Also, please note the following:
in the United States, January 22nd, Friday is a “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn.” In our Cluster Mass will be celebrated 8:00 am Friday at Our Lady of Ransom Church, 117 Elm Street in Mechanic Falls.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is coordinating a Novena, January 21-29:
9 Days for Life is a novena for the protection of human life. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life Sign up to participate at:
9 Days for Life: January 21-29, 2021 (pro-life-activities.lpages.co)
A Message from Bishop Deeley on the Inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
January 20, 2021
Every day we should thank God for the blessings of liberty, freedom, and democracy. These are the characteristics of the American experience on full display today in our nation’s capital with the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. I join with my brother bishops in congratulating him on his election and inauguration. An inauguration is a beginning. That really means that the work of all of us has just begun as together we build our nation.
As Catholics and Americans, we are called to follow Jesus by sharing his love and mercy as people of kindness and virtue, treating each other with the respect and dignity promised to us all. With a renewed spirit of patriotism that has made our country a source of hope for others in our world, we need to seek ways to appreciate those around us, particularly people in our lives who hold different views than our own. Listen to their voices and try to understand what unique experiences in their own lives brought them to the place in life they are today. It is our only way forward. We are one nation under God, where we love our brothers and sisters, defend the sanctity of human life, and celebrate the freedom of religion. We are grateful we are able to take part in such an important conversation.
Today will be both a historic moment and one of special pride for many. Kamala D. Harris will become our first woman vice president, and Mr. Biden will join the late President John F. Kennedy as the second person to lead our nation who professes the Catholic faith. Sixty years ago this week, Cardinal Richard J. Cushing, at the time the Archbishop of Boston, delivered the invocation at President Kennedy’s inauguration. His words are as fitting for our country today as they were in 1961, and I encourage you to join me in reflecting upon them today. In part, he said:
“We ask Thee, Almighty God, to enlighten us. That we may know, as Americans, our political, social, and humanitarian responsibilities, and that we may know, as children of God, our responsibilities to the Father of all mankind. Enlighten us that we may know how to put this principle of responsibility into daily practice, both in ideal and action, in these troubled but hopeful times.”
St. Catherine of Sienna, Saturday, January 23 4:00pm
https://signup.com/go/sgMXzBK
St. Catherine of Sienna, Sunday, January 24 8:30am
https://signup.com/go/bOomswi
Our Lady of Ransom, Sunday, January 24 10:30am
https://signup.com/go/KBJBHRH
St. Joseph Church, Saturday, January 23 4:00pm
https://signup.com/go/wKShEty
St. Joseph Church, Sunday, January 24 8:30am
https://signup.com/go/FjLDsxA
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Sunday, January 24 10:30am
https://signup.com/go/usLHeYO
http://cluster30stteresa.weshareonline.org (St.Teresa of Calcutta)
http://cluster30stjoseph.weshareonline.org (St.Joseph)
We have online giving set up through WeShare as a convenient way to support your church. We thank you kindly for your consideration through these difficult times. Our staff will continue to pray for our parishioners, community and an end to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic! Our church is our family and we need to rely on each other to get through these difficult times.
“On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) was signed into law. The act increases the deductible amount for “qualified contributions” in two ways: allowing all taxpayers who elect the standard deduction to deduct total charitable cash contributions of up to $300 on their 2020 federal tax return and lifting the existing cap on annual contributions for those who itemize from 60% to 100% of adjusted gross income. The CARES Act provides a temporary incentive for supporters of non-profits to contribute to their campaigns. “
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.