The Diocese of Portland will continue to accompany any woman, regardless of faith, who is experiencing difficulties in pregnancy through our various Catholic agencies in Maine, including pregnancy help centers and parish-based initiatives like Walking with Moms in Need.
National Marriage Week and World Marriage Day are opportunities to remind ourselves of the importance of promoting a culture of love that is rooted in a foundation of marriage and family.
On January 16, the nation will pause to honor the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an important motivator of the civil rights movement who did not ask for a confrontation with hatred but faced this ugly reality with hope and the dream of better days.
For centuries, in times of peace and tension, prosperity and struggle, Americans have paused on Thanksgiving to spend time with loved ones and offer gratitude for the blessings of God.
National Vocation Awareness Week (November 7-13) reminds us that the encouragement and formation of vocations in the Church is a responsibility of all of us.
The month of October brings with it our annual observance of Respect Life Month as we celebrate the value of each human life and commit to helping others grow in appreciation of the treasure that is God’s gift of life.
This Sunday (September 12) marks National Grandparents Day, established in our country as a way in which to educate our youth about the important contributions that grandparents have made throughout history.
National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 3-7) is a time in which we lift up with thanks the talents, the selflessness, and the dedication of our teachers.
April 25 is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations when the Church prays for vocations to ordained ministries, consecrated life in all its forms, secular institutes, and missionary life.
March 19 annually marks the Solemnity of St. Joseph, a commemoration that holds additional significance this year in the Year of St. Joseph, declared by the Holy Father.
As I stated in December in regards to COVID-19 vaccines, we must thank God for the scientific advancement and dedication of those in the medical field that have led to these lifesaving vaccines during a global pandemic.
Governor Janet Mills’ new executive order promising expanded gathering limits at Maine’s Catholic churches is not helpful to Maine Catholics who have diligently followed each of the protocols put in place regarding religious gatherings since the start of the pandemic.
Each year since 1992, when Pope St. John Paul II began its observance, the Church has set aside the day of February 11, the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, as a special day of prayer for the sick.
In recent weeks, the positive developments in the production of COVID-19 vaccines have stirred excitement but also hesitance in some quarters regarding the safety of the vaccines.
On this Veterans Day, we remember gratefully the many who have served our country and defended the freedoms we enjoy, including, of course, the right to vote in free elections.