For centuries, May has been a month in which the Catholic Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. Devotions are traditionally held in a tribute of faith, reverence, and love to our Blessed Mother. In a time of social distancing, young adult Catholics from around Maine are invited to come together virtually on Saturday, May 2, at 2:30 p.m. to pray the rosary and meditate on the Joyful Mysteries. If the gathering is popular enough, it will be a reoccurring event during the month of May and beyond. The event will be held via Zoom, and those interested in participating can email Hannah Gonneville in the diocese’s Office of Lifelong Faith Formation at hannah.gonneville@portlanddiocese.org for the Zoom meeting details and password. For more information, visit the Maine Young Adult Catholics’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/YoungAdultCatholicsMaine.

A Mass, celebrated in Spanish, will be offered at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland on Sunday, May 3, at 8AM. Click here for details.

One of the things I treasure in this time of pandemic is the opportunity to take a daily walk. It is renewing. These days of uncertainty and dislocation have somehow been busier than our normal routines and are taking more out of us. Getting outside, breathing in the fresh air, and observing the beautiful world around us is that much more important now. Whether you live on the coast, in the mountains, in a river town, Down East, or the County, I encourage you to join together with me, while apart, and enjoy the beautiful gift of nature that God has given us, particularly in Maine, a special place unmatched in its natural beauty that flows from the love of God. On this Earth Day, I am reminded that the care of the mystery and glory of nature has been placed in our hands. We show our respect for God by our stewardship of that creation, living our faith through the protection of our environment. May the Lord guide us in maintaining our home for now, and may our concern for the earth always include those who live on it with us.

Fr. Paul Marquis sits in his office at Mercy Hospital, waiting. He often notices how the usually busy corridors outside have grown quiet recently. Strict visitor regulations are in place, and staff schedules have been drastically altered to cover any possibility of a surge during the COVID-19 pandemic. To read the full article click here.

Drive-thru Confessions with Fr. Patrick will be available on Fridays from 11AM-12noon in the parking lot at Notre Dame Church and Saturdays from 3-4PM in the parking lot at St. John Church.

Until we can celebrate Mass again in our churches, Sunday Mass will continue to be live-streamed at 9AM on our parish Facebook page. Also, beginning Mon., Apr. 20, daily Mass will be live-streamed on Mon., Wed., Thurs., and Fri. at 12:15PM. Mass Intentions for the Dead from March 19-April 17 will be celebrated in the order in which they were originally scheduled. Moving forward intentions will be honored as requested. On days when the live-stream is not available, our priests will celebrate Mass privately for the intention listed. To see a list of the Mass Intentions please view our parish bulletin by clicking of the About Our Parish tab above.

In preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday, drive-thru Confessions with Fr. Patrick will be available in the parking lot at St. John Church on Wednesday, April 15 & Friday, April 17 from 3-4PM and Saturday, April 18 from 11AM-12noon.

Easter is a beautiful feast that recalls for us the truth that is the heart of our faith: Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and we, sharing in that resurrection, have been saved and given the gift of hope. I think we all realize we are living in a unique time with a historically challenging crisis in this pandemic. We wonder where this will go and how it will come to an end. Our anxieties are real, but the human spirit is strong, and with the help of God, we will move through this crisis. Signs of the hope that brightens our days are around us. Adaptation and ingenuity, inventiveness and creativity, these are the things I have seen in the dedication of our priests, deacons, teachers, and professionals over this time of crisis. Families decorating their doors with colorful crosses, children hanging a pine branch instead of a palm branch this year, and Catholics throughout our state shopping for and checking in on their elders in a time of fear. And thousands of people praying together virtually. Our connection remains strong. We have been there for each other when we cannot be with each other. These are the bright lights in our diocese during a dark moment in time. On Easter Sunday evening, when Jesus appears to His disciples, His first gift to them is His greeting, “Peace.” The peace He gives us is the assurance that God is with us. And the care that so many people have shown to each other in this crisis truly shows us that Christ’s peace is alive in those who follow Him in our diocese. May you and your loved ones have a blessed, joyful, and safe Easter season!

The Diocese of Portland is encouraging all Catholic churches in Maine that have bells to ring them on Easter Sunday, April 12, at noon. The ringing of the bells is to celebrate Christ’s victory over death and the promise of eternal life as well as offer the community of faithful a shared experience after spending Holy Week apart due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The idea came from a faith-filled woman in Hartford, Maine, who had grown tired of watching traditions being forced to take a year off. “It’s like the children’s cartoon with the Grinch. Even though he took one thing after another away, the townspeople still came together and had Christmas,” said Sybilla Pettengill. “Well, this year, COVID-19 is the Grinch, but we can still have the beauty and joy of Easter.” Each church will decide the length of the bell ringing, and other denominations and churches are encouraged to join the initiative by ringing their bells as well.

A month ago our world as we know it changed. During this time let us reflect on the important things in our lives: love of God, family, friends and community. People have lost jobs, experienced anxiety, perhaps saddened by the death of a loved one, and we practice social distancing. However, we need to keep in touch spiritually and emotionally. If you or someone you know are alone during this pandemic and might need a happy “How are you doing?” phone call, please contact the Parish Office at cmoffice@gwi.net or 872-2281. If you do know of someone to whom we can “reach out” please ask their permission to share their contact information with parish volunteers. We want to respect their personal information. They do not have to be a member of the parish. We are community – all of us!

Fr. Patrick will be available today 9AM-noon and 1PM-6PM for drive-thru Confessions in the parking lot at St. John. Please enter by the school and drive thru next to the grotto.

Although everyone recognizes the significance of palms as a beloved sacramental for the faithful, to ensure the safety of all, the distribution of palms is suspended this year.