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DIOCESE OF MARQUETTE
N E W S R E L E A S E
December 1, 2015
Foundation Awards Grants to Foster Catholic Faith
More than $200,000 in grants were recently awarded to Catholic parishes, missions, Catholic schools and Catholic Social Services of the Upper Peninsula, marking the Endowment Foundation of the Diocese of Marquette’s 15th year of grant making.
Bishop John F. Doerfler of the Diocese of Marquette approved the current grant awards following recommendations from the Legacy of Faith grant review team. Reflecting on the Foundation’s 15 years of grant making, Doerfler said, “Every Catholic school, parish and mission in the Upper Peninsula, plus Catholic Social Services of the U.P., has benefitted.”
In accordance with the endowment guidelines, half of the grant funds are available for Catholic schools, 30 percent for parish faith formation, 10 percent for Catholic Social Services of the U.P. and 10 percent for the Catholic Action Fund, a fund to support new and emerging programs and ministries.
Under Bishop Doerfler’s leadership, Foundation grant funding is focused on evangelizing programs and ministries that support his three-fold invitation to the people of the Diocese of Marquette to be a friend of Jesus, make a friend, and introduce your friend to Jesus.
Catholic schools are using their grants for things like tuition assistance and to supplement teacher salaries. Each of the nine diocesan schools received a base grant amount of $11,000 and an additional per pupil amount, for a total school distribution of $120,975.
“These grants are more than just money for schools and faith formation programs, these grants provide life to our local Catholic communities. They allow our youth, adults, Catholics and non-Catholics to come to know the fullness and beauty of the truth. I am grateful for those who have shared their gifts with the Legacy of Faith endowment. As a Catholic school principal it is a true privilege for me to see these fruits growing every day in our children,” said Joe Carlson, principal of Holy Name Catholic School in Escanaba and president of the Foundation board of directors.
The diocesan schools are: Holy Name Catholic School in Escanaba, Bishop Baraga Catholic School in Iron Mountain, All Saints Catholic Academy in Ironwood, Sacred Heart School in L’Anse, St. Francis de Sales School in Manistique, Father Marquette Catholic School in Marquette, St. John Paul II Catholic Academy in Menominee, Holy Spirit School in Norway, and St. Mary School in Sault Ste. Marie.
A variety of faith formation programs were funded at parishes throughout the Upper Peninsula. Some of the more popular grant requests this year were for new state-of-the-art video programs that pair dynamic Catholic speakers with clear and comprehensive explanation. Symbolon is a program that explains the Catholic faith for adults, helping them to know it, live it and articulate it others. Beloved is a program that explores the essential realities of marriage for those preparing to get married or yearning for a richer married life. Chosen is a powerful, life-changing program for teens as they prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
For the fourth year in a row, the Foundation is supporting a summer youth program for K-12th graders called “Totus Tuus.” The program impacts hundreds of youth and adults in dozens of parishes. Led by teams of vibrant college-age missionaries, the program allows groups of parishes to host dynamic one-week programs that keep young people engaged in their faith during the summer months.
Catholic Social Services of the U.P. received a $24,195 grant to help provide counseling assistance to clients who do not have insurance to pay for services or are under-insured. Catholic Social Services offices are located in Marquette, Escanaba and Iron Mountain.
For further information about the Foundation, including a complete list of grants awarded, visit www.LegacyOfFaith.net.
