St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish

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Dear Parishioners

Effective Father’s Day Weekend (June 19-20), the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland has lifted the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation throughout the state of Maine. Issued due to the pandemic, the dispensation has been in place for Maine Catholics since March 18, 2020.

In addition to the Diocese of Portland, the Archdiocese of Boston, Diocese of Fall River, and Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts, as well as the Diocese of Manchester in New Hampshire, will also be lifting the dispensation starting June 19-20.

“The obligation to attend Mass reflects the character of who we are as Catholics. There is no greater form of prayer as we praise God for his many blessings and strengthen one another in faith and hope,” said Bishop Robert Deeley. “At Mass, we have an encounter with Jesus which brings true meaning to our lives, and the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith, is the primary place in which we are community.”

As is always the case, the obligation does not apply to those who have serious reasons for not attending Mass like individuals who are seriously ill, caring for an ill person, homebound, suffering from a compromised health condition, or otherwise unable to attend Mass in person. Livestreamed Masses will also continue to be offered at Maine parishes.

Individuals with questions about any specific needs or concerns are advised to contact their parish. Pastors, who have the authority to dispense in individual cases, can be helpful in addressing individual fears and concerns.

The diocese has been guided by experts, local and national agencies, and science in making decisions throughout the pandemic.

“We have acted with caution and continue to do so,” said the bishop. “Our use of vaccinations has grown sufficiently to allow us to safely reopen and gratefully welcome people back as there is no substitution to experiencing Jesus in person.”

To view updated Mass times as well as church addresses throughout Maine, click here.

We must give our Lord homage and worship at Mass by journeying to see Him and know Him better. Only then, after we have spent time in prayer and worship, can we share the fruits of our prayer with others. Encourage a family member or friend to join you at Mass in the coming weeks. Share your personal experience of Jesus Christ with them and help guide them into a renewed relationship of joy with Him.

This week, take some time to nourish your spiritual life and focus on encountering the Lord anew so that you can share Him with conviction in your thoughts, words, and actions. When we feel moved by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Good News to a loved one, it is a kind act of charity. Seize the opportunities that you have each day to give witness to your faith.

In our own lives, how difficult it is not to proclaim the wonderful things that God has done for us, both big and small! This is the essence of sharing our personal testimony: telling others how Jesus has transformed our lives and given us a fullness that we previously lacked. Consider the many opportunities you have to learn how to prepare and share your testimony, which is unique and not quite like that of anyone else and share it with someone who has not returned to Mass or is disconnected with our beautiful faith.

God is a communion of persons, a communion of love. God invites us to share in this communion, calling us to form communities of love in our own lives. One of the most integral things we can do to evangelize is forming loving communities of joy. Do you want to evangelize more effectively? Reach out to family members and friends and simply invite them back to experience and participate in the beauty of our faith. A community, united in purpose and love, is one of joy, and this joy attracts others to seek what you possess. Therefore, let us seek to form loving communities of joy that lead people to Jesus Christ!

We have been sent by God to proclaim the Good News of salvation to all people. We worship in the Mass and are sent out to share what and whom we have received in the Holy Eucharist. We journey from communion to mission and back again. Consider your daily life and what little ways you can make disciples of others. Perhaps it is extra prayer and silence in your life, joining or leading a Bible study, inviting a person to a parish event, or sharing what Jesus Christ has done in your life. Invite those around you to join you in your community of joy at Mass!

Jesus gave the apostles His very body, blood, soul, and divinity. He continues to offer the Eucharist to us so that we might be filled with His Real Presence. We have the blessing as Catholics to approach the throne of grace and to receive Jesus Christ Himself every day at Mass. What a gift! As we journey through this summer, let us be transformed and become whom we receive in this great sacrament.

Reach out to someone you do not see in the pews today. You might encounter coldness, but these trials and others remind us that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain us through our earthly pilgrimage. Rely on God’s assistance and do not be discouraged. Be patient and trust in God’s grace.

The following link is a letter from Bishop Deeley to all members our Catholic communities in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.  https://portlanddiocese.org/.../files/files/BDLetter621.pdf

Please pray for me, the members of our parish community, and our extended community as we continue to look forward and look ahead with Hope!
 
Thank you for your financial support!
On behalf of our staff, parish Finance Council and I, thank you for remembering your sacrificial offering to our parish, both to those who have used We-share electronic transfer and those who have sent in your offerings to us in the mail.  For those who wish to send a check (including those who use budget envelopes) please send one check and make it payable to: SKT Parish, P.O. Box 898, Calais, ME  04619.  You can also send a note indicating what the date is, the name of the collection and the amount you choose to give for that date.  There is no need to send your budget envelopes in the mail, just make the check and send a note along with it.  Thank you very much!
 
May God Bless you and your loved ones with His Peace!

MASKS ARE NOW STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

Recently, the rates of transmission of COVD-19 through the state have increased. As of August 12th, 14 out of 16 counties are now considered to have “substantial” or “high” levels of transmission according to the CDC. In view of this danger to public health, Bishop Deeley is directing all parishes to notify parishioners that masks are strongly recommended for all persons in church. This is intended to apply to Mass and other gatherings in churches only. It does not apply to other kinds of parish activities elsewhere on parish property for the time being. Please note that masks are only "strongly recommended," not mandated.