News - August 2025 RSS Feed

Hundreds of parishioners filled St. John Church in Bangor on Friday, August 29, to honor two priests who were recently bestowed the title of monsigor, with the rank of Chaplain to His Holiness. The honor was bestowed upon Father Jean-Paul Labrie and Father Frank Murray by Pope Francis, shortly before his passing.

Prince of Peace Parish bids farewell to two Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, marking the end of an era “Everything is for a time and in God’s time, and when it has seen its completion, we give thanks to God for it all. And that is what we do today.” With those words, Father Daniel Greenleaf, pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston, joined with parishioners in saying goodbye to the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, who have faithfully served the community for nearly 100 years.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland on Saturday, August 23, for the annual African Festival, a celebration of faith, friendship, and culture.

Teachers and principals from all eight diocesan and parish Catholic schools in Maine gathered at St. Joseph’s College on August 7–8 for a two-day retreat titled “In the Footsteps of Mother Cabrini: Prayer, Mission, and Community.”

His Excellency Bishop James Ruggieri has announced priest assignments effective September 1, 2025.

Following much prayer and careful analysis of financial and enrollment trends, Bishop James Ruggieri made the difficult decision to close the high school division of St. Dominic Academy, a decision communicated to the school community on March 28, 2025. The process and ultimate decision followed the proper canonical steps.

Italian flags and banners are flying. Crosswalks are painted white, red, and green. And there is a hint of the licorice scent of anise in the air. They all add up to one thing: it must be time for the annual St. Peter’s Italian Bazaar. “I always say this is my favorite week of the summer. It has been my whole life,” says Becky Mitchell of Portland.

Many come for the food, others for the tradition or the faith community it supports. Whatever the reason, the St. Peter’s Italian Bazaar has been drawing thousands of people to the street outside St. Peter Church in Portland for 100 years.