Message from Bishop John
April 2024
CATY MRAZ | THE U.P. CATHOLIC
Bishop John Doerfler lights the paschal candle at the Easter Vigil at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette on March 30, 2024, assisted by Dcn. Louie Londo (left).
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Praised be Jesus Christ!
If you have not yet heard the announcement, last month I appointed Father Ryan Ford to serve as the Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis starting on July 1. So what is that all about?
Perhaps the biggest problem or challenge that we face in the Diocese of Marquette is a shortage of Catholics. At the same time, it is our greatest opportunity. From our baptism and confirmation, we have been anointed and strengthened by the Holy Spirit to share the good news of Jesus Christ. There are so many people in the UP who do not practice any faith at all or who have abandon the practice of their faith, that we have a golden opportunity to share with them the good news of Jesus.
Yet, many of us may feel uncomfortable sharing our faith with others. In this light Father Ryan Ford in new his role will focus on forming the wonderful lay faithful of our diocese (that is you!) for this mission to share the good news of Jesus. He will have two primary focuses to accomplish this goal. First he will work with a few parishes over an extended period of time to form a core group of people for this mission of sharing our faith. They, in turn, will be able to form others. Eventually, we hope to get to all the parishes in the diocese. Second, he will also develop a diocesan-wide process for this formation for anyone who desires it.
Allow me to share with you a simple example of what the goal of this formation is. About a year or so ago a couple from one of our parishes was in the hospital, and they have a deep love of Jesus. It just so happened that they were able to share their faith with one of the employees at the hospital. He became interested, started going with them to Mass, and decided to enter the Catholic Church. He also told his mother, and she decided to enter the Church too. Both of them were baptized, confirmed and made their first Holy Communion on Easter.
God is inviting all of us to do the same, to reach out to others and share the good news of Jesus. Now we are rejoicing in the resurrection of our Lord in this Easter season. Jesus died for our sins and rose again to bring us new life! Let us share that joy with others.
+Most Reverend John F. Doerfler
Bishop of Marquette
Praised be Jesus Christ!
If you have not yet heard the announcement, last month I appointed Father Ryan Ford to serve as the Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis starting on July 1. So what is that all about?
Perhaps the biggest problem or challenge that we face in the Diocese of Marquette is a shortage of Catholics. At the same time, it is our greatest opportunity. From our baptism and confirmation, we have been anointed and strengthened by the Holy Spirit to share the good news of Jesus Christ. There are so many people in the UP who do not practice any faith at all or who have abandon the practice of their faith, that we have a golden opportunity to share with them the good news of Jesus.
Yet, many of us may feel uncomfortable sharing our faith with others. In this light Father Ryan Ford in new his role will focus on forming the wonderful lay faithful of our diocese (that is you!) for this mission to share the good news of Jesus. He will have two primary focuses to accomplish this goal. First he will work with a few parishes over an extended period of time to form a core group of people for this mission of sharing our faith. They, in turn, will be able to form others. Eventually, we hope to get to all the parishes in the diocese. Second, he will also develop a diocesan-wide process for this formation for anyone who desires it.
Allow me to share with you a simple example of what the goal of this formation is. About a year or so ago a couple from one of our parishes was in the hospital, and they have a deep love of Jesus. It just so happened that they were able to share their faith with one of the employees at the hospital. He became interested, started going with them to Mass, and decided to enter the Catholic Church. He also told his mother, and she decided to enter the Church too. Both of them were baptized, confirmed and made their first Holy Communion on Easter.
God is inviting all of us to do the same, to reach out to others and share the good news of Jesus. Now we are rejoicing in the resurrection of our Lord in this Easter season. Jesus died for our sins and rose again to bring us new life! Let us share that joy with others.
+Most Reverend John F. Doerfler
Bishop of Marquette
The U.P. Catholic Flocknote Newsletter
The U.P. Catholic Flocknote newsletter is published once monthly on the fourth Thursday of the month.
Bishop John's newsletter is published on the second Thursday of the month.
Bishop John's newsletter is published on the second Thursday of the month.
