A year ago, I married my husband, Jack. This year, we are happy to be attending the annual Milestone Wedding Celebration as newlyweds next month.
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 (50th) 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. 14, 2025, beginning with Mass at 3:30 p.m. ET. Online registration may be completed at tinyurl.com/msweds25. The deadline for registration is this Friday, Aug 29th.
Also, this month, Jack became a 4th-degree Knight of Columbus. I am very proud and have included a couple of pictures of the event below.
Megan O'Connor
Executive Director
Stewardship & Development, Diocese of Marquette
Stewardship & Development, Diocese of Marquette
1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org | Phone: (906) 379-5057
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org | Phone: (906) 379-5057
Baraga Days 2025
BARAGA DAYS 2025
The annual Baraga Days, celebrating the life and labors of Venerable Bishop Frederic Baraga, will be held on Aug. 29-30, 2025, in the Copper Country Area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (L’Anse, Assinins, Houghton/Hancock & Eagle Harbor).
Friday evening events will take place at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Assinins, Mich., including Evening Vespers, Native American Drumming, a tour of the cemetery, and a presentation on Bishop Baraga’s ministry in the area. Saturday events include the Baraga Mass given in Ojibwe, Slovenian, and English. There will be time allotted to tour local sites specific to Bishop Baraga in the area.
Baraga Days will conclude with a banquet and the annual Bishop Baraga Association meeting, which provides an opportunity for attendees to receive updates on Bishop Baraga’s Cause for Canonization as well as updates on the activities of the BBA. Visit https://bishopbaraga.org/baraga-days-2025/ for more information and to purchase tickets.
Carmelite Fall Festival
CARMELITE FALL FESTIVAL: 2025
Each year, the Sisters of the Discalced Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Cross in Iron Mountain, Mich., sponsor the 'Carmelite Fall Festival-Craft & Bake Sale' – formerly known as the Carmelite Silver Tea. The two-day festival is scheduled to take place Sept. 13-14, 2025, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. St. Mary Parish, Norway, and St. Barbara Parish, Vulcan, will again this year host the event at the monastery.
The Carmelite Monastery is a cloistered community of Sisters that dedicate their lives to prayer, a ministry which is foundational for the Church's apostolate. Carmelite prayer and contemplation focus on the welfare and fruitfulness of all those engaged in the work of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. As they continue to support the people of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan through their life of prayer, I ask for your support of the event to assist them in carrying on their spiritual mission. Your efforts to sell or purchase tickets for the Carmelite Fall Festival are greatly appreciated
The event will include individually packaged beverages and cookies. The Sisters’ bread will be sold, as well as other items from their gift shop. A silent auction, basket raffle, and other raffle prizes will be available.
The Carmelite Monastery is a cloistered community of Sisters that dedicate their lives to prayer, a ministry which is foundational for the Church's apostolate. Carmelite prayer and contemplation focus on the welfare and fruitfulness of all those engaged in the work of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. As they continue to support the people of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan through their life of prayer, I ask for your support of the event to assist them in carrying on their spiritual mission. Your efforts to sell or purchase tickets for the Carmelite Fall Festival are greatly appreciated
The event will include individually packaged beverages and cookies. The Sisters’ bread will be sold, as well as other items from their gift shop. A silent auction, basket raffle, and other raffle prizes will be available.
Diocesan Archive Projects Update
ARCHIVES UPDATE - MICROFILM PROJECTS
Several digitization projects are underway in the Diocesan Archives:
Through the generosity of the staff and resources at Northern Michigan University Archives Department, newspapers from 1946 through 2009 are being digitized and will be searchable. The project is still in process, but when completed, the historical newspapers will be hosted on our website, offering an opportunity to learn more about our diocesan history.
Through funding in our diocesan budget, 150 rolls of microfilm related to Bishop Baraga and Native American Ministry have been digitized and made available to the Bishop Baraga Educational Center for their use in educating visitors and members of the Bishop Baraga Association. The 150 rolls of microfilm are a portion of our collection of 810 rolls that contain documents collected from archives around the world by the Historical Commission working on the Cause for Sainthood for Bishop Frederic Baraga.
Through funding in our diocesan budget, 150 rolls of microfilm related to Bishop Baraga and Native American Ministry have been digitized and made available to the Bishop Baraga Educational Center for their use in educating visitors and members of the Bishop Baraga Association. The 150 rolls of microfilm are a portion of our collection of 810 rolls that contain documents collected from archives around the world by the Historical Commission working on the Cause for Sainthood for Bishop Frederic Baraga.
To support these projects, as well as future archival endeavors, please give online here https://www.osvhub.com/dioceseofmarquette/giving/funds/diocese-of-marquette-archives
Youth Encounter Retreat - Nov. 7-9
YOUTH ENCOUNTER RETREAT NOV. 7-9
The next Youth Encounter retreat for high school students will be Nov. 7-9, 2025, at Immaculate Conception parish in Iron Mountain. This retreat is led by teens, supported by an adult team. It focuses on encountering, receiving, and responding to Christ and His call. There are fun games, teen and adult-led talks, small group discussions, and time for prayer, Adoration, Reconciliation, a pool party, and Mass. Learn more and register at yoopercatholic.org/youthencounter
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Megan O'Connor
Megan O'Connor
Executive Director
Stewardship & Development, Diocese of Marquette
Stewardship & Development, Diocese of Marquette
1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org | Phone: (906) 379-5057
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org | Phone: (906) 379-5057
Billy Mullett
Adm. Asst. to Stewardship & Development and U.P. Catholic Foundation, Inc.
Email: wmullettdioceseofmarquette.org | Phone: (906) 227-9156