Dear Friends,
As part of my outreach, I want to keep you informed of the various dreams and needs throughout our Diocese, in hopes that it will assist you in discerning how your talents and treasures can best be directed towards serving Christ here in the Upper Peninsula. Here is a brief summary of the various projects and campaigns currently running throughout our diocese and a snapshot of the financial status of the Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation (UPCF) endowments. If you are aware of further projects or campaigns that you would like to see listed in future editions, please let me know and I would be happy to include them in the future.
In Christ,
Rob J. Taylor
Executive Director, Stewardship & Development
& UP Catholic Foundation, Inc
rtaylor@dioceseofmarquette.org
1004 Harbor Hills Dr, Marquette, MI 49855
Direct 906/227-9108 | Toll-Free 800/562-9745 #108
Capital Campaigns
Four parishes across our diocese are in the midst of capital campaigns seeking to address the pressing needs of restoration and renovation of their physical structures. Feasibility studies done prior to the start of each campaign showed the likelihood of success. We are grateful for the outward generosity shown in these studies by parishioners as they express their appreciation for the presence of the Church in their lives.
Currently, capital campaigns are happening at the following parishes in the Diocese:
St. Peter Cathedral, Marquette – St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, the ‘Mother Church’ of our Diocese, is starting a multi-million dollar capital campaign to fix and restore its bell towers, choir loft, and chapel. One of the most exciting parts of the campaign is that it will seek to restore the cathedral tabernacle to the center of the church, behind the altar, and will increase the size of the altar to offer more reverence and prominence during Eucharistic celebrations. To help with this important and historic campaign, visit the campaign website at https://stpetercathedral.org/capital-campaign/ or contact Msgr. Michael Steber at (906) 226-6548 or msteber@stpetercathedral.org
All Saints, Gladstone – All Saints in Gladstone is embarking on a large-scale capital campaign of approximately $700,000 for the restoration of its parish. Projects include installing a confessional, removing the sanctuary grill, installing a new window near the cry room, updating the choir loft to fit the needs of its choir, and installing new pews and lighting. To help, contact Fr. James Ziminski at (906) 428-3199 or frziminski@yahoo.com
Holy Spirit, Menominee – Holy Spirit in Menominee is currently planning a capital campaign of approximately $330,000 for the replacement of the church’s roof. The project is deemed necessary to ensure the church remains structurally sound in the future. To help, contact Fr. Abraham Mupparathara at (906) 369-0028 or
St. Michael, Marquette – St. Michael in Marquette is kicking off a campaign of approximately $160,000 that will include improvements to the Rose Window, and a new pendant and accessory lighting with rewiring as necessary. To help, contact Fr. Greg Heikkala at (906) 228-8180 or gregheikkala@stmichaelmqt.org
These projects will preserve the legacy of those who have entrusted us in faith with these beautiful, sacred spaces. If you would like to discuss the possibility of a capital campaign for your parish needs, contact Rob Taylor at rtaylor@dioceseofmarquette.org
Direct (906) 227-9108
Toll-Free (800) 562-9745 #108.
Highlighted Projects
Pictured above is the beautiful stole of Bishop Baraga that was lovingly and painstakingly restored recently.
Bishop Baraga Artifacts and Relics - Bishop Baraga remains a holy and historic figure here in the Upper Peninsula. He came here to preach the Good News to the people of the United States and specifically here in the Upper Peninsula. As you may know, his cause for sainthood is currently under consideration at the Vatican. What you may not know is that we are still in possession of many important artifacts of his from the time of his ministry, including his stole, robes, and mitre. These artifacts are in need of restoration services to their former glory. Approximately $7500 is needed for mold removal from Bishop Baraga's robes and mitre. Another $20,000 will be needed for full restoration services of various other artifacts.
Diocese Microfilm Project – The Diocese has 880 rolls of 35 mm film, consisting mostly of handwritten documents from the 1800s and early 1900s (several of which are Bishop Baraga related and related to his cause), as well as UP Catholic newspapers from 1949-2009. It would be a tremendous gift to have these items digitized! We have received a quote from an imaging service showing a project cost of approximately $26,000-$30,000. The company also has a product that could help us host the content.
Currently, no full funding source exists for these projects. If it is in your heart to help, then please contact MaryAnn at 906-227-9115 or mbenier@dioceseofmarquette.org
Our Lady of the Pines, Copper Harbor – Approx. $85,000 will be needed on a future project for log repair, restoration of cracks, window replacement, and revarnishing of the old, log mission church located on the very tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Currently, the parishes in Calumet are working to fill this project, but further support is needed as this is a mission church that doesn’t generally have a year-round population serving it.
Holy Redeemer, Eagle Harbor – Approx. $38,000 will be needed on a future project to re-gravel and restore the parking area, repair the sagging retaining wall, fix the foundation, and restore the windows and floor of the historic mission church. This church, too, is located on the very tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula and enjoys status as a Michigan State Historic Site and a National Register of Historic Places site. The church was built in 1854, dedicated to Bishop Baraga, and is amongst the oldest church structures in our Diocese, if not the oldest. Currently, the parishes in Calumet are working to fill this project, but further support is needed as this is a mission church that doesn’t generally have a year-round population serving it.
If it is in your heart to help with either or both of these projects, then please contact Fr. Gracious at Sacred Heart, Calumet, 906-337-0810 or secretary@keweenawcc.org
Financial Update
The Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation continues to grow. With the approval of a transfer of $15M of unrestricted diocesan assets, the UPCF oversees nearly 40 endowments valued at approximately $32M. Over the summer, more than $600,000 was distributed to various parishes, schools, and Catholic ministries throughout the U.P. by way of UPCF grants. We are thankful to our many donors' charity and generosity.
Here is a recap of the funds and their balances as of 12/31/2022:
St. Peter Cathedral Fund - $125,751.18
Reverend Thomas J. Anderson Mass Stipend Fund - $107,314.47
Reverend Conrad E. Suda Seminarian Fund - $321,962.74
Lay Ministry Endowment Fund - $58,671.63
William A Vignetto Seminarian Fund - $343,810.84
Peter M Vukelich Seminarian Scholarship Fund - $119,649.17
Bibbianne Bessette College Scholarship Fund - $109,393.85
Seminarian Endowment Fund - $1,586,908.73
Legacy of Faith - $8,755,304.95
Anonymous Donor Bishop Baraga School Tuition
Assistance & Building Endowment Fund - $944,495.72
Mose & Leah Theoret Holy Name Catholic School Tuition
Assistance Endowment Fund - $106,391.10
Holy Name Catholic School Staff Support Endowment Fund - $284,366.83
Diocese of Marquette Catholic School Endowment Fund - $36,428.50
Catholic Campus Ministry - Northern Michigan University Endowment Fund - $62,097.37
Father Marquette Catholic Academy Endowment Fund - $122,642.09
St. Francis De Sales Tuition Assistance Fund - $120,131.47
Sacred Heart School Faith in our Future Fund - $140,245.46
Holy Spirit Catholic School Legacy Fund - $120,418.28
St. Mary Catholic School Staff Support Endowment Fund - $339,520.34
Ironwood Catholic Education Fund - $121,086.49
St. John Paul II Catholic Academy Parsek Trust Fund - $166,611.12
Bishop Baraga Catholic School Legacy Fund - $120,433.71
St. Anthony Parish, Gwinn Endowment Fund - $135,456,52
Holy Name Catholic School Crusader Loyalty Endowment Fund - $791,529.72
Holy Name Catholic School Tuition Angel Endowment Fund - $94,924.62
Holy Name Catholic School Crusader College Scholarship Fund - $4,621.60
St. Albert the Great Evangelization Endowment Fund - $542.17
Mose & Leah Theoret St. Francis de Sales Catholic School Tuition Assistance Endowment Fund - $98,320.67
Catholic Social Services of the Upper Peninsula Endowment Fund - $641,324.00
FMCA Teacher/Staff Support Fund - $93,239.91
DOM Evangelization Endowment Fund - $420,516.97
St. Joseph Church Food Pantry Endowment Fund - $40,774.70
St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity Endowment Fund - $51,150.48
Bishop Baraga Association Endowment Fund - $51,150.48
Diocesan Ministries Endowment Fund - $15,000,000.00
Total - $ 31,636,188.87
If you would like to support and help build one of these endowment funds, or if you’d like more information on how to start a fund in UPCF, please visit our website at https://upcatholicfoundation.org/ or contact me directly at rtaylor@dioceseofmarquette.or
You may respond to this email directly (either publicly or privately) by clicking the blue reply button below. We love hearing from you!
Rob Taylor
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