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Meet Craig Campbell
Novitiate photo of Craig>

Click on Craig's name to send him an email,

He is one of our Seminarians that we sponsor.

Here is a photo taken right after our signing in ceremony at our Vigil liturgy on August 30th 2008. The people pictured are (from left to right): Craig Campbell of Charleston, SC, "Jimmy" Yao Hsu of Plano, Texas, Fr. John Behnke Novice Director and Superior of St. Paul's College - Washington, DC, Anthony Rosado of Queens, NY






1st Promises Sign in1st Promises Sign inAugust 9, 2009

Brother Knights,

I have now reached the end of a very busy summer, and the end of my Novitiate with the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle (Paulist Fathers or Paulists).Ý I started on my pre-theology prerequisites at The Catholic University of America.Ý I have to have 18 credits of philosophy before I can be accepted into the joint M.Div. and S.T.B. in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at CUA.Ý During the month of July, I took 6 credits (2 courses) in philosophy (Classic & Modern).Ý It was very intense to condense 15 weeks of material, from a usual semester, into 5 weeks.Ý I survived and received an A- (Classic) and a B+ (Modern) in the two respective courses.Ý I will take the remaining 12 credits (4 courses)Ýin the Fall and Spring of this coming academic year, along with some other prerequisites.Ý June saw the end of the regular schedule of the Novitiate at St. Paul's College, before courses began.

On Saturday, August 1st, I became a member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle.Ý I, along with my Novice classmates Anthony Rosado & Yao "Jimmy" Hsu, made our First Profession to the community.Ý I have attached some pictures from the liturgy and signing in ceremony for you all to see.Ý I will be in temporary promises until the beginning of my Deaconate year, when I will be ordained to the Deaconate and make Final Profession to the community in the fall (2014).Ý The following spring (2015), IÝwill be ordained to the priesthood.Ý Every year, in the fall, I will renew my promises until Final Profession.

I am writing this update to you from our summer residence at Lake George, NY.Ý We have 100 acres on the southeast shore of the lake, and 4 islands 18 miles to the north in the middle of the lake.Ý We have owned this property for more than a century.

This is the conclusion of the first of a seven year journey to the priesthood, and I thank everyone for your prayers, thoughts and support.Ý I will continue to keep you updated on my vocation journey.


Yours in Christ Jesus,
Craig Campbell, C.S.P. (Congregation of St. Paul)


Chicago River St. Patrick's DayApril 2, 2009

Greetings Brother Knights,

I am currently in Grand Rapids, MI at the Paulist residence. Currently, the Paulist Fathers are stationed at The Cathedral of St. Andrew for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, the Catholic Information Center in Grand Rapids, and at St. Luke's University Parish, campus ministry for Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. I am visiting southwestern Michigan, due to its proximity to Chicago, as part of my Lenten Assignment. It is an exciting place due the fact that three different Paulist ministries are in operation here: parish, education & campus. It is an exciting time for the Diocese and the Paulists here.

In March, I was able to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Chicago. The parade & dyeing of the Chicago River green was held on Saturday, the 14th. It was a fun day for all, and everybody seemed to be Irish. I have attached a picture of the green river.

On two Saturday mornings (March 21st & 28th) I did a presentation on Islam & Roman Catholicism. It was designed to increase our knowledge of the monotheistic faith of Islam, so we can engage Muslims in productive and peaceful dialogue and understanding. The source material came from the Knights of Columbus' Catholic Information Service, and can be accessed at: www.kofc.org/un/eb/en/resources/cis/CIS317a.pdf.

I am looking forward to seeing the Chicago River died green for St. Patrick's Day, and seeing the parade and other festivities in celebration of the Patron of Ireland. I hope, and pray, Knights of Columbus Rev. P.N. Lynch Council no. 704 has another successful luncheon on the day of Charleston's parade and festivities.

I will be in Chicago until the Tuesday after Easter Sunday (April 14th).

I am continuing to do reflections on the Gospel at Monday morning Masses, throughout Lent.

I am looking forward to Holy Week and the Easter Triduum at Old St. Mary's in Chicago.

I hope, and pray, everyone has a good Holy Week and Easter.

Servant of God, Fr. Isaac Thomas Hecker, CSP, and Venerable Servant of God, Fr. Michael Joseph McGivney, pray for us.


Vivat Jesus,

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Craig Campbell





March 5, 2009

Greetings Brother Knights,

My Novice brothers and I continued on our regular schedule for the Novitiate until we left for our Lenten assignments on February 19th. I am now at Old St. Mary's Catholic Church in the South Loop section of downtown Chicago. The parish boundaries are Lake Michigan to the East, the Chicago River to the North and West, and 18th Street to the South. The area mainly consisted of warehouses and industrial operations, but now is filled with condominium buildings and the construction is continuing. The parish has lots of young people (single, married, & married with children) and many "empty nesters" who have moved back into the city after many years in the suburbs. There is tremendous racial, and ethnic diversity. There is also a school which was started a few years ago, and adds a new grade every year. The school has from pre-school through 3rd grade currently. There is an on-going capital campaign to help raise the necessary funds to build the building for the school and the parish center. Old St. Mary's is celebrating its 175th Anniversary this year, and is the oldest parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Paulist Fathers have been here since 1903.

I am giving the reflection on the Gospel every Monday, at the daily Liturgy. I will be leading the Stations of the Cross on three of the Fridays during Lent. I am also leading a faith sharing group on Sunday evenings with the young adults in the parish. I am present at all of the weekend Masses (Sat. 5 p.m.; Sun. 8:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm) and nearly every weekday Mass (M-F 8:30 am, Sat. Noon).

I have also been involved, as a visitor, with the Knights of Columbus Council No. 182, which is the oldest council west of the Allegheny mountains. Like the parish, the council has undergone a transformation in the past couple of years, but now seems on the path great things. They are holding a Fish Fry every Friday evening after the Stations of the Cross throughout Lent.

I am looking forward to seeing the Chicago River died green for St. Patrick's Day, and seeing the parade and other festivities in celebration of the Patron of Ireland. I hope, and pray, Knights of Columbus Rev. P.N. Lynch Council no. 704 has another successful luncheon on the day of Charleston's parade and festivities.

I will be in Chicago until the Tuesday after Easter Sunday (April 14th).


Vivat Jesus,

Servant of God, Fr. Isaac Thomas Hecker, CSP, and Venerable Servant of God, Fr. Michael Joseph McGivney, pray for us.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Craig Campbell





February 9, 2009

Brother Knights,

Things have been very busy for me, and my novice classmates, since we returned from our Christmas vacation. In January, we resumed our weekly routine here at St. Paul's College.

We also had the opportunity to have a preview of the latest initiative from the Paulist National Catholic Evangilization Association (PNCEA), Awakening Faith. It is a collaboration spear-headed by Fr. Frank DeSiano, CSP & Fr. Ken Boyack, CSP. It is a new evangilization effort aimed at the unchurched and the nominally Catholic. On Friday, January 16th, Awakening Faith was presented to parish leaders in the Washington, DC region, at a forum held here at St. Paul's College.

During the week of January 19th-23rd Anthony, Jimmy, and myself went to New Haven, CT to attend the Overseas Ministries Study Center's (OSMC) Program: Culture, Values, and Worldview: Anthropology for Mission Practice. The program was conducted by Rev. Darrell Whiteman, PhD, a Christian anthropologist. There were members of nearly every Christian denomination present, from around the world. It was an enlightening experience. During the week we were able to attend daily Mass at St. Mary's Church in downtown New Haven. As you all know, St. Mary's is where Fr. Michael Joseph McGivney started the Knights of Columbus. The preaching by the Dominican Friars was excellent. We were also fortunate to hear a homily from an auxiliary Bishop from the Diocese of Hartford in remembrance of the Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion in the United States on Thursday, January 22nd. On Monday of that week, we also attended a discussion on the recently completed Synod on the Word in Rome, in the basement hall of St. Mary's. The participants included Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Carl A. Anderson. He is an excellent lay person at articulating the Catholic faith and Church teaching. It was great to visit the home of the Knights of Columbus.

Unfortunately, we missed all of the events of that week in our nation's capital. Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Inauguration of President Barrack Obama, and the 36th Annual March for Life are events I wish we could have experienced. On Friday, January 23rd and Saturday, Janury 24th we concluded the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle with our annual Hecker Lecture and Conversion of St. Paul Liturgy. Our guest lecturer and homilist was Fr. John R. Donahue, SJ. Fr. Donahue, a Jesuit, is one the foremost experts on the writings of St. Paul. We had an excellent crowd, and a wonderful conclusion to our 150th Anniversary celebrations.

We also attended another Inter-Novitiate session on Monday, February 2nd at the Benedictine Sister's Monastery in Bristow, VA. Brother Loughlin Sofield, ST, of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, talked to us about conflict resolution, and how it relates to community life. It was an excellent presentation, by an expert in the field.

I am now preparing to depart for my Lenten Apostolate assignment in Chicago, at the Paulist parish of Old St. Mary's in the South Loop section of the Windy City. I leave on Thursday, February 19th, and stay there until Tuesday, April 14th.

A heart-felt thank you to my brother Knights for their donation of $500 to the Paulist Capital Campaign.


Vivat Jesus!


Yours in Christ Jesus,
Brother Craig Campbell



December 1, 2008

Brother Knights,

I hope, and pray the Turkey Day Run was a huge success this year! Our Thanksgiving Day feast was a huge success here at St. Paul's College. My parents joined the family and friends of the Paulist priests, students and novices for a enjoyable weekend of community and celebration. I hope, and pray, you all had similar experiences wherever, and with whomever, you spent the holiday.

This past month had the novices continuing our schedule of prayer, work, reading, study and discernment. On Veterans Day, Jimmy, Anthony and myself went to Arlington National Cemetery to honor the fallen heroes of our country. We had the privilege of seeing the ceremony of The Changing of the Guard. It was quite moving.

We also continued our Inter-Novitiate meetings with Lynn M. Levo, CSJ, PhD, Director of Education at St. Luke Institute here in Washington, DC. She had an interactive presentation on Consecrated Celibacy:Ý A Psycho-Spiritual Perspective. It was helpful as we enter more deeply into a life of celibacy and chastity.

We now enter into the anticipation and waiting of the Advent season. May we all keep the Christ in Christmas, and remember, "Joy is not in things; it is in us." (Richard Wagner).

I wish everyone, and their families and friends, at The Knights of Columbus The Reverend P.N. Lynch Council Number 704 a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Yours in Christ Jesus and Vivat Jesus!

Brother Craig Campbell

Novice

The Congregation of St. Paul the Apostle





November 2, 2008

Brother Knights,

I wanted to update you on my experiences in the Novitiate with the Paulists during the month of October.

My fellow Novice classmates, Anthony Rosado and "Jimmy" Yao Hsu, and I, settled into our weekly routine here at St. Paul's College, in Washington, DC. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays we attend meetings with the Novice Director, Fr. John Behnke, the Formation Director, Fr. Stephen Bossi, and other members of the Paulist community, or people who can broaden our knowledge of what it means to be a Paulist, and a priest.

On Thursdays we have a full day of manual labor here at St. Paul's helping the staff with any work which needs to get done.

On Fridays we have go to our nursing home apostolates. Jimmy and I go to Carroll Manor (part of Providence Hospital), while Anthony goes to Jeanne Jugan Home for the Elderly. Many times just performing ministry of presence is what is called for. Talking with the residents andÝhelping withÝthe activities planned for the day.

Saturdays are centered around our vigil liturgy, which the entire Paulist community (priests, students, novices and guests) at St. Paul's College attends.

Sundays are spent at St. Martin's Church, located close to St. Paul's College here in Washington, DC. Each of us is volunteering to help out with a different ministry. I have chosen the RCIA program. Currently there are 3 candidates/elect going through the process, and we are hoping to have more join.ÝI was first involved in RCIA at The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist there in Charleston, working with the Director of Religious Education, Ms. Gloria Kosko. It was a big part of my answering God's call to a vocation to the priesthood.

On Wednesdays, one of us is given the opportunity to do the reflection on that day's Gospel reading at the Noon Mass. It gives us an opportunity to practice preaching. On October 7th, we attended the first of six inter-Novitiate conferences with other religious orders here in the Washington, DC/Baltimore region. This presentation was on "Transitions", by Janet R. Merkel, Ph.D., a psychotherapist, and how to deal with how transitions in life affect us, especially those like transitioning from mainstream life into religious, community life.

From October 24th through the 26th, St. Paul's College hosted our semi-annual vocations retreat weekend. Our Vocations Director, Fr. David Farnum, and the rest of the Paulist Community, here in Washington, DC, hosted 9 young men who are exploring a possible call to the priesthood. The weekend gave them an opportunity to see St. Paul's College, and the Paulist community, up close.

We will host another vocations retreat weekend in February. On October 28th through the 30th, the Paulist Fathers, Pastors and Superiors meeting was held here at St. Paul's College. It was an opportunity for Anthony, Jimmy and myself to meet the leaders of the Paulist community. As we head into the holiday season, I pray everyone remembers the less fortunate in our society.


Yours in Christ Jesus and Vivat Jesus,

Craig Campbell




September 28, 2008

Hello Fellow Knights,

Here is a photo taken right after our signing in ceremony at our Vigil liturgy on August 30th. The people pictured are (from left to right): Craig Campbell of Charleston, SC, "Jimmy" Yao Hsu of Plano, Texas, Fr. John Behnke Novice Director and Superior of St. Paul's College - Washington, DC Anthony Rosado of Queens, NY

I wanted to update you on my journey through the Novitiate with The Paulist Fathers. My fellow classmates, and I, arrived at St. Paul's College, in Washington, DC on August 27th. We signed in for our Novitiate before the Vigil liturgy, on August 30th, and next day we traveled to our former Novitiate house, Mt. Paul, in Oak Ridge, NJ. We did a four-day retreat there before traveling to our Mother Church/House in New York City, on September 4th. We spent two days there before returning to St. Paul's College. The retreat focused on the Holy Spirit, and how it moves through our lives and guides the Paulists in particular, and the Church in general.

On September 11th, my classmates and the Novice Director embarked on a trip to various Paulist houses in the Upper Midwest and Northeast part of the country. We started at the St. Thomas More Newman Center at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, then it was on to Old St. Mary's Parish in the South Loop section of downtown of Chicago.ÝWe then traveled to the Paulist house in Grand Rapids, MI, where we currently staff The Cathedral of St. Andrew, the Catholic Information Center, and St. Luke University Parish at Grand Valley State University. We finished our trip at our summer house, and islands on Lake George in New York State in the Adirondack Mountains. We spent about four days at each location.The trip gave my classmates, and me, the opportunity to bond and get to know each other. We also had the opportunity to meet 15 members of the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle. This is all part of process of me looking at the Paulists, their charism, and work, and them looking at me. We are now back at St. Paul's College, where we will settle into the routine of daily prayer, work, and ministry. Hope all is well back in Charleston and at Council No. 704. The Turkey Day Run is right around the corner.

I will contact you if I need anything.

Yours in Christ Jesus and Vivat Jesus!

Craig

P.S. Also check out the Paulist website (www.paulist.org) for more information. And for those familiar with Clemson area in the upstate, the Paulists staffed the parishes, and the campus ministry at Clemson University, up there for many years until 2-3 years ago. So, we have a long history and relationship with the Diocese of Charleston.









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