Welcome to the website of the Diocese of Superior. Our diocese is blessed with many talented and faithful people who carry out the work of God each day. They can be found in the various diocesan, parochial, education, and social service institutions of our diocese.

We pray that this website will enable you to find information and assistance. We invite you to browse around and familiarize yourself with some of the things God is accomplishing in the Church of Superior.
 
Most Reverend Peter Christensen
Bishop of Superior

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Haiti Earthquake

The U.S. Catholic Church Responds 

 Haiti’s Reality

CRS has worked in Haiti for over 50 years. Even before the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake, Haiti was a country in need. The nation is the poorest in the Western Hemisphere with 80 percent of the population falling below the poverty line. Estimates are 150,000 people were killed and 800,000 were left homeless.

Latest News from CRS/Caritas Haiti

"It may look to many in the rest of the world that those in need are not receiving any aid, but actually thousands here in Port-au-Prince are getting help," said Karel Zelenka, the CRS country representative in Haiti. To date, CRS has:

•  Provided food to 74,458 people, and non-food items to 15,692 people, distributing an average of 62 metric tons of food per day.

•  Sent in medical teams that are treating 300 people per day.

•  Supported 2,500 people at Missionaries of Charity centers.
 

The U.S. Catholic Community Responds

Examples of the enormous compassion and generosity of the U.S. Catholic community:

•  CRS has received $26 million in cash donations and commitments.

•  Parishes are reporting extremely generous second collections for Haiti.  Oakland Cathedral in California held a benefit choral concert.

•  Hundreds of Catholic parishes with twinning relationships in Haiti are using social networks to help. St. Brendan’s in Cumming, GA organized a "virtual prayer circle" for Haiti.

•  Catholic universities, such as Notre Dame and Catholic University, responded immediately by setting up special websites. Others held special masses, prayer services and concerts. Seattle University students cancelled a previously planned trip to Haiti and are now raising funds. Basketball teams at Assumption College in Worchester, MA organized a half-time raffle. The Newman Center at Minnesota State University is organizing a benefit Valentine’s Day dinner.

•  Catholic youth and schools are responding with prayers and fundraisers such as dress down days wearing the Haiti colors of red and blue. Some have contributed money in lieu of lunch snacks or are holding Raise Money Right chocolate fundraisers. Many teachers are using a CRS lesson plan to teach about Haiti.

Here in the Diocese of Superior, fund continue to be raised in local parish communities as Bishop Christensen encourages parishes to take up a second collection for the people of Haiti.  This collection will support the efforts of Catholic Relief Services as they respond to immediate emergency needs for such necessities as water, food, shelter and medical care, as well as to the long-term need to rebuild of Haiti.
 
For additional information on the collection contact Mr. Steve Tarnowski, Director of Development or go to www.crs.org or www.usccb.org.
 

 With concerns about flu outbreak
the Diocese of Superior issues some prudent measures to observe

Upcoming Events  

(see diocesan calendar for details)  

 Headline News

Father Philip Heslin, who retired at the end of December after 53 years of ministry, recounts his trip to Alaska during Holy Week and Easter of 2009


To read a full account of his Alaska trip you can download a PDF here.




View this Inspirational Story of How One Man Changed a Town

On this warm summer afternoon, there are no dogs barking, no kids playing, no lawn mowers buzzing. There are no bouncing basketballs from a neighborhood pickup game or yells of laughter from the local pool. There is only silence. Destruction is the only sight on the horizon.

Grace Before Meals: Recipes for Family Life

When is family dinner time in your home?

Eating dinner together has become a lost art for the busy family of today. The reality is, eating together is an effective way to direct your children toward positive activities and behavior, reducing the likelihood that they will get involved with alcohol, tobacco, and/or illegal drugs risk of youth substance abuse and to raise healthier children.

This is the message being promoted nationally by a parish priest in Maryland, Father Patalinghug. The movement he has started is called Grace Before Meals. It first took shape when Fr. Patalinghug began cooking for his parishioners, provided the inspiration for his first book, Grace Before Meals: Recipes for Family Life.

Not just a cookbook, Grace Before Meals is about strengthening relationships, building ties with one another, healing, understanding and love. "Our culture has become too busy. We are too busy to prepare food for each other. We are too busy to spend time together. We are too busy to make this effort for people we love," says Fr. Patalinghug.

His philosophy is actually very simple, and can be found here on his website: http://www.gracebeforemeals.com

• Eat meals with family five days per week (or as many as possible).
• Engage the family in conversation while preparing meals.
• Say Grace before each meal.
• Turn off the TV while eating dinner.
• Introduce interesting topics for the family to discuss at mealtime.
• Tell Friends and Family about the Grace Before Meals Movement.

Stronger families will lead to stronger Church, parishes, schools, and communities. Grace Before Meals was recently featured on an episode of CBS’s Sunday Morning and can be view at this site: http://www.msmary.edu/news-events/newspaper-articles/B-article217cbsfrleo.html
 

Annual Appeal Emphasizes Unity and Service to Others

By Steven P. Tarnowski

Having had the honor of directing the Diocesan Services Appeal (DSA) since it’s inception in 1988, I am amazed as I look back on the many good works accomplished through the generosity of thousands of Catholic faithful over the years. I have continued to be impressed on a daily basis by the tremendous works of our priests and of the many religious and lay persons who do so much to serve the people of our northern diocese.

Our mission diocese has truly been a “union” of over one hundred Catholic communities organized to fulfill Christ’s mission here in Wisconsin’s northern 16 counties. Our gifts build up our local parish, the diocesan community of faith and the Church worldwide. Just as God depends upon the Body of Christ to fulfill Christ's work on earth, so too we depend upon one another to be the Church, a unified community of believers.

Catholic faithful here in the northland have an opportunity to participate in Christ's ministry by sharing their gifts through the DSA. The DSA has been the answer to many of our recent challenges as a growing church in changing times. It is a major source of funding for over thirty vital programs, services and ministries that no single parish could provide on its own.

When you contribute to the DSA you help families, young adults, senior citizens, students and the entire parish. You make it possible for: seminarians, deacons and lay leaders to complete their education - lay leaders to develop their vocation and skills - married couples to strengthen their bonds - parishes to receive assistance in seeking grants for building projects - congregations to experience new vitality in their worship - every Catholic to benefit from lifelong spiritual formation, and so very much more.

As wide-ranging as these ministries are, they all have one thing in common. They touch each of us! Perhaps the most powerful and real testimony shared with me over the years comes from our parish priests. Many have told me that they would not be priests today, in this time when we so desperately need them, if it were not for the support, prayer and contributions to the DSA!

The DSA will be held in most parishes on the weekend of September 19 and 20, 2009. This years theme is “Continuing the Vision” in response to Bishop Christensen’s vision that includes three important initiatives based on: Leadership, Family, and Education. They are key cornerstones of our Catholic faith. Those who share in this vision have an opportunity to help support our Diocese in which every parish is in good health - our priests are not over burdened and are free to care for pastoral needs and administer the sacraments - our families are strong and nourished in the faith, and every child is ensured a quality Gospel inspired Catholic Education.

The annual appeal is a vehicle utilized by virtually every diocese in the country. In our Diocese, each parish has a yearly “fair share” goal based on its normal income. This year’s total goal from 105 parish communities is $1.75 million. Our Diocese has been somewhat unique, however, in that 100% is rebated back to parishes for gifts they receive over the goal. Millions have been sent back to parishes for their own use since the DSA began. Our Diocese is also distinct in that half of the total budget is supported through investment income each year.

Planning for this year’s DSA began last March as budgeting for the fiscal year began. Establishing the current goal involved analyzing account-by-account budgets for each program and ministry that receives DSA funding.

During the first week of September, all registered households in the Diocese of Superior received a pledge envelope and letter from Bishop Christensen asking for their support of the DSA.

There are several new ways to participate that began last year, making use of available technologies as well as saving time and postage. They include credit card gifts, electronic funds transfer, gifts of stock and online giving through the diocesan web-site at www.catholicdos.org.

The electronic funds transfer was a very popular option last year as it has made giving measurably easier for those who make regular gifts, but prefer not receiving monthly reminders in the mail.

I’m proud to say that the Diocese of Superior has always been committed to the highest standards of fiscal responsibility and accountability with procedures in place to direct the disbursement of funds in accordance with donor intent and to ensure that all financial activity is accounted for properly.

As you consider your response to the DSA, think about how you have been touched by the programs, services and ministries of Our Local Church. Authentic disciples of Jesus Christ are intensely identified with their gratefulness and their expressions of love can be found in the Church’s worship and in acts of ministry, charity and justice…all hallmarks of the Diocesan Services Appeal.

Tarnowski is the Diocesan Director of Stewardship and Development



Complementary Copies of "The Man Behind the Miter" Documentary Remain Available on DVD

Copies of documentary filmmaker Tom Livingston's project "The Man Behind the Miter," featuring Bishop Peter Christensn, remain available on DVD at no cost to parishioners.  The production was made possible through funding from The Catholic Communication Campaign and the Catholic Aid Association.  Pro Video Productions Inc. of Duluth, Minn., donated much of their time and talent in its production.

Requests for the "The Man Behind the Miter" can be made by contacting Steve Tarnowski at starnowski@catholicdos.org