Through the commitment and gifts of parishioners, the St. Monica Chapel in Augusta has been renovated and reborn as an adoration chapel. Bishop James Ruggieri joined with parishioners on Thursday, June 4, to celebrate the accomplishment and to bless the renovated chapel.

The Diocese of Portland has appointed Allison Eilers as the first headmaster of Frassati Classical Catholic High School in Brewer, which will open in September 2026. Eilers brings extensive experience in founding, managing, and advancing classical and faith-based schools, and will officially assume the role on July 1, 2026.

Welcome back to the Auspice Maria podcast. I'm Bishop James Rugiri of the Diocese of Portland in Maine. And we are continuing with our series on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We've moved now into the second part of the Catechism about worship, liturgy, sacraments.

Dr. Joseph McCleary, an experienced educational leader with more than 30 years of work in school administration, curriculum development, and community engagement, has been named the inaugural headmaster of Seton Classical Catholic High School in Brunswick, effective July 1, 2026. He will also serve as headmaster of Saint Dominic Academy, the diocese’s pre-K to grade 8 Catholic school in Auburn.

His Excellency Bishop James T. Ruggieri has announced the following new priest assignments, effective June 1, 2026.

Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, shared his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. It certainly addresses a timely topic—that of Artificial Intelligence (AI)—but, more importantly, the timelessness of Church teaching on human dignity.

Welcome back to the Auspice Maria podcast. I'm James Ruggieri of the Diocese of Portland. And as we continue our podcast, we're moving now into a new part of the catechism of the Catholic Church.

It was a day of rejoicing for two dioceses on Saturday, May 23, as two priests were ordained at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. Father Ezekiel B. Yisi and Father Evans B. Yongyee, both originally from Cameroon, were ordained by Bishop George Nkuo, Bishop of Kumbo, in the presence of Bishop James Ruggieri.

Michael Brough, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in pastoral planning, leadership development, evangelization, and church management, has been appointed director of pastoral planning, parish vitality, and mission integration for the Diocese of Portland, effective June 30, 2026.

On the eve of the ordination of Deacon Ezekiel Yisi and Deacon Evans Yongyee to the priesthood, the faithful gathered in the chapel of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland to pray for the two young men and to pray for vocations to the priesthood.

Welcome to the Auspice Maria podcast. I'm Bishop James Ruggeri of the Diocese of Portland in Maine, and today we resume our series on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, talking about these articles of the Creed, or these points of the Creed: the resurrection of the body, life everlasting, and the word Amen, which really brings us to a beautiful conclusion to the first part of the Catechism, which has expounded on the articles of the Creed.

Over 40 teens and young adults gathered at St. Joseph's Church in Brewer for the annual REV (Revitalization of the Eucharist and Vocations) Retreat on Saturday. The theme for this retreat was "Let it be Done to Me According to Your Word," in honor of our Blessed Mother's radical acceptance of God's plan.

Welcome back to the Auspice Maria podcast. I'm Bishop James Ruggieri of the Diocese of Portland in Maine. And today we continue with our series on the Catechism, touching upon these points in the Creed, the communion of saints, and the forgiveness of sins.

His Excellency Bishop James T. Ruggieri has announced the following new priest assignments, effective July 1, 2026.

Well, welcome back to the Auspice Maria podcast. I'm Bishop James Ruggieri of the Diocese of Portland in Maine, and we continue our series on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We are talking today about paragraphs 871 to 945, focusing on this topic of "Christ's faithful." We've been talking about the church, the mystery of the church, the people of God, the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit. We talked also about the four marks of the church.

Welcome back to the Auspice Maria podcast. I'm Bishop James Ruggieri of the Diocese of Portland in Maine.

A second-grade teacher at St. Michael School in Augusta has been honored as the Maine Catholic School Teacher of the Year.

Bishop James Ruggieri presided at the annual Neophyte Mass on Sunday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Saying that Jesus sends us into the world not as prisoners of fear or division but as peacemakers, Bishop James Ruggieri presided over a Holy Hour of Peace and Reconciliation on April 24 in the chapel of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.

How are Catholic Charities agencies around the United States and here in Maine providing hope to our neighbors in need?