News - March 2026 RSS Feed

Welcome back to the Auspice Maria podcast. I'm Bishop James Ruggieri of the Diocese of Portland in Maine. And we continue with this walkthrough, discovery, hopefully greater appreciation and growing more and more for the Catechism of the Catholic Church section, the first part, first section, based on the Creed. And I'd like to talk today about paragraphs 571 to 630. But again, more in a presentation, hopefully, that is thematic.

Hundreds filled the pews of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland on Palm Sunday, March 29, joining with Bishop James Ruggieri and Christians around the world in marking the start of Holy Week, the most solemn week of the year on the Church calendar.

Welcome back to the Auspice Maria podcast. I'm Bishop James Ruggieri of the Diocese of Portland in Maine. We continue with our series on the Catechism, and I'd like to entitle this particular episode, The Paschal Mystery, Part 1. Before though, I'd like to offer a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to inspire this podcast and all those who are able to hear it.

Dozens of families from parishes across the state came together on Saturday, March 21, to participate in the Blast with the Bishop. Held at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick, the focus of the day was on living a vibrant Catholic life at home.

The chapel of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland has a beautiful new altar and ambo thanks to the generosity of a parishioner and the skill of local craftsmen.

This beautiful solemnity of Saint Joseph, the protector of the universal church, guardian of the redeemer, we obviously look to him and we celebrate his virtue. Now it's really amazing to think that he is so revered, so loved, so important in God's plan of salvation and he says nothing in scripture.

The Diocese of Portland is pleased to announce that the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will come to Maine from June 23–26, 2026.

In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri discusses how Jesus sanctifies daily life by participating in it with us.

Bishop James Ruggeri unpacks the mystery of the Incarnation, the Word made flesh.

Parishioners donate essentials such as toothpaste, shampoo, and socks, which will be given to residents released from the jail.

Bishop Ruggieri reflects on why sin exists, how human freedom became wounded, and how God’s grace and mercy are greater than sin.