Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! For many of us, this Thanksgiving is very different from the celebrations we have come to enjoy throughout our lives.
Through December 21, all are encouraged to check gifts off their Christmas shopping list by visiting the St. Michael School Christmas Fair, being presented virtually due to the pandemic, at https://sites.google.com/smsmaine.org/smschristmasfair.
The annual Catholic Campaign for Human Development Collection will be held at Maine churches this weekend (November 21-22). From this collection, 25% of the proceeds remain in Maine to support local efforts. The remaining 75% is distributed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to larger-scale projects at the national level for which Maine organizations that address the systemic root of poverty can apply.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), including Bishop Robert Deeley, will gather virtually for the 2020 Fall General Assembly on November 16-17. In August, after consultation with the Holy See, the bishops voted to approve the convocation of this year’s November meeting in a virtual format in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PORTLAND---During his homily at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday morning, Bishop Robert Deeley spoke to those in attendance and those participating in the Mass online about the McCarrick Report, released by the Vatican this week, and what it means to Catholics and the Church moving forward.
In accordance with Governor Mills’ guidelines, Catholic churches in Maine will temporarily allow a maximum of 50 persons in attendance for indoor daily and Sunday Masses, no later than Monday, November 16. The Maine CDC reported 204 new cases of COVID-19 on November 9, a new single-day record. Maine’s seven-day average for new cases is now 160.9, a leap from a month ago when it was just 31.9. On November 10, the CDC reported that Maine has the highest virus reproduction rate in the nation.
The encouragement and formation of vocations in the Church is the task of all of us. We cannot depend on others to meet our needs. Families, communities, and parishes must help our young people to hear the call that God gives to serve the Church.
In the coming weeks, St. Michael Parish in Augusta will help local single mothers who have trouble keeping up with the expenses of caring for their children.
PORTLAND---An independent, on-site audit of safe environment procedures has found the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, which includes all 141 churches in Maine, in full compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
EFFECTIVE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13 Catholic churches in Maine will now allow up to 50% capacity or 100 people total (whichever is less) at indoor daily and Sunday Masses.
On Sunday afternoon, seven members of a multi-jurisdictional honor guard marched to the front of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, carefully posting the American and State of Maine flags in their positions before solemnly standing with their backs to the sanctuary.
About 1,500 feet from where he attended St. James School as a young boy, Deacon Alexander R. Boucher will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Robert P. Deeley on Saturday, August 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, located on 178 Elm Street in Biddeford.
As announced in June, Maine Catholic Schools (listed below) will open for in-school learning for the 2020-21 school year with a full day schedule, five days a week. A virtual learning option will also be provided to families not yet comfortable with sending their children for in-school learning.
An open call for help to parents and families of St. Michael School in Augusta produced financial assistance at a difficult time and became the latest proof of how special this school’s community truly is.
“We might well have preferred that the Chrism Mass be held in its proper time of the year. But the truth of the matter is that Jesus is with us today. In Jesus, we see our hope.” ---Bishop Deeley
The Office of Maine Catholic Schools is pleased to announce that schools will be open for in-school learning for the 2020-21 school year. Barring unforeseen developments, classes will be held five days a week with a full day schedule. Both before and after care at the schools will also reopen.
The Maine Catholic Youth Convention, traditionally a weekend gathering of Maine teens from Aroostook County to York County, will move online for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it still promises to be a great event celebrating the faith and gifts that young people bring to the life of the Church.