On Monday, October 7, 2023, Hamas militants stormed the border area between Gaza and Israel and other Israeli towns in a surprise attack that resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis and the taking of 250 hostages. In the fighting between Israel and Hamas that has ensued since the October 7 attacks, over 40,000 Palestinians have died. Now Israel is engaging with the Iranian backed Hezbollah, a designated terrorist group by the United States and the European Union, in the north with missiles and ground fighting. The escalation of the fighting in the Middle East is dangerous and frightening. In response, last week during the opening of the Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis called for a day of prayer and fasting for peace on Monday, October 7, the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks. As I read and hear about the ongoing and escalating conflict in the Middle East between Israel, Hamas, and now Hezbollah, I often feel quite helpless. Pope Francis gives us the opportunity to do something: pray and fast. Prayer and fasting are two ancient ways that people of faith can be proactive in response to situations and circumstances which are beyond their control. Praying for peace can involve visiting a church, chapel, or shrine. Prayer, of course, can also be done right where we are at. It is helpful to be able to spend time with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Praying in front of the tabernacle or in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed can help us to focus our attention on Jesus before us as we spend the time in prayer. Praying with the Scriptures is also helpful. If we are intentional about praying for peace, the following passages of Scripture may lead our meditation: Matthew, Chapter 5; Luke, Chapter 6; and John, Chapters 14 through 17. Also, it may be helpful to read one of the passion narratives found in the four gospels. Reading and meditating on the Passion of Jesus is a helpful reminder that Jesus, through his cross and resurrection, has conquered sin and death. He is our peace. He has made peace with the Father for us by offering his body on the altar of the cross. Praying with Mary is another option. Mary, in her litany, has been given the title of Queen of Peace. It is always beneficial to include Mary in our prayers. She is a great intercessor. The Rosary is a very proven and beneficial way to guide and lead our prayer as we reflect on the life of Jesus with Mary in meditating on the various mysteries of the Rosary. In addition to prayer, the pope has asked us to fast for peace. Fasting usually involves eating less or being more disciplined about how we eat. Fasting my mean skipping a meal, not eating in between meals, or giving up our favorite snacks for the day. If we are going to consider a fast of bread and water or giving up food entirely for the day, it is important to ensure that our health can tolerate such a fast. Fasting may also include social media, video games, television, or other daily activities of diversion that we engage in on a regular basis. We may choose to fast from one or more of those activities while offering an intention such as peace in the Holy Land for the reason behind the fast. The intention for the fast is important to keep in our hearts as we undertake the fast. Overall, we have the option to participate with our Holy Father Francis and many others throughout the world and actively pray and fast for peace in the Holy Land. In our prayers, let us commend the hearts of those leaders who can actually be the agents of peace. May God move their hearts to end the violence. So many innocent people have suffered and are suffering in Israel, Gaza, and now Lebanon. May the suffering end. May peace reign again in the Middle East. -Bishop James Ruggieri

There will be no Confessions on Fri., Sept. 6 at St. John.

In 2021, Pope Fracis established World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, to be celebrated each year on the fourth Sunday of July. This year we commemorate the day on July 28. I certainly have very fond memories of growing up with my own grandparents in Rhode Island. My grandmother, Mary, besides being one of the kindest people I have met in my life, was a great cook. Long before converting to a vegan diet and being an omnivorous eater, I indulged with delight in my Naunie’s meatballs and homemade pasta. What a treat! My grandfather, John, Mary’s husband, was one of the most intelligent people that I have met. He possessed an incredible ‘practical’ knowledge of many things. Pop could fix almost anything. I remember spending hours in his workshop located in the basement of his house making things out of wood, fixing things with him, and watching him create inventions. I loved spending time with him. It was a joy to spend time with both. My grandparents were big contributors to the person I am today. I can’t imagine my life without them involved in my personal story. So, I am a tremendous fan of grandparents. Unfortunately, this type of fondness and respect for grandparents and the elderly is not universal. “Do not cast me off in my old age” (cf. Ps. 71:9) is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for 2024. The reminders of Pope Francis in his address that in many places throughout the world the elderly are abandoned or deemed a burden are extremely sad. In one paragraph of the address, Pope Francis states, “The Psalm cited above – with its plea not to be abandoned in old age – speaks to a conspiracy surrounding the life of the elderly. This may seem an exaggeration, but not if we consider that the loneliness and abandonment of the elderly is not by chance or inevitable, but the fruit of decisions – political, economic, social and personal decisions – that fail to acknowledge the infinite dignity of each person, “beyond every circumstance, state or situation the person may ever encounter” (Declaration Dignitas Infinita, 1). This happens once we lose sight of the value of each individual and people are then judged in terms of their cost, which is in some cases considered too high to pay. Even worse, often the elderly themselves fall victim to this mindset; they are made to consider themselves a burden and to feel that they should be the first to step aside.” When grandma and grandpa are considered a burden or never have visitors, this is all the “fruit of decisions,” decisions that others are making based on convenience, utility, pragmatism, or egoism. How sad! In keeping with this erroneous belief that the human person’s dignity is relative, then physician-assisted suicide, once legalized, becomes a legitimized way to potentially rid a society of some or many of its elderly. The law will actually justify this! In a January 22, 2015 Wall Street Journal article, “Dr. Death Makes a Comeback,” Dr. Paul McHugh, former psychiatrist-in-chief at Johns Hopkins Hospital, stated, “…with physician-assisted suicide, many people – some not terminally ill, but instead demoralized, depressed and bewildered – die before their time.” (See also, Ryan Anderson’s March 24, 2015, article “Always Care, Never Kill…” Published by The Heritage Foundation). The loneliness, isolation, and solitary existence lived by many elderly are all potential agents of a “demoralized, depressed, and bewildered” existence. When a society says that life is justifiably disposable, then all lives are vulnerable, not just the elderly. The genius of Christianity is that Jesus, by becoming human and redeeming humanity, teaches us that all human life has value and matters. All human beings have an inviolable value from the moment of conception that is not diminished by age, productivity, education, race, economics, or creed. What a bold statement about the dignity of the person. Christianity is refreshingly bold, embodying a boldness that goes beyond politics or public opinion. It’s beautiful! The human person is beautiful! The elderly are beautiful! Thank you, grandparents and elderly! Perhaps, in honor of this special day, we can be intentional and let our grandparents and the elderly in our lives know that we are grateful for them.

Receiving congratulatory hugs and offering blessings, Father Matthew Valles struggled to find the words to describe what it is like to be a newly ordained priest of the Diocese of Portland. “It feels good, so good. I can’t believe it. I am very happy. I am very, very happy,” he said. “Priests have meant a lot to me. I love the priesthood. I love priests, and the fact that I can be one for someone else means a lot.” With more than 600 people in attendance, Deacon Valles was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James Ruggieri on Saturday, June 29, at St. John Church in Bangor. Click here for the full story and photos of the special day.

Corpus Christi Parish is seeking a part-time Catholic Campus Minister to serve the students and faculty at Colby College. The ideal candidate is a dynamic, energetic person who will work to foster the personal and spiritual growth of young adults. For more information, click here.

Click here to view the photos from Corpus Christi Sunday

On Sun., May 19 at 11:30AM we will welcome St. John's Food Pantry to their new location in St. John Hall at 11 St. John St. in Winslow. Come tour the Pantry and have a snack.

The Parish Office will be closed from 10:30AM - Noon on Mon., May 6.

April 21-27 is National Volunteer Week, and every day at Catholic Charities Maine (CCM), we are deeply grateful for the more than 500 volunteers who give 33,000 hours of support to our 20+ programs statewide every year. Their work equates to approximately $1 million in time donated. Click here to read about one shining example of a person’s selfless support.

Because of the storm, the Parish Office will be closed on Thurs., Apr. 4 and there will be no 8AM Mass at St. John. Stay safe!

We congratulate and welcome the newest members of the Catholic Church and Corpus Christi Parish who celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation last weekend at the Easter Vigil Mass: Jennifer Kierstead, Matthew Lane, Dawn Martin, James O’Gorman, Daniel Ouellette, Hope Shorey, and Vanessa Wilson. We want to thank their sponsors and all who have been praying and supporting them on their journey. Special thanks to the Initiation Team who have been sharing faith with the participants throughout the past year.

Due to the ongoing nasty weather, Faith Formation classes at St. John's tomorrow morning are canceled. Stay safe!

There is a 2-hour delay at the Parish office this morning due to the snowy conditions. We will open at 10AM. No 8AM Mass today.

Bishop comments on proposed bill to create new rights for “gender-affirming care” and “reproductive health care” Click here to read the statement.

The Parish Office will open at 10AM today.

The Parish Office will open at 10am today. There is no 8am Mass.

The Parish Office will close at noon today because of the impending storm.