News & Events

  • Stewardship Monthly – Holy Name High School, FORMED at parishes, remembering the Church in your will and so much more. Click here to read more about all the exciting news happening around the Diocese of Marquette and stay connected to our Yooper Church. Want…
  • A shot in the arm – By Terri Gadzinski, Executive Director of Stewardship & Development This morning I got my first Covid vaccine! It was a real shot in the arm, but not for the reason I expected. After the nurse told me to relax my…
  • Seminarian Education and Catholic Social Services Benefit from Substantial Bequest Gift – Seminarian education and the work of Catholic Social Services of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan will be substantially and permanently enhanced due to a $1.2 million bequest divided equally between the two. The gift was received by The U.P. Catholic…
  • Catholic Now & Later Giving Initiative – Through times of boom & bust Catholics have rallied together to support the Church of the Upper Peninsula and the ministries that mark us as Catholics. To learn more, watch full 12-min video. Click here for the Now & Later…
  • A Yooper Church Made of Snow – Pictured above: People gather at the St. Albert the Great Ice Chapel on the campus of Michigan Tech University.  A snow chapel up north,  recognizing lifetime dedication and service to the Church, an altar blessing, legacy giving, and so much…
  • Legacy Gift to benefit CCM – NMU Students Now & Later – By Laurie Stupak, President, U.P. Catholic Foundation Like all mothers, Hilda Tamayo-Silva felt nervous and apprehensive when her son, Eryk, informed her that he had found the perfect college which she knew very little about. Eryk assured her that this…
  • Bishop John’s Lenten Message – Pictured Above: Bishop John Doerfler leads Adoration following Holy Thursday services at St. Peter Cathedral in 2017. We are about to enter the holy season of Lent, and I wish to offer a few reflections to open our hearts to…
  • Happy Saint Valentine’s Day! – Pictured Above: NMU student Tony with Samuel, FOCUS missionary, welcome the sunrise atop Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette. Valentine’s Day is a time to be extra intentional with our loving words, actions and prayers. This week we give thanks for our…
  • God Loves a Cheerful Giver! Remembering Rev. Paul Nomellini – Remembering Father Paul Nomellini 1937-2020. Reverend Paul Nomellini 83, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2020. During his years as an active and retired priest in the Diocese of Marquette, he joyfully gave witness to his personal goals for charitable…
  • Hope in the New Year 2021 – FOCUS comes to NMU Catholic Campus Ministry, Holy Name High School Matching Challenge, Seminarian Reflections, Catholic Schools Week and so much more! Click here to read more about how God is making all things new for hopeful Yooper Catholics. Want…
  • Yoopers for Seminarians surpasses 2020 goal – Check out this recent article featuring Yoopers for Seminarians in the January issue of the U.P. Catholic. Despite the difficulties 2020 brought, there has been much encouragement for the sustainability of seminarian education in the Diocese of Marquette. The Yoopers…
  • Campus Ministry at NMU Takes on a New Focus – Catholic Campus Ministry at Northern Michigan University (NMU) was recently chosen to host a team of four missionaries beginning with the winter semester 2021. The Fellowship of Catholic University Students, better known as FOCUS, serves at 180 different locations throughout…
  • B.J. Stupak Memorial Foundation donates $50,000 to Holy Name High School, also offers to match donations up to $50,000 – By Victoria R. LaFave ESCANABA –Students at the soon-to-open Holy Name High School will benefit for years to come because of the generosity of Bart and Laurie Stupak. Holy Name High School (HNHS) is the recipient of a $50,000 donation…
  • Catholic Grants for Parish Faith Formation Available – The Legacy of Faith Advisory Board invites all parishes and Catholic institutions in the Diocese of Marquette to apply for grant funding for faith formation programs taking place during the 2021-22 fiscal year. Faith Formation grants will continue to focus…
  • Oh Come Let Us Adore Him – Stay up to date on what’s happening around the Diocese of Marquette! Click here to read about #iGiveCatholic 2020 contest winners, St. Peter Cathedral renovations, old (new) windows for St. Anne Parish in Chassell, matching challenge grant opportunity for Holy…
  • U.P. Catholic Foundation Publishes 2019-20 Annual Report – The U.P. Catholic Foundation is excited to share our 2019-20 Annual Report. Meet our advisory board, check out recent fund distributions and learn more about our fund beneficiaries! Click here to read the full report. To learn more about the…
  • Giving Thanks in 2020 – Pictured above: Dcn. Steve Gretzinger’s grandson, William. “I’d like to say our 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…” With Thanksgiving upon us, let’s…
  • #iGiveCatholic 2020: Advanced Giving is Now Open! – Did you see #iGiveCatholic featured in the recent issue of the U.P. Catholic Newspaper? Click here to read the full story! December 1st is #GivingTuesday! Visit marquette.igivecatholic.org and support your favorite Catholic parish, school or ministry in the Diocese of Marquette.…
  • Making Things Happen 2020 – The mission of the Legacy of Faith (LOF) is to preserve and foster the Catholic faith in the Upper Peninsula, which is accomplished through endowment building and grantmaking that supports, enhances, and expands the base educational programs and services of…
  • Good News from Around the Diocese of Marquette – Click here to read about some good news on thriving during COVID, the Bishop’s Ambassadors event, Yoopers for Seminarians, tax-saving advantages, and ecumenical bell-ringing. Want to receive monthly updates from Stewardship & Development?  Our vision is to call every Catholic…
  • Bishop’s Ambassador Event October 8, 2020 – Pictured above: A screen shot of some of the people who joined the 2020 virtual Bishop’s Ambassador gathering on October 8, 2020. Like many gatherings in 2020, this year’s Bishop’s Ambassadors event looked a little different. Due to the global…
  • Catholic Service Award Winner Celebrates 100th Birthday! – Pictured above: June Izzo and Father Eric Olson outside the Evergreen Assisted Living Facility. Check out the recent U.P. Catholic Newspaper featuring the 2009 Catholic Service Award Recipient, June Izzo. Happy bleated birthday June! Thank you for your lifelong service…
  • Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship – Now is the time for us to dream of something better.  Click here to read the recent Flocknote message from Bishop John Doerfler. If you would like to receive future emails from Bishop John F. Doerfler, please sign up using…
  • Bishop Baraga Days Goes Virtual! – Join us in congratulating the Bishop Baraga Association (BBA) on hosting a successful virtual Baraga Days! Did you miss the Baraga Days 2020? Recorded sessions and Mass can be accessed here. Looking to make a gift to support the cause?…
  • Fun Fall Photos from Around the Diocese – The cooler weather has certainly arrived, hasn’t it? As fall approaches and brings with it the Upper Peninsula Catholic Service Appeal, I look back on the extraordinary last six months and gratefully count the many ways the Church has accompanied…
  • Keeping Informed During The Covid-19 Pandemic – Pictured above: Communications Director, John Fee filming Mass at St. Peter Cathedral. Extraordinary times call for an extraordinary response from each of us. And communication has been a key part of keeping our faith close as we navigate uncharted waters.…
  • Legacy of Faith in the News! – Check out this recent article in the July issue of the U.P. Catholic. Kylie Hoehn (pictured above) was able to become a certified Natural Family Planning Practioner thanks in part to grant funding provided by Legacy of Faith. To read…
  • I saw God walking across the U.P. – I saw God walking across the Upper Peninsula. When I stopped to ask him why He was here, He replied, “I’m working from home this week.”   I love that joke I read recently on social media because it rings…
  • UPCF Distributes $230,000 to Catholic Schools – Pictured Above: Third and fourth grade classes celebrate Epiphany at Sacred Heart School in L’Anse in this 2019 Pre-COVID file photo. The Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation (UPCF) announces its annual distribution to Catholic schools across the Diocese of Marquette. In…
  • Sisters on the Frontlines – Photo description: This 2019 file photo shows Bishop John Doerfler with some of the sisters serving in the Diocese of Marquette The Diocese of Marquette has received three grants for the “Sisters on the Frontlines” program. The program provides grants…
  • Summer’s Hottest News from Across the Diocese – A new altar was dedicated this past weekend at St. Therese Mission AuTrain by Bishop John Doerfler. Father Michael Ocran, pastor, concelebrated the Mass with Deacons Tom Moseley and Tom Foye assisting. The altar was commissioned by former pastor Father…
  • Asset Rebalancing Keeps UPCF on Target – By Terri Gadzinski, Executive Director & Timothy Thomas, Treasurer The investments of the U.P. Catholic Foundation were rebalanced in early April to increase equity holdings and comply with its asset allocation strategy. The allocation target is 65% equities, 30% fixed…
  • The Church Continues To Flourish Amid Covid-19 – Our Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries continue to reach out during this unparalleled time. The Office of Stewardship & Development shares what’s happening across the Upper Peninsula diocese in this easy-to-read newsletter. To read more about good news happening around…
  • Answering The Call During COVID-19 – Pictured Above: Newly ordained Father Thomas Merkel gives a blessing to his grandfather, Marshall Kesler, as he makes the sign of the cross over his chest. On June 5, a private ordination of Fr. Romeo Cappella, Fr. Thomas Merkel and transitional…
  • Upper Peninsula Catholic Schools Meet the Test – By Mark Salisbury, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Marquette Faith, resiliency, perseverance, hard work, creativity, teamwork, family, and community. These are some of the words that come to mind regarding the extraordinary last three months of the 2019 -2020…
  • Deacons Supported By UPCSA Donations – Pictured Above: On January 10, 2020 Bishop John Doerfler ordained seven men to the “permanent” diaconate at St. Peter Cathedral. Did you know that your donations to the UP Catholic Services Appeal support permanent deacons in our diocese? Terri Gadzinski,…
  • Legacy of Faith Celebrates 20 Years, Announces $275,000 in Grants! – Legacy of Faith has been awarding grants to Catholic parishes, schools and social services since 2002. The latest round of grants approved for 2020-2021 mark the endowment fund’s 20th year of grant making. Terri Gadzinski has been director since the…
  • Summer Catechetical Camps Move Online for 2020 – Pictured Above: 2020 Totus Tuus Missionaries with Vocations Director, Father Ben Hasse. Many summer faith formation programs have been cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 and related restrictions. Regardless of how their camp is delivered, many Catholic summer camps share…
  • Kendra & Miguel Valenzuela: Liturgical Living – Interested in what Liturgical Living might look like? Here’s a short video that U.P. Catholic Foundation Advisory Board member, Kendra, and her family made sharing how easy (and normal!) it can be to incorporate Liturgical Living into your family life.…
  • Re-Opening of Parishes in the Upper Peninsula – By Terri Gadzinski, Director, U.P. Catholic Foundation As we prepare to once again gather joyfully together at our parishes and greet familiar faces, I am hopeful that we will see some new faces too. Many anticipate this time of the…
  • 2020 Chrism Mass – A most unusual Chrism Mass was celebrated at St. Peter Cathedral in 2020 due to the pandemic. See how a few diocesan staff members assisted, in a socially distant manner, to prepare the blessed oils for parishes to use throughout…
  • Take Out Your Cell Phones! – Flocknote Helps U.P. Parishes Stay Connected By Terri Gadzinski, Director, U.P. Catholic Foundation   Imagine for a moment that you are in the “Mass-Zone,” that quiet place of personal prayer on Sunday morning just before Mass begins. Then, your pastor…
  • COVID-19 & the Importance of Connection – By Terri Gadzinski, Director, U.P. Catholic Foundation It’s been one year since I started this monthly e-newsletter with the intent to keep you up-to-date on what is happening in our beautiful Diocese along with a sprinkling of Catholic happenings world-wide.…
  • May 5th is #GivingTuesdayNow – #GivingTuesdayNow is May 5, 2020. It is an opportunity for people around the world to stand together in unity–to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and heal. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, advocating for an issue, sharing a…
  • Ha! I would do well to write down what God is saying to me more often. – My 2020 Lenten Journey by Terri Gadzinski, Executive Director, U.P. Catholic Foundation, Inc. Not surprisingly, my 2020 Lenten journey was like no other. Yes, COVID-19 introduced a whole new set of challenges and opportunities into my Lenten plans, but that…
  • Holy Name Catholic School Meets Challenge, Receives $100,000 – Holy Name Catholic School recently received a $100,000 boost to their capital campaign to re-open a Holy Name Catholic High School. On the heels of a similar challenge in 2018 to Catholic schools in the diocese, the Diocese of Marquette…
  • Mose and Leah Theoret Catholic School Tuition Assistance Endowment: A Legacy of Catholic Faith and Education – The UP Catholic Foundation gratefully announces the establishment of the Mose and Leah Theoret Catholic School Tuition Assistance Endowment. Marie Theoret, daughter of Mose and Leah, created the fund to provide financial support to the Holy Name Catholic School in…
  • St. Mary’s Catholic School Bolstered by Endowment Gift – Pictured Above: Father Sebastian Kavumkal and Deacon Romeo Cappella celebrated the Feast of Saint Blaise by blessing the throats of students at St. Mary Catholic School. St. Mary’s Catholic School (SMCS), in Sault Ste. Marie, received a wonderful Christmas gift…
  • Totus Tuus: A Legacy of Faith Triumph – Pictured Above: The 2019 Totus Tuus Missionaries with Fr. Ben Hasse during their training at Steubenville By: Terri Gadzinski December 2019 I have been the director of Legacy of Faith since its inception in 2000, when Bishop James Garland, then…
  • U.P. Catholic Foundation Has Eye on the Future – Pictured above (left to right): On March 23, 2019, diocesan school principals, Bishop John Doerfler, and members of the U.P. Catholic Foundation met at the diocesan offices in Marquette. Steve Yanni, UPCF Advisory Board member; Father Al Mott, pastor of…