PORTLAND — The Diocese of Portland will celebrate the third annual nationwide Fortnight for Freedom during the 14 days from Saturday, June 21, the memorial of Saints Thomas More and John Fisher, martyrs, to Friday, July 4.

This year’s theme is “Freedom to Serve” with a special emphasis on liberty and service to the poor and vulnerable.

As part of the Fortnight for Freedom celebration in the Diocese of Portland, Bishop Robert P. Deeley will celebrate a special Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, June 24, at 12:15 p.m. All are encouraged to attend.

Tim Staples, the director of apologetics and evangelization at Catholic Answers, will deliver the Fortnight’s keynote address also at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on June 24, starting at 6 p.m. His address is entitled “Engaging the Culture with the Love of Christ.”

Staples can be heard on Catholic Answers Live, a national radio show which airs weekdays on The Presence Radio Network in Maine. A former Marine, Staples converted to Catholicism in 1988 and began working in Catholic apologetics and evangelization in 1994. In addition to producing its nightly radio show, Catholic Answers also publishes a bimonthly magazine.

For those unable to attend, The Presence Radio Network will be airing the address numerous times throughout the Fortnight.

“This year’s Fortnight is a good opportunity for all of us to gather with those who are involved in serving the most vulnerable among us,” said Bishop Deeley. “As we come together, let us reflect on the need to foster and maintain every person’s inherent freedom in keeping with human dignity and church teaching.”