National Vocation Awareness Week (November 5–11) reminds us that we all have a role in encouraging vocations in the Church. While it is God who plants the seed of a vocation, he seeks our cooperation in nurturing and nourishing those seeds.

Expressing his deep concern and sorrow for the number of lives lost and destroyed, Bishop Robert Deeley encouraged Catholics across Maine to join Pope Francis and the faithful around the world in participating in a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in the Holy Land on Friday, October 27.

Bishop Robert Deeley has announced parish assignments, effective October 2, for four priests recently arrived from India, as well as a new assignment, effective October 16, for a priest of the Diocese of Portland.

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).

Calling Hours Wednesday, July 5 Noon through 9 p.m. (evening prayer at 5:35 p.m. with Compline at 7:30 p.m.) Saint Anselm Abbey, 100 St. Anselm Drive, Manchester, New Hampshire

It is impossible to quantify the effect the Catholic Appeal has had on the lives of thousands and thousands of Maine people, Catholic and non-Catholic, through the years. The closest you can get is to listen to the ways in which the generosity of donors and a call to help others continue to change the lives of people the givers will never meet.

Bishop Robert Deeley celebrated annual Neophyte Mass, bringing together people from around the diocese who received the initiation sacraments during the Easter season.

Bishop Robert Deeley gathered with priests from across the Diocese of Portland to celebrate the annual jubilarian Mass, recognizing priests celebrating special anniversaries. This year, there are 10 jubilarians, who together have served the Church as priests for nearly 500 years.

All are welcome to learn more about prison ministry in the Diocese of Portland on Friday, June 9, at the annual Catholic prison ministry gathering in the hall of Sacred Heart Church on 7 Summer Street in Hallowell from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A remote option will also be offered.

The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima is May 13, marking the first day in 1917 on which the Blessed Mother appeared to the three shepherd children, Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia, in Fatima in Portugal.

Through song, storytelling, and Scripture, women who gathered for the 10th Maine Catholic Women’s Conference learned how to find and foster life-giving, holy friendships, while gaining understanding of the difference they can make to their lives and the lives of those around them.

Bishop Robert Deeley has announced seven priest assignments and two priest retirements, all effective on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

On May 13, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, commemorating the Blessed Mother's first appearance in Fatima on May 13, 1917, during which she urged the shepherd children to pray the Rosary every day.

For the first time in 83 years, the U.S. will hold a National Eucharistic Congress on July 17-21, 2024. The event aims to draw the Church into a deeper intimacy with Jesus and inspire thousands to be moved to share the Eucharistic love of the Lord “for the life of the world” (John 6:51), and Maine Catholics now have the opportunity to enjoy a discounted rate to participate.

For centuries, the month of May has been dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. During this month, Christians offer up to Mary from their hearts an especially loving homage of prayer and veneration. We turn to Mary in prayer because she helps us to say “yes” to God in our daily lives.

Bishop Robert Deeley has announced three priest assignments, effective immediately

After 45 years as a retreat center, the Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Biddeford will close on June 30, 2023.

Recognizing the power of art to inspire change and the creative energy of youth, Catholic Charities Maine’s Parish Social Ministry program is sponsoring an art activity for teens entitled “Poster Power.”

A memorial Mass for Alphonsa Mary Santhiyagu, the mother of Fr. Arockiasamy Santhiyagu (Fr. Samy), HGN, will be held at Holy Family Church, located on 607 Sabattus Street in Lewiston, on Tuesday, April 18, at 6 p.m. All are welcome.

With every pew of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland filled by a capacity assembly, Bishop Robert Deeley joyfully welcomed priests and deacons, religious, and faithful from around Maine to the annual Chrism Mass, one of the most significant and solemn liturgies of the Catholic Church, held on the Tuesday of Holy Week.