Most Reverend Jeffrey Walsh, bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord, received the Bishop Baraga Man of the Year 2025 Award from the Bishop Baraga Assocation (BBA).  The award was presented during the Baraga Days banquet held at Resurrection Parish, Hancock on Aug. 30.  Baraga Days celebrates the life and labors of Venerable Bishop Frederic Baraga, the first bishop of the Diocese of Marquette.

Bishop Walsh was lauded for his support of Bishop Baraga's cause for canonization and the BBA's efforts to raise awareness of the impact he had on the Upper Peninsula.  Learn more about Bishop Baraga here: Bishop Baraga 

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.

The current Communicator, as well as past issues, are available on the Diocesan website at https://dioceseofmarquette.org/communicator.

Sep. 30, 2025      Annual Catholic Endowment Fund Financial Report Deadline (Administration & Finance)

Sep. 30, 2025      Parish Governance Report Deadline (Administration & Finance)

Sep. 30, 2025      Deadline to Send Minutes and Conflict Disclosure forms from Annual Corporate Board Meetings (Administration & Finance)

Sept. 30, 2025     Parish Annual Administrative Report Deadline (Administration)

Oct. 1, 2025         Nonprofit Annual Corporate Report Due to Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (Administration & Finance)

Oct. 7, 2025         Secretary and Bookkeepers Workshop (Administration & Finance)

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 on Sept. 13 & 14, 2025, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. St. Mary Parish, Norway, and St. Barabara Parish, Vulcan, will again this year host the event that will be held at the Monastery in Iron Mountain. 

I highly encourage your support and participation in this event. As you know, 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 focuses 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 would be 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. 

As we look forward to the Church’s annual observance of Respect Life Month in October, the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities is pleased to share the 2025 Respect Life materials, which are inspired by the Jubilee Year of Hope. The message, “Life: Our Sign of Hope,” reflects the call to be signs of hope to all facing trials and difficulties. 

The 2025 poster features an image of an infant receiving the sacrament of Baptism. Through the gift of our Baptism, Our Lord calls us to be members of his body thereby demonstrating the invaluable dignity of the human person. This mystery invites us to be witnesses to the hope of the resurrection by promoting and defending the precious gift of life. 

A listing of the digital materials can be found at https://www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month.This year’s resources are available in English and Spanish and include a Respect Life Month novena, bulletin insert reflection, homily helps, graphics, and more. A step-by-step parish action guide and webinar recording are also available to help parishes celebrate Respect Life Month. I encourage you to utilize these resources for your parish communities.

If you would like to order printed materials like parish kits, posters, or prayer cards, please reach out to Maria Zalot via email at mzalot@usccb.org to request the order form or to ask any additional questions. 

The 2025 54-Day Rosary Novena for Our Nation has been in motion since Aug. 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption, and will continue 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/

Renowned choral group FLORIANI is coming to the Upper Peninsula this Fall 2025 at St. Peter Cathedral on Saturday, Nov. 15 for a 7 p.m. concert (freewill offering). FLORIANI is a men's vocal quartet ensemble dedicated to performing and reviving sacred music. At their concert they offer a meditative experience as they perform an assortment of Gregorian chant, music from the Eastern and Western traditions, and original pieces. In addition to the concert, FLORIANI will be singing for all the weekend Cathedral Masses (Saturday Vigil 4 p.m. Mass on Nov. 15 and Sunday 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses Nov. 16) so consider taking a trip to visit our beautiful and historic "Mother Church" of the Diocese! More info can be found at floriani.org.

Sacred Music Newsletter, Fall 2025 (YEAR C).pdf - Google Drive 

Sacred Music Newsletter, Winter 2026 (YEAR A).pdf - Google Drive 

There are four Confirmation Masses taking place this Fall in Ironwood, Escanaba, Lake Linden, and the St. John Neumann vicariates.  Registration is now open at dioceseofmarquette.org/diocesanconfirmation.  Please take a moment to register any students and adults!  Thank you!

Young adult women ages 18-35 are invited to a discernment day at St. Peter Cathedral Saturday, Sept. 20 led by local religious from the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. The day includes prayer, a presentation about discernment, discussion and Q&A with the sisters, lunch, reflection time, Adoration and Reconciliation, and Mass. Registration is required at Vocation Discernment - Yooper Catholic - Diocese of Marquette - Marquette, MI.

Emmaus Walk Retreat for grieving parents will be held at St. Peter Cathedral on Nov. 1, 2025. This powerful retreat is an opportunity for parents who have lost a child of any age – however long ago – to encounter the love of God in their grief. There is no charge for registrants, and it includes lunch and a catered dinner. Please personally invite any Catholics that have experienced the devastating loss of a child, to register https://www.emfgp.org/11-01-25-marquette-mi-one-day-retreat-registration/  For more information, please contact Tiffany Ampe at tampe@dioceseofmarquette.org (906) 379-3860.

Youth Encounter will be held Nov. 7-9, 2025. Open to high school students, Youth Encounter is a unique opportunity for teens to deepen their faith. Youth Encounter - Yooper Catholic - Diocese of Marquette - Marquette, MI

On Nov. 6, 2025, Yoopers will be walking in Lansing for the Second Michigan March for Life. https://rtl.org/event/michigan-march-for-life/.

There is a bus trip organized leaving from Ishpeming on the afternoon of Nov. 5. https://ishpemingcatholic.com/march.

On Oct. 25, 2025, we will be hosting a dynamic retreat, in Marquette, for all engaged couples. This enjoyable day will focus on Theology of the Body while connecting engaged couples with others and their faith. Coffee, refreshments and lunch provided. Confession, Adoration and community! https://yoopercatholic.org/engaged

The 2025 Parish Annual Administrative Report link is available online at https://form.jotform.com/DioceseofMarquette/2025-PAAR. PAAR submissions are due to the Diocese by Sept. 30, 2025.
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.

A reminder to all Catholic school principals that the September principals' meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 18, at Holy Name Catholic School in Escanaba from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

We should work to have good relations with local news media. By fostering good relations, we can be good neighbors to our communities by helping them be informed as to local happenings; helping them understand how events affect us; helping them see that Catholics play a positive role in the wider community. With that in mind, parishes and schools are encouraged to be proactive and promote the good things happening in the Church. When the news is controversial, pastors and principals should use their good judgement as to how to respond to media requests.

John Fee, the executive director of communications for the diocese, is available to help you. Just call the office at (906) 227-9129 or email jfee@dioceseofmarquette.org as far in advance as possible. However, it is understood that breaking news often comes quickly and you might not have much time.

While many church and school properties are public spaces, they remain private property. This is nuanced but important. Pastors and principals have the right to control who has access to them, who can photograph, film or make audio recordings on the property, or who can interview people on the property. Public spaces, city sidewalks for instance, are public and open to media following local laws such as not blocking access.

It is good practice for media, when possible, to give you a heads up before appearing on your property. Good relations work both ways. This gives you an opportunity to prepare, if necessary, to answer detailed questions; to have an appropriate space available for an interview; to make sure any sensitive information such as notes, address lists viewable on a computer screen or printed out and such to be moved off camera, and other housekeeping items like this.

Please continue your great work sharing the Good News, including through media. If you need a hand or have some questions, please contact John at the above email and phone number.

Please remember to contact the Diocesan Communications Staff at news@dioceseofmarquette.org if your parish/school is celebrating any major milestones, events, missions or outreach in 2025.

PARISH INCORPORATION ANNUAL MEETING AND CORPORATE REPORTING REMINDER
Bishop Doerfler has directed all parish corporations to submit copies of the minutes from parish third annual board meeting(s) and conflict of interest disclosure forms to the diocesan office by Sept. 30, 2025. 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 an annual report to the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) before Oct. 1, 2025. This brief report must be completed online using LARA’s Corporations Online Filing System platform and must be filed with a $20 fee payable to the State of Michigan. Instructions and additional information about filing this report were provided in early July and have been included in Addendum #1. If you have any questions about annual corporate reporting filings, please contact Irene McCauley.

2025 PARISH ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (PAFR)
PAFR submissions were due to the Diocese by Aug. 31, 2025 and late forms should be submitted as soon as possible. Access to the PAFR form is available on the diocesan website at Parish Annual Financial Report (PAFR) - Diocese of Marquette - Marquette, MI (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.

2025 PARISH GOVERNANCE REPORT
The Parish Governance Report is due Sept. 30, 2025 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 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.

2025 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, 2025. 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, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025. Parishes must also include copies of financial statements and meeting minutes with each report submission. For questions concerning this report, please contact Tim Thomas.

SECRETARY AND BOOKKEEPERS’ WORKSHOP – OCT. 7, 2025
Please plan to join us this coming fall for the Annual Secretary & Bookkeepers’ Workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, for a day of education and fellowship. This year it is being held at St. Peter Cathedral, 311 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette. The workshop will cover a range of topics including UPCSA campaigning, parish incorporation project updates, financial reporting guidance, common human resources issues, tips and support for eCatholic, PDS, Sage Conversions, Audits, Paycor, FACTS and MCC Platforms. To register for this event, please use the following link:

Annual Secretary/Bookkeeper Workshop 2025 

More information about this year’s event as well as materials from last year’s workshop can be found at Secretary and Bookkeepers Workshop - Diocese of Marquette - Marquette, MI. We hope to see you there! Thanks for all you do.

REMINDER: INFLATABLES NOT COVERED BY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
With many parish festivals and fundraisers approaching, parishes and schools may be considering a variety of entertainment options. While bounce houses, moon walks, etc. can be a lot of fun, Michigan Catholic Conference's Risk Management Program does not provide insurance coverage should an incident arise from an inflatable. This exclusion also applies to trampolines, dunk tanks, and any other piece of "rebounding equipment." If your parish or school still wants to have one of these items at your event, please be sure to get a certificate of insurance from the third party you're hiring. The requirements for third-party certificates of insurance and use agreement/contract are as follows:

SAFETY RESOURCES FOR CATHOLIC CHURCHES FROM GALLAGHER BASSETT
Keeping churches safe from dangers such as arson, vandalism, assault, breaking and entering, and theft has never been more important. Gallagher National Risk Control offers practical tips, advice for securing your church site, and security self-inspection checklists in its annual safety bulletin (provided as Addendum #4). Please also find an emergency operations plan and sample emergency action plan included as Addendum #5 and Addendum #6 to this Communicator.

CONTACT DIOCESAN OFFICE TO CONVERT TO SAGE INTACCT ACCOUNTING PLATFORM
Are you interested in improving your bookkeeping processes? Parishes and schools looking to move from PDS to Sage Intacct are encouraged to contact the diocesan office to learn more about the conversion process. Sage Intacct offers powerful features including cloud accessibility, automated processes, enhanced financial efficiency, and at a low cost to parishes and schools. While all parishes and schools will transition to Sage in the coming years, those who want to benefit from the new system early are encouraged to reach out to Karli Lancour to be added to the priority conversion list.

Are you looking for a Catholic-specific data management system built for parish life? Imagine a platform that can track parishioner households, record sacraments, and provide tools for appeals, giving, communication, and ministry management—all in one place. An exciting opportunity will be available soon, with plans starting as low as $40/month*. Stay tuned for more details and join us to learn more at the Bookkeeper Workshop on Oct. 7!

The Stewardship and Development Department is seeking high-quality photos for use in various publications. If you have photos from your parish that you’d like to share, we’d love to include them in future materials such as UPCSA, annual reports, social media graphics, and more. Please submit your photos here:
 https://www.jotform.com/DioceseofMarquette/parish-photo-share

Check out the latest issue of the Stewardship E-News here. Don’t forget to invite your parishioners to subscribe using this link: Stewardship E-News Subscription. We respect your privacy and will not share subscriber emails outside our organization.

In honor of the Bishop Baraga Association’s 95th Anniversary, we are offering a limited-time brick special for $95! Learn more and start designing your brick today at https://bishopbaraga.org/bba-brick-program. *Please note that this offer is good through Sept. 30, 2025.

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Join us for the 2025 Bishop Baraga Association's Silent Auction! Bidding is open until Nov. 1, 2025, with 100% of the proceeds supporting the Bishop Baraga Association and Bishop Baraga's Cause for Canonization. Bid on quilts, rosaries and more at www.bishopbaraga.org/silent-auction. 

Young adult women ages 18-35 are invited to a discernment day at St. Peter Cathedral Saturday, Sept. 20 led by local religious from the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. The day includes prayer, a presentation about discernment, discussion and Q&A with the sisters, lunch, reflection time, Adoration and Reconciliation, and Mass. Registration is required at:

https://yoopercatholic.org/discernment.

Renowned choral group FLORIANI is coming to the Upper Peninsula this Fall 2025 at Saint Peter Cathedral on Saturday, Nov. 15 for a 7 p.m. concert (freewill offering). Don't miss this opportunity! FLORIANI is a men's vocal quartet ensemble dedicated to performing and reviving sacred music. At their concert, they offer a meditative experience as they perform an assortment of Gregorian chant, music from the Eastern and Western traditions, and original pieces. In addition to the concert FLORIANI will be singing for all the weekend Cathedral Masses (Saturday Vigil 4 p.m. Mass Nov. 15 and Sunday 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Mass Nov. 16) so consider taking a trip to visit our beautiful and historic "Mother Church" of the Diocese! More info can be found at floriani.org