AUGUSTA---Bishop Robert P. Deeley asked members of the 127^th Maine Legislature to appreciate the "independent streak" of Mainers while recognizing the need to work together during the annual Legislative Breakfast at the Senator Inn on Western Avenue in Augusta on Wednesday morning, March 4 ​(five pictures below).

The breakfast, co-hosted by the bishop and Catholic Charities Maine, aimed to encourage a spirit of cooperation between the Diocese of Portland, Catholic Charities Maine, and the legislature in addressing issues of social justice, poverty, and social service provision in the state.

"We need one another. Early on, we should learn that we share the world with others," said Bishop Deeley to the state senators and representatives in attendance. "We, as Catholics, ground our understanding of community in the teaching of Jesus. Others might have difference foundations, but we should all be able to recognize that we cannot exist on our own."

Through its 26 statewide programs, Catholic Charities Maine improves the lives of over 50,000 Mainers each year by providing innovative, community-based social services. During the breakfast, Steve Letourneau, CEO of Catholic Charities Maine, spoke about Catholic Charities' ongoing commitment to provide the highest quality of programs for the most vulnerable and the most direct support possible to individuals and families in need, offering his gratitude to the legislators for their assistance in maintaining that compassionate care.

"Thank you all for your time, energy, and commitment in serving all people in the state, regardless of faith and affiliation," said Letourneau. "At Catholic Charities, we pride ourselves in doing the same."

Bishop Deeley added that he hoped Wednesday's breakfast would serve as "the beginning of an ongoing conversation" between the legislature and the diocese. The bishop, who just celebrated his first anniversary as the Bishop of the Diocese of Portland, told the gathering that he has traveled over 35,000 miles around the state since his installation, assessing the needs of the diocese. The needs are many, and, the bishop said, require us to see ourselves as part of the human family before they can be met.

"The Gospel of Matthew asks us to see all the children of God as related to us," said Bishop Deeley. "Jesus speaks of us as brothers and sisters. In this powerful Gospel story, he tells us that we will be judged according to the way in which we treat each other and care for the people in our world. Jesus speaks of the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, the prisoner, and the poor person without clothing. All of these are, like us, created with the dignity of the human person, and all are worthy of our care, love, and attention."