The Diocese of Portland’s Office of Vocations invites men discerning a possible call to the priesthood to come together for a Christmas Break Day of Prayer & Discernment. The day is an opportunity for discerners to pray together, get to know each other, meet diocesan priests, and spend time with the Lord. This annual Christmas season event will be held on December 30, 2023, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at St. John Church and St. John’s Community Center, 39-43 Pleasant Street in Brunswick. It is intended for men who are over 18 years of age. If you think this event is for you and are interested in attending, please email the Office of Vocations at vocations@portlanddiocese.org by December 27. There is no cost to attend.
The meeting will be held on Sun., Nov. 12 at 9:00AM in St. John Hall not on Nov. 5 as mistakenly noted in the bulletin. This meeting is for the parents of children in grades 1 & 2 and any older students who have not yet celebrated the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
Wednesday’s session will be moved to 7:00PM to accommodate those who wish to attend the 6:00PM Mass for All Saints Day then come to class directly after.
We are deeply saddened by the horrific events of this past week. All Masses will be celebrated as scheduled this weekend so we can come together in prayer for those who are affected by the violence. Ushers will remain at each church door throughout Mass. If you are not comfortable coming out, both the 4:00PM Mass on Saturday and the 9:00AM Mass on Sunday from Notre Dame are streamed here on our Parish Website.
LEWISTON---Wishing to offer his prayers and support to the people of Lewiston-Auburn, Bishop Robert Deeley will join the priests of Prince of Peace Parish for evening prayer and Mass from the Rivier Adoration Chapel in Lewiston on Friday, October 27. Due to the shelter-in-place order that remains in effect, people will not be able to attend the service or Mass in-person but are encouraged to participate online. Evening prayer will begin at 5PM with Mass at 5:30PM. Both can be viewed on the Prince of Peace Parish website by clicking here. Prior to evening prayer and the Mass, Father Daniel Greenleaf will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3PM, and at 9PM, the priests of the parish will lead night prayer from the rectory.
Saying that “war cancels the future,” Pope Francis has asked Catholics around the world, as well as people of other faiths, to join in a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land. “I am very worried, saddened. I pray and I am close to all those who suffer, the hostages, the injured, the victims and their families,” the pope said following his Angelus address at the Vatican on Sunday, October 22. The pope announced that an hourlong prayer vigil “in the spirit of penance” will be held in St. Peter’s Square on Friday, October 27, at 6 p.m. (noon in Maine), and he asked that similar services be held in churches around the world. Individuals are also asked to spend time in prayer and to fast on that day. Bishop Robert Deeley encouraged all the faithful in Maine to participate. The conflict between Israel and Hamas is entering its third week. It is estimated than nearly 6,000 people have been killed with thousands more injured or displaced. Hundreds were also taken hostage by Hamas militants.
Devastating wildfires on the island of Maui have made it the deadliest natural disaster in the history of the state of Hawaii and the deadliest wildfire in the United States in the last century. In addition to the loss of life, thousands of structures were damaged or destroyed, most of them homes. Please join in praying for the people of Maui, and if you would like to make a financial contribution to assist the residents, donations may be made through Catholic Charities Hawai'i or Catholic Charities USA, which pledges that 100% of your gift will be directed to where it is needed most. To learn about how you can contribute, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/maui-wildfire-relief.
Bishop Robert Deeley, surrounded by over 40 priests and deacons, served as the main celebrant for the Memorial Mass remembering Bishop Joseph, who died on July 2 in Manchester, New Hampshire, at the age of 94. To read more click here.
All are welcome to walk in the historic footsteps of Fr. Sebastian Râle on Saturday, August 12. Fr. Râle was pastor of the Abenaki village of Norridgewock for 30 years until 1724 when he was killed by an English militia. The day will begin with adoration and reflections on Fr. Râle’s life at St. Sebastian Church on 175 Main Street in Madison at 9:30AM, and a procession will follow through the site of Fr. Râle’s mission to Fr. Râle’s monument (where he is believed to be buried). For more information, email [email protected].
In response to the National Eucharistic Revival, Fr. Patrick will expose the Blessed Sacrament before our weekday Masses on Thursdays and Fridays. Exposition will begin at 7:15AM on Thursdays at St. John and at 11:30AM on Fridays at Notre Dame. All are invited to spend time before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
All Maine Catholics are invited to participate in a novena for priests and vocations to the priesthood each evening starting on Thursday, July 27, and running through Friday, August 4, the feast day of St. John Vianney (patron saint of parish priests). For more information and the like to the evening prayers, click here.
On Mondays, beginning July. 31, there will no longer be a 12:15PM Mass at Notre Dame. The 12:15PM Mass will be moved to Fridays beginning August. 4. Same time, different day.
We are saddened to announce that this morning, Bishop Joseph Gerry, O.S.B. passed into eternal life on the 75th anniversary of his monastic profession. Bishop Joseph served as the Bishop of Portland from 1988-2004. May the Angels lead him into Paradise and may he rest in peace.
The Diocese of Portland’s Office of the Tribunal will hold a presentation and lead discussion on the annulment process in the Catholic Church. All are welcome at any of the gathering, which will include question and answer periods as well as the opportunity to speak privately to a canonist. Click here for more information.
“The worldwide Synod process that the Church has called us to challenges us to ‘Enlarge the space of your tent’ (Isaiah 54:2), and my tent stakes have just gotten widened big time!” The initial reaction of Sister Judy Donovan, CSJ (pictures below), to her appointment as General Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon is equal parts joy, excitement, and anticipation of the many responsibilities the Winslow resident will face when she assumes the role in August. Sister Judy was elected to the position for a six-year term. “The focus of my ministry will now be our entire congregation which includes over 450 sisters and hundreds of associates and partners in mission in 16 different countries. We are in some of the most conflict and crisis ridden places in the world, so the challenges and opportunities for service are great,” she said. “There are so many things to put in place here in Maine, but it was an awesome thing to go through the discernment process with my sisters and to say ‘yes’ in faith, trusting that God will direct us and be there to support and guide us.” Click here to read the entire article with pictures.
“Mothering takes many unique forms." On Sunday, May 14th, all women ages 18 and over will be offered a free meal at the monthly Knights of Columbus breakfast. It will take place at the Notre Dame parish hall from 8:00 to 10:30. The menu will consist of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, baked beans, crepes, and pierogi dumplings. Prices for adult men will be $6.00 and for children $4.00, with a family maximum of $20.00. Thank you for supporting our Knights of Columbus charities!
Rachel Kilbride and her husband, James, purchased the St. Bridget Church building in 2015, a leap of faith that began with a drive to visit her parents at Webber Pond in Vassalboro. Click here for the full article.