GAYLORD -- Gaylord Bishop Jeffrey J. Walsh has been named the Baraga Man of the Year by the Advisory Board of the Bishop Baraga Association.
The award is given to those who help share the story of Bishop Frederic Baraga who was the first Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette.
The Association noted Walsh’s time visiting the Baraga Chapel and Education center in Marquette, his hosting of Baraga Days in Gaylord in 2024 and his first Christmas in Gaylord where he snowshoed to Mass, a nod to Baraga who became known as the ‘Snowshoe Priest.’
“It’s been an honor, you know, to receive that award, and I was not expected at all. I’ve been really enamored with, the story of Bishop Baraga since I arrived here in Michigan. And, the last year when they had Baraga days, we hosted it here in Gaylord. And, and when I found out that they were going to be doing it again up in Houghton, I knew I hadn’t seen that part of Michigan where Baraga had spent a lot of time. And I thought, well, that’s my golden opportunity,’ said Walsh.
Bishop Walsh says he’s thrilled the award helps bring attention to one of the most well known Michigan Bishops.
“It basically means to me another format that I would be able to, you know, advance his cause by talking about him, you know, and drawing attention to him. And really, by virtue of that, draw attention to, you know, the broader experience of missionary activity and the work of the church and how Christ is present,” said Walsh.
Bishop Baraga is currently considered ‘venerable’ which means the Church is reviewing his cause for Sainthood. Bishop Walsh says Baraga’s life and story have valuable lessons for both believers and non-believers.
“I’m certainly always encouraging others to, advance his cause. There’s certainly a lot of stuff that’s there for, you know, the practice of heroic virtue. That’s what every saint is an example of for us. But they’re the ones who show us that it’s really through daily activities. No saint would ever be the one raising their hand saying, hey, look at me, I’m a saint. It’s usually just the grind. And then in hindsight, when you realize all of the commitment and sacrifices that were made and you see that heroic virtue rise to a different level, and, then you ponder that for yourself and you say to, what am I doing? Am I just taking the easy way or the most comfortable way? And there’s always a danger for that. But Baraga and all the all the great saints challenge us. So I think that’s what the message would be, for the diocese and for, any way that this award would get any publicity would be to say, you know, let’s all rise to the level of the call to holiness that God would ask of us and continue to pray about it and let the saints inspire us to achieve it,” reflected Walsh.
You can learn more about Bishop Baraga and the Baraga Association by clicking here.