Dear Friends,
I was fortunate to be able to be with my family in Omaha for Easter this year. It was definitely spring there! I helped both of my grandmothers with yard work, getting their yards ready for the spring and summer growing seasons. It was a good time to reflect on life and its blessings.
Of course, with Easter we as Catholics are drawn to the greatest blessing in our life: the revelation of Jesus Christ as the true son of God and the paschal lamb who saves us from our sins. As Pope Francis eloquently put it in his Easter Vigil homily, Easter proved to us that God is “not some distant God but the God who is at your side, who more than anyone else knows you and loves you.” We are each called to keep that God in our hearts – to pray to Him and know His light and forgiveness.
May this Easter season bring you joy and reveal its blessings to you.
In Christ,
Rob J. Taylor
Executive Director, Stewardship & Development
& UP Catholic Foundation, Inc
& UP Catholic Foundation, Inc
Direct 906/227-9108 | Toll-Free 800/562-9745 #108
1004 Harbor Hills Dr, Marquette, MI 49855
Diocesan Eucharistic Congress June 9-10, 2023, Marquette Superior Dome
The Upper Peninsula Diocesan Eucharistic Congress is fast approaching!
At the diocesan Spring Study Day, Fr. Ryan Ford gave a fascinating history of Eucharistic Congresses, which have been going on for about 150 years. I can highly recommend watching Fr. Ryan's entertaining talk on our YouTube channel here. To view the incredible speaker schedule and register for the Eucharistic Congress click here.
Per the Office of Evangelization and Education, the Marquette Eucharistic Congress qualifies as a retreat for youth working on confirmation for Fall 2023 or Spring 2024. Youth must attend both days of the conference. Contact Mark Salisbury at msalisbury@dioceseofmarquette.org or Sara Shusta at sshusta@dioceseofmarquette.org with questions.
There will also be a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN in 2024. For those interested in attending, Legacy of Faith has a limited number of $200 grants to help defray the cost of attendance. Please click here for the grant application.
Legacy Of Faith Catholic Service Award Nominations
We are now accepting nominations for the 2023 Legacy of Faith Catholic Service Award. If you know an outstanding Catholic who has dedicated their life to the service of others and has displayed leadership in their community then we would love to hear about them. Submit a nomination here by May 1.
Annual Priest Appreciation Mass, May 4, 2023
Please join us on Thursday, May 4, 2023, for the annual Priest Appreciation Mass. This year’s host parish is St. Louis the King in Harvey. The public Mass begins at 4:30 pm. The dinner honoring the priests and jubilarians is closed to the public.
St. Joseph Association (Good Shepherd Sunday), April 29-30, 2023
The Diocese of Marquette is blessed with many senior (retired) priests (those who are no longer assigned to a parish). These men make present Christ, the Good Shepherd, and continue to give of themselves in countless ways of service for which we are grateful.
As is the case with many pension plans in today’s world, our priests’ retirement program is not fully funded. On Good Shepherd Sunday, April 29-30, our Diocese will take up a special collection to support our priests’ retirement and help remedy the shortfall in the St. Joseph Association. I hope you will consider using the envelope provided in your packets to support this important collection. Anyone can also give at any time online to the St. Joseph Association by clicking here.
As is the case with many pension plans in today’s world, our priests’ retirement program is not fully funded. On Good Shepherd Sunday, April 29-30, our Diocese will take up a special collection to support our priests’ retirement and help remedy the shortfall in the St. Joseph Association. I hope you will consider using the envelope provided in your packets to support this important collection. Anyone can also give at any time online to the St. Joseph Association by clicking here.
Baraga Days 2023
Mark your calendars for Baraga Days 2023 which will be held Sept. 8-9, 2023, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. The full itinerary and registration forms can be found at www.bishopbaraga.org.
Heavenly Roses Book Available
Fr. Frederic Baraga wrote Heavenly Roses in 1846. The Bishop Baraga Association recently had the chapter "The Mass and Visits to the Blessed Sacrament" translated into English and published as an excerpt from the original work. It is for sale on the website store here and in the gift shop for $2 per book.
It is a must-read! As Father Baraga wrote in the introduction of Heavenly Roses; "My beloved Christian, when you attend Mass or when you come to visit the Blessed Sacrament, you really come before Jesus, one's Lord and God. If you listen to Him faithfully and let Him speak to your heart, you will clearly hear the words that give eternal life."
It is a must-read! As Father Baraga wrote in the introduction of Heavenly Roses; "My beloved Christian, when you attend Mass or when you come to visit the Blessed Sacrament, you really come before Jesus, one's Lord and God. If you listen to Him faithfully and let Him speak to your heart, you will clearly hear the words that give eternal life."
Canonization Prayer Count
There is a new feature on the Bishop Baraga Association website. You can show your support for Bishop Baraga's Canonization by praying the Prayer for Canonization which can be found here. Once you are finished praying, select the blue pray button. Your prayer will be added to the count below the Amen. This is a great way to demonstrate to Rome the support for Bishop Baraga's Cause for Sainthood. Thank you!
Yoopers for Seminarians - Spring 2023
Did you have a chance to read the spring edition of Yoopers for Seminarians? It is dedicated to our very dear Bishop Baraga. Our seminarians share their reflections on The Snowshoe Priest and you can read it online here.
With just a few words, you can make a huge difference.
It’s true! Your support of projects in our diocese can last far beyond your lifetime—and it only takes a few minutes to make it happen. Check the diocesan planned giving website here for two popular ways to make your dedication continue for generations.
If you would like to respond to this e-news, please click the blue reply button below (responses may be submitted either publicly or privately). I enjoy hearing from you.
You can also contact me directly at:
rtaylor@dioceseofmarquette.org
You can also contact me directly at:
rtaylor@dioceseofmarquette.org