Dear Friends,

 

As we near the final weeks of summer, another successful tourist season draws to a close and we are reminded of the local connections that make this place feel like home.

 

This month, my travels took me to Newberry, Paradise, and Sault Ste. Marie – places that have long known a tension between the power of the natural world and the needs of human industry. That tension has led to some fascinating legends and scenic locations, places where the natural world and the human world have been forced to coincide, and not always in harmony. These places include the infamous Whitefish Point, Tahquamenon Falls, and the Soo Locks, and seeing them for the first time was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

My first stop during my travels was in Newberry, where I attended daily mass at St. Gregory’s Church, enjoyed lunch at Timber Charlie's with the St. Gregory’s staff, and was provided the opportunity to discuss the Now & Later Initiative with various finance committee members. The Now & Later Initiative is a grant-funded initiative that has the opportunity of providing parishes throughout our Diocese with up to $3000 in grant funding by introducing parish endowment building and planned-giving education. It is an excellent opportunity, and I am happy to discuss it with any parish willing to hear more about it. Of course, Father Jacek hosted me during my time in Newberry, and I am grateful for the hospitality and the opportunity to meet him and hear about his fascinating history working in our Diocese.

Business also took me to Sault Ste. Marie during this trip, where Fr. Brad and Fr. Romeo showed me around the area and their parishes. I toured St. Joseph’s Church, visited the Holy Name of Mary Proto-Cathedral (my first time ever seeing a ‘proto-cathedral’), and enjoyed meetings with LSSU Campus Ministry, St. Mary’s Catholic School, and the St. Joseph Church Food Pantry. The Soo is a large area with a rich history that cannot be fully grasped in one-trip, so I look forward to making my way back to it to better understand it and its needs. I also look forward to working with its priests, campus ministry, school, and Catholic institutions to ensure that our faith continues to flourish and find representation in its lands.

But bringing this update back to its opening sentence, it wasn’t the travel itself this time that brought a smile to my face, but the warmth of our Catholic community on my return home. When I got back from The Soo, I unfortunately became quite ill and even had to miss some work. I was worried, because I had a major deadline fast approaching on a newsletter where I had not even begun to gather content, and which required quotes and photos from across the Diocese. And yet, as soon as my colleagues found out that I was sick, an outpouring of support was forthcoming. The content needs for my newsletter deadline were not only met but exceeded within a day-or-so, with support rushing in from our Diocesan curia staff, from priests and deacons across the Diocese, and from various ministries. The outpouring of support felt like the ending of 'It’s a Wonderful Life,' and reminded me so much of why it is I moved here in the first place – not to go on a bunch of travel adventures, but to be amongst a people who still carry Christ’s commandment in John 15:12 in their hearts. To live in a place like that is a blessing in itself.

 

Next month, I will be heading down to Escanaba to meet with area schools and pastors. Please let me know in the comments where else you would like me to visit within our wonderful Diocese! 

 

In Christ,

 

rtaylor@dioceseofmarquette.org

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 annual Upper Peninsula Catholic Services Appeal (UPCSA) kicks off in September. Gifts to UPCSA support diocesan-wide ministries such as Upper Peninsula Catholic Social Services and the education of our seminarians. Watch for a letter in your mailbox from Bishop Doerfler!

Each year, the Sisters of the Discalced Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Cross in Iron Mountain, MI, sponsor the Carmelite Silver Tea, Craft and Bake Sale which is scheduled for SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2022. This year, the event will be hosted by two parishes: St. Mary & St. Joseph, Iron Mountain, and Immaculate Conception, Iron Mountain, and the event will take place at the Monastery of the Holy Cross.
 
The event will include individually packaged beverages and cookies. The Sisters’ bread will be sold, as well as other items from their gift shop. A silent auction, basket raffle, and other raffle prizes will be available. Raffle tickets may be purchased through your parish.  
 
Bishop John highly encourages your support and participation in the event. The Carmelite prayer and contemplate focus on the welfare and fruitfulness of all those engaged in the work of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Bishop John asks for your assistance in helping the Carmelites in carrying on their spiritual mission.

The act of giving involves reflection and forethought. It also warrants a conversation. See the four key questions to ask when considering giving a gift by clicking here.

“I believe in having the courage to let the unborn be born," said University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh, who made headlines last month with a pro-life speech he gave July 17, serving as keynote speaker at Plymouth, Michigan's Right to Life “We Were Made to Be Courageous” event.

The Catholic Big Ten coach gave a speech at the dinner and auction in which he explained his pro-life convictions. Afterward, a question-and-answer session further shed light on his beliefs — to the dismay of abortion supporters and to the applause of his local bishop and others. Read the full story from the National Catholic Register here.

Celebrated annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, #iGiveCatholic is the U.S. Catholic Church’s Online Giving Day that kicks off the charitable season and brings the Catholic community together to give thanks and give back. As the first-ever giving day created to celebrate our unique Catholic heritage, #iGiveCatholic inspires faithful stewards to "Give Catholic" on #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving. For more information check out iGiveCatholic.org.