Diocesan Communicator
September 2024
Publishes monthly on the second Wednesday
Photo JOHN FEE | THE U.P. CATHOLIC
Fr. William Ssozi and Bishop John Doerfler accept the offeratory gifts at St. Rita Parish's 100th anniversary Mass of the dedication of the church on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Trenary. Former pastors Fr. Greg Heikkala and Msgr. John "Jed" Patrick concelebrated the Mass. Former pastor Fr. Sebastian Kavumkal also attended the luncheon that followed Mass.
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. 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 Parish Annual Administrative Reports Deadline (Administration)
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
ELECTION-RELATED MATERIAL AND COMMUNICATIONS
As November approaches, it is important to remember how to communicate election-related material to faithful Catholics around the Diocese of Marquette. It has been instructed that parishes may only distribute election-related materials that have been published by the Diocese of Marquette, MCC, or the USCCB. In order to ensure there is ample material readily available for parishes, please utilize the below links:
The first two sites are intended for the Catholic lay faithful. The third has been developed to help yourselves and parish leadership/staff with promoting the material within the parish setting:
Digital/online edition of Focus: A Catholic Approach to Voting in the 2024 Election
The print version will be inserted into The U.P. Catholic newspaper’s Sept. 13 issue.
Additional Election Resources for the Catholic Lay Faithful
- This page includes Focus, prayer and conscience formation resources, the principles of Catholic social teaching, tips for researching candidates, information on where and how to vote, and modeling faithful citizenship in the family.
Promotional Materials for Use by Dioceses and Parish Staff
- This page includes Focus and a link to the parish resources page, promotional web banners and social graphics, suggested bulletin and pulpit announcements, and additional one-page resources.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. John Fee, Executive Director of Communications, with questions regarding this important topic. He can be reached by telephone at (906) 227-9129 or by email at jfee@dicoeseofmarquette.org. Thank you in advance for your efforts to urge Catholics to be Faithful Citizens this year.
ELECTION YEAR GUIDELINES FOR CATHOLICS
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.
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/
RESPECT LIFE MONTH, OCTOBER 2024
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. The 2024 Respect Life poster features the Eucharist and Jesus’ message in John 10:10, “I came so that they might have life.” The poster and prayer card are also available to download, along with many other digital resources, at www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month
The website offers an action guide, explanation of Respect Life Month, a sample timeline of preparation steps, bulletin and pulpit announcements, prayers, action ideas and activities. The website also features homily notes, a bulletin insert, graphics and ministry-specific toolkits for clergy, faith formation settings, youth ministry, Catholic education and Catholic media.
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.
Department of Ministry Personnel
Very Rev. Timothy Ekaitis
DATE REMINDERS
- Priest Convocation: Comfort Suites in Green Bay – Sept. 16-19, 2024
- 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
CONFIRMATION MASSES
The schedule of Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Confirmation Masses, along with the link to register your students, are online at: dioceseofmarquette.org/diocesanconfirmation.
Please remember each Confirmand is to write and mail a letter to Bishop John at least one month before the Confirmation Mass. The letter is here: Confirmation Letter Format.pdf
All catechumens (those preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil) and candidates (baptized non-Christians preparing for reception into Full Communion) are invited to participate in the Rite of Election with their sponsors on Sunday, March 9 at St. Peter Cathedral. Now is the time to inquire into each catechumen's and candidate's marriage history so any canonical or annulment process can begin now, if needed. Contact Fr. Dan Moll dmoll@dioceseofmarquette.org or Fr. Ryan Ford, rford@dioceseofmarquette.org with any questions about marriage situations.
YOUTH ENCOUNTER RETREAT
Youth Encounter is a Catholic retreat open to all high school students. It's organized by Fr. Ryan Ford and a team of local priests and adults, who support a team of high school students who give talks, lead group discussions, and mentor younger students in living the Christian life. The retreat takes place twice a year. The Fall weekend is November 8-10 at Fortune Lake Camp near Crystal Falls. Registration is open now at: youthencounter906.com
CONFIRMATION RETREAT
A one-day retreat aimed at candidates for Confirmation will be put on by a Spiritus Ministries team at Immaculate Conception parish in Iron Mountain from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (with 4 p.m. Mass) central time on Saturday, Jan. 11. Students from around the U.P. are invited and encouraged to come. Registration info is at yoopercatholic.org/confirmation-retreat.
CATECHETICAL LEADER TRAINING
Thanks to the parishes that hosted the four catechetical leader training days and three Catholic school teacher retreats in July and August! Formation materials and resources will be made available at yoopercatholic.org as the year goes along.
BLESSING FOR CATECHISTS AT SUNDAY MASS
To Pastors: At the beginning of your parish catechetical year, please take time during the principal Sunday Mass to call forward your parish catechists after the Homily to give them a liturgical blessing. The order of blessing follows the Book of Blessings, chapter 4, section I, “Order for the Blessing of Those Appointed as Catechists.” It is also found online on the USCCB website.
SEPTEMBER 2024 PRINCIPALS' MEETING
A reminder to all Catholic school principals that the September Principals' Meeting will be on Thursday, Sept. 26, at St. Christopher’s in the parish hall in Marquette from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
2024 PARISH ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT (PAAR)
2024 Parish Annual Administrative Reports are due Sept. 30, 2024. The link is available online on the Diocesan website: https://form.jotform.com/DioceseofMarquette/2024-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.
Communication Services
John Fee
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 e-mail 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 e-mail to news@dioceseofmarquette.org or mailed to The U.P. Catholic, 1004 Harbor Hills Dr., Marquette, MI 49855.
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
REMINDER TO SUBMIT NONPROFIT CORPORATE ANNUAL REPORTS AND MATERIALS FROM PARISH ANNUAL BOARD MEETING TO DIOCESAN OFFICE
Bishop Doerfler has directed all parish corporations to submit copies of the minutes from your second annual board meeting(s) and conflict of interest disclosure forms to the diocesan office by Sept. 30, 2024. If you have any questions concerning the annual Board meetings or the parish incorporation process, 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 by Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 to ensure that documents are filed by the State’s deadline. Parish corporations must 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 tax 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 later this month. 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.
PROTECTED LOSS ACTIVITIES FUND (PLAF) ANNUAL PAYMENT REMINDER
As a reminder, the diocese will bill parishes for Protected Loss Activities Fund (PLAF) services once during the week of Sept. 16, 2024. These risk reduction activities Loss Activities cover parish audits, school audits, specific legal expenses, and other risk-mitigating services and are separate from PLF services invoiced by Michigan Catholic Conference. Please refer to Addendum #1 for background on insurance billing changes as well as a detailed list of PLAF costs to parish units in fiscal year 2024-2025. If you have any questions concerning this change, please contact Tim Thomas.
2024 PARISH ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (PAFR)
PAFR submissions were due to the Diocese by Aug. 31, 2024, and late forms should be submitted as soon as possible. Access to the PAFR form is available on the diocesan website at dioceseofmarquette.org/parish-annual-financial-report. Please note that submissions must include prior-year Statements of Financial Position/Balance Sheets, Statements of Revenue & Expense/Income Statements, and current-year budget attachments using the recommended statement format. 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. 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. 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, 2024. This year the Workshop will be held at St. Joseph’s Parish, 1889 Prairie Avenue, Ishpeming. The workshop will cover a range of topics including UPCSA campaigning, administrative processes for Holy Sacraments, new record retention guidelines, parish incorporation project updates, financial reporting guidance, facility planning and building assessments, common human resources issues, safe environment best practices, as well as tips and support for eCatholic, PDS, Paycor, FACTS, and MCC platforms. To register for this event, please use the following link: form.jotform.com/DioceseofMarquette/2024-secretarybookkeeper-workshop.
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! Thanks for all you do.
REMINDER TO INCLUDE DETAIL WITH PAYMENTS TO THE DIOCESE
Bookkeepers are reminded to please include invoice numbers when relevant or a brief description of what the payment is for when sending money to the Diocese. We appreciate your help in ensuring that payments are applied correctly.
Department of
Stewardship & Development
Scott Fenley
DONUTS WITH THE DIOCESE
The Stewardship and Development department recently launched "Donuts with the Diocese." The most recent one was held Sept. 10 at Our Lady of Peace in Ironwood. 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.
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.
Bulletin Announcements
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 #1 - PLAF Change Memos & Billing List
Addendum #2 - Governance Report 2024
Addendum #3 - Parish Annual Financial Report Summary for Parishioners
