Message from Bishop John
February 2025
HATTIE HANOLD | THE U.P. CATHOLIC
In the presence of the Eucharistic Lord, Bishop John Doerfler looks on in adoration at St. Michael Parish in Marquette, during the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress held June 9-10, 2023.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from Jesus Christ our Lord.
The novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The opening lines are striking:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period…"
When we look at the world around us today, we might say the same thing, that it “was so far like the present period.”
Human history and our own lives can easily be described by this dichotomy between light and darkness, hope and despair, good and bad. This presents us with a choice. How will we choose to live? Will we walk in the light of Christ? Will we walk in the hope of Christ? Will we strive to be good like Christ?
This Jubilee year, we are to be pilgrims of hope in Jesus Christ. Our present period is like all other periods where we could easily be pulled away from light and hope by the powers of darkness and despair.
I would like to propose a simple, prayerful practice to root our hearts in the hope of Jesus. Take out a pen and a piece of paper. While taking deep breaths, prayerfully say and write at least 30 times: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
If we put our hope and trust in Jesus. It is always the best of times.
+Most Reverend John F. Doerfler
Bishop of Marquette
Bishop of Marquette
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