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A Ray of Sunshine
Your Stories
By Diocese of Portland
“She’s amazing! I can’t imagine my life without her.” Debbie Guiggey says ever since her daughter Kayla was a baby, she has had a way of brightening the darkest day.
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A Display of Faith
Your Stories
By Diocese of Portland
Madawaska is a town of approximately 3000 residents.  Nearby Van Buren has a population of just under 2000.   But this August, streets, inns, and spare bedrooms will be packed with visitors...
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Finding Peace in the Priesthood
Your Stories
By Diocese of Portland
May 30 was a day Kyle Doustou has eagerly anticipated since he was a boy of eight or nine.   On that day, at the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul in Lewiston, he became the first priest to be ordained by Bishop Robert P. Deeley.
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The Last Word - July 2014
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
Several things came together for me recently which have prompted this reflection:  the Fourth of July, a rather negative comment by an acquaintance about the state of our country, and all the talk over the last several years about “the culture wars.”
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The Last Word - May 2014
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
We need a new agenda for interfaith and ecumenical programs.  I have nothing against joint prayer services, such as are held around Thanksgiving and the Church Unity Octave, or occasionally having religious leaders sign a common petition against some piece of legislation.
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A Chance to Get Acquainted
Your Stories
By Diocese of Portland
Welcome to Maine! Congratulations!  Those were the greetings repeated from Kittery to Fort Kent as parishioners extended a hand, shared a laugh or took a photograph with Bishop Robert P. Deeley as he began visits to parishes across the state.
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The Last Word - March 2014
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
It has not yet been a year since the election of Pope Francis as our Holy Father.  Already, in this short time, we have heard a lot from him about justice, poverty and the economy.  Here are a few of the things he has said.   
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From the Bishop - March 2014
From the Bishop
By Diocese of Portland
On the December day I was driving to Maine for the announcement of my appointment as the new Bishop of Portland, I passed a sign on the highway that welcomed me, and all those passing by, to the beauty of this state.
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Focus on Francis - January 2014
Your Stories
By Diocese of Portland
The saint most beloved besides the Blessed Virgin Mary herself  is no doubt Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). Revered by Catholics and by many who have no religious faith, his sparkling, joyous personality has made religious faith seem attractive and important.
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Focus on Francis
Your Stories
By Diocese of Portland
The saint most beloved besides the Blessed Virgin Mary herself  is no doubt Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). Revered by Catholics and by many who have no religious faith
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Last Word - January 2014
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
As you read this, another new year has either just begun or is rapidly approaching.   The Church actually pays very little attention to the beginning of the new civil year. 
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The Way We Grow
Your Stories
By Diocese of Portland
When Dr. Kevin Birch sits down at the keyboard of Hook Opus #288 pipe organ at St. John Church in Bangor, it is most often to lead the Sunday congregation in prayer and song.
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Last Word - September 2013
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
Some years ago, there was a review in the Wall Street Journal of a new book on Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island. I’d like to share a section of that review with you.
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Last Word - November 2013
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
Jesus sometimes says comforting things. Other times, He says things that are hard to understand. And finally, there are times when He says things that we can fully understand but don’t like.
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A Community’s Groundbreaking Achievement
Your Stories
By Diocese of Portland
With each of the folding chairs in the main hall at the American Legion occupied by parishioners, a handful of people were happy to stand against walls and even in the adjoining kitchen as a special Mass began in the town of Jackman on Sunday, July 7.
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Excited to be Catholic!
Your Stories
By Diocese of Portland
“They’re amazing.” Shelly Carpenter, the director of faith formation at 
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford, is effusive in her praise of two teenagers she has had the pleasure of getting to know through their involvement in youth ministry.
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From the Bishop - March 2012
From the Bishop
By Diocese of Portland
Millions of people in our world began this day with empty stomachs, knowing from the moment they awoke that they would somehow need to scrounge up a few morsels of food to keep their families fed and to have enough strength to go about the day.
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From the Bishop - May 2011
From the Bishop
By Diocese of Portland
No, this is not about nature’s welcome signs of spring after a long, cold, snowy Maine winter. This is rather about the radical meaning for our lives of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
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Last Word - March 2013
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
Father Ronald Rohlheiser, O.M.I., had already been among my favorite spiritual writers when, about a year ago, I read his book on the Eucharist: Our One Great Act of Fidelity. With that, he immediately moved to the top of the class.
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Last Word - January 2010
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
Eight maids a-milking. “On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me eight maids a-milking.” January 1 is the 8th day of Christmas, the octave day of Christmas, we call it liturgically.
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Last Word - November 2009
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
As the election season ends it is worth our while to reflect on how we have conducted ourselves as Christians in the political debates and how we ought to conduct ourselves in the political process that continues year-round.
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Last Word - May 2009
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
We are now beyond Easter. It is still the Easter Season, but we are beyond all that goes into the crush of celebrating Holy Week and Easter in a parish.
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Last Word - March 2009
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
We all know that the word “catholic” means “universal.” And, as Catholics, we are proud that Catholics can be found on every continent, sharing a common faith.
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Last Word - January 2009
Last Word
By Diocese of Portland
I used to write a regular column on liturgy and, even now, a liturgical question is sometimes posed to me. This column is not really intended to be a question and answer piece.
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