Pope Benedict says... "Go Blog!"

So, I'm getting this new blog up and running for two main reasons.  First of all, it will be linked to the St. Michael Parish website, so it will be a way to communicate with parishioners.  Second of all, for two years running, (2010 & 2009) Pope Benedict has encouraged all the faithful, and particularly priests, to venture forth into this digital portion of "reality" that is all too often given over to smut and secularism.

The founding bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, Bishop Frederic Baraga, boldly ventured into wild and inhospitable lands starting in the 1830's, first as a priest, then as a vicar apostolic, and finally as the first ordinary of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, now the Diocese of Marquette.  Known as the "Snowshoe Priest," he was not afraid to use unfamiliar technology, the snowshoe, to get to places where the Gospel was little known.  Many times he brought the sacraments through the wintry weather on snowshoes.

Bishop Baraga has been an inspiration to me since high school, and in some small way I desire to follow his example of courage and fidelity to the Gospel.  So, "Snowshoe Tracks."  Many new dangers, challenges, and opportunities.... less chance of frostbite!

God Bless,
Fr. Ben

A new blog...

So just getting this up and running. It is the descendant of YooperPilgrims, the blog Fr. Mike and I ran while we were seminarians on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. The title is reference to the founding bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, the Servant of God Frederic Baraga, often known as the "Snowshoe Priest" due to his wide and wintry travels in this diocese in the mid-1800's.

More to come!