I just love the above photo that Deacon Steve Gretzinger shared of his grandson. While it could capture 2020 for many of us, here's what Deacon Steve said, "I'd like to say our grandson William is praying for all of mankind, but it's more likely he's patiently waiting for the street sweeper to finish with our leaves..." haha! Too cute!

With Thanksgiving upon us, I am focusing on all I have to be grateful for, even in the midst of Covid-19. One way I plan to express my thanks is by giving to my favorite Catholic ministries on #iGiveCatholic Day Dec. 1st. 

116 Upper Peninsula Catholic organizations are participating for the third year in #iGiveCatholic Day. Bishop John Doerfler shares his message for this online day of giving in this letter. 

And I'll let you in on a little secret, advanced giving for #iGiveCatholic has already started. In fact, as of yesterday morning, 69 gifts have already been given to Upper Peninsula Catholic ministries totaling more than $4,300 through #iGiveCatholic. To make your gift of gratitude or search the list of participating organizations, go to marquette.igivecatholic.org

Gratefully,

Holy Name High School in Escanaba will reopen after 50 years beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, offering both in-person and remote learning. High school students, not only in the Escanaba area but across Michigan's Upper Peninsula, will soon have an opportunity to receive a quality, Catholic, classical education. To learn more about the school's reopening, visit The U.P. Catholic newspaper article here. 

Our parish leaders are using social distancing, Zoom meetings, creative videos, live-streaming, and more to continue faith formation during Covid-19. Above are the new confirmands from All Saints (Gladstone) and Holy Family (Flat Rock). Our pastors are certainly wearing many hats these days!

The Legacy of Faith Fund is celebrating 20 years of grantmaking through the vision of three bishops, generous donors, and dedicated staff. Legacy of Faith Advisory Board Chair, Deacon Art Stancher looks back and shares his thoughts in the latest newsletter which you can access here.

Yoopers for Seminarians! 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 $94,000 or 94% of the $100,000 goal! Please help us raise the remaining $6,000 we need to take full advantage of the challenge by the end of the year by giving to Yoopers for Seminarians through #iGiveCatholic here.

Terri Gadzinski put together a virtual Development Roundtable this quarter featuring co-founder and President of #iGiveCatholic, Corey Howat. The diocesan Development Roundtable is an informal network of clergy and laity in the U.P. interested in fundraising and development as ministry. This is a networking, learning, friendship, and fellowship group that meets to share best practices, encourage fundraising grounded in prayer and gratitude, and support one another in our respective roles. To learn more about the Development Roundtable click here and to subscribe to the Development Roundtable email to learn about future events click here. 

The end of the year is a popular time for charitable giving. And this year, many of us have thought about how best to leave a legacy for the next generation  - like Deacon Art Stancher's grandson. If making year-end gifts is on your to-do list in these final months of 2020, visit our Planned Giving website for tax-time tips and more!