After attending the Mass at MTU's Winterfest this year, Megan O'Connor, Executive Director of Stewardship and Development for the diocese and the Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation, shared, "I've never seen the Ice Chapel looking so welcoming and vibrant!"
February 1 marked one year in my role as Executive Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Marquette and the Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation. It also marks two years since I first began my work with the Diocese.
I’m incredibly grateful for the growth, the lessons, and the many unexpected blessings along the way. This role has stretched me professionally and personally in the best ways — from deep dives into feasibility studies and annual appeals, to witnessing firsthand the generosity and faith of our parishioners across the Upper Peninsula.
Along the way, this work has intertwined with my personal life in beautiful ways: welcoming (soon) two godchildren, mixing my gift of singing with stewardship, getting married at work, visiting Notre Dame and the Alamo, and so many moments I never could have planned.
I’m blessed to have mentors (like Terri Gadzinski!!!) who have guided me, colleagues (like John Fee!!) who support this mission, and the opportunity to serve the Church in this way. All for the glory of God.
Many thanks.
Megan O'Connor
Direct line: (906) 379-5057
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org
P.S. Congrats to my husband, Jack Vander Lugt, who won the Red Chili category at the St. Peter Cathedral (Marquette) Chili Cook-off!
Spring Study Day
SPRING STUDY DAY
Monica Ashour, founder of the Theology of the Body Evangelization Team, will present “Teaching the Theology of the Body to Tots, Tweens, and Teens” on Thursday, March 26, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m at St. Peter Cathedral, Marquette. The Chrism Mass begins at 3:30 p.m. Lunch is included. All priests, deacons, religious, parish leaders, catechists, teachers, parents, and lay faithful are invited and encouraged to come to this enriching and educational afternoon. Register at yoopercatholic.org/spring-study-day
Chrism Mass
CHRISM MASS - THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026 AT 3:30 P.M.
This liturgy is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET at St. Peter Cathedral (Marquette) following Spring Study Day! All are welcome to attend.
Megan O'Connor will be cantoring at this Mass. Come see her in action and say "hello!"
Reminders...
Legacy of Faith Grant Applications due April 1, 2026
Catholic Service Award Applications due May 1, 2026
In Celebration of Our Catholic Schools
The Vital Role of Tuition Assistance Funds in UP Catholic Schools
Our UP Catholic schools stand as beacons of holistic development, blending academic rigor with moral and spiritual guidance. Rising costs and tuition often make Catholic schools feel out of reach for many families. This is where tuition assistance funds become indispensable, ensuring that quality faith-based education remains accessible to all, regardless of financial status.
The Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation (UPCF) holds seven endowment funds for tuition assistance. They are supported by donations and diocesan efforts, and often help to bridge the gap between school fees and family budgets. For our UP Catholic schools, which typically receive no public funding, these funds can be a lifeline. They enable enrollment of students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, fostering inclusive environments that reflect the Church's teachings on equality and compassion.
The importance extends beyond affordability. Catholic education emphasizes character formation, instilling values like integrity, service, and empathy. Studies show that students from these schools often outperform peers in civic engagement and ethical decision-making. By funding tuition assistance, supporters invest in a generation equipped to tackle societal challenges with a moral compass.
UPCF Catholic School Endowment Funds:
- Bishop Baraga School Tuition Assistance & Building Fund (Iron Mountain)
- Holy Name Catholic School Tuition Angel Endowment Fund (Escanaba)
- Mose & Leah Theoret Holy Name Catholic School Tuition Assistance Fund (Escanaba)
- St. Francis de Sales School Tuition Assistance Fund (Manistique)
- Mose & Leah Theoret St. Francis de Sales School Tuition Assistance Fund (Manistique)
- St Mary’s Catholic School Todd Hold Memorial Scholarship Fund (Sault Ste. Marie)
- Father Marquette Catholic Academy Tuition Assistance Fund (Marquette)
Megan O’Connor, Executive Director of the UPCF, notes, “Supporting tuition assistance is not just charity. It's a strategic investment in the well-being of the UP Catholic church community. By doing so, we preserve a vital educational tradition that nurtures minds, hearts, and souls.”
To make a gift to these funds, visit https://www.osvhub.com/upcatholicfoundation/giving/funds
Or mail a check to: Diocese of Marquette, Attn. Megan O’Connor, 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855 (Please note the fund you wish to donate to in the memo line.)
You can respond to this email directly (either publicly or privately) by clicking the blue reply button below. We love hearing from you!
Megan O'Connor
Megan O'Connor
Direct line: (906) 379-5057
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org
Email: moconnor@dioceseofmarquette.org
Billy Mullett
Admin. Asst. to Stewardship & Development and U.P. Catholic Foundation, Inc.
Direct line: (906) 227-9156
Direct line: (906) 227-9156