Harvest

Whenever one writes about prayer, one should be cautious. After all, those who presume to speak on prayer had better be ‘pray-ers’ themselves.

In the May issue of Harvest, Father Paul Plante began by stating that “of the Ten Commandments, the last two may be the least well-known and perhaps even taken for granted.

Of the Ten Commandments, the last two may be least well-known and perhaps even taken for granted.

This commandment’s meaning seems obvious: judicial witnesses are not to lie under oath to obtain the condemnation of the innocent.

Growing up, we all knew that stealing was wrong, and we understood exactly what stealing consisted of.

Fratelli tutti: a call for a rebirth of universal fraternity

When we work with engaged couples in marriage preparation, we always ask them, what are your hopes and dreams for your marriage?

The U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA) presents and interprets the Fifth Commandment – Thou shall not kill – in light of the New Covenant, in Christ, through whom all life was created, saved, and sanctified.

I’m a young father, married to my wife, Schara, for five years now and blessed with three beautiful children.

Do you remember the days when the stores were all closed on Sundays or your mom didn’t do laundry on Sundays because she would have to go to confession if she did?

I may be dating myself, but when I think about the Ten Commandments, what comes to mind is an image of Charlton Heston holding two stone tablets in Cecil B. DeMille’s movie The Ten Commandments.

“I, the LORD, am your God…You shall not have other gods besides me” (Exodus 20:2-3). Perhaps this statement brings to mind images of a golden calf or a bronze serpent with hundreds of people bowing down to these idols made of precious metals.

“Geraldine” was the name of one of the most famous and endearing characters developed by the late comedian Flip Wilson.

Cecile Beaulieu has been going to school for 41 years, and that’s not counting her time studying in the classroom.

Choose life. It’s a message that three men have been working to bring to others for decades.

“A little metal crucifix as plain as it can be, but only God in heaven knows how dear it is to me.” So begins a poem penned by a soldier more than 75 years ago

As another liturgical year draws to a close, the Catholic Church focuses on the traditional “four last things” that await all of us on the other side of the grave:  death, judgment, heaven, and hell. 

You know that soon you will likely be among those on the front lines of a global health crisis. There are questions and concerns and not a lot of experience from which to draw since the infectious assailant is one no one has confronted before.

Father Alexander Boucher searches for the right words to describe what it’s like to be serving as a priest of the Diocese of Portland.

Growing up when I did, I never really heard of devotions . However looking back as an adult and as a priest, I realize it is only the word devotion that I do not remember.

Human beings are born with a capacity to recognize signs and symbols. From early on, each of us has had the ability to appreciate something we could call “second meanings” or “stand fors.”

Our call to faithful citizenship

It was a warm April afternoon in Rhode Island; friends and family packed the small church of St. Agatha and watched as we exchanged our vows- the outward sign of our commitment to each other in the bond of marriage.

In the summer of 2015, Pope Francis released his encyclical Laudato Si; a doctrinal call for all humanity to better care for the earth, “our common home.”

Emily Morris of Yarmouth describes herself as a “rookie Catholic,” one who had to wait a little while to officially join the team.

At age 19, Peter Cusack’s resume is already stacked with awards and accomplishments.

“I’m always trying to look and see how God is acting in my life.” Brendan Fedrizzi, an 18-year-old from Waterboro, says he tries to let faith be his guide in all aspects of his life.

A leader who “strives to defend the faith” and brings others along with her on her journey.

Lucy Frenette, a senior at Saint Dominic Academy in Auburn, proudly points out the variety of crops growing in a new garden that has taken over a corner of the school’s campus.

One by one, vehicles pull into the parking lot of St. Anne Church in Gorham on a Saturday in June. They line up in neat rows guided by orange cones and cheerful volunteers.

Holy Orders is the only sacrament that is plural, for indeed it includes bishops, priests, and deacons. I will be reflecting on the priesthood, leaving it to those called to be ordained as bishop or deacon to reflect on their specific “order” in our Church.

Opening our hearts to heal the racial divide

The woman looked up from her hospital bed and in a nervous voice said, “Father, do you know something that I don’t know?”

From drawings on driveways to posters in doorways, students from St. Brigid School in Portland used their creativity to express thanks to those who serve on the frontlines and continue to perform essential jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over these recent months, the coronavirus pandemic has consumed so much of our time and attention.  At this point, even the majority of television commercials mention it in some way.

Alycia Walsh and Luke Cote of Minot were looking forward to celebrating a September wedding at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Scarborough.

Dixie Shaw, the director of Hunger and Relief Services for Catholic Charities Maine, has been working to feed the people of Aroostook County for nearly two decades.

Deacon Rick Huot of Biddeford always begins his workdays the same way, by asking the Lord for His help.

At World Youth Day 2002 in Canada, Venerable Pope John Paul II proclaimed, “We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son.”

Signs of Hope in a Troubling Time

Back in 1992, I was a selfish young adult who had fallen away from my Catholic faith and my relationship with God.

“When there are obstacles, it is not those who give up who succeed but those who are able to pick themselves up and push forward.”

Does it unsettle you when things are quiet – even if other people are around? Do you feel uneasy when you are alone and quiet?

Dr. Claire Morissette Girardin grew up caring for pets. “We had ducks, guinea pigs. I had a rat at one point, turtles,” she says. “We had cats when I was little.”

“It’s just learning their stories, what brings them here.” Mary Hazzard is a Catholic lay chaplain at Maine Medical Center (MMC) in Portland. 

The confirmation season, Easter through Pentecost, is an annual high point of my ministry as bishop. As I think about it, I have never met a bishop – and I have met hundreds – who does not thoroughly enjoy his role as the ordinary minister of confirmation.

Many gathered to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Sister Aurelie Michaud’s profession to the Daughters of Wisdom.

The Gift of the Most Holy Eucharist

As parish catechetical leader, I prepared second graders for the sacraments. The parents of one boy (David) who attended the parish school were not Catholic and never had David baptized.

In preparation for Lent, one of my favorite Scriptures to read is the First Letter of St. John. ­In this letter, the beloved disciple invites us to fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.