Dear Friends,

I hope your summer is going as well as mine so far! I am enjoying getting out in the field and meeting YOU: the wonderful people who live our Catholic faith here in the Upper Peninsula. 

This month, I visited the Keweenaw, Ironwood, and Iron River where I enjoyed the beauty of both the scenery and the churches, broke bread with great people, and even got to attend a pro rodeo. The western parts of our Diocese offered an experience that felt a bit like the cowboy west that I left behind – a touch of nostalgia here at my new home.

My first trip was to the Keweenaw, where I met with Fr. Ben Hasse (Houghton), Fr. Jubish (Hancock), and Fr. Gracious and Dcn. Jeremiah (Calumet, Ahmeek, Eagle Harbor, and Copper Harbor). I attended a local vicariate gathering near L’Anse and learned what it’s like to enjoy a summer BBQ dinner at Fitzgerald’s in Eagle River. I must say, the sunset views from the western shores of the Keweenaw rival those that I used to watch from the northern coasts of California. It left a smile on my face. The company during my outings was fantastic too, and I am thankful to the local pastors and parishioners who went out of their way to include me and meet with me during my trip.  

But perhaps the greatest part of my time in the Keweenaw was just seeing its churches! From attending Daily Mass at St. Paul’s in Calumet and at St. Joseph’s in Lake Linden, to touring the historic missions at Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor, to taking in the pragmatic charm of St. Albert the Great’s in Houghton, the Keweenaw region has some jaw-droppingly beautiful Catholic churches. If you have never been to them before, you should check them out.

Next, my travels took me to Ironwood and Iron River, to meet with Fr. Dominic (Bessemer, Marensico, Wakefield), Fr. Binu (Ironwood), and Fr. Jose (Iron River, Caspian, Watersmeet). Fr. Jose and I had dinner together at Alice's Restaurant - a priest and a cowboy walk into a supper club! :) And I strategically timed my visit to the area to allow me to attend an Iron River tradition: the UP Championship Rodeo. Finally, while in Iron River, I explored the history surrounding one of our Diocese’s great priests: Fr. James Lenhart, Ph.D., a beloved Catholic priest for 37 years in the U.P. To read more on Fr. Lenhart's life, check out YooperCatholic.org here. 

Our Catholic faith is one that has the power to heal communities and bring them together, and it is our job as Catholics to recognize and deliver that hope in each of our towns. We do this in part by turning to our church, serving it, and offering our charity and talents. We are blessed with many priests with hearts as big as Fr. Lenhart’s, and it is our great privilege as members of the laity to work with these priests in helping them carry out their vocations and missions.

I look forward to visiting more of the diocese very soon. Please respond to this email below with your thoughts on what I should see when I get to your town! 

In Christ,

Executive Director, Stewardship & Development

& UP Catholic Foundation, Inc

1004 Harbor Hills Dr, Marquette, MI 49855

Direct 906/227-9108  |  Toll Free 800/562-9745 #108

The Legacy of Faith Fund held by the Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation announces more than $72K in grants for faith formation throughout the diocese. Projects include everything from Vacation Bible School and retreats, to parish technology enhancements. For the full list of grants by parish click here.

Couples of the Diocese celebrating their 25th, 30th, 40th, 45th, 50th or above anniversaries, as well as newlyweds, are invited along with their families to the annual Milestone Wedding Anniversary Celebration. Golden anniversary couples are additionally invited to submit information and photos for publication in The U.P. Catholic newspaper. The celebration will be at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, beginning with Mass at 3:30 p.m. ET. For additional information and a registration form (due Aug. 9), click here.

In the Summer 2022 Yoopers for Seminarians newsletter, the question of how newly ordained priests are assigned to parishes is answered. To view the newsletter, click here and to sign up to receive the Yoopers for Seminarians newsletter by mail, click here.

It starts out innocently enough—an ATM receipt here, a bill there. Add in a monthly bank statement and a receipt you need for your business expenses, and before long you’ve got a paper pileup on your kitchen countertop.

Have you considered the value to yourself and your family of staying organized? Smartly stored financial documents can help you at tax time and help others if they need to find something on your behalf.

These tricks found on our planned giving website here can minimize the time spent searching for important papers.

A month after pro-abortion extremists smashed nearly a dozen windows and left threatening messages at the Lennon Pregnancy Center in Dearborn Heights, MI, the center has received an outpouring of support from the community, including more than $20,000 in donations to help the center continue to serve vulnerable mothers and babies. To read the full story from Detroit Catholic, click here.

Join the Baraga Educational Center and Museum at 615 S Fourth St. Marquette, Thursdays at 6pm for Music on the Porch featuring a different musician(s) each week. Check the Bishop Baraga Association Facebook page for more information. This is a FREE event. Everyone is welcome. Bring a lawn chair and jacket!