Ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James Ruggieri in June, Father Matthew Valles reflects on his journey to the priesthood, his ordination day, and his early ministry as a priest of the Diocese of Portland.
Vocations & Seminarians
Bishop James Ruggieri ordained Deacon Matthew Valles to the priesthood during a Mass celebrated at St. John Church in Bangor. Approximately 600 people attended the ordination Mass.
Tien Hoa Nguyen, Thanh Duc Pham, and Erin Michael Donlon are ordained during a Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.
During a retreat at St. Anthony’s Franciscan Monastery in Kennebunk last week, seminarians of the Diocese of Portland, along with Monsignor Andrew Dubois (diocesan director of the Office of Seminarians), joined in the jubilee celebration of Bishop Robert Deeley.
Father Patrick Machayi, SMA, has been named a parochial vicar of All Saints Parish in Brunswick effective July 5.
Regardless of age, the program promises to provide unforgettable weeks of faith formation and fun.
The Catholic Church will celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests on Friday, June 16. Established by Saint John Paul II in 2002, the celebration occurs annually on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Bishop Robert Deeley and nine priests of the diocese were honored for their years of priestly ministry during the Jubilarian Mass celebrated at Holy Redeemer Church in Bar Harbor.
Sister Judy has been the leader of the Maine sector of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon since 2017, but her time as a Sister began 39 years ago.
Prayers will be offered on Sunday that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord’s call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes.
The assignments take effect immediately.
Bishop Robert Deeley ordained Daniel Mahoney to the permanent diaconate during a Mass celebrated at St. Martha Church in Kennebunk.
Father Michael Adebote, SMA, is now serving as a hospital chaplain in Lewiston.
“We join with others for the unity of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God.”
Seminarian Vinh Nguyen publicly expresses his desire to pursue holy orders during the Rite of Candidacy celebrated by Bishop Robert Deeley.
A special collection will be held during all Masses in Maine churches on Dec. 10-11 to help over 30,000 elderly Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests.
The Mass will be held on Saturday, November 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church in Winthrop. All are welcome.
The diocese welcomes Father Elaiyaraja Thaniyel, HGN, and Father Brittoraj Amalogam, HGN, members of the Heralds of Good News.
Father Simon Assogba, SMA, is now serving at the Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou.
February 28, 2025
Event
All are welcome for Eucharistic Holy Hour with Bishop Ruggieri at Holy Family Church on Old Town. Join us as we pray for young people discerning vocations in our parish and diocese.
March 9, 2025
Event
Fr. John Michalowski, S.J., is the presenter.
We approach our Lenten journey through prayerfully reminding ourselves of God’s love. Strengthened by this we confront the reality of sin and recognize our need for Christ, our Redeemer. The group will share some insights from the week’s prayer. The retreat will help us notice more deeply God’s presence and call to ongoing conversion and integrate daily prayer into our life by praying the Scriptures daily. The prayer exercises follow the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and the work of Fr. Joseph Tetlow, S.J.
The retreat consists of seven in-person group sessions on Sunday evenings from March 2 to April 13 (Palm Sunday). The sessions will begin at 7 PM and last about an hour in the Our Lady of Hope Parish Hall, 492 Ocean Ave. Portland (adjacent to St. Pius X Church)
Please contact the parish office (207) 797-7026 or [email protected] to sign up for the program. There is no fee for this program, but pre-registration is required by Feb 24.
March 16, 2025
Event
Fr. John Michalowski, S.J., is the presenter.
We approach our Lenten journey through prayerfully reminding ourselves of God’s love. Strengthened by this we confront the reality of sin and recognize our need for Christ, our Redeemer. The group will share some insights from the week’s prayer. The retreat will help us notice more deeply God’s presence and call to ongoing conversion and integrate daily prayer into our life by praying the Scriptures daily. The prayer exercises follow the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and the work of Fr. Joseph Tetlow, S.J.
The retreat consists of seven in-person group sessions on Sunday evenings from March 2 to April 13 (Palm Sunday). The sessions will begin at 7 PM and last about an hour in the Our Lady of Hope Parish Hall, 492 Ocean Ave. Portland (adjacent to St. Pius X Church)
Please contact the parish office (207) 797-7026 or [email protected] to sign up for the program. There is no fee for this program, but pre-registration is required by Feb 24.
March 29, 2025
Event
This year’s REV retreat will be held at St. Joseph Church, 531 North Main Street in Brewer, on Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will feature several workshops aimed at helping young adults (high school and older) explore where God might be leading them, whether it is married life, single life, religious life, or the priesthood.
April 6, 2025
Event
Fr. John Michalowski, S.J., is the presenter.
We approach our Lenten journey through prayerfully reminding ourselves of God’s love. Strengthened by this we confront the reality of sin and recognize our need for Christ, our Redeemer. The group will share some insights from the week’s prayer. The retreat will help us notice more deeply God’s presence and call to ongoing conversion and integrate daily prayer into our life by praying the Scriptures daily. The prayer exercises follow the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and the work of Fr. Joseph Tetlow, S.J.
The retreat consists of seven in-person group sessions on Sunday evenings from March 2 to April 13 (Palm Sunday). The sessions will begin at 7 PM and last about an hour in the Our Lady of Hope Parish Hall, 492 Ocean Ave. Portland (adjacent to St. Pius X Church)
Please contact the parish office (207) 797-7026 or [email protected] to sign up for the program. There is no fee for this program, but pre-registration is required by Feb 24.
April 13, 2025
Event
Fr. John Michalowski, S.J., is the presenter.
We approach our Lenten journey through prayerfully reminding ourselves of God’s love. Strengthened by this we confront the reality of sin and recognize our need for Christ, our Redeemer. The group will share some insights from the week’s prayer. The retreat will help us notice more deeply God’s presence and call to ongoing conversion and integrate daily prayer into our life by praying the Scriptures daily. The prayer exercises follow the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and the work of Fr. Joseph Tetlow, S.J.
The retreat consists of seven in-person group sessions on Sunday evenings from March 2 to April 13 (Palm Sunday). The sessions will begin at 7 PM and last about an hour in the Our Lady of Hope Parish Hall, 492 Ocean Ave. Portland (adjacent to St. Pius X Church)
Please contact the parish office (207) 797-7026 or [email protected] to sign up for the program. There is no fee for this program, but pre-registration is required by Feb 24.
June 21, 2025
Event
On Saturday, June 21st at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 307 Congress Street in Portland, the diocese will celebrate the ordinations of Evans Yongyee and Ezekiel Yisi to the transitional diaconate.
