News - May 2025 RSS Feed

As the Diocese of Portland prepares to celebrate the ordination of three young men to the priesthood, the faithful gathered at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland on the evening of Friday, May 30, to pray for vocations in the diocese and for the soon-to-be-ordained, Deacon Erin Donlon, Deacon Hoa Tien Nguyen, and Deacon Thanh Duc Pham.

Seventh and eighth grade students from St. John’s Catholic School in Brunswick, Maine, recently sent their science experiments into microgravity aboard a Zero-G flight—thanks to their teacher, Karin Paquin, and the Space for Teachers program supported by the ISS National Laboratory and the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium.

“We want to be transformed by our minds, not be conformed to the world.” That was the message of keynote speaker Amber Ezeani at the 12th Maine Catholic Women’s Conference held Saturday, May 17, at the St. John’s Community Center in Brunswick.

His Excellency Bishop James T. Ruggieri has announced new priest assignments for July 1, 2025. Reverend Simon Assogba, SMA has been appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in St. Agatha and Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish in Madawaska. Reverend Edward Clifford has been appointed pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Wells. Reverend Joseph Jum has been appointed parochial vicar of the Parish of the Holy Eucharist in Falmouth. Reverend Peter Kaseta, OFM, Cap. has been appointed senior priest for the Parish of the Holy Eucharist in Falmouth. Reverend Anthony Korir, SMA has been appointed pastor of St. Peter Chanel Parish in Van Buren. Reverend Paul Marquis has been appointed as part-time parochial vicar for the Portland Peninsula and Island Parishes. Reverend Sahaya Remgius, SAC has been appointed as pastor in solidum (shared administration with Reverend Anthony Korir, SMA and Rev. Thomas Andrews John Xavier, SAC) for the Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou. Reverend Luc Tougouma, SMA has been appointed parochial vicar of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in St. Agatha and Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish in Madawaska. Reverend Thomas Andrews John Xavier, SAC has been appointed as pastor in solidum (shared administration with Reverend Anthony Korir, SMA and Reverend Sahaya Remgius, SAC) for the Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou

Asking the faithful to unite their prayers around the Eucharist for Pope Leo XIV, Bishop James Ruggieri celebrated a Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland in honor of the newly elected Holy Father. “May God give him strength, resilience, always a joyful heart, and the wisdom and understanding that he needs to lead us, the flock, forward in faith,” Bishop Ruggieri said during the Mass, which was celebrated on Wednesday, May 15.

This morning, the following letter was sent to St. Dominic Academy families. The diocese has remained consistent in its position that operating the high school is unsustainable due to current enrollment and financial challenges and future trends. We believe the framework provided to the independent board represented the only way to successfully run the high school in 2025-2026 and ensure continuity for students and staff. The criteria for the framework were not met as of the May 15 deadline, thus the diocese will cease operating the high school division of St. Dominic Academy at the conclusion of the school year.

For the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, an American has been selected as the leader of the Catholic Church. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, age 69, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, has been elected the 266th successor to St. Peter. He has chosen the name Leo XIV.

To the cheers of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square, white smoke has been seen rising from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the Conclave of Cardinals has chosen a new pope.

On behalf of the faithful of the Diocese of Portland, I share with you the great joy of our Church at the election of Pope Leo XIV as our new Holy Father. As the successor of St. Peter, he now carries the sacred responsibility of shepherding the Church and leading us in the mission of proclaiming the Gospel and building up the Body of Christ.

When All Saints Catholic School students and teachers return in the fall, a familiar face won’t be there to greet them. After 46 years working in the office at the school’s St. Mary’s campus, which currently serves pre-K to grade 3 students, Cecile Beaulieu is retiring this June.

Bishop Ruggieri celebrates a Mass at the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis As the Catholic Church commemorates Novemdiales, a nine-day period of mourning for Pope Francis, Bishop James Ruggieri celebrated a Mass at the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul in Lewiston on Wednesday, April 30, to pray for the repose of the pope’s soul