The following comes from a July 3 story in the Burbank Leader.
One hour into his new role as principal of Bellarmine-Jefferson [Catholic] High School on Monday, Michael Stumpf was planning his message that “Bell-Jeff is here to stay.”
As outgoing Bell-Jeff principal John Matheus planned his departure from the school in March, he publicly expressed then that “I hope the school moves on.”
Now Stumpf inherits the school that had little more than 200 students last spring after a period of dwindling enrollment. One of his goals is to change that.
“Part of the job is to get the word out that we’re staying, and we’re going to grow,” he said.
Stumpf recently sent an email inviting parents to meet on campus. As he gets to know the staff and students, he’s hoping the school can create new traditions and “look at what excites the students,” he said.
Stumpf, 41, grew up in Erie, Penn., and went on to become an offensive guard for Indiana University in Bloomington. He later earned his masters in education administration from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.
He landed in California eight years ago when he became assistant headmaster for student life at Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai.
After more than 15 years as an educator, Stumpf said he doesn’t equate his new role to “a job.” He defines it instead as “a ministry for our students.”
“Ever since I’ve worked at Catholic schools, it’s been important for me to be authentically Catholic,” he said. “The reason we’re here is our faith in Jesus Christ…to share that love with our students and our families.”
Although Stumpf acknowledges that teenagers will question their faith, “when they question, we have to have a loving answer for them.”
“God loves us and wants us to love him back,” he said. “We do that loving God and serving others. It’s not easy to give yourself to God and others. It’s easy to understand that concept; it’s not easy to do.”
He also said he knows not every student will graduate high school with a strong sense of God.
“They may not find God in high school,” Stumpf said. “But something that we do might change their hearts a little bit. That’s what we’re here for. Something we say now, later on in life, they might get it.”
To read original story, click here.
“Ever since I’ve worked at Catholic schools, it’s been important for me to be authentically Catholic,” Stumpf said. “The reason we’re here is our faith in Jesus Christ…to share that love with our students and our families.”
I have been praying for a renewal of “Catholic” education for some time now. Thank you Jesus for Michael Stumpf. Please bless and protect him and his noble efforts.
Let us all wish him well in his new ministry!!!!!!!!!!
We will wish him well in his new Apostolate. Lay persons do not have ministries in the true Catholic Church! Of course I don’t expect Bob One to know that!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
Awesome!
When is the Vatican going to put an end to these destructive Catholic clerics– such as many of the Jesuits– and their evil endeavors?? Just what does it take, for the Vatican to get going, and put an end to these evils, all over the world?? The students of Jesuit schools graduate and then spread the horrors of Satan all over th world– destroying not only the Church, but many countries in which they operate!! Millions of souls are lost– starting with the clergy themselves!!
Linda,
At one time what you have written was not so. Let us pray that the Jesuits return to their Founder’s Rule!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
“we have to have a loving answer”
Oh please.
You have to have a TRUE answer.