The U.P. Catholic Newsletter
September 2025
Baraga Days 2025
CATY MRAZ | THE U.P. CATHOLIC
(Top photo) Clockwise from left, Jacob Wallace, Paul Perrault, Joe Wallace, Danny Garceau, and Dcn. H. John Vincent perform in a Native American drum circle at Most Holy Name of Jesus/St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Assinins on Aug. 29 prior to evening vespers to kick off the 2025 Baraga Days event, which was held in the U.P.’s Copper Country. The drum circle is called Biidaaban Gite Mikan, which means “New Day, Old Ways." (Bottom photo) From left, Bishop Erik Pohlmeier of the Diocese of St. Augustine, Fla., Jerome Walsh, Bishop Jeffrey Walsh of the Diocese of Gaylord, Bishop John Doerfler, Fr. Timothy Ferguson and Lenora McKeen pose for a group photo after the annual Baraga Days Banquet. Bishop Walsh was named the 2025 Baraga Man of the Year.
The annual Baraga Days were held on Aug. 29-30, 2025 in the Copper Harbor area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (L’Anse, Assinins, Houghton/Hancock & Eagle Harbor) hosted by the Bishop Baraga Association.
Bishop John Doerfler was the principal celebrant of the Baraga Days Mass held at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Houghton on Aug. 30. Concelebrating were Bishop Jeffery Walsh of Gaylord, Mich., and Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier of St. Augustine, Fla. Other concelebrants included Frs. Corey Litzner, Ryan Ford, Timothy Ferguson and Joze Pibernik from Slovenia. Parts of the Mass were said in the Slovenian and Ojibwe languages. Bishop Walsh was named the 2025 Bishop Baraga Man of the Year.
Campus Ministry Ghana Trip
COURTESY PHOTOS
Over the summer college students from the campus ministries in the Diocese of Marquette took a mission trip to Ghana. (Top photo) FOCUS missionary Zachary Wurtenberger (front row, far right) poses for a photo with children outside of St. Francis Parish in Buoho, Ghana. (Bottom photo) Campus ministry missionaries from the Upper Peninsula visit St. Joseph Minor Basilica in Elmina, which is the first parish church in Ghana.
“It was hugely impactful spending time with the people in Ghana. They had such strong hospitality and emotional and spiritual wealth,” said Veronica Blissick, a fourth year student at Michigan Technological University (MTU) after a recent mission trip to the Diocese of Konongo-Mampong in Ghana. “I felt very dignified and celebrated by everyone I met. I am inspired to try to bring that attitude back to the United States. I want to share the joy that lifted me up, and use it to lift others up,” she added.
Bishop’s new podcast focuses on hope
THE U.P. CATHOLIC
The logo for Bishop John Doerfler’s new podcast titled “The Anchor of Hope podcast.” The podcast is distributed to multiple websites and apps, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more.
On Oct. 2, 2025, the first episode of Bishop John Doerfler's new podcast titled "The Anchor of Hope podcast" will be released. Alongside Bishop Doerfler, the podcast is co-hosted by Hattie Hanold, former assistant editor of The U.P. Catholic. The two discuss Jesus and living with hope in today’s world.
New episodes of the podcast will be released on the first and third Thursdays of each month. The show will be hosted on multiple websites and apps, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora and more.
To listen to The Anchor of Hope podcast, search “The Anchor of Hope” on any app where podcasts are distributed.
Milestone Wedding Anniversary Mass 2025
CATY MRAZ | THE U.P. CATHOLIC
(Top photo) From left, Novalene and Warren Bovin renew their wedding vows during the annual Milestone Wedding Anniversary Mass held at St. Peter Cathedral on Sept. 14, 2025. The Bovins celebrated their 45th anniversary this year. (Bottom photo) From left, Mary Lynn and Jim Krismanick greet Bishop John Doerfler after the annual Milestone Wedding Anniversary Mass held at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette on Sept. 14, 2025. The Krismanicks celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year.
Bishop John Doerfler was the principal celebrant of the annual Milestone Wedding Anniversary Mass at St. Peter Cathedral on Sept. 14, 2025. Fr. Ryan Ford, diocesan vicar for evangelization and catechesis, concelebrated. Dcn. Dean Jackson was the assisting deacon and Dcn. Paul Lochner served as emcee. Recognized anniversary milestones were newlyweds, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th or 51st and above. Couples present enjoyed a reception and socializing after the Mass.