. In hindsight, this seems a much better decision. The All Saints community’s diverse assembly of in-training souls now may grow from learning about the lives of a great variety of saved exemplars. Most of the original CCC pioneers, who had already seen earlier Chaplains come and go, resisted any forced divorce from their faith community and decided to weather patiently the latest storm of issues, problems, neglect, Center building delay, frustration and unfulfilled dreams. The Newman Center facility was finally dedicated by Bishop Montrose on May 2, 1998 while Fr. L. Arouje was Chaplain and Tom Abram was Council Chair. A facility dedication plaque is mounted in the Newman Center west patio. Independently, a marble bench in Fr. Forti’s memory, privately arranged and paid for, is separately located there also---but engraving of Fr. Richard’s personal motto (Love Is Including, Not Excluding) on this bench was not allowed at that time. After Fr. Arouje was reassigned as Pastor of Saint Stanislaus Parish in 1998, engraving of Fr. Richard’s motto on his bench was accomplished. The main space in the Newman Center has nine small stained-glass windows. The center one on the south wall represents the Newman Movement logo, “Heart Speaks to Heart” with symbols representing the Trinity and the Seven Sacraments.

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All Saints Newman Student Center 1999 Stan State students now had a permanent Catholic Student Center. The dream of Fr. Forti finally was achieved by his successors, though clearly not as smoothly and expeditiously as was initially expected and hoped. The doors to the CCC facility opened 35 years after the property was released to the Diocese for this purpose (1963-1998), 9 years after Bishop Montrose privately gave the Community verbal approval of his support to proceed (1989-1998), and almost 3 years after the Diocese’s commitment to a construction plan. These years seemed too numerous and long for the CCC supporters, but now everyone should agree that this achievement was worth the expended efforts and patience.

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All Saints Newman Student Center 1999 Soon after Center occupancy, the Diocesan Personnel Committee, after receiving advice from several different sources, began a slow search for a Campus Chaplain for the future who could be greatly effective with American university students. This has always been a major Chaplain challenge due to the shortage of priests and the special talents needed to establish and maintain productive rapport with modern American youth. When Fr. Arouje left All Saints, he was given the greater challenge of the role of Pastor at Modesto’s St. Stanislaus Parish, serving with strong lay minister leaders. After a short new period of uncertainty for All Saints, again without a Chaplain, Msgr. Silva served briefly as Acting Chaplain until the Bishop appointed Fr. Salvador Ledesma. The following events show the CCC’s gradual route to a Newman Center: 1962 University Charter granted to Catholic Student Club 1963 Property for Newman Student Center acquired by Diocese

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1979 Fr. Richard Forti appointed Chaplain 1979 Canonical status for Association of the Faithful announced/publicized 1988 (January) Fr. Forti dies 1988 (May) CCC submits plan for financing and development of Center 1988 (October)-1991 Fr John Fitzgerald serves as CCC Chaplain 1989 (February) Bishop’s private oral assurance for eventual Center 1989 (June) Bishop Montrose publicly approves idea of a future Center 1992 Fr. Arouje appointed Chaplain 1992 Canonical status formalized for Association of the Faithful 1996 (February 21) Msgr. Cain commits $300K support and a short-term loan 1996 (March 26) Trustees press Bishop Montrose on unmet CCC objectives 1996 (April 15) Trustees release Center Fund to Bis. Montrose 1996 (July 20) Bishop tells Modesto Bee of approval to build 1997 (March 2) Center groundbreaking with photo in Catholic Lantern 1998 (May 2) Student Center dedication/opening, 10 years after planned

Newman Association Logo Select Major Events of the All Saints Faith Community, 2000-2019 (Partial)

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The Chaplain/Administrator appointments following departure of Fr. Arouje were Fr. Salvador (2002-2012); Fr. Mathew O’Connell (2012-2018); Fr. Bill McDonald (2018-2019); Fr. Thomas Orlando (July 1, 2019-current). Starting about 1993, the Newman Chaplain or a lay commentator delivered a wide variety of pre-Mass comments and announcements. In 2008 Fr. Salvador initiated the current style of Before Mass Comments---separate from the Mass and liturgy, designed to educate and to build community. To strengthen the Community’s welcoming approach, he sent Joanne Anderson and Ed Aubert to observe the enthusiastic welcoming activity of parishioners at St. Columba Parish in Emeryville adjacent to Oakland. This 125+ year old parish has served East Bay Area residents, first Irish, then Filipino, and now a rich diversity of mostly Black residents. Joanne and Ed were graciously greeted there, welcomed, introduced publicly to all assembled, and given mementos of the occasion. Many neighborhood and parish announcements, reports, and comments were delivered before and after Mass. St. Columba’s primary music minister played a Steinway concert grand piano and led a large talented and robed choir. Gradually pre-Mass comments at All Saints evolved as a challenge in the first 2 to 3 minutes before weekend Masses for a Commentator to greet sisters and brothers in faith, somehow gather audience focus, welcome everyone, identify and build Community spirit, give some context to the current liturgical season and scripture reading themes, stimulate an interest in the daily liturgical topic, promote participation in song and prayer with a personal focus on faith; and build a sense of belonging, membership, mission, joy and community in an attempt to stimulate response as the Lord’s disciples. On occasion, efforts were added to enhance the reality of New Testament readings with Holy Land locations, foster the mentality of a pilgrim, gain appreciation of community history and future development, plus identify opportunities to personally contribute to Community as did those who preceded them. A request for a short pre-Mass “quiet time” was briefly added, but not needed at all weekend Mases. This addition became unnecessary when the Tabernacle was moved from the Chapel to behind the altar in the main worship area. The primary writer of Comments usually prepared for the weekly three minutes of Before Mass Comments by consulting the Workbook for Lectors, the Magnificat and Catholic Celebration Worship Resources. A ten-year history of Before Mass Comments is stored in the Parish Office. A few months after the appointment of Fr. Matthew O’Donnell, All Saints achieved parish status on January 1, 2013 as decided and authorized by Bishop Stephen Blaire. The All Saints pioneers couldn’t help themselves from being envious of the experience of CSU Fresno Newman community students. The Fresno Diocese had a similar but much more expeditious experience than the Turlock Newman Ministry. The Catholic Student Club at CSU Fresno began in 1964; parish status with a permanent facility came only 8 years later in 1972, not much after a full-time Chaplain could be found and adequate funds arranged to build a Church. The Fresno Newman Parish did not experience any geographical parish competition or jurisdictional issues although their community composition was like the Stanislaus CCC. Granting parish status to All Saints was a very wise decision that came more than five decades after the University charter for a Newman Ministry student club in Turlock. This action has created the stability so needed for promising expanded future faith services and endeavors for many worthy souls, present and future. The priests responsible for the early Turlock Newman Community were given Chaplain status, as appropriate for an Associations of the Faithful. When Bishop Blaire authorized parish status for the All Saints Community, he simultaneously invested Fr. Matthew, a permanent senior Diocesan

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priest, with Pastor status. Fr. Bill’s temporary appointment and Fr. Tom’s youth resulted in their status of Parish Administrator. The Community has greatly benefitted in this decade by the welcomed commitment and appreciated service of Deacons Eric Hougland and Lane Menezes, in addition to that of retired Deacon Ray Flanders. The Parish is most fortunate to benefit from their reliable service. Further recognition also is justly due to the many local priests who in past and recent years generously have served as substitute Mass celebrants when our one priest was unavailable. The All Saints office staff consistently has well served community members and others seeking information, assistance or advice. It would be a gross oversight not to recognize for abundant appreciation and full credit the longtime quality service of Tami Harris and Rene Yegor. Fr. Matthew’s 20th Ordination anniversary was celebrated on June 6th, 2015. Under him, All Saints gained stability, thrived and matured. Unfortunately, in 2018, with some advance notice, he was required to depart because of declining health primarily due to the Central Valley environment. Recently, after a period of improved health, Fr. Matthew has returned to serve the Diocese. The Diocese of Stockton received court approval on January 10, 2017 for a Financial Reorganization Plan including a $15 million abuse bankruptcy settlement. For All Saints the net affect was freedom from loss of its savings dedicated for future facility development. The Diocese had specifically and mercifully arranged that All Saints financial strength would not be materially diminished, nor would further Newman site improvement be unnecessarily delayed, by this bankruptcy settlement. A Diocesan three-year freeze on all construction contracts, however, resulted in a significantly inflated cost for the current building expansion and additional site development. Contracts were signed and groundbreaking held July 28, 2019 for All Saints facilities expansion and full site infrastructure development. Creation, development and expansion of this Church Community has been the product of prayer as well as hard work by many in the congregation. Over almost 60 years individual and group prayer of the Parish has been heard by the Almighty. In recent months after nearly all Masses the following familiar Building Prayer has been recited by the assembled multitude: “All-powerful Father, Divine architect and Creator of our human family, you now call us to build up Your Kingdom here on earth. We ask that you bless our building project and deliver the wisdom, finances and resources required to provide for our future needs. Send us competent professionals and skilled laborers for the construction of our parish project. Guide and enlighten all those involved. Through the gift of Your eternal wisdom, grant that our efforts to build up All Saints University Parish, for Your glory and our own well-being, may progress in Your time to its successful completion. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Joseph, pray for us. All the saints & angels, pray for us.” Years after developing basic ministries for college students, adults, children and youths, All Saints expanded to offer some 30 varied service ministries for parishioners---including an Elder Committee chaired by Deacon Flanders, primarily to inform, educate and assist elders and caregivers in our parish. Bi-Annually, the parish now offers a communal sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, plus meetings about Church teachings on assisted suicide, suicide, cremation, “last rites”, end-of-life preparation,

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and advance planning for Catholic vigil, funeral and committal services. This Elder ministry also connects All Saints to Catholic Charities of the Diocese which offers many additional services for seniors, plus family counseling, immigration legal services, nutritional assistance, support for veteran families, and environmental justice. Planning and oversight of parish functions has become more varied and complex since the Community’s original Pastoral Council was supplemented with a Finance Council, Stewardship Council and a permanent Building Committee---thus greatly increasing the leadership challenges and need for financial and planning transparency within the Parish for the benefit and involvement of all stakeholders. Effective September 2018, Fr. Bill McDonald graciously agreed to temporarily leave his Professor of Preaching post at the Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange, New Jersey, (for 9 months) and shepherd All Saints to allow our Bishop adequate time to locate an appropriate permanent replacement. The parish celebration of Fr. Bill’s 30th Ordination anniversary and 60th birthday was held on June 8, 2019. He departed June 30th and is missed. All Saints has grown to a stable congregation of 300+ families and about 1,750 adults. Both the Turlock Newman Community and All Saints University Parish have always been self-supporting. This Community supports a variety of local financial needs and consistently leads other parishes in annual per capita contributions to the Diocesan programs and the Bishop’s Ministry Appeal. Fr. Tom Orlando was welcomed as Parish Administrator officially July 1, 2019 thus sparking community rebirth and future benefits especially for Stan State students. This fortunately coincides with Center facilities expansion. The future of this faith community again appears more than very promising. The recent Pastoral Council approved replacement of two earlier logos with an updated one in July 2019. The new logo (below) features a church tower upon a

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hill of three lines to represent the Trinity and a hand, foliage and vine to symbolize a hospitable community rooted in faith and committed to stewardship that invites all to the food of Christ, connection to the Saints, and service to those among us in need. From no logo, to a simple one of love, to the Newman logo connection to the Catholic Church, this newest logo represents the evolution, progress, growth, breadth, depth and complexity of the current All Saints University Parish community. Reflection In retrospect, side-by-side and interacting, the Stockton Diocese, CSU Stanislaus and the Catholic Campus Community simultaneously experienced birth pains, growth, challenges and good measures of plain maturation. At the head of each of these three organizations were leaders with widely differing training, leadership styles and personalities. There was indecisiveness. There were some poor choices, failed efforts and a few unloving relationships. All Saints lay pioneers at times were impatient, headstrong, and envious but consistently dedicated. The leaders of these three entities and their supporters were imperfect humans who seemed to try with good intentions to do the best that they could or thought they could. No matter how beneficial, change is commonly resisted and rarely comes easily. The outcomes for these three organizations were generally healthy despite many stressful times and some poor judgements by each of the three entities, but for differing reasons. It appears that while some of those involved never changed their attitude or behavior, others learned and benefitted from successes and failures, bad judgements and the inaction which they personally experienced or witnessed. This provided observers with learning experiences. This writer assumes most readers greatly appreciate the value of persistence; also, that loving relationships are better in every way than unloving ones. The University had typical leadership turnover with 10 Presidents from 1960 to the present, no two alike in personality nor leadership style. Nevertheless, the University orderly grew from 700 to nearly 10,000 students, attracted an outstanding faculty, developed strong instructional programs and student services, and created a modern efficient plant in a beautiful park-like environment evolving from 230 almost barren acres. Since establishment in 1962, the Stockton Diocese had 6 Bishops of differing personalities, interests, priorities and talents. However, organizational maturation has been stable, albeit somewhat inconsistent and occasionally sluggish, but obviously positive. The Catholic Student Club/Campus Community/Newman Center/Parish has already had 9 Priest CEO’s (Fathers Richard, Myron, Arouje, John, Silva, Salvador, Matthew, Bill and Tom) at the helm, plus six significant leaderless periods. This faith-congregation almost failed to survive as anything more than a student social club. Now this community has a future as bright as any parish in the Diocese. The challenges were great for all three entities. Each organization has achieved stability. Each now has institutional status; that is, it serves its public with positive momentum and without complete dependence on a primary leader. Each organization has learned much from successes and from mistakes. The Turlock Newman Movement faith-family has emotionally experienced pains of birth, has repeatedly suffered painful penance and has celebrated glorious times of joy. To recall

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and record in this report this community’s roller-coaster journey has been a “white-knuckle” re-living of these greatly emotional times. Human activities to advance an organization are better viewed as investments rather than merely efforts. The Lord provides each of us with one life and one soul, so it is only smart and just to “give the world the best you got” (as Mother Teresa wrote and advised). Human outcomes cannot be completely controlled. In global perspective, life activities and experiences can be viewed as parables from which there can be much learning and benefit. We may or may not get exactly what we want and pray for. Instead, persistence and faith will be rewarded with what the Lord determines is best in His time. His nourishment feeds His seeds. In hindsight, it appears to the writer who aged greatly and stressed through it all, that none of the three interacting organizations would be so successful and have arrived where they are today without the guiding force of the Holy Spirit---who was sent to guide flawed human leaders and their flawed organizations to serve the thousands of souls who have benefitted and will benefit over many years from their many and varied organizational programs and services. Some local pioneers would swear that they personally experienced occasions of inspiration. Of course, it was fortunate that these past leaders always also had many hard-working, persistent and flawed stewards and disciples to impact steering and keep the direction generally onward and upward. Nearly all of those mentioned in this history have some minor right to the pleasure of some modest satisfaction and pride of achievement. It is expected that present and future Community members will follow their community predecessors and continue doing God’s Will building up All Saints University Parish upon past stewardship. eja --- 4/20/2020 Addendum: Comments of Ed Aubert, read by his wife Delia, at the CCC Newman Center Groundbreaking Ceremony on February 28, 1997 “Most Reverend Bishop Montrose and other supporters and friends of the Catholic Campus Community of California State University, Stanislaus: For nine long years, I have hoped, and worked, and prayed for this glorious eventful day to come. I regret my inability to be with all of you on this milestone day of our faith community---but duty to my University has called me away. My wife, Dee Aubert brings you my message. From the month following the death of our first full-time Community Chaplain, Father Richard Forti, some of you joined me in his dream for a Catholic Student Center---a Newman Community facility---for the Diocese of Stockton and for the

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students, faculty, staff, alumni of CSU Stanislaus and their families---and for all the members, benefactors and friends of this missionary outpost. My thanks go to Bishop Montrose, to Ernie Gemperle, to all others present today and to all those who have made this dedication possible. Thank you, God, and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Give us the additional strength, and persistence, and faith to do you will. May our ranks expand in the future with additional soldiers for Christ. Let the Heavens rejoice, the angels sing, and the celebration begin! (Pause) Present today is Dorothy Walker, an early leader of the initial small ban of crusaders, who never doubted in their hearts that this dream would someday in our lifetime become a reality. I recognize Dorothy today as the spokesperson who will give thanks on behalf of all the early soldiers of the Catholic Campus Community.”