Every week, thanks to the Ora Bread Guild, dozens of loaves of artisan breads come out of the oven in the community room at St. Rose of Lima, ready to be sold or distributed to community members.

The English language arts teacher at St. Thomas School in Sanford, Ericka Sanborn decided to start a pen pal program to teach her students letter writing.

This is basically a vocation for women who feel deeply drawn to the charism of unity and reconciliation but who do not have a call to religious life.

The St. Martin de Porres Residence provides a safe place to stay for men and women facing homelessness and working to get their lives back on track.

St. Joseph Healthcare in Bangor has taken steps to adapt its services to better accommodate the needs of older adults.

Ask a member of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary what first attracted them to the congregation, and a word that you will hear again and again is “joy.”

Members of Prince of Peace Parish gathered to pray for peace and to bless an intricately carved Nativity scene that was bought with a leap of faith.

Independent Support Services is one of Catholic Charities’ longest running programs, dating to 1967.

A gifted athlete, Tracy Guerrette of St. Agatha says she has loved competing in sports since she was a child.

In April 2022, Leesa and Ray Edwards traveled from Gorham to Old Town to attend the baptism of their son, Holden, then a senior at the University of Maine.

The celebration brought together dozens of parishioners, some who attended the first Mass at the church 50 years ago, others new to the area.

With a love for his faith and a background in finance, Jacob Talley sees his new position as an ideal fit.

When Sister Rita-Mae Bissonnette, RSR, began working in the Diocesan Tribunal, it was supposed to be for five years. Now, 50 years later, she is still serving the Church in Maine.

“I decided to pray that rather dangerous prayer that, whatever you want, God, I will do. Just let me know what it is."

In 2020, Father Arockiasamy ‘Samy’ Santhiyagu, HGN, was assigned by the diocese to St. Mary’s Health System in Lewiston.

Bringing the Gospel to life

The Diocese of Portland welcomed three priests this summer, two from the Diocese of Kumbo and one from the Society of African Missions.

The Diocese of Portland is blessed to have 10 Catholic schools, serving children from Bangor to Sanford.

The new church will seat around 300 people and will feature a pitched roof, which will be advantageous both practically and spiritually.

The Catholic Charities Food Bank provides food to 29 pantries throughout Aroostook County, as well as northern Penobscot County.

Father Matthew Valles has been flying high ever since his June 29 ordination to the priesthood at St. John Church in Bangor.

For 30 years, St. Benedict Parish’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) has been drawing children and their families to Benedicta.

The Junior Volunteer Program at St. Mary’s Health System in Lewiston has been around for decades.

“It is love. It is hope. It is support. It is relief.”

It’s a problem that has left folks with little to smile about — the shortage of dental care providers in Maine.