A celebration of Evening Prayer and Benediction to honor Bishop Robert P. Deeley as he completes 10 years of service as the 12th Bishop of Portland. April 14th at 5:30pm, Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, all are invited, DETAILS: https://t.co/eqjNM4njC8

Bishop Deeley's Easter message

"Christ is Risen" says it all. It is a simple but extraordinary and powerful statement of faith. Happy Easter!

The final word of Jesus from the cross, that we hear on this Good Friday, is, “It is finished." His mission is completed. He has shown us the fullness of love. It is his glory. He has done the will of the Father. He has saved us, and all humanity, from our sins.

The Chrism Mass is the gathering when we celebrate our identity as Church. It is time when we give thanks for the reality that together we are the Church in Maine. We are the witnesses of the risen Christ who proclaim that he is alive, and his Spirit moves among us.

As we celebrate Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week, it is important to recall that is our sins that create the conditions that can make others suffer, and our selfishness and care for ourselves that can leave others without.

Ash Wednesday, as we begin the season of Lent, is really about reminding ourselves of that love which gives rise to all love, the love God has for each of us.

My trip to the #MarchForLife and our observance of the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children led me to recall the words of Mother Teresa: "If now we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten how to see God in one another." I would add even in the unborn.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Just as the Magi left their comfortable place so too does Jesus ask us to allow his word, his life, to change and form our lives." (Mass on the Feast of the Epiphany) https://t.co/x8itE9XCg4

Just as he did on that first Christmas night, Jesus brings us today the gift of love, the blessing of hope, and the promise of peace.

On Wednesday when I visited students at St. Michael School in Augusta, I told them "We all have a purpose, and God gives us our purpose." I met some of these eighth-grade students when they were in pre-K.

“The Diocese of Portland has benefited greatly from the dedicated service of sisters, brothers, and religious order priests...Now, many of them need our help. Please consider giving generously to the Retirement Fund for Religious." (A special collection will be held Dec. 9 & 10)

“We are a people of hope and of prayer. We believe in God’s love, and we believe that that love is strong enough to overcome death. We believe that one day we will be together again as family and friends." - All Souls' Day Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

“Saints are not self-made people. They are those who have responded generously to the love of God that is given to them." - All Saints' Day Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

During the evening vigil at the basilica in Lewiston, I was able to share a message from Pope Francis, who expressed his "spiritual closeness to all those suffering from this unspeakable tragedy, especially the families who lost loved ones."

“The Psalms speak of God’s care for us, which is the word we need to hear in a moment of difficulty, in a moment of stress. Precisely what we need is prayer and faith and trust in God." (Homily during Mass in Lewiston)

I will be joining the priests of Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston for evening prayer and Mass. While in-person attendance is not currently possible due to the stay-at-home order, I hope you will join us online at https://t.co/y3ocwDvNXU.

It is with profound sadness that I received the news of the mass shooting in Lewiston. Please join in praying for all those impacted by this terrible violence, that the Lord may provide them with consolation in the midst of their sorrow.

With the tragic events unfolding in the Middle East, I encourage all Maine Catholics to participate in the worldwide day of prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land, which our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has called for on Friday, October 27.