Bishop Robert Deeley calls on Maine Catholics to join in prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land
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.
“I join with Pope Francis in his call for peace in the Holy Land. It is heartbreaking to see the number of casualties increasing daily, to know that thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes and lack basic necessities, and to hear that hundreds of people, including young children, continue to be held hostage,” the bishop said.
Pope Francis has asked Catholics around the world, as well as people of other faiths, to join in a day of prayer and fasting for global peace on the 27th. The pope announced that an hour-long prayer vigil “in the spirit of penance” will be held in St. Peter’s Square at 6 p.m. (noon in Maine) on that day, and he asked that similar services be held in churches around the world. Individuals are also asked to spend time in prayer and to participate in fasting on October 27.
“I am very worried, saddened. I pray and I am close to all those who suffer, the hostages, the injured, the victims and their families,” the pope said following his Angelus address at the Vatican on Sunday, October 22.
Currently, 12 parishes in Maine have services scheduled on Friday, with one planning a service on November 10.
October 27th Services in the Diocese of Portland
Holy Family Parish, Greenville
The Friday daily Mass at Holy Family Church, 145 Pritham Avenue in Greenville, will be moved to 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by an hour of Adoration for Peace.
Holy Spirit Parish, Wells
Eucharistic adoration will be held at St. Mary Church, 236 Eldridge Road in Wells, from 8:30 a.m. until noon. There will then be midday prayer followed by a Rosary for Peace, ending at 1 p.m.
Following the 9:15 a.m. Mass at St. Martha Church, 30 Portland Road in Kennebunk, there will be one hour of eucharistic adoration during which a Rosary for Peace will be prayed.
Parish of the Ascension of the Lord, Kittery
The Parish of the Ascension of the Lord will hold a Holy Hour with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from noon until 1 p.m. at St. Raphael Church, 6 Whipple Road in Kittery.
Parish of the Holy Savior, Rumford
The Parish of the Holy Savior will hold a Holy Hour for Peace in the Holy Land from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday at St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Avenue in Rumford.
Parish of the Precious Blood, Caribou
The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration and prayer from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church, 32 Vaughn Street in Caribou.
Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, Old Town
The 8 a.m. Mass at Holy Family Church, 429 Main Street in Old Town, will be celebrated for “the preservation of peace and justice” and will be followed by eucharistic adoration until 12:30 p.m. in the Queen of Peace Chapel. During adoration, a Litany for Peace will be prayed.
Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Bar Harbor
There will be a Holy Hour for Peace in the Holy Land on Friday, October 27, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Church, 56 Mount Desert Street in Bar Harbor.
Prince of Peace Parish, Lewiston
Prince of Peace Parish will hold a noontime Holy Hour for Peace prayer service at the Rivier Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, 1080 Lisbon Street in Lewiston.
St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, Houlton
St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, 110 Military Street in Houlton, will hold a eucharistic holy hour from noon to 1 p.m. during which the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary will be prayed.
St. Matthew Parish, Limerick
Deacon Paul Lissandrello will lead an hour of Eucharistic Adoration at Noon on Friday at St. Matthew Church, 19 Dora Lane in Limerick.
St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Bangor
Parishioners and community members are invited to gather to pray the Rosary at noon at St. John Church, 207 York Street in Bangor
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Machias
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish will hold Eucharistic Adoration for Peace in the Holy Land on Friday, October 27, from noon to 1 p.m. at Holy Name of Jesus church, 8 Free Street in Machias.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Sanford
Father Wilfred Labbe will lead an hour of Eucharistic Adoration at noon on Friday at Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue in Sanford.
Later Services:
Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, Lincoln
Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish will hold a prayer service for peace at St. Mary of Lourdes Church, 142 Main Street in Lincoln, on Friday, November 10, at 5:30 p.m.
