Diocesan Communicator
August 2024
Publishes monthly on the second Wednesday
Photo CATY MRAZ | THE U.P. CATHOLIC
More than 125 people packed the newly blessed St. Kateri Tekakwitha mission church in Bay Mills on Sunday, August 11, for its dedication Mass. The original church building was destroyed by fire more than three years ago. Bishop John Doerfler blessed the church and celebrated Mass alongside its pastor Fr. Dominic Afrifa and 11 more priests of the Diocese of Marquette.
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
Aug. 31, 2024 Parish Annual Financial Report Deadline (Administration & Finance)
Sept. 01, 2024 Supplemental Personnel Policy Change Deadline (Administration & Finance)
Sept. 20, 2024 Deadline to Submit Nonprofit Corporate Annual Reports to the Diocesan office (Administration & Finance)
Sept. 30, 2024 Parish Governance Report Deadline (Administration & Finance)
Sept. 30, 2024 Annual Catholic Endowment Fund Financial Report Deadline (Administration & Finance)
Sept. 30, 2024 Deadline to Send Minutes from Annual Corporate Board Meetings (Administration & Finance)
Sept. 30, 2024 Parish Annual Administrative Reports Deadline (Administration)
Oct. 15, 2024 Parish and Secretary Bookkeeper Workshop (Administration & Finance)
Office of the Bishop
Bishop John F. Doerfler
2024 CARMELITE FALL FESTIVAL
Each year, the Sisters of the Discalced Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Cross in Iron Mountain, Mich., sponsor the Carmelite Fall Festival (formerly the Silver Tea), Craft and Bake Sale which is scheduled this year on Sept. 21-22 from noon- 3 p.m. CST.
This year, the Sisters’ homemade bread will be sold, as well as additional fall favorite baked goods, Italian turkey lunch plates and other items from their gift shop such as crafts and miscellaneous items. A basket raffle, and other raffle prizes will be available. Raffle tickets may be purchased through your parish.
Bishop John highly encourages your support and participation in the event. The Carmelites pray and contemplate focus on the welfare and fruitfulness of all those engaged in the work of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Bishop John asks for your assistance in helping the Carmelites in carrying on their spiritual mission.
54 DAY NOVENA - DATE AUG. 15-OCT. 7, 2024
The 2024 54-Day Rosary Novena for Our Nation will again be from Aug. 15 (The Solemnity of the Assumption) through Oct. 7 (The 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/
ELECTION YEAR GUIDELINES FOR CATHOLIC PARISHES AND ORGANIZATIONS
The following are “Dos and Don’ts” to help assist Catholic entities during the election season:
Dos
- Share Catholic Social Teaching and apply these values to legislation, public issues, and ballot issues.
- Advocate for or against a particular ballot proposal.
- Conduct a non-partisan voter registration drive.
- Encourage Catholics to vote after evaluating candidate positions carefully and having developed their conscience.
- Check with the diocesan attorney if there are questions about appropriate activity.
Don’ts
- Only invite selected candidates to address a church-sponsored group.
- Distribute partisan campaign literature or unapproved election material.
- Endorse/oppose candidates and political parties while acting as a representative of the Church.
- Use organizational resources to participate in political activities or provide financial support for candidates, political parties, or PACs.
- Conduct a voter registration slanted toward one candidate or political party.
Office of the Chancellor
and Divine Worship
Rev. Daniel Moll
NEW DOCUMENTS ON THE OFFICE OF DIVINE WORSHIP WEBPAGE
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Guidebook is now on the webpage in addition to the Lector Guidebook. There is also a new document entitled “How to Set A Roman Missal.”
Department of Ministry Personnel
Very Rev. Timothy Ekaitis
REMINDER: PRIEST CONVOCATION
The Priest Convocation is scheduled to be at Comfort Suites in Green Bay, Wisc., from Sept. 16-19, 2024. Full schedule is in the attached addendum.
Questions: contact Fr. Tim Ekaitis at tekaitis@dioceseofmarquette.org
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES
- Deacon Convocation: Terrace Bay in Gladstone – Oct. 25-27, 2024
- Deacon Retreat: Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh – March 24-26, 2025
Department of Evangelization
and Education
Rev. Ryan Ford
TEACHER RETREATS
Diocese of Marquette Catholic school teacher retreats are scheduled for August. Teachers and principals - please mark the date on your calendar to attend.
Monday, Aug. 19 – Immaculate Conception, Iron Mountain
Monday, Aug. 26 – St. Joseph, Ishpeming
Tuesday, Aug. 27 – St. Mary School, Sault Ste. Marie
FALL 2024 CONFIRMATIONS
Registration is now open for Fall 2024 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 11:00 am CT Sept. 21, 2024
St. Joseph & St. Patrick Vicariate Confirmations
All Saints, Gladstone 3:00 pm ET Sept. 29, 2024
St. John Neumann Vicariate Confirmations
Resurrection, Menominee 3:00 pm CT Oct. 6, 2024
Most Holy Name of Jesus Vicariate Confirmations
St. Joseph, Lake Linden 3:00 pm ET Oct. 13, 2024
If you have any questions please contact Fr. Ryan Ford rford@dioceseofmarquette.org.
START A CATHOLIC BIBLICAL SCHOOL SATELLITE GROUP IN YOUR PARISH
Offer a Bible study with the opportunity for interaction with a real teacher and the breadth to cover the entire Bible at your own parish pace. The Catholic Biblical School Ministry was founded as an official lay apostolate of the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2009 with the mission to create engaging Bible-based adult faith formation from the heart of the Church. Learn more about this adult faith formation resource, which has been used in Ishpeming, Gladstone, and Calumet at https://catholicbiblicalschool.org/groups/ or contact Catholic Biblical School Ministry Director of Mission, Colleen Vermeulen (colleen@cbsmich.org) to brainstorm about your parish needs.
2024 PARISH ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT (PAAR)
The 2024 Parish Annual Administrative Report link is now available online at https://form.jotform.com/DioceseofMarquette/2024-PAAR
PAAR submissions are due to the Diocese by Sept. 30, 2024.
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.
CATECHETICAL SUNDAY
This year, the Church will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on Sept. 15, 2024, and the theme is “Dive into God’s Word.”
Those who the Community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.
The USCCB offers several resources to assist parishes as they acknowledge their catechists and families in this important ministry in the Church. They can be found at
Communication Services
John Fee
PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY 2024
Priesthood Sunday will be celebrated on Sept. 29 this year. The U.P. Catholic Newspaper plans to publish its Priesthood Sunday issue on Sept. 13.
Please visit: https://form.jotform.com/231725001606141
if you wish to place an advertisement of appreciation for your pastor and/or other priests. If you have any questions, please contact Deacon Steve directly at ads@dioceseofmarquette.org or call 906-863-7460. Requests received after Aug. 16 will appear in an issue after Priesthood Sunday. Thank you!
MILESTONE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Couples celebrating their 25th, 30th, 40th, 45th, 50th or above anniversaries, as well as newlyweds are invited along with their families to the annual Milestone Wedding Anniversary Celebration. Golden anniversary couples are additionally invited to submit information and photos for publication in The U.P. Catholic newspaper. The celebration will be at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, beginning with Mass at 3:30 p.m. ET.
(Please see the registration form in the addenda section.)
eCATHOLIC PREFERRED PROGRAM
Diocesan Communications is looking to join the eCatholic Preferred Program. In the two years that the diocesan website has been on the eCatholic platform we have been impressed by the quality of the product and the outstanding level of customer service. Among the expected benefits of the program are:
- Parish and school websites that convert over to eCatholic would get up to 50 pages transferred by eCatholic
- Free themes will be available (no startup costs for “normal” converted websites 50 pages or less)
- Current eCatholic websites will have the option for a free homepage makeover
- Modules, such as livestreams of ordinations and Chrism Mass produced by diocesan communications, would easily be able to be used by parishes and schools that would like to show these on their own websites
- Mass and confession times updated by parishes on their eCatholic websites would automatically update on the diocesan website
- No additional cost to the diocese, parishes and school
- Current eCatholic websites in the diocese will automatically be included
We plan to have a webinar available soon for parishes and schools to learn more.
If you have any questions, contact John Fee at jfee@dioceseofmarquette.org or call (906) 227-9129.
THE U.P. CATHOLIC CENTENARIAN CORNER
Attention Parishes: Do you have a parishioner who recently celebrated their 100th birthday? Send their name and a photo of their celebration to news@dioceseofmarquette.org for possible publication in a future issue of The U.P. Catholic’s Centenarian Corner and in other diocesan media including social media.
PARISH, SCHOOL AND OTHER EVENTS
If your parish, school or other Catholic entity has photos from liturgies or events, please feel free to share them with The U.P. Catholic and other diocesan media by sending them to news@dioceseofmarquette.org. If you are sending from a phone, please send at Full, Original or Actual Size.
Financial Services
Timothy Thomas
As a reminder, the diocesan offices will be open for an alternate schedule during July and August. The Diocese will be open for summer hours Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, with offices closed on Fridays. Summer hours will continue through Labor Day and regular diocesan office hours will resume Sept. 3, 2024.
PARISH INCORPORATION ANNUAL MEETING AND CORPORATE REPORTING REMINDER
Parish corporations are required to hold an annual meeting of the Board of Directors. We recommend that pastors hold these meetings between July 1 and Sept. 15, 2024. Diocesan staff emailed meeting agenda and minutes templates and other relevant meeting materials to pastors and parish staff last month to assist in preparations for board meetings. Please send copies of the final minutes from your second annual board meeting(s) to the diocesan office by Sept. 30, 2024. If you have any questions concerning the annual Board meetings, please contact Tim Thomas or Irene McCauley for additional assistance.
Parish corporations must also file their first annual report to the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) this summer. Pastors must return signed and completed copies of the Nonprofit Corporate Annual Report no later than Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 to ensure that documents are filed by the State’s deadline. Please also submit a $20 payment to the diocesan office for the filing of this mandatory report. For more information concerning Nonprofit Corporate Annual Reports, please contact Irene McCauley.
PARISH INCORPORATION ASSET TRANSFER UPDATE
As a reminder, please send any correspondence received from local assessors concerning parish property tax exemption to Irene McCauley at the diocesan office.
Diocesan staff will send out further instructions concerning the transfer of financial/investment accounts, other financial assets, tangible property, assignment of bank loans, lines of credit, lease/contract agreements, vehicle titles, and payroll accounts in the next couple of months. Pastors and parish corporate boards can refer to letters sent on June 25, 2024 from Tim Thomas outlining asset transfer steps in more detail. Parishes are reminded that while they should not transfer bank accounts to corporate entities until receiving further instructions, they should begin transferring utilities into the name of the parish corporate entities. If you have any questions about the parish incorporation process, please contact Tim Thomas or Irene McCauley for additional assistance.
CHANGES TO PROTECTED LOSS FUND (PLF) AND PROTECTED LOSS ACTIVITIES FUND (PLAF)
Tim Thomas sent memos informing parishes of recent changes to the Protected Loss and Protected Loss Activities Funds on June 10 and 24. Historically, the Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) has invoiced all units of the Diocese of Marquette for insurance premiums and risk mitigation activities related to risk reduction activities. The MCC insurance program is known as the Protected Loss Fund (PLF) and covers all required property and liability insurance. The DOM refers to its risk reduction activities as the Protected Loss Activities Fund (PLAF) which covers parish audits, school audits, specific legal expenses, and other risk-mitigating services.
Recently, MCC has informed the DOM that beginning July 1, 2024, the billing process for these premiums will undergo a change resulting in units receiving two separate invoices for PLF and PLAF instead of the historical single invoice combining the two. As a reminder, the diocese will bill parishes for PLAF services once in mid-September 2024, while MCC will continue normal PLF billing throughout the year.
Please refer to the original memos and a detailed list of PLAF costs to parish units in Addendum #1. If you have any questions concerning this change, please contact Tim Thomas.
2024 PARISH ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (PAFR)
The 2024 Parish Annual Financial Report has been updated and is available on the Diocesan website at dioceseofmarquette.org/parish-annual-financial-report. Parishes will note that this year’s report will be shorter than in past years to lessen the work of parish staff as they handle additional UPCSA duties and work associated with the transfer of assets to parish corporations. Because of this, it is vital that bookkeepers include prior-year Statements of Financial Position/Balance Sheets, Statements of Revenue & Expense/Income Statements, and current-year budget attachments with each parish submission using the recommended statement format. PAFR submissions will be due to the Diocese by Aug. 31, 2024. Please contact Irene McCauley with questions on PAFR submission requirements or for general form assistance.
2024 ANNUAL CATHOLIC ENDOWMENT FUND FINANCIAL REPORT
Parishes with endowment funds outside the Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation must complete the Annual Catholic Endowment Fund Financial Report by Sept. 30, 2024. As with the Parish Annual Financial Report, Annual Catholic Endowment Fund Financial Reports will cover fund activities for the parish fiscal year starting July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024. Parishes must also include copies of financial statements and meeting minutes with each report submission. For questions concerning this report, please contact Tim Thomas.
2024 PARISH GOVERNANCE REPORT
The Parish Governance Report is due Sept. 30, 2024 and has been included in Addendum #2. Please also see Addendum #3 for an optional financial report to parishioners, provided as a template for parish use. Completed Governance Reports or questions should be sent directly to Irene McCauley.
SECRETARY AND BOOKKEEPERS WORKSHOP – OCT. 15, 2024
Please plan to join us this fall for the Annual Secretary & Bookkeepers Workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 15, for a day of education and fun. This year it is being held at St. Joseph’s Parish, 1889 Prairie Avenue, Ishpeming. More information will be sent out soon. You can check out the website at any time for last year’s workshop information and for this year’s upcoming details. We hope to see you there! Thanks for all you do.
STANDARDIZED PERSONNEL POLICY CHANGE REMINDER
All parishes and missions are reminded that changes to the supplemental portion of the Standardized Personnel Policy are due to the Diocese by Sept. 1, 2024. Any parishes planning to amend benefits administered by Michigan Catholic Conference (including short-term or long-term disability benefits, as well as health, dental, vision, or life insurance coverage) should also contact MCC by no later than Sept. 1 to ensure that these changes are processed for Jan. 1, 2025. Please call 800-395-5565 to report offering changes to MCC Benefits.
If you are unsure whether your parish submitted changes to its supplementary personnel policies, please contact Irene McCauley to verify that your policy was received and approved. All parishes must submit parish supplemental policy drafts to the Diocese before implementing new policies at their parishes. Once the diocesan staff approves supplemental policies, copies will be returned to the parish for approval by the pastor and parish finance council before taking effect.
Parish bookkeepers are also reminded that all parish employees must sign policy acknowledgment forms to be recorded in employee personnel files.
Department of
Stewardship & Development
Scott Fenley
LEGACY OF FAITH GRANTS ANNOUNCED
The Legacy of Faith Advisory Board recently announced $94,451.92 in faith formation grants to parishes and ministries throughout the diocese. The Legacy of Faith Fund was started in 2001 by then Bishop James Garland and is a permanent endowment of the U.P. Catholic Foundation. Its mission is to preserve and foster the Catholic faith in the Upper Peninsula. To see the full list of this year's grants, click here.
DONUTS WITH THE DIOCESE
The Stewardship and Development department recently launched the "Donuts with the Diocese" initiative in the Holy Name of Mary Vicariate on Friday, July 26, at St. Gregory's in Newberry. This program is designed to foster unity and strengthen relationships within our church community by visiting each vicariate to engage in meaningful conversations with parishioners. The informal, drop-in events, centered around donuts and coffee, encourage open dialogue between parishioners and church leadership. For more information or to host a "Donuts with the Diocese" event at your parish, please contact Megan O’Connor, Director of Missionary Stewardship, at moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org.
WEBSITE UPDATES
- New Interactive Planned Giving Platform: Our diocesan planned giving website has been completely revamped to better serve you. The platform now offers tailored giving options based on your age, income, and current assets, along with complimentary resources and sample will language.
- Diocesan Website Enhancements: We have made significant updates to several pages on the Diocesan website, particularly in the stewardship and development sections. We invite you to explore the new and improved content, including updated pages on social media, the Office of Stewardship and Development, and stewardship and development resources.
PARISH RESOURCES
Discover a comprehensive array of stewardship and development resources available to Diocesan parishes on our website. These resources include essential tools and guides such as Capital Campaign Basics, Increased Offertory Program, Parish Planned Giving Program, sample Parish Annual Stewardship Reports, My Catholic Giving Guide, and more.
GIVING TUESDAY 2024
Giving Tuesday is fast approaching, set for Dec. 3 this year. Now is the perfect time to strategize how you can leverage this global day of giving to enhance and expand your parish, school, or ministry's current fundraising efforts. Take advantage of the extensive local and national media coverage to maximize your impact.
Bishop Baraga Association
Lenora McKeen
BARAGA DAYS 2024
The annual Baraga Days celebrating the life and labors of Venerable Bishop Frederic Baraga will be held Sept. 13-14, 2024, in Gaylord, Mich. The event is hosted by the Bishop Baraga Association and the Diocese of Gaylord. This is an opportunity for those who know this saintly man to celebrate his work and provides an opportunity for all to learn about Bishop Frederic Baraga. For more information, the full schedule of events or to purchase banquet tickets please visit our website at www.bishopbaraga.org or contact the Bishop Baraga Association.
Bulletin Announcements
MILESTONE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Couples celebrating their 25th, 30th, 40th, 45th, 50th or above anniversaries, as well as newlyweds are invited along with their families to the annual Milestone Wedding Anniversary Celebration. Golden anniversary couples are additionally invited to submit information and photos for publication in The U.P. Catholic newspaper. The celebration will be at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, beginning with Mass at 3:30 p.m. ET.
(Please see the registration form in the addenda section.)
CATHOLIC BIBLICAL SCHOOL
Discover the Bible through the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan’s Fully-Online Virtual Class. The Catholic Biblical School Ministry is an adult faith formation lay apostolate that brings in-depth, Catholic study of the entire Bible to parishes across the state of Michigan. It’s a fully Catholic journey through the Bible that helps us grow in our relationship with God and live as modern-day disciples of Jesus. Experience community and connection through video conferences with your teacher and options for in-person, parish-based small groups or virtual ones. The Biblical School Ministry operates on donations and is accessible to all with scholarships granted to all who ask. Learn more at a Virtual Info Night on Sunday, Aug. 27 or Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 8-9 p.m. (ET) (access online at cbsmich.org/infonights or by dial-in (920) 349-6101 and enter PIN: 948 129 117#). Or contact us at info@cbsmich.org or call/text (586) 438-3085.
THE U.P. CATHOLIC CENTENARIAN CORNER
Attention Parishioners: Do you know of a fellow parishioner who recently celebrated their 100th birthday? Send their name and a photo of their celebration to news@dioceseofmarquette.org for possible publication in a future issue of The U.P. Catholic’s Centenarian Corner and in other diocesan media including social media.
Addenda
Addendum - Priest Convocation Schedule
Addendum - 2024 Milestone Wedding Anniversary Registration Form
Addendum #1 - PLAF Change Memos & Billing List
Addendum #2 - Governance Report 2024
Addendum #3 - Parish Annual Financial Report Summary for Parishioners
