Diocesan Communicator
September 2023
Publishes monthly on the second Wednesday
Photo CATY MRAZ | THE U.P. CATHOLIC
Fr. Joze Pibernik (from left) from Trebnje, Slovenia, and Most Rev. Andrej Saje, Bishop of the Diocese of Novo Mesto Slovenia, accepted the 2023 Baraga Person of the Year Award from Deacon John Vidmar of St. Mary’s Slovenia Catholic Mission in Lemont, Ill. and an advisory board member for the Bishop Baraga Association. Bishop Saje and Fr. Pibernik traveled from Bishop Baraga’s home diocese in Slovenia to attend Baraga Days in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., on Sept. 8-9. Fr. Corey Litzner (not pictured) from Sacred Heart Church in L’Anse also received the award. https://bishopbaraga.org/
Welcome to the
Diocesan Communicator
The Diocesan Communicator is delivered through Flocknote. You are now able to read the information right in your email message!
If you have any thoughts or suggestions to share, please email Sara at sshusta@dioceseofmarquette.org and John at jfee@dioceseofmarquette.org.
If you have any thoughts or suggestions to share, please email Sara at sshusta@dioceseofmarquette.org and John at jfee@dioceseofmarquette.org.
The current Communicator, as well as past issues, are available on the Diocesan website at https://dioceseofmarquette.org/communicator.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Sept. 15, 2023 Deadline to send Signed Parish Corporation Bylaws, List of Board Members, and Minutes from Initial Board Meeting (Administration & Finance)
Sept. 30, 2023 Parish Governance Report Deadline (Administration & Finance)
Sept. 30, 2023 Parish Annual Administrative Report Deadline (Administration)
Oct. 10, 2023 Parish and Secretary Bookkeeper Workshop (Administration & Finance)
Office of the Bishop
Bishop John F. Doerfler
MASS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS
A Mass for healthcare with be celebrated by Most Reverend John F. Doerfler, STD, JCL, Bishop of Marquette, on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. ET at St. Joseph & St. Patrick Catholic Church, 709 1st Avenue, Escanaba, Mich.
Doctors, PAs, NPs, nurses, CNAs, first responders, technicians, ambulance crews and all healthcare workers from around the Diocese of Marquette are welcome to attend along with their families.
A reception will follow at Hereford and Hops (within walking distance of the church). A family friendly menu will be offered. Please RSVP to Dr. Whitmer at: 906-280-8133
A brief talk on “Healthcare as a Vocation” will be presented by Dr. Mary Whitmer.
Please keep our healthcare providers in your prayers. (See bulletin insert below.)
RESPECT LIFE MONTH: OCTOBER
In October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. To support these annual observances, the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities provides materials to help Catholics understand and value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects it.
Materials may be found at: https://www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month . These resources may be downloaded, printed, and reproduced for use in your parish, school, or ministry.
MICHIGAN MARCH FOR LIFE: NOV. 8, 2023
Right to Life of Michigan is partnering with the National March for Life in hosting a Michigan March for Life, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. This will be the first anniversary of Prop 3 passing in Michigan. The gathering will take place on the lawn outside our state Capitol building in Lansing. An exciting rally is planned for 11 a.m. ET; a peaceful march around the Capitol is scheduled for 12 noon. Get more details at: www.RTL.org/event/march
Fr. Ryan Ford is organizing a charter bus that will leave Ishpeming on Nov. 7. The charter group will attend Holy Mass in Lansing on Nov. 8 and have breakfast in Lansing. The group will attend the Prayerful rally and March at the Capitol and return home after the March with a stop for dinner. Cost is $125 per person and includes the bus travel, t-shirt and a hat. Registration information can be found at: March for Life 2023 - Ishpeming Catholic - St. John and St. Joseph, MI
54 DAY NOVENA - AUG. 15 THRU OCT. 7
The 2023 54-Day Rosary Novena for Our Nation will be from Aug. 15, Solemnity of the Assumption, through Oct. 7, Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. You can find more information on the Rosary Coast to Coast website at: https://rosarycoasttocoast.com/novena-for-our-nation/
Office of the Chancellor
and Divine Worship
Rev. Daniel Moll
PRIEST & DEACON LETTERS OF GOOD STANDING
Priests or Deacons of the diocese that will be traveling outside of the Diocese of Marquette should request a Letter of Good Standing prior to their departure. As the letter needs to be signed by the Chancellor, the request should be submitted as soon as possible. To submit a Priest Letter of Good Standing Request, complete the online form found at: www.dioceseofmarquette.org/forms under the Chancellor heading.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEDICATION OF ST. PETER CATHEDRAL
Mark your calendars! All parishioners throughout the Diocese of Marquette are invited Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 to the Cathedral to celebrate the annual "Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Peter Cathedral, Mother Church of the Diocese of Marquette" at the 8 a.m. Mass or 5:15 p.m. Mass. The Diocesan Choir will be providing beautiful sacred music for this special occasion. Come pray with us as we celebrate this historic Cathedral and our Catholic faith throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Did you know? In 1866 Bishop Baraga laid the cornerstone of the Cathedral in Marquette and dedicated it to St. Peter, the Apostle. Following a tragic fire, the new cornerstone was laid in 1881 by Bishop Vertin. This same cornerstone can be seen to this day on the corners of West Baraga Avenue and South 4th Street. Following a second fire in 1935, the new and current-standing body of the Cathedral was erected and services were offered for the first time on Sept. 29, 1937. From that day since St. Peter Cathedral has celebrated the anniversary of its dedication each year on Sept. 29. This is a wonderful opportunity to pray for our Diocese for the preservation and promotion of the faith as well as to pray for the beatification of Bishop Baraga, the first Bishop of this historic Cathedral location.
Office of Ministry Personnel
Very Rev. Timothy Ekaitis
St. Mary Magdalene in Cooks is in need of a church organ. If there is a parish that has a functioning organ that they don't use, please contact Fr. Jamie Ziminski at frziminski@yahoo.com. He will determine whether it might work at St. Mary's.
Department of Evangelization
and Education
Mark Salisbury
FALL 2023 CONFIRMATIONS
There is still time to register for the remaining Fall 2023 Confirmations. You can find more information about Confirmation requirements on the Diocesan website at https://dioceseofmarquette.org/diocesanconfirmation.
The Masses are scheduled as follows:
St. Mary Rockland Vicariate Confirmations
Our Lady of Peace, Ironwood 11 a.m. CT/12 noon ET Sept. 23, 2023
St. Joseph & St. Patrick Vicariate Confirmations
St. Joseph & St. Patrick, Escanaba 2:30 p.m. ET Oct. 1, 2023
Most Holy Name of Jesus Vicariate Confirmations
Sacred Heart, Calumet 11:30 a.m. ET Oct. 7, 2023
St. John Neumann Vicariate Confirmations
St. John Neumann, Spalding 3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET Oct. 15, 2023
If you have any questions please contact Mark Salisbury, 906-227-9127 or msalisbury@dioceseofmarquette.org.
CONFIRMATION RETREATS AVAILABLE
Confirmation retreats are currently scheduled for the following dates at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming. Retreats are open to confirmands from all parishes. Retreats will start at 12 noon and end at 6 p.m. ET. An optional Mass will immediately follow. Cost is $20 and registration is required at least one week in advance. Register by emailing: Ishpemingfaithformation@gmail.com.
- Dec. 2, 2023 -- Winter Confirmation Retreat Option 1
- Dec. 9, 2023 -- Winter Confirmation Retreat Option 2
- Feb. 10, 2024 -- Spring Confirmation Retreat Option 1
- Feb. 17, 2024 -- Spring Confirmation Retreat Option 2
Each retreat will be offered twice (Option 1 and Option 2) so a youth could attend one of the winter retreats and one in the spring for a second retreat, but they shouldn't attend two winter retreats or two spring retreats.
In addition, there will be a Teen Retreat for 7th-12th graders on Jan. 27, 2024, at the same times and location. The fee is still being determined.
YOUTH ENCOUNTER REGISTRATION
Registration is now open for the Youth Encounter weekend which will be held Nov. 10-12, 2023 at Fortune Lake Camp in Crystal Falls. Youth Encounter is a Catholic retreat for students in grades 10-12 (between the ages of 16-20). The retreat is led by a student team, supported by adults. The weekend is filled with fun, music, talks, Scripture meditations, small group discussion, prayer, Confession, and Mass. Talks focus on preparing for, receiving, and responding to Christ's call to be His disciple. Registration is limited to the first 30 students and can be found online at youthencounter906.com. Questions? Call Fr. Ryan Ford at 906-399-0553.
SEPTEMBER 2023 PRINCIPALS' MEETING
A reminder to all Catholic school principals that the September Principals' Meeting will be on Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Diocese office from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
2023 PARISH ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT (PAAR)
2023 Parish Annual Administrative Reports are due Sept. 30, 2023. The link is available online on the Diocesan website at https://form.jotform.com/DioceseofMarquette/2023-PAAR.
Please contact Sara Shusta sshusta@dioceseofmarquette.org with questions on PAAR submission requirements or for general form assistance.
The PAAR is a completely separate report from the PAFR-Parish Annual Financial Report and the Parish Governance Report.
RCIA CANDIDATES’ MARITAL STATUS
A reminder to Pastors, Pastoral Coordinators and the RCIA team of the importance of determining the marriage situation of the RCIA candidate and the candidate’s spouse which may require a declaration of nullity before he/she may enter the Church. If the candidate or the candidate’s current spouse has been married previously, an investigation into these marriages must be made.
Communication Services
John Fee
THE U.P. CATHOLIC FALL COLORS PHOTO CONTEST
The U.P. Catholic is holding a Fall Colors photo contest. Take a photo of your parish during peak conditions of the fall colors for a chance to win a prize. Also accepted are photos of other places of Catholic interest in the U.P. Photos can be submitted to news@dioceseofmarquette.org. Please send full size, current photos taken in the U.P. for potential use in The U.P. Catholic, other print items, and online, such as The U.P. Catholic's Facebook page and other social media. The deadline to submit fall color photos is Wednesday, Oct. 11.
SACRAMENTS AND RCIA PHOTOS
Please send photos of First Communion, Confirmation and RCIA groups for publication in The U.P. Catholic’s annual Sacraments and RCIA issue. Be sure to list names (left to right) front row, second row, third row, back row, etc. Photos may be sent by email to news@dioceseofmarquette.org or mailed to The U.P. Catholic, 1004 Harbor Hills Dr., Marquette, MI 49855.
Please send photos of First Communion, Confirmation and RCIA groups for publication in The U.P. Catholic’s annual Sacraments and RCIA issue. Be sure to list names (left to right) front row, second row, third row, back row, etc. Photos may be sent by email to news@dioceseofmarquette.org or mailed to The U.P. Catholic, 1004 Harbor Hills Dr., Marquette, MI 49855.
PUT YOUR OLD IPAD TO GOOD USE
The U.P. Catholic/Diocesan Communications is working on a project that needs a couple iPads. They don’t have to be the latest or any particular size. If you have a working iPad that you would like to contribute, please contact John Fee at jfee@dioceseofmarquette.org.
Financial Services
Timothy Thomas
Bishop Doerfler has directed all parish corporations to submit copies of their signed bylaws and minutes from initial Board meetings to the Diocese by Sept. 15, 2023. If you have any questions concerning these initial meetings or the parish incorporation process, please contact Tim Thomas or Irene McCauley for additional assistance.
2023 PARISH ANNUAL FINANCE REPORT (PAFR)
PAFR submissions were due to the Diocese by Aug. 31, 2023. Access to this form is available on the diocesan website at dioceseofmarquette.org/parish-annual-financial-report. Please note that reports must include a Statement of Financial Position/Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenue & Expense/Income Statement, and 2023-2024 parish budget attachment for each parish submission.
The 2023 PAFR also requires parishes and missions to include a list of the officers on the board of directors for the parish/mission and note the date of the board’s first meeting. If the meeting has not occurred or minutes are not yet available, please submit the report and send a copy of the board meeting minutes separately to imccauley@dioceseofmarquette.org by Sept. 15, 2023. Please contact Irene McCauley with questions on PAFR submission requirements or for general form assistance.
2023 PARISH GOVERNANCE REPORT
The Governance Report is due Sept. 30, 2023. This annual requirement provides parish and diocesan leadership with a record of its finance council members and meeting dates, and also ensures that year-end financial statements are made available to parishioners. The report can be found on the diocesan website at dioceseofmarquette.org/forms and has been included in Addendum #1. Please submit completed reports or questions about the governance report to Irene McCauley at the diocesan office.
BOOKKEEPER’S & SECRETARY’S WORKSHOP, OCT. 10, 2023
Please plan to join us this fall for the Workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 10, for a day of education and fun. This year it is being held at St. Joseph’s Parish, 1889 Prairie Ave., Ishpeming. To register, please use the following link: form.jotform.com/232424031188146. The workshop will cover topics including the parish incorporation process, building and grounds and related project approvals, safe environment best practices, tips and guidance on PDS, Paycor, FACTS, and MCC platforms, audit preparation, an overview of human resources, sacramental registry organization, and more!
More information about this year’s event as well as materials from last year’s workshop can be found at dioceseofmarquette.org/secretary-and-bookkeepers-workshop. We hope to see you there! Thank you for all you do.
Department of Stewardship & Development
Rob Taylor
#IGIVECATHOLIC
It is time to register for our annual #iGIveCatholic fundraiser! This year’s fundraiser will occur on GivingTuesday – Nov. 28, 2023. For those of you who have already registered, thank you! For those of you who still need to register, please click HERE. It will take 5 minutes or less of your time.
Bulletin Announcements
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
Join Bishop John Doerfler, and Deacon Steve and Jackie Gretzinger on an incredible pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana from July 16-21, 2024.
Speakers include Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sister Miriam James Heidland, Bishop Robert Barron and many others.
For information/registration on motorcoach transportation from the Upper Peninsula and lodging, visit: www.petersway.com/1049.html
Space is extremely limited.
Speakers include Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sister Miriam James Heidland, Bishop Robert Barron and many others.
For information/registration on motorcoach transportation from the Upper Peninsula and lodging, visit: www.petersway.com/1049.html
Space is extremely limited.
Addenda
Addendum #1 - Governance Report 2023