The Diocese of Portland’s Office of Lifelong Faith Formation will partner with William H. Sadlier, Inc., to offer a free webinar for parents, guardians, catechists, and parish leaders.

A free, virtual Advent reflection evening for young adults entitled “Advent at the Intersections” will be held on Friday, December 11, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Major Free and Virtual Retreat Set for September

PORTLAND---The 2019 Maine Catholic Youth Convention ended in dramatic fashion on Sunday morning with a procession through Portland that gave nearly 200 Catholic teens and adult chaperones an opportunity to publicly display their faith.

A private showing of the movie Unplanned has been scheduled for Smitty’s Cinema, located on 1327 Main Street in Sanford, on Tuesday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m.

With a theme of “God Will Provide,” a range of emotions were on display during the conference that was held at the Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks. From witness stories that drew tears to calls to action that brought cheers, the conference was a memorable gathering for speakers, participants, and attendees alike.

Young Catholics from around Maine had two reasons to celebrate on Sunday, February 3: a sixth world championship for the Patriots and a wildly successful “Souper” Bowl of Caring.

WASHINGTON, D.C.---Over 50 high school youths and accompanying adults joined Bishop Robert P. Deeley in participating in the 2019 March for Life on Friday, January 18, in Washington, D.C.

Three hundred thirty women from across the Diocese of Portland and beyond came together to celebrate and be strengthened in their faith at the sixth annual Maine Catholic Women’s Conference, held in Portland on Saturday, April 29.

Nearly 230 teens and adult chaperones traveled to Samoset Resort in Rockport on April 21-23 for a weekend of celebrating the Catholic faith and the gifts that young people bring to the life of the Church.

The Diocese of Portland has launched the Joy of the Family initiative. A specific theme featured in Amoris Laetitia (“The Joy of Love”) will be highlighted each month. Bishop Deeley encourages you, individually and as a parish, to use these resources to help protect, promote, and strengthen marriage and families in our world. To read Bishop Deeley’s column about the initiative that appeared in Harvest, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/from-the-bishop-march-2017.

Leah Darrow has spoken to countless audiences while touring the country as a full-time motivational speaker, but her goal is always the same: teaching an appreciation for the true meaning of beauty, mercy, true love, and God’s design while promoting the virtue of modesty.

-“We’re going to talk about the things that matter, the things that resonate with men, the challenges we face as men today from fatherhood to what’s happening in the world around us,” said Patrick Coffin. “We’re going to talk about it in a frank, adult manner.”

Nearly 200 parish leaders, teachers, volunteers, and representatives of other ministries gathered together to learn from nationally-known presenters and engage with counterparts from other parts of Maine at the 2016 Parish Life Conference in Lewiston on October 1. The conference began with a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Deeley in the ballroom of the Ramada Inn.

A delegation of young people and adults, including Bishop Robert P. Deeley, will travel to Kraków, Poland, to participate in the 2016 World Youth Day festivities. The journey will begin with a special Mass, celebrated by Bishop Deeley, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland on Friday, July 22, before the thirty-five members of the Maine delegation depart for the ten-day trip. Media members are welcome to cover the Mass and send-off at the cathedral on July 22.

Looking to grow in their faith and to learn how to help others do the same, 82 teenagers from across the Diocese of Portland gathered for New Evangelization Week (N.E.W.) on July 6-10 at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in Standish

St. Michael Parish, Augusta St. Michael Youth Ministry will hold soup pots and collect money and food items after all weekend Masses at each of the parish’s six churches (St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Augusta; St. Augustine Church, Augusta; St. Joseph Church, Gardiner; Sacred Heart Church, Hallowell; St. Denis Church, Whitefield; St. Francis Xavier Church, Winthrop) with the proceeds going to local food banks and soup kitchens.

With the theme “Steeped in Mercy, Offered in Love,” the retreat drew 180 teenagers, a significant increase from 2014. Journey is centered on an encounter with Christ, invites young people to respond to Jesus by faithfully serving God and neighbor, and offers a sense of fellowship to those who participate.

To impart the message that evangelization is crucial in all aspects of parish life, the Diocesan Office of Lifelong Faith Formation hosted a special presentation entitled “Discover the Evangelizing Power of Your Parish” on Saturday, January 10, at the Chancery in Portland. Over 80 people, many involved in parish work or ministries, gathered for the event, including individuals who participated via video conferencing from Caribou