Diocesan Communicator - August 2022
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No. 8/2022
Note: Please contact John Fee at 800-562-9745 ext. 129 for questions/problems regarding receipt of the Diocesan Communicator. The Communicator is available on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseofmarquette.org.
Inside
Office of the Bishop
Election Year Guidelines for Catholic Parishes and Organizations
Carmelite Silver Tea September 17-18, 2022
54 Day Novena August 15, 2022, Through October 7, 2022
Department of Evangelizaton & Education
Fall Confirmations
Catechetical Sunday
Communication Services
Priesthood Sunday
Milestone Wedding Celebration
Diocesan Website
Financial Services
Professional Services Available for Hiring Assistance Through Administration & Finance Department
Boiler Inspections Notice
Still Time to Submit Employee Retention Tax Credits
National Church Combined Collection – August 13/14th, 2022
UPCSA Weekend is September 24/25, 2022
2022 Parish Annual Financial Report (PAFR)
2022 Parish Governance Report
Standardized Personnel Policy Change Reminder
Parish & School Secretary/Bookkeeper Workshop
Department of Stewardship & Development
2022 #iGiveCatholic is Nov 29th
Stewardship E-News
Endowment Fund Distributions
Bulletin Announcements
National Church Combined Collection – August 13-14th, 2022
Addenda
Addendum #1 – Milestone Wedding Anniversary Registration Form
Addendum #2 – National Church Collection Bulletin Insert
Addendum #3 - Governance Report 2022
Addendum #4 – 2022 Participating Organization Timeline
Addendum #5 – Sample Dioc Annual Appeal Landing Page
Addendum #6 - Complete August Diocesan Communicator (old-style format)
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES- 08-13-2022 National Church Collection (Administration & Finance)
- 08-14-2022 National Church Collection (Administration & Finance)
- 08-31-2022 Parish Annual Financial Report Deadline (Administration & Finance)
- 09-01-2022 Supplemental Personnel Policy Change Deadline (Administration & Finance)
- 09-30-2022 Parish Governance Report Deadline (Administration & Finance)
- 10-25-2022 Parish & School Secretary/Bookkeeper Workshop (Administration & Finance)
OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
Bishop John F. Doerfler
ELECTION YEAR GUIDELINES FOR CATHOLIC PARISHES AND ORGANIZATIONS
The following are “Dos and Don’ts” to help assist Catholic entities during the election season:
Dos
• Share Catholic Social Teaching and apply these values to legislation, public issues, and ballot issues.
• Advocate for or against a particular ballot proposal.
• Conduct a non-partisan voter registration drive.
• Encourage Catholics to vote after evaluating candidate positions carefully and having developed their conscience.
• Check with the diocesan attorney if there are questions about appropriate activity.
Don’ts
• Only invite selected candidates to address a church-sponsored group.
• Distribute partisan campaign literature or unapproved election material.
• Endorse/oppose candidates and political parties while acting as a representative of the Church.
• Use organizational resources to participate in political activities or provide financial support for candidates, political parties, or PACs.
• Conduct a voter registration slanted toward one candidate or political party.
CARMELITE SILVER TEA, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2022
Each year, the Sisters of the Discalced Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Cross in Iron Mountain, MI, sponsor the Carmelite Silver Tea, Craft and Bake Sale which is scheduled for SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2022. This year, the event will be hosted by two parishes: St. Mary & St. Joseph, Iron Mountain, and Immaculate Conception, Iron Mountain, and the event will take place at the Monastery of the Holy Cross.
The event will include individually packaged beverages and cookies. The Sisters’ bread will be sold, as well as other items from their gift shop. A silent auction, basket raffle, and other raffle prizes will be available. Raffle tickets may be purchased through your parish.
Bishop John highly encourages your support and participation in the event. The Carmelite prayer and contemplate focus on the welfare and fruitfulness of all those engaged in the work of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Bishop John asks for your assistance in helping the Carmelites in carrying on their spiritual mission.
54 DAY NOVENA - AUGUST 15, 2022 THROUGH OCTOBER 7, 2022
The 2022 54-Day Rosary Novena for Our Nation will again be from August 15th Solemnity of the Assumption through October 7th Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. You can find more information on the Rosary Coast to Coast website at: https://rosarycoasttocoast.com A Rosary across the nation will be recited on October 9, 2022, at 3 pm CT. Join thousands of prayer warriors in praying the rosary.
DEPARTMENT OF EVANGELIZATION & EDUCATION
Mark Salisbury
FALL CONFIRMATION REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Registration for the Fall Confirmations are now open. They are scheduled as follows:
- St. Mary Rockland Vicariate
Registration deadline – August 31
- St. Joseph-St. Patrick Vicariate
Registration Deadline – September 16
- Most Holy Name of Jesus Vicariate
Registration Deadline – September 23
Register by going to: https://form.jotform.com/DioceseofMarquette/FallConf2022
If you have any questions regarding Confirmation, contact Denise Foye, [email protected] or 906-227-9130.
CATECHETICAL SUNDAY
This year, the Church will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on September 18, 2022 and the theme is "This is my body given for you"-Luke 22:19. Those who the Community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.
The USCCB offers several resources to assist parishes as they acknowledge their catechists and families in this important ministry in the Church. They can be found at https://www.usccb.org/committees/evangelization-catechesis/catechetical-sunday-2022.
COMMUNICATION SERVICES
John Fee
PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY 2022
Priesthood Sunday is celebrated this year on September 25th. The U.P. Catholic Newspaper plans to publish our Priesthood Sunday issue on September 16th. Please visit: https://form.jotform.com/212204241336138 to place an advertisement of appreciation for your pastor and/or other priests. Contact Deacon Steve directly at 906-863-7460 or [email protected] if you have additional questions. Any requests received after August 26th will appear after Priesthood Sunday. Thank you!
MILESTONE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Couples celebrating their 25th, 30th, 40th, 45th, 50th or above anniversaries, as well as newlyweds are invited along with their families to the annual Milestone Wedding Anniversary Celebration. Golden anniversary couples are additionally invited to submit information and photos for publication in The U.P. Catholic newspaper. The celebration will be at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, beginning with Mass at 3:30 p.m. ET. Please see Addendum #1 for the registration form.
DIOCESAN WEBSITE
The Diocese is moving forward with eCatholic for its new website. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. Please send your feedback to [email protected].
FINANCIAL SERVICES
TIMOTHY THOMAS
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR HIRING ASSISTANCE THROUGH ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Parishes and schools are encouraged to contact the Administration & Finance department for hiring assistance. The diocese uses Stang Decision Systems to help find the right individuals for open positions. The primary cost of the services are paid by the diocese. Parishes/schools would pay for advertising (beyond free sites) and candidate testing. Stang Decision Systems is a world leader in customized hiring and development processes and helps employers select for targeted skills, aptitude, and cultural fit. Those interested in hiring assistance should contact Tim Thomas at [email protected] or (906) 225-1141, ext. 114.
BOILER INSPECTIONS NOTICE
Effective July 1, 2022, all units in the Diocese of Marquette will be using Chubb for boiler inspections vs. Hartford Steam Boiler. Please take note and accommodate if you are contacted by Chubb for your inspection. Do not schedule inspections with Hartford Steam Boiler. For more information concerning boiler and heating equipment inspections, please contact Joel Ingersoll at (414) 477-0661 or [email protected].
STILL TIME TO SUBMIT EMPLOYEE RETENTION TAX CREDITS
If you have not opted into the ERTC automation within Paycor, please stop and read through this message. If you are not sure if you did, please send Brian Locker ([email protected]) at Paycor your Paycor client ID to see if you signed the E-Document and questionnaire needed to start this process.
The enactment of the Employee Retention Tax Credits (ERTC), signed into law by President Trump inside the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allows for Diocese of Marquette to qualify for tax refund money. This is a ONE-TIME tax refund that permanently goes away March 2023. Up to this point, parishes/schools had the opportunity to take advantage this tax credit for all of 2020 and the first 3 quarters of 2021. However less than 50% of our parishes have opted in. The Diocese of Marquette is not a professional tax organization and cannot assume that role on behalf of its parishes/schools. Paycor is a national payroll provider, but it also cannot provide professional tax advice to its clients. However, in recognizing the need for tax expertise, Paycor has built an automation with HIREtech to provide such services.
Given the complexities involved in these various programs, the skillset needed to successfully navigate the process, and the increased scrutiny that comes with receiving Federal funds, parishes and schools cannot afford to get this wrong. The diocese is opting its parishes into taking advantage of this partnership, in order to maximize your ERC refund and to avoid any missteps in working with the various government programs. Should you choose to opt in to this Paycor/HIREtech automation please email Brian Locker ([email protected]) your Paycor client ID. You will need to electronically sign a document as well as complete a 15 questionnaire online.
NATIONAL CHURCH COMBINED COLLECTION - AUGUST 13/14, 2022
All parishes in the Diocese of Marquette will take up the 2022 National Church Collection on August 13/14, 2022. The National Church Collection supports the following outreach ministries to the Universal Church: the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the National Retirement Fund for Religious, and the Catholic University Collection. Parish bookkeepers are advised to divide unspecified National Church fund donations evenly between the three individual collections using the Collection Counting Sheet. Bookkeepers may then complete their Combined Collection Transmittal forms to include with their payment to the Diocese. These collection resources can be found at dioceseofmarquette.org/administrativepolicies. Please make checks out to “Diocese of Marquette-National Church Collection.”
Please see the Bulletin Announcements section for an announcement that can be placed in your parish bulletins to promote this collection. Parishes may also print and use the Addendum #2 - National Church Collection flyer as an optional bulletin insert. Please email [email protected] to request a copy of this flyer in JPG format. We appreciate your attention to this very important matter.
UPCSA WEEKEND IS SEPTEMBER 24/25, 2022
The theme of the 54th U.P. Catholic Services Appeal is “Do This in Memory of Me”. UPCSA materials will be mailed to churches in mid to late August by a company we are working with for materials. Included are tri-fold brochures to be distributed with the pledge cards and authorization cards. You will receive parishioner mailing labels also. Bulletin Inserts (one sheet, folded) should be placed inside the parish bulletins on UPCSA weekend. The “record of pledges” spreadsheet, used to transmit your parish member pledge and payment info to the diocese, will be emailed to your parish by early September. The UPCSA handbook, containing timelines, sample letters, and other useful information you need will be available on our website in September at www.dioceseofmarquette.org/upcsa. UPCSA goals have been emailed to parishes already and will also be on the diocesan website. Contact Wendy Negri at [email protected] or at 1.800.562.9745 ext. 104 with any UPCSA questions.
2022 PARISH ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (PAFR)
PAFR submissions will be due to the Diocese by August 31, 2022 and must include a Statement of Financial Position/Balance Sheet and Statement of Revenue & Expense/Income Statement attachment for each parish submission. Please note that parishes must also submit copies of all endowment financial statements with 2022 PAFRs, as well as recent copies of the minutes from year-end endowment board meetings.
To access Parish Annual Financial Reports, please visit dioceseofmarquette.org/PAFR. Please contact Irene McCauley at [email protected] or at 1-800-562-9745, ext. 135 with questions on PAFR submission requirements or for general form assistance.
2022 PARISH GOVERNANCE REPORT
The Governance Report is due September 30, 2022 and has been included in Addendum #3. To access the updated Parish Governance Report, please visit dioceseofmarquette.org/administrativepolicies or dioceseofmarquette.org/forms. Completed reports or questions should be sent directly to Irene McCauley at [email protected] or at 1-800-562-9745, ext. 135.
STANDARDIZED PERSONNEL POLICY CHANGE REMINDER
All parishes and missions are reminded that changes to the supplemental portion of the Standardized Personnel Policy are due to the Diocese by September 1, 2022. Any parishes planning to make changes to benefits administered by Michigan Catholic Conference (including short-term or long-term disability benefits, as well as health, dental, vision, or life insurance coverage) should also contact MCC by no later than September 1st to ensure that these changes are processed for January 1, 2023. Please call 800-395-5565 to report offering changes to MCC Benefits.
If you are unsure whether your parish submitted changes to its supplementary personnel policies, please contact Irene McCauley to verify that your policy was received and approved. All parishes must submit parish supplemental policy drafts to the Diocese before implementing new policies at their parishes. Once the diocesan staff approve supplemental policies, copies will be returned to the parish for approval by the pastor and parish finance council before taking effect.
Parish bookkeepers are also reminded that all parish employees must also sign policy acknowledgment forms to be recorded in employee personnel files.
PARISH & SCHOOL SECRETARY/BOOKKEEPER WORKSHOP
Mark your calendars - the Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25th from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm and it is being held at St. Peter Cathedral. Registration and details will be sent to all parishes and schools soon. Please contact Jamie Feldhusen, at 906-227-9101, if you have any questions.
DEPARTMENT OF STEWARDSHIP & DEVELOPMENT
Rob Taylor
2022 #IGIVECATHOLIC IS NOVEMBER 29TH
For the 5th consecutive year, we are pleased to offer the gift of a diocese-wide platform for #iGiveCatholic to all parishes, schools, and Catholic ministries at no direct cost to you. The growth of the giving day in our diocese since 2018 is phenomenal – last year we had 306 gifts totaling more than $40,000 which benefited 43 parishes, schools, and ministries. Let our Diocese’s generous donors find you by joining the National Day of Giving. Registration dates and information can be found below:
A welcome email was sent to all parishes, schools, and organizations on August 1st from Ella. If you didn’t receive it, contact Ella at [email protected].- August 15th – All organizations must register Aug 15 – Nov 2 to activate their page. Simple, step-by-step instructions will be emailed on August 15th to all pastors and #iGC admins on file. Enter your bank information right away to get verified to receive donations directly to your bank account.
- August 23rd – Getting Ready for #iGiveCatholic 2022 Webinar – Click here to register
- November 2nd – Registration Closes
- November 9th – Final Steps for #iGiveCatholic 2022 Webinar – Click here to register
- November 29th – #iGiveCatholic 2022
A limited supply of offering envelopes is available for those not wanting to give online – contact Ella if you are interested in receiving a small supply.
Those who plan a specific project and promote it stand a better chance of advancing their cause and receiving donations. Parishes may use #iGiveCatholic to boost their UPCSA response - see Addendum #4 for a sample landing page for a parish fundraising for their diocesan annual appeal. Use the giving day to enhance and expand any current fundraising going on in the parish/school/ministry and take advantage of the wide-spread local and national media coverage on this day. Use the timeline in Addendum #5 to help you stay on task and prepare for Giving Tuesday on November 29th.
STEWARDSHIP E-NEWS
Click here to see the latest issue. invite your parishioners to subscribe, use this link: https://dioceseofmarquette.flocknote.com/Stewardship/notes. We do not share subscriber emails outside of our organization.
ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTIONS
At the end of July 2022, the UP Catholic Foundation distributed over $650,000 from 25 different endowment funds. Does your parish have a fund? Learn more www.upcatholicfoundation.org.
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
NATIONAL CHURCH COMBINED COLLECITON - AUGUST 13/14TH, 2022
This collection combines four special causes that aid the Church in America.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
In the United States, one in eight people lives in poverty. With this collection, you support programs that address the root causes of poverty and provide a sustainable future for those struggling across the country. In addition, 25 percent of funds collection remain in our diocese to fund local anti-poverty projects. Last year local grants were given to the St. Francis Connection Center and Catholic Social Services’ Re-entry and Recover Facility in Escanaba. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this collection and those working on the margins. Learn more at: usccb.org/cchd/collection.
National Retirement Fund for Religious
Like many Americans, religious communities face rising retirement and healthcare costs and often struggle to provide for elderly members. Please support the Retirement Fund for Religious collection at Mass. Learn more at: retiredreligious.org.
Catholic University Collection
Your contributions will strengthen the work of our top scholars. Located in Washington D.C., the University provides an education based in Catholic intellectual tradition. Please support this institution in preparing students to impact the Church, the nation, and the world. Learn more at: collection.catholic.edu.
The Archdiocese of Military Services
Every three years, parishes across the diocese take up collections to support the Archdiocese of Military Services. The AMS provides pastoral care to Catholic men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, enrolled at a U.S. Military Academy, being treated as a patient at any of the 153 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, or who work for the federal government beyond U.S. borders - including those from our own parish and diocese. The AMS does not receive any funding from the government or military, and has no parishes from which to receive a weekly assessment. To support the AMS or learn more, visit: https://www.milarch.org/nationalcollection/.
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