Many schools have pet blessings in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi in early October.

The clustered parishes of St. Peter in Cameron, St. Boniface in Chetek, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Strickland and St. Joseph in Barron have participated in shoebox gift packing for 11 years, sending more than 10,000 boxes, along with messages of God’s love, to children in need.

On Oct. 2, Fr. Patrick McConnell blessed the new St. Francis of Assisi statue in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery in Whittlesey.

The Pontifical College Josephinum seminary in Columbus, Ohio, is pleased to announce that the recipient of its 2021 Jessing Alumnus of the Year Award is Fr. Dennis Mullen, a retired priest of the Diocese of Superior and an alumnus of the Ordination Class of 1970.

From mission trips in Guatemala and Jamaica to countless volunteer roles and a recent profession with a secular Franciscan fraternity, Anita Milbrath lives to serve God and others.

The nomination essay for 2021 Pax Christi Award winner Esther Sykora reads like a litany of virtues: Not concerned about material goods; focused on others, especially the overlooked; lives a modest life with eyes set on the life to come; acts out her faith in service; diligent, modest, reliable and a quiet leader; a role model for all.

The Wounded Warrior lunch was held at the Everett Resort, Eagle River, on Friday, Sept. 24.

Re-grounding Catholic school teachers and religious educators in their disciple-making mission – while offering encouragement in stressful times and an opportunity for spiritual growth – is the aim of the Diocese of Superior’s 2021 Fall Conference.

Understanding the obstacles

On Sept. 19, the St. Joseph/St. Ann Columbarium in Hayward was dedicated and blessed, along with the bronze sculpture.