Bishop Ruggieri announces priest assignments in the Diocese of Portland

Bishop James Ruggieri has announced four priest assignments in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.

Reverend Patrick Finn has been appointed chaplain for Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in Standish, effective August 1, 2024. Fr. Finn has served as parochial vicar for Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston since 2020, during which time he served as Catholic chaplain at Bates College. During his first assignment from 2018 to 2020 as parochial vicar for Corpus Christi Parish in Waterville, he celebrated Mass at Colby College. Fr. Finn was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 2018. Prior to his ordination, he served as communications director for the U.S. Bishops’ Black and Indian Mission Office in Washington, D.C., and as director of faith formation at Prince of Peace Parish.

Reverend Divine Fossoh has been appointed parochial vicar for Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston, effective August 1, 2024. Since 2021, Fr. Fossoh has served as parochial vicar for St. Brendan the Navigator Parish in Camden. Prior to coming to the United States, he served in the Diocese of Kumbo as parochial vicar at St. Matthias Mulumba Parish in Ako; parochial vicar at the Immaculate Conception parish in Tobin; pastor at Saint Joseph’s Parish in Ndzevru; chaplain for the Catholic Women’s Association in Tobin; and school chaplain at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception College in Bambui. In addition, he also served as supervisor of the Rural Youth Empowerment Program and assistant coordinator of Social Welfare Department (CARITAS – Kumbo). Fr. Divine participated in the implementation of programs assisting victims affected by the Cameroonian Civil War. Fr. Fossoh was ordained to the priesthood on April 30, 2014.

Reverend Javis Laban has been appointed parochial vicar for St. Brendan the Navigator Parish in Camden, effective August 1, 2024. Prior to coming to the United States from Cameroon, Fr. Laban served in several roles in the Diocese of Kumbo, including as principal and chaplain of St. John Bosco’s Catholic Comprehensive College Ngarum, as well as a parochial vicar for Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Ngarum. He was previously parochial vicar for Holy Family Parish, Tabenken, and served as a youth chaplain. Fr. Laban was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Kumbo on July 3, 2020.

Reverend Matthew Valles has been appointed parochial vicar for St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Bangor, effective July 1, 2024. This is his first parish assignment since his ordination to the priesthood on June 29, 2024, at St. John Church in Bangor.