Dear Friends,
The other day I was wondering when the last day of our Catholic Christmas season is and thought you might be too. I turned to the USCCB website and was reminded that we celebrate the Christmas season from the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and conclude on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 8, 2024. This will be a good reason to keep my Christmas decorations up a little longer and hope that we get some snow here in the U.P. in the meantime.
Also, like many of you, I am reflecting on this past year and the one to come. Each is full of blessings and promise. This Christmas let us resolve to make our whole life a gift to the One Who has given us everything. He will give us all the help and strength we need.
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
& UP Catholic Foundation, Inc
rtaylor@dioceseofmarquette.org
1004 Harbor Hills Dr, Marquette, MI 49855
Direct 906/227-9108 | Toll-Free 800/562-9745 #108
Welcome Valerie Bailey to Stewardship & Development!
Please join us in welcoming Valerie Bailey as Administrative Assistant in the Stewardship & Development Office of the Diocese. She comes to us most recently from the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal. And you may know her husband, Terry, who also works for the diocese. They are expecting their fourth baby this spring!
Valerie is a graduate of Northern Michigan University and is a convert to our beautiful faith. She looks forward to continuing to serve the people of our diocese in her new role.
#iGiveCatholic 2023 Results
In the Upper Peninsula, over 100 donors gave an astounding $34,365 to Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries on #iGiveCatholic Day held on November 28, 2023. Catholic Campus Ministry at Northern Michigan University (Marquette) and Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy (Menominee) showed resounding success in this year’s campaign, raising $13,760 and $13,325 respectively. Nationally, the event raised over $18.8 million for Catholic organizations across the U.S.
A diocesan-wide contest was offered by the Office of Stewardship & Development to help organizations prepare for the one-day event. Congratulations to the following organizations who will receive checks in addition to their donations:
Sacred Heart School (L’Anse) - $1000
St. Joseph’s Parish (Rudyard) - $500
Catholic Campus Ministry at NMU - $500
Thank you to Catholic Extension who gave a grant to the Diocese of Marquette to help defray the cost of participation in #iGiveCatholic for our sixth consecutive year. You don't have to wait until the next #iGiveCatholic Day to give to your favorite Catholic charity, but consider saving the date - December 3, 2024!
(Re)Building the Church of the Upper Peninsula
St. Peter Cathedral Sanctuary Renovation
A new tabernacle was installed at St. Peter (Marquette) in the center of the sanctuary which resulted in the moving of the cathedra to the side. For more pictures of the renovation visit here.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Rebuilding continues at St. Kateri Tekakwitha (Bay Mills)!
ACTION ALERTS - SIGN UP TO KEEP INFORMED ON PERTINENT ISSUES
To help keep Catholics informed of pertinent issues on both the State and National level, Bishop John encourages Catholics to sign up for notices from the Michigan Catholic Conference and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. These vehicles issue timely notices and information on issues pertinent to the Catholic Church.
You may sign up for alerts from the Michigan Catholic Conference by following this link: http://www.micatholic.org/advocacy/catholic-advocacy-network/.
You may sign up for alerts from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops by following this link: https://www.votervoice.net/USCCB/register.
You may sign up for alerts from the Michigan Catholic Conference by following this link: http://www.micatholic.org/advocacy/catholic-advocacy-network/.
You may sign up for alerts from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops by following this link: https://www.votervoice.net/USCCB/register.
Bishop Baraga Association Lifetime Memberships
There are still a few days to get yourself and a loved one a Lifetime Membership to the Bishop Baraga Association - offer ends Dec 31, 2023. Click bishopbaraga.org for more information and to purchase online.
Leave a Lasting Impression
Gifts to any of the funds of the UP Catholic Foundation are endowed, meaning each donation will be invested into perpetuity - not spent! - and leaving a lasting impression on the future of Catholicism here in our beautiful Upper Peninsula. Click here to view the vast variety of funds you can support. Thank you!
Shroud of Turin Exhibit and Presentation
Thanks to a Legacy of Faith grant, an expert on the Shroud of Turin will be coming to our diocese. Tony Cherniawski will bring his photographic exhibit and presentation to St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette on February 25, 2024. The Shroud of Turin is a 14 ft. long linen cloth bearing a negative photographic image of a man with wounds similar to those of the crucified Christ and matching the descriptions found in The Gospels. The exhibit will be available for viewing before the 10:30 am Mass on February 25 with a presentation at 3 pm. The event will be open to the public.
To donate to the Legacy of Faith fund for continuing Catholic education in our diocese click here.
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
Toll-Free 800/562-9745 #108