Veterans were honored at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette on Sunday, Nov. 9, during and after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. The Knights of Columbus provided a pancake breakfast free of charge to the veterans and their families.  The Wildcat Battalion of Army ROTC posted the colors before Mass. God bless our veterans and active military! 

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.

Dec. 3, 2025   Submit Christmas Eve and Christmas Mass times by Dec. 3 for publication in the Dec. 19 issue of The U.P. Catholic

Just a reminder:  Any parish that has more Mass intentions and Mass stipends than they can satisfy in a year should send the Mass intentions and corresponding Mass stipend check to the diocesan office c/o:  Terry C. Bailey, Office of the Bishop, 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI  49855.   You will receive a letter acknowledging our acceptance of the responsibility to see that the Mass intentions are celebrated. The Mass intentions and stipends will be distributed to senior priests of the diocese who celebrate Masses or may be distributed to parishes who are in need of Mass intentions.  (Canon 953 No one is permitted to accept more offerings for Masses to be applied by himself than he can satisfy within a year.)

There is currently an individual representing themselves as the bishop using an email address that is not similar to his valid diocesan email address.  Diocesan email addresses follow a pattern of firstinitiallastname@dioceseofmarquette.org such as Tbailey@dioceseofmarquette.org.
 
Would you kindly remind your parishioners via a bulletin announcement that the bishop, our priests and employees of the Diocese of Marquette will NEVER request the purchase of gift cards to be sent via text message or email for any type of fundraising project?  Regardless of what email address or cell phone number the request comes from, parishioners should NEVER purchase gift cards and send pictures of them via text or email.  
 
Scammers are using any information they can find to initiate these requests including information (such as board members cell numbers or email addresses) on the diocesan website, information in parish bulletins and on parish websites.  

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. Mass Nov. 16) so consider taking a trip to visit our beautiful and historic "Mother Church" of the Diocese! More information can be found at floriani.org.

Parish catechetical leaders and Catholic school principals should register catechists and teachers in your online Bridges and Boundaries dashboard so they can access the lesson plan and video(s) for the safe environment lesson to be taught to K-12 students by Jan. 31, 2026.  Instructions for registering your catechists/teachers in Bridges and Boundaries are found at: yoopercatholic.org/safe-environment.

An investigation into the marriage status of OCIA candidates for baptism or reception into full communion should be done as soon as possible.  Those in irregular marriages are not to participate in the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion (Feb. 22, 2026) until they receive a declaration of nullity from previous marriages or commit to abstinence.

Fr. Ryan Ford will lead this year’s Wise Men’s retreat Dec. 5-7 at Fortune Lake Camp in Crystal Falls.  This is perfect for men desiring spiritual growth, connection with other men, and time for rest, reflection, and prayer.  Cost is $150.  Register online at yoopercatholic.org/retreats.

Young adults are invited to join our pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the feast day Dec. 11-13.  The trip includes carpooling from Iron Mountain, hotel lodging, Mass and prayer and festivities at the Shrine, fun and meals.  Cost is $100.  Visit yoopercatholic.org/guadalupe to register!

A reminder to all Catholic school principals that the November principals' meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 20, via Zoom from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

The U.P. Catholic newspaper will be publishing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass times for all parishes and missions in the Dec.19 issue. Please submit Mass times by Wednesday, Dec. 3 by using this form: https://form.jotform.com/DioceseofMarquette/christmas-mass-times.

On Oct. 2, 2025, the first episode of Bishop John Doerfler’s new podcast titled “The Anchor of Hope” was 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.

The show is available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora and more as well as theanchorofhope.transistor.fm/.

Parishes that have a website through eCatholic can access shared modules with content from the diocesan website to add to their site. The modules include upcoming/current Diocese of Marquette livestreams, archived Diocese of Marquette livestreams, and quick episode links for Bishop John Doerfler’s podcast, “The Anchor of Hope.” To access the modules, log in to your eCatholic website, and click the button at the bottom that reads “Add Content.” Navigate to the “Shared” tab, where you can then find the modules to include on the website.

For parishes that do not have an eCatholic website but would still like to have diocesan livestreams and “The Anchor of Hope” podcast included on the site, embed codes in .txt format may be found by clicking the addendum under the Addenda section.

To open the codes in a browser, click here: https://files.ecatholic.com/32488/documents/2025/11/Embed%20codes_eCatholic_Anchor%20of%20Hope.txt?t=1762370880000

If your parish, school or other Catholic entity has photos from liturgies or events such as fall bazaars or upcoming Advent or Christmas events, please feel free to share them with The U.P. Catholic and other diocesan media by sending them to news@dioceseofmarquette.org. If you are sending from a phone, please send at Full, Original or Actual Size.

UPDATED USCCB GROUP RULING/TAX EXEMPTION PROOFS AVAILABLE ON DIOCESAN WEBSITE
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released a new IRS determination letter supporting the tax-exempt status of parish, school, and other Catholic entities in the Diocese of Marquette last month. Please find the new proofs of your tax-exempt status (including the determination letter, a memo from USCCB Counsel, and pages from the latest edition of the Official Catholic Directory) on the diocesan website here. This information is also available as Addendum #1 of this Communicator.

REMINDER TO NOTIFY MCC OF PROPERTY ADJUSTMENTS
As a reminder, parishes and schools must notify Michigan Catholic Conference of any new buildings or additions to existing properties using the New or Renovated Building Log to update insurance coverage for these spaces. If your parish or school has recently sold a property or demolished a building, please contact MCC Risk Management and Claims Services Manager, John Greenburg, to remove it from the insurance listing.

REMINDER TO SUBMIT MATERIALS FROM PARISH ANNUAL BOARD MEETINGS TO DIOCESAN OFFICE
Bishop Doerfler directed all parish corporations to submit copies of the minutes from your third annual board meeting(s) and conflict of interest disclosure forms to the diocesan office by Sept. 30, 2025. If you have not yet submitted conflict of interest disclosure forms or minutes from your parish corporate board meeting, please do so at your earliest convenience. These materials may be sent directly to Irene McCauley at the diocesan office.

$5,000 MAXIMUM FOR PARISH/SCHOOL RAFFLES
The IRS requires tax-exempt organizations to withhold 25% of raffle winnings over $5,000 and report this amount on Form W-2G. Parishes and schools are advised to limit raffle winnings to no more than $5,000 to avoid tax liability. Federal reporting requirements apply to cash winnings and noncash prizes whose value exceeds $5,000. If you are interested in holding a small raffle for your parish or school, please visit the State of Michigan charitable gaming website at www.michigan.gov/cg/ for more information.

403(b) RETIREMENT PLAN MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTIONS
Please be aware the maximum contribution per individual is $23,500 unless the employee is age 50 or over. Members over 50 years of age are allowed an additional "catch-up" contribution of $7,500. Since there are still two months left in 2025, it is a good time to evaluate your contributions to your 403(b) plan. Are you maximizing the amount you can contribute? Are you sure you will not exceed the maximum contribution amount by year-end? To review your 403(b) plan contributions, access your Empower account online at participant.empower-retirement.com/participant/#/login.

We are requesting data from parishes that still need third-ask letters from Bishop John Doerfler for the Upper Peninsula Catholic Services Appeal (UPCSA) by Nov. 15. If you have not yet submitted your list, please send an Excel file with the names and mailing addresses of parishioners who should receive these letters to Megan O’Connor, Executive Director of Stewardship and Development, at moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org. The letters will be mailed directly from Bishop John and are expected to arrive to parishioners around Dec. 1. To ensure timely processing, all information must be submitted by Nov. 15, as this is a firm deadline.

GIVING TUESDAY DEC. 2, 2025
Each year, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is celebrated as Giving Tuesday — a global day dedicated to generosity, kindness, and supporting the causes that matter most. It’s a reminder that the holiday season isn’t just about shopping and sales — it’s about giving back and making a difference. While the Diocese of Marquette will not be coordinating a diocesan-wide campaign to celebrate Giving Tuesday this year, we encourage each parish to participate locally in whatever way fits your community best.

Here are a few ideas:

-Invite parishioners to make an extra gift to your parish, school, or local ministry.

-Highlight your parish’s stewardship or service projects that depend on donor support.

-Encourage acts of generosity — whether that’s a financial gift, volunteer time, or prayer.

Giving Tuesday is a wonderful opportunity to share gratitude for all God has given us and to inspire others to live generously. Every gift, big or small, helps strengthen the Church’s mission. 

JOIN CAMINO – A NEW DATA MANAGEMENT PLATFORM FOR PARISHES!
The Diocese of Marquette is excited to welcome Camino, a Catholic-specific data management system designed for parish life. Camino helps parishes track households, record sacraments, and manage giving, communication, and ministries — all in one secure, easy-to-use platform. Recommended by Bishop John and endorsed as the Diocese’s preferred system, Camino will simplify recordkeeping, reduce duplication, and improve accuracy across parishes and diocesan offices. Even better, the Camino team personally assists each parish through the onboarding process to ensure a smooth transition. Learn more and explore pricing: diocesan.com/marquette. If your parish has already joined Camino — thank you for leading the way in this important transition!

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

Get your gift shopping done early this year by purchasing gifts from the Bishop Baraga Association! Take a look through our Gift Guide, online store or shop in person at the Baraga Educational Center and Museum. *Please order early to account for shipping times and dates to ensure your gifts arrive on time! 

Thank you to all who have been participating in the 2025 Pilgrimage of Hope Baraga Challenge! Please remember to mail in your completed passports to the Bishop Baraga Association located at 615 S. Fourth Street, Marquette, MI 49855. Those who have completed this challenge will receive a gift from the Bishop Baraga Association. 

This newsletter will be delivered by email and is completely FREE, no spam ever! If you’re interested in learning more about the beloved Snowshoe Priest and getting more information on historical happenings and updates from us, then this one is for you! Sign up by clicking here.

On Oct. 2, 2025, the first episode of Bishop John Doerfler’s new podcast titled “The Anchor of Hope” was 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.

The show is now available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora and more, as well as theanchorofhope.transistor.fm/.

Want to stay up to date on how your generosity is making a difference across the Diocese of Marquette? Check out the latest issue of Stewardship E-News here: dioceseofmarquette.org/social-media. You’re also invited to subscribe and have future editions sent directly to your inbox: dioceseofmarquette.flocknote.com/Stewardship/notes.
 We respect your privacy and will never share your email outside the organization.
 Stay inspired, stay informed, and join us in growing a culture of faithful stewardship!

The UPCF is a separately incorporated foundation dedicated to growing and sustaining the Catholic faith across the Diocese of Marquette. Through the power of permanent endowments, the Foundation helps ensure the long-term financial stability of our parishes, Catholic schools, and ministries—supporting the Church’s mission today and for generations to come. We’re proud to share that the UPCF now manages 41 investment funds with a combined value of $41.6 million, all working to strengthen Catholic life throughout the Upper Peninsula.

Take a look at the incredible impact of your generosity in our 2024–2025 Annual Report — available here: upcatholicfoundation.org/faqs

Support the Mission Collection on Jan. 10-11, 2026. This collection benefits several outreach ministries of the Universal Church, including the Black & Indian Missions, Catholic Home Missions, the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa, and the Propagation of the Faith Mission. Parish bookkeepers are encouraged to use the Collection Counting Sheet and allocate any unspecified Mission fund donations evenly across these four collections. Once completed, bookkeepers should submit the updated Combined Collection Transmittal Form along with their payment to the Diocese. Please make checks payable to "Diocese of Marquette - Mission Collection."

See below for a description of each mission: 

Black & Indian Missions

The Black and Indian Mission Collection exists to help local African American and Native American diocesan communities throughout the United States spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and respond to real and pressing needs. This collection advances causes important to native and African American Catholics. To learn more, visit blackandindianmission.org.

Catholic Home Missions

"Home Missions” is the name for dioceses and parishes in the United States, including its territories and former territories, which cannot provide basic pastoral services to Catholics without outside help. Basic pastoral services include Mass and sacraments, religious education, and ministry training for priests, deacons, religious sisters, and lay people. For more information, visit usccb.org/committees/catholic-home-missions.

Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa

While the Church in Africa is growing, many still lack access to basic resources and pastoral care. Many suffer due to high rates of poverty and unemployment, illiteracy, and poor education. The Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa supports pastoral projects that foster lasting peace and reconciliation in a continent often marked by division and tension. To learn more about this ministry, visit usccb.org/committees/church-africa.

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith is vital to the missionaries serving in 1,111 dioceses throughout Asia, Africa, parts of Latin America and Europe, and on the Islands of the Pacific. Your generosity makes it possible for local priests, religious, and catechists to reach out to communities, families, and children in desperate need, bringing the light of Christ to the darkest of circumstances covering more than half the globe. For more information, visit onefamilyinmission.org.

Fr. Ryan Ford will lead this year’s Wise Men’s Retreat Dec. 5-7 at Fortune Lake Camp in Crystal Falls.  This is perfect for men desiring spiritual growth, connection with other men, and time for rest, reflection, and prayer.  Cost is $150.  Register online at yoopercatholic.org/retreats.

Young adults are invited to join our Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the feast day Dec. 11-13.  The trip includes carpooling from Iron Mountain, hotel lodging, Mass and prayer and festivities at the Shrine, fun and meals.  Cost is $100.  Visit yoopercatholic.org/guadalupe to register!