Fund-A-Need

The Diocese of Marquette announced its Fund-A-Need program, taking place until December 3, 2024, in conjunction with Giving Tuesday. The Fund-A-Need initiative allows parishioners to put their faith into action by supporting causes that benefit Catholics all across our beautiful diocese.

Giving Tuesday, which occurs annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, starkly contrasts its counterparts, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Instead of shopping, participants are encouraged to ‘do good’ and generously support programs that contribute to building a better world.

Gifts to each of the programs can be made online on the diocesan website. The donations are tracked, and everyone can see the progress toward the goals on the site in real-time. Donors do not have to wait until Giving Tuesday to take part—early giving is already underway!
 
To learn more about each of the projects and to give now, click here.

The Fund-A-Need projects identified by the Diocese include:

Priest Health Navigator
Campaign Goal: $1,800
Fund the priest health navigator to keep our beloved priests healthy and strong! Priest health navigators help priests navigate the healthcare system, including scheduling appointments, managing referrals, and coordinating with various healthcare providers. They help priests navigate the healthcare system, including scheduling appointments, managing referrals, and coordinating with various healthcare providers. $150 per month, $1,800 annually.

One-day Confirmation Retreat
Campaign Goal: $2,500
Students will join college-age missionaries from Spiritus Ministries for an inspiring one-day retreat to connect with Jesus and others who are preparing for Confirmation. The cost is $50 per student, or sponsor the retreat for $2,500.

New Textbooks for Catholic Schools
Campaign Goal: $12,500
All Catholic schools in the UP are transitioning to using Spirit in Truth by Sophia Press as their primary religious text. To support this change, The Offices of Evangelization and Catechesis and Education have developed and provided curriculum guides for all teachers. This update aims to foster a deeper relationship between students and Jesus Christ, helping them to not only understand but also to live out their faith in meaningful, practical ways. The cost for each school is $2,500, totaling $12,500 to cover all schools.

Youth Encounter Weekends
This retreat will be held twice and is open to high school students and is held each Fall and Spring from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. It's led by a team of high school students who give talks, facilitate group discussions, and lead Scripture meditations and music. A team of adults and priests forms and supports the student team. The weekend moves through three faces: prepare for, receive, and respond to an encounter with Jesus Christ. Students grow in relationship with God and peers as they open their hearts to Christ and others and experience Jesus in his Word and the Sacraments. They're invited to ongoing community through monthly Follow-Ups and are encouraged to keep meeting with their table members periodically for sharing and prayer. $150 per student.

Theology of the Body Learning Materials
Campaign Goal: $9,000
Theology of the Body is currently taught in various ways across our schools, but we are eager for all schools to adopt the Ruah Woods Theology of the Body Program. This comprehensive K-8 program effectively teaches our students about being made in the image and likeness of God. In today’s society, it is crucial for students to feel confident in their identity and understand the unique purpose God has for them. Adopting this program will help reinforce these important lessons and provide a consistent, enriching experience for all our students.

Evangelization Training
Campaign Goal: $8,000
Fr. Ryan Ford will conduct Parish Evangelization Training using a focused approach, beginning with three parishes at a time. At each parish, he will guide a group of 6-12 individuals through a 12-week training program. During this process, he will identify and discern three potential parish leaders to assist with future training groups. These leaders will be coached to take over the training process and support participants as they embark on their personal apostolates.

Priest Appreciation Dinner
Campaign Goal: $1,500
The Annual Priest Appreciation Mass and Dinner is a cherished event dedicated to honoring and celebrating our priests. The evening begins with an opportunity for confessions, followed by a heartfelt Mass celebrated by Bishop John. The highlight of the evening is a special dinner where Jubilarians and senior priests are honored for their years of dedicated service. Your donation will make this event truly memorable as we show appreciation and support for these dedicated individuals.

Sponsor a Deacon Candidate
Campaign Goal: $62,250
Your support plays a crucial role in the formation and development of future deacons. By sponsoring a deacon candidate, you are supporting our faith's future! It costs $2,175 to support one candidate for a year, totaling $13,050 annually for all six candidates. Over the course of five years, the total sponsorship needed for these six candidates amounts to $62,250. Your generosity ensures the continued growth and strength of our Catholic community.

Youth Encounter Weekend: Going Deeper
Campaign Goal: $7,500
This annual retreat is open to high school students who have already been to the Youth Encounter weekend. A team of young adults give talks, lead discussions, and witness to a maturing faith in Christ and call to follow Him. Topics rotate through a three-year cycle: Going Deeper in prayer, Going Deeper in the Theology of the Body, and Going Deeper in sharing your faith with peers. Cost is $150 per student.

Video Evangelization Camera System Upgrade
Campaign Goal: $1,050
Video recording is essential for modern communication, and Diocesan Communications is looking to upgrade its aging (8-year-old) large video camera to something more reliable. The proposed new setup will be:
• Lightweight and portable for easy field use
• User-friendly with minimal training required
• Ideal for capturing events in the field and for office training, updates, and evangelization
• Capable of delivering high-quality recordings at a reasonable cost
Cost breakdown for the new equipment:
• The capture it all, a Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera: $748.00
• To capture the sounds, a Sony ECM-G1 Ultracompact Camera-Mount Vlogger Shotgun Microphone: $108.00
• To fuel the camera, an IndiPRO Tools AC Power Supply with Sony NP-BX1-Type Dummy Battery (8'): $49.99
• To keep the camera safe, a Sony GP-VPT2BT Wireless Shooting Grip: $138.00