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Parishioners of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish gathered the weekend of September 27/28, 2025 to wish Father Roland Berngeh well, as he prepares to move to his next assignment. The Daughters of Isabella hosted a farewell reception for Father Roland in Eastport Saturday evening after Mass at St. Joseph's Church in Eastport. Parishioners also gathered in the Immaculate Conception Church Hall Sunday after 10:30 Mass to celebrate Father Roland's service and to wish him godspeed.
Father Roland was received by a huge crowd on Sunday, where parishioners brought potluck dishes to share. The crowd listened to several musical tributes to Father Roland, which were recorded by Anne Scott and Silk Alderette. On behalf of the parish, Silk also presented Father with a digital frame designed to display memories of his time in our parish.
Mike Boies, Chair of the Parish Council and Grand Knight of the St. Croix Council # 149 of the Knights of Columbus presented Father with a monetary gift from the Knights. Gary Madore presented Father with his own cross with a representation of the Holy Spirit, like the ones he made for our Prayer for Vocations. Arianna Alberti, the parish's Faith Formation Director, presented Father Roland with cards made by Faith Formation students in Calais and Baileyville. Father received many cards and gifts at both celebrations, including a donation from the Daughters of Isabella and a Passamaquoddy basket made by Debbie Nicholas..
The St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Women's Group helped set up before and clean up after Sunday's reception.
Father will be heading to Portland in early October, awaiting his next assignment.
Left to right: Sheila Foley, Caroline Melidossian, Christine Morris, Barbara Camick, Father Roland Berngeh, Donna Jamieson, Nati Turner, Kathy Lawrence, Louise Beaulieu, Helen Kennedy, Julie Leppin
Left to right: Anna Grace Rodrin, Father Roland Berngeh, Margaret Alexander, Liz Phillips
Debbie Nicholas and Father Roland Berngeh
Left side: Sylvia Brown, Genny McKeil, Mary White, Paula Johnson;
Right side: Rita McLaughlin, Betty Close, Julia Boies, Rosalie Williams, Betty Monk