Enjoying a snowy Ash Wednesday outside of St. Peter Cathedral (Marquette) are Jack and Megan O'Connor-Vander Lugt, Executive Director of Stewardship & Development for the Diocese of Marquette.
Happy Lent to all!
My first month as ED has been very busy, but I’m incredibly thankful for the grace and patience everyone has shown me during this transition—especially the parish members. Thank you for your support and prayers. As I reflect on this busy but rewarding month, I’m reminded of the importance of spiritual growth, both individually and as a couple. In that spirit, my husband and I have been focusing on our Lenten practices together.
For our first Lent as a married couple, we decided to prioritize growing our prayer life together, rather than focusing solely on individual prayer. While shared prayer has been a key part of our focus, I also wanted to carve out personal time for reflection. As a result, I’ve started a new morning routine! In addition to this, we’ve given up a few things—one of which may or may not include fast food! :) For almsgiving, we are committed to supporting seminarians and the important work of Catholic Social Services of the Upper Peninsula.
In other news, the Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation (UPCF) has a new executive board team! A heartfelt thank you to all of the UPCF board members for sharing your time and talents, including Jim Gray, Joe Rushlau, Tom Kurkowski, Fr. Dustin Larson, Paulita Korby, and Rebeca Lynch. To learn more about UPCF, click here: https://upcatholicfoundation.org/ and if you are interested in joining our mission, click here: https://form.jotform.com/240773884727167
My first month as ED has been very busy, but I’m incredibly thankful for the grace and patience everyone has shown me during this transition—especially the parish members. Thank you for your support and prayers. As I reflect on this busy but rewarding month, I’m reminded of the importance of spiritual growth, both individually and as a couple. In that spirit, my husband and I have been focusing on our Lenten practices together.
For our first Lent as a married couple, we decided to prioritize growing our prayer life together, rather than focusing solely on individual prayer. While shared prayer has been a key part of our focus, I also wanted to carve out personal time for reflection. As a result, I’ve started a new morning routine! In addition to this, we’ve given up a few things—one of which may or may not include fast food! :) For almsgiving, we are committed to supporting seminarians and the important work of Catholic Social Services of the Upper Peninsula.
In other news, the Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation (UPCF) has a new executive board team! A heartfelt thank you to all of the UPCF board members for sharing your time and talents, including Jim Gray, Joe Rushlau, Tom Kurkowski, Fr. Dustin Larson, Paulita Korby, and Rebeca Lynch. To learn more about UPCF, click here: https://upcatholicfoundation.org/ and if you are interested in joining our mission, click here: https://form.jotform.com/240773884727167
Have a blessed Easter,
Megan O'Connor-Vander Lugt
Executive Director
Department of Stewardship & Development
Diocese of Marquette, 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org | Phone: (906) 379-5057
Department of Stewardship & Development
Diocese of Marquette, 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org | Phone: (906) 379-5057
SPRING STUDY - APRIL 10, 2025
Mark your calendars for Spring Study Day: Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette. The topic this year is 'Equipping the Faithful.' Deacon Mike Houghton from the Archdiocese of Detroit will present practical ways to live your faith in everyday life and strategies to share the Good News at work and wherever people gather. Deacon Mike worked 35 years in the automotive industry and now uses his experiences living and sharing the faith in the business world to help others do the same.
The cost is $15 and includes refreshments, lunch, and materials. Register here: yoopercatholic.org/spring-study-day.
The cost is $15 and includes refreshments, lunch, and materials. Register here: yoopercatholic.org/spring-study-day.
The Catholic Chrism Mass is a special liturgical celebration, typically held during Holy Week, where a bishop consecrates the sacred oils—chrism, oil of catechumens, and oil of the sick—used in sacraments throughout the year. It often takes place in the cathedral of a diocese, attended by priests, deacons, and the faithful, symbolizing unity and the renewal of priestly commitment. The consecrated chrism, a mixture of olive oil and balsam, is used in baptisms, confirmations, and ordinations, while the other oils serve in anointing the sick and preparing catechumens for baptism.
This beautiful liturgy is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. EDT on April 10, 2025, at St. Peter Cathedral. All are welcome to attend!
MUSIC FOR A SACRED SPACE
Join us on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Music for a Sacred Space Concert at 7:30 pm,
St. Peter Cathedral, Marquette. Featuring Northern Michigan Choirs with Dr. Erin Colwitz.
NOMINATE A CATHOLIC SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT
Developed in the spirit of Legacy of Faith to preserve and foster the Catholic faith in the Upper Peninsula, the Catholic Service Award annually recognizes lifetime dedication and service to the Church. Learn more about the prestigious award and nominate someone that you feel deserves this honor and recognition at upcatholicfoundation.org/catholic-service-awards. Nominations are due by May 1.
PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND
Join Fr. Corey Litzner and Deacon Steve & Jackie Gretzinger as the Diocese of Marquette presents a Religious & Fun Pilgrimage to Poland Oct. 14-23, 2025.
We will entrust our time together to the maternal protection of our dear Lady of Czestochowa in imitation of the great St. John Paul II. We will also have an opportunity to reflect on the lives of heroic holiness in Polish saints such as St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Faustina. Our itinerary will bring us to many places important to the life of St. Pope John Paul II.
We’ll visit Krakow, where Fr. Karol Wojtyla began his life as a priest and offered his first Mass. In Zakopane, we’ll explore the beautiful Tatra Mountains, where St. John Paul II spent time as a hiker, skier, and priest with youth trips. Our pilgrimage will take us to Częstochowa’s Jasna Góra Monastery and the Chapel of the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna, as well as the former concentration camp of Auschwitz, the site of martyrdom for St. Maximilian Kolbe.
We look forward to being with you for this wonderful pilgrimage. The cost is $4,795.00 p.p. dbl. occ. & includes eight (8) nights accommodations at first-class hotels, breakfast & dinner daily. For full itinerary and/or reservations, visit: https://www.petersway.com/1300.html or contact: Megan at Peter’s Way Pilgrimages (516) 605-1551 / megan@petersway.com.
WE'RE HIRING!
The Diocese of Marquette is hiring a full-time Administrative Assistant to join the Stewardship & Development Department in Marquette, MI. Click here for details https://diocese.hirescore.com/job/admin-assistant/
*Reminder:*
Legacy of Faith Grant Applications
are Due on April 1, 2025
at upcatholicfoundation.org/grant-information
You may respond to this email (either publicly or privately) by pressing the blue Reply below. We love hearing from you!
Megan O'Connor-Vander Lugt
Executive Director
Department of Stewardship & Development
Diocese of Marquette, 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org | Phone: (906) 379-5057
Department of Stewardship & Development
Diocese of Marquette, 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org | Phone: (906) 379-5057