Dear Friends,
I hope you enjoyed our travel-blog theme as we traversed the Upper Peninsula this summer and showcased many, beautiful Catholic communities throughout our Diocese. It’s been a blast breaking bread with many of you and getting to know your unique churches, towns, and schools. We look forward to the adventures still to come next year: Menominee, Norway, Iron Mountain, St. Ignace, Mackinac Island, and more! Meeting you, learning your communities’ needs, and celebrating your hometowns is an honor and brings a lot of joy.
Upon reflection, I want to focus on these words: "
beautiful Catholic communities." I see the beauty all around us – in our Great Lakes and fall foliage, in the art of our churches, in our relationships, in the Eucharist, and in our acts of charity. I recently read a fantastic article on the subject of beauty by Fr. Billy Swan and have included the link to it
here.
Fr. Swan states, “Goodness and charity are beautiful when we see them. Selfishness and greed are ugly…Be a person of charity, love, and justice in order to make the world a more beautiful place.” So let us strive this winter season throughout the U.P., in our interactions and charity towards this ongoing UPCSA campaign, our parishes, and with one-another, that we might continue to enjoy beautiful Catholic communities.
Thank you for reading, friends.
In Christ,
Rob J. Taylor
Executive Director, Stewardship & Development
& UP Catholic Foundation, Inc
1004 Harbor Hills Dr, Marquette, MI 49855