NEWS AND EVENTS
ANNUAL MEETING AND MINI-CONVENTION 2011
Thank you to all who
attended our Mini-Convention and Annual Meeting. We had good attendance; however,
there were still a few conferences that were unable to make it. We would like to have 100% attendance at our
next Annual Meeting. Please put these dates on your calendar and plan
on attending. The Mini-Convention will be held on August 4, 2012 with the Annual Meeting and brunch to follow
on August 5, 2012. It is a wonderful learning experience and a chance to meet fellow Vincentians from around
the Upper Peninsula and Florence, WI. Next year we will be holding an election for a new Diocesan Council
of Marquette President. Information on candidates will be available soon. Please click on this link
to pray for leadership in our Council.
FRIENDS OF THE POOR MINI-GRANT WINNERS
Congratulations to the following conferences who submitted grant proposals for the Friends of the Poor grants. Annually, the National Council offers each of the eight regions an opportunity to receive funding to assist people in new and original ways through these competitive grants. Three of the twelve Conferences from the North Central and Southeast Regions approved for funding were from the Diocesan Council of Marquette.
- St. Anthony in Gwinn, MI was awarded $2,000 for transportation cost assistance.
- St. Leonard in Florence, WI was awarded $2,000 for personal care items, transportation assistance and transitional housing for released prison inmates.
- St. Michael in Marquette, MI was awarded $1,800 for guests at Room at the Inn; a rotating homeless shelter in Marquette.
OBITUARIES
Jeanne M. Bray, 57, Escanaba,
entered the gates of Heaven on September 24, 2011. Jeanne was
our Escanaba St. Vincent de Paul store manager. She was a very compassionate person who touched the hearts
of all who met her. Jeanne was involved in several ministries. She was a former CCD catechist, a
member of the Resurrection Singers, Altreya, the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima, and volunteered for various
church-related events and fund-raisers. She is greatly missed.
Irene M. DeShambo, 93, Escanaba, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at St. Francis Hospital. Irene was a member of St. Vincent de Paul for many years.
Gail Nelson, 70, of Ironwood, died Monday, August 9, 2010, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Gail was a dedicated volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in downtown Ironwood.
Loraine Casanova, 89, of Crystal Falls, was called to our Lord on Thursday, August 19, 2010. Loraine was a dedicated member of the St. Vincent de Paul Guaridan Angel Conference for many years.
Burton E. Wommer, 89, of Ishpeming, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 1, 2010 at his home under the loving care of his family and UP Home Health & Hospice. Burt was an active member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and was the former president of the St. John Conference.
Louis 'Louie' R. LeClaire, 85, of Escanaba, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, surrounded by his loving family after a three-year battle with ALS at Bishop Noa Home.
Beveryl A. Bria, 81, of Bessemer, passed away Sunday, October 17, 2010. Bev volunteered for 25 years at the Bessemer St. Vincent de Paul thrift store.
Marjorie Pientkewic, 89, of Vulcan, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 25, 2011. Marjorie was a dedicated volunteer for 23 years at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Norway.
FEAST DAYS
- Blessed Rosalie Rendu - February 7th
- St. Louise De Marillac - March 15th
- Blessed Frederic Ozanam - September 9th
- St. Vincent de Paul - September 27th
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - December 8th
- Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12th