From the Bishop

The truths of our faith, the bishop said. can seem contradictory amid reports regarding incidents of sexual abuse of minors by clerics that occurred decades ago.

Strengthening pastoral councils: An example of synodality at work

A new approach to New Year’s resolutions

Our first steps in the synodal process

Reviving appreciation for the great gift of the Eucharist

Become the evangelizer you were sent to be

Finding a welcoming gift in the Catholic Church

Lent: A time to connect with one another

New synodal process is an opportunity to gather, listen, and reflect

Finding hope in God’s eternal love

Our global responsibility to confront COVID-19

Together, we form the Church.

Care for our common home begins with care for one another

St. Joseph: A man of our times

Should I get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Fratelli tutti: a call for a rebirth of universal fraternity

Our call to faithful citizenship

Opening our hearts to heal the racial divide

Signs of Hope in a Troubling Time

The Gift of the Most Holy Eucharist

A visit to the threshold of the apostles

Celebrating a beautiful house of God

The beautiful season of summer has arrived. It has taken a while, but here we are. I hope it means that you will have a chance to enjoy the beauty of Maine

“O God, who on this day, through your Only Begotten Son, have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity, grant we pray that we who keep the Lord’s Resurrection may, through the renewal brought by your Spirit, rise up in the light of life.”

Easter is a moveable feast.  This year, we celebrate the vigil on April 20. Harvest will arrive just before we enter the holy season of Lent which prepares us for the joy of Easter.

Soon after we begin the new year, we will celebrate the holiday honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, we mark it on January 21.

Our Church is sorely wounded. This summer, a succession of horrible stories confronted us -- difficulties caused by human sin and the failure to deal properly with that sin.

Our calendar year begins on January 1, yet, many feel that the year begins when school opens and summer leisure winds down.

It is finally summer.  We looked forward to the beautiful weather through the winter and the opportunity it affords to enjoy the outdoors.

Our Easter joy continues! During the celebration of the Easter Vigil, I was particularly taken by the first reading as we reflected on God’s word which, on that night, recounts for us the history of our salvation and God’s everlasting care for us. 

On a school visit early in December, the children gave me a preview of their Christmas concert singing for me the carol, “Joy to the World.”

Last January, Pope Francis announced that the next Synod of Bishops would address itself to young people inviting them to think about their vocation to be members of the Church.

Winter can be long in Maine.  Just about everyone eagerly awaits the 4th of July, the summer, and the good weather.  When I first came to Maine, I was told that you don’t leave Maine in summer.

It is finally summer.  Winter has ended at last, and we can enjoy good weather. In the midst of winter, I had the privilege of making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land...

This Harvest arrives in the midst of the joy of Easter. We celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus which the catechism tells us is the “the crowning truth of our faith in Christ” (#638).

With spring in the air, the media turns its attention to weddings. In this regard, I recently came across an article that spoke positively of the marriage workshop the author and his wife were required to take before their Catholic wedding.

With these words, we brought the Jubilee Year of Mercy to a close in our cathedral in Portland on the Feast of Christ the King. 

On September 26, I was privileged to join with hundreds of priests and some 25 bishops at the Basilica Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey, for the funeral Mass for Archbishop Peter Leo Gerety

As you are well aware, we are in the midst of election season. It is hardly necessary to remind you of that fact since the season seems unending.

Just after Easter this year, Pope Francis released one of the more important documents of his pontificate. Called Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love)...

“Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy.”  These are the words that open Pope Francis’ letter announcing the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.

As you receive this issue of Harvest, we are in the Christmas Season. I hope your celebration of these days is full of joy, the spirit of the season.

“Pray for me.  Don’t forget! Pray for me.” These were the final words of Pope Francis as he concluded Mass for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia and brought an end to his incredible visit to our country.

A few weeks ago, I was visiting Philadelphia for the annual Knights of Columbus convention. The meeting brings together the leadership of councils and states from around the world to hear the annual report and elect new leadership...

The blessings of Easter be with you!  It is the season of joy. When Jesus rose from the dead, He opened for each of us the promise of eternal life.

The present issue of Harvest gives us a chance to rejoice in the gift of vocation in our diocese.  We have celebrated the ordination to sacred priesthood of Father Steven Cartwright ...

Fifty years ago, the people of the Church watched the news from Rome regarding the closing sessions of the Second Vatican Council.

As you know, I have only been a bishop a short time, not yet two years.  Happily, therefore, I was grateful for a gift I received at my ordination...

About midway through November, driving along and going through the dials on the car radio looking for some music, I came across a station broadcasting Christmas carols.

During these last months, we have had the privilege of celebrating some special anniversaries and jubilees.  It was a great joy to gather in the spring with those of our priests who have special anniversaries this year.