A screenshot of some of the attendees of the virtual Bishop Ambassador's Zoom event on Oct. 8, 2020.
Dear Friends,
On October 8, 2020, we made history by holding our Bishop Ambassador's Celebration Dinner virtually. And because God gives gifts even during a COVID crisis, all three bishops that nurtured the Legacy of Faith Initiative were able to join us! Can you find all three in the photo above?
The event reminded me of a favorite passage from Hebrews:
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind."
For a recap of the event, please visit our U.P. Catholic Foundation website here.
Keep reading for more good news on thriving during COVID, tax-saving advantages, and ecumenical bell-ringing.
In gratitude,
Terri
Look for the Helpers
Mathijs Dijkstra has blessed us with his talents here in the diocese, first with Totus Tuus and now with UPCSA. Mathijs is creating a video series of how priests and parishioners are helping others during the COVID crisis. Above, is the first video in the series. We challenge you to watch it and not be inspired by your fellow Yooper Catholics!
Yoopers for Seminarians
This fall's Yooper for Seminarians (YFS) newsletter introduces three good men beginning their studies: Mark Kowalewski, Drew Langton, and Mark Beukema. You can get to know them here.
YFS Challenge Update
There has been an amazing response to the Challenge Gift for YFS 2020. We appreciate everyone who has given! Funding our vocations program is hard work and we continue to need your help. To date, we have raised more than $87,000 or 87% of the $100,000 goal! Please help us raise the remaining $13,000 we need to take full advantage of the challenge by the end of the year. You can donate online here, mail a check to YFS, 1004 Harbor Hills Dr., Marquette, MI 49855, or contact me, Terri Gadzinski, at tgadzinski@dioceseofmarquette.org
It's Not Too Early to Think About Your 2020 Taxes
If you are 70½ years old or older, you can take advantage of a simple way to benefit your parish, favorite Catholic school, or ministry, and receive tax benefits in return. You can give any amount up to $100,000 per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity without having to pay income taxes on the money. This popular gift option (many use it to fulfill their UPCSA pledge) is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD for short. Answers to frequently asked questions on this and more can be found at dioceseofmarquette.planmygift.org
Kylie Hoehn (pictured above) was able to become a certified Natural Family Planning (NFP) Practioner thanks in part to grant funding provided by Legacy of Faith.
Legacy of Faith Supports Natural Family Planning Education
Thank you to the generous donors to Legacy of Faith and the U.P. Catholic Foundation that support our Diocesan Church's efforts in Catholic education at all levels. To read more about Kylie, her journey, and NFP, check out the story in The U.P. Catholic here.
Worldwide Ecumenical Bell-Ringing on All Saints Day in Covid Remembrance
In remembrance of those who have died of COVID-19 in the United States and across the world, church bells will toll across the Upper Peninsula on All Saints Day, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 at 1 pm Eastern time, noon Central for five minutes. The ecumenical effort will join Catholic, Episcopal, United Methodist and Evangelical Lutheran churches.
Remember to Vote!
As we approach the November 3rd Election Day, let us be reminded that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a year-long initiative that invites Catholics to model civility, love for neighbor, and respectful dialogue. Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate asks Catholics to pledge civility, clarity, and compassion in their families, communities, and parishes, and call on others to do the same. We invite you to watch fellow Michigan Catholics - including a few Yooper Catholics - take the civility pledge in the video above and to pray the Prayer for Civility below.
Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace: A Prayer for Civility
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where uncivil words prevail, show me how to model love.
Help me remember the God-given dignity of all and invite others to do the same.
Show me how to build bridges and not walls
and see first what unites us rather than how we diverge.
Let me seek to understand before asking to be understood.
Give me a listening heart filled with empathy and compassion.
May I be clear in sharing my own position
and respectful and civil in describing those of others.
Let me never tolerate hateful ideas.
May I invite all to charity and love.
Lord, help me to imitate your compassion and mercy.
Make me an instrument of your peace.
Amen.
Inspired by Nine Rules for Civility from the Catholic Tradition, Bishop Zubik
Public Square Rosary Rally
Members of St. Sebastian Parish in Bessemer, participated in a public square rosary rally on Saturday, October 10, 2020. The rally was lead by Jordy Chiapuzio.
Pictured from L-R: Allison Chiapuzio, Carol Chiapuzio, Jane Chiapuzio, Al Gaiss, Jordy Chiapuzio, Jim Dahlin, Fr. Dominic Agyapong, Angie Mazurek, Carol Miller, Pete Armachardy. Not pictured but participated was Ruth Gaiss.
Pictured from L-R: Allison Chiapuzio, Carol Chiapuzio, Jane Chiapuzio, Al Gaiss, Jordy Chiapuzio, Jim Dahlin, Fr. Dominic Agyapong, Angie Mazurek, Carol Miller, Pete Armachardy. Not pictured but participated was Ruth Gaiss.
December 1, 2020
is #iGiveCatholic Day!
#GivingTuesday, now in its eighth year, unites people worldwide in doing good by giving online to their favorite charities. We are reminded, as Catholics, that Catholic ministries need our gifts as well. So on December 1, 2020, remember to #iGiveCatholic to your favorite Upper Peninsula parishes, Catholic schools, and ministries. You can participate online starting November 16 at https://marquette.igivecatholic.org/
