News - Diocesan News RSS Feed

The Diocese of Portland is pleased to announce the appointment of Edward Short as director of advancement for the Mother Cabrini Maine Catholic Education Initiative, the mission of which is “to proclaim the Gospel, bring others to Jesus Christ, and build the Reign of God through Catholic education.”

As the sun was rising on Monday, July 13, five bicyclists headed out from St. Anne Church in Gorham, beginning a journey aimed at raising awareness about the value of human life, while helping young adults grow in holiness.

Thirty-two couples celebrating special wedding anniversaries and a combined 1,643 years of marriage attended the annual Silver & Gold Anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop James Ruggieri on Saturday, June 28, at St. John Church in Bangor.

The Mother Cabrini Maine Catholic Education Initiative’s Homeschool Collaborative hosted its first Catholic Homeschooling Retreat and Conference on Saturday, June 27, bringing together homeschooling parents from around the state.

Inspired by the nation’s 250th birthday and the work of the National Eucharistic Revival (2022-2025), the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage came to Maine last week. Beginning on May 24 in St. Augustine, Florida, site of the first Mass to be celebrated on American soil, the pilgrimage will conclude in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of July. It is stopping in 18 dioceses along the way, and the Diocese of Portland was privileged to be among them.

This October, the Diocese of Portland will celebrate the ordination of seven men to the permanent diaconate. The deacon candidates have been called to orders and will be ordained by Bishop James Ruggieri on Saturday, October 17, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.

The Diocese of Portland celebrated the ordination of Vinh Nguyen to the transitional diaconate on Saturday, June 13, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. Transitional deacons are men who are discerning for the priesthood, but being ordained a deacon, the third rank of Holy Orders, is more than just a step on that journey.

On the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests, which is celebrated annually on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the faithful gathered in the chapel of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland to pray for our priests, both living and deceased, as well as for those discerning vocations to the priesthood.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?