HomePrefaceCHAPTER 1: Prehistory to 1894CHAPTER 2 :Franciscan World to 1894CHAPTER 3: Our First Church: 1895-1901CHAPTER 4: Our New Church: 1900-1910CHAPTER 5: Our Church: 1910-1920CHAPTER 6: Our Church: 1920-1929 CHAPTER 7: Our Church: 1930-1940TimelineBiography: Author

Gregg Campbell Let me say at the outset that compiling the Centennial History of our parish is by far the most satisfying work I’ve accomplished in my professional life.

I arrived at Sacramento State College in the fall of 1966, where I taught until my full retirement in 2002 – a total of thirty-six years. My primary field was American Cultural History, but over the years I developed an interest and taught courses in Popular Culture and Sacramento Regional Issues. I received my Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1968.

My energies at what would become California State University, Sacramento, were directed toward classroom teaching, course preparation, and advising students. I compiled extensive and detailed syllabi for each of my courses, and I developed my writing skills.

In 1988 I heard Bishop Francis Quinn preach a homily at the Memorial Day Weekend Jazz Mass, opening up for me a new way of being in the world. Bishop Quinn generously gave me several hours of his time in 1993 for an oral history – parts of which may appear in this history.

I began attending St. Francis on the first Sunday of Lent in 1991. My wife, Mary Bellefleur, and I were married at St. Francis in October 1999; Deacon Dick Driggs presided, and Sister Claire Graham, S.S.S., preached the homily.

As the years have passed, I have greatly enjoyed becoming more active in parish life – serving as an usher for noon Mass, as a member of our Conscious Living for Men group, and as a member of our Centennial Celebration Committee compiling this parish history.

Gregg Campbell

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