NASHVILLE, Tenn. Derided by critics as everything from unconstitutional to sacrilegious, Tennessee lawmakers nevertheless plowed ahead with designating the Holy Bible as the state’s official book. Sponsors argue the bill seeks to honor the historical significance of the Bible in Tennessee’s history rather than serving as a government endorsement of religion. But opponents say the […]

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Asked to choose between a Christian spirit of peace and a God-given right of selfdefense, Mississippi senators are overwhelmingly favoring the latter. The Senate voted 36-14 Tuesday to pass the bill, known as the Mississippi Church Protection Act. The bill returns to the House. It says places of worship could designate […]

BRUNSWICK — A benefit Italian dinner will be served by Teenagers at St. Charles Church on Friday, April 8 from 5-6:30 p.m. with proceeds going to support the Teen Mission to Brooklyn, New York. The menu includes Chicken Cacciatore, Penne Pasta, Garlic Bread, Green Salad, Ice Cream, Cookies, Tea, Coffee and Beverage. Admission $8 for […]

AUBURN Fr. Leo Patalinghug, creator of “Grace Before Meals,” an international apostolate which helps strengthen families and relationships through God’s gift of a family meal, will serve as the keynote speaker at the Maine Catholic Women’s Conference scheduled for Saturday, April 9, at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch in Auburn. With a theme of […]

“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3 Loving Lavishly On Easter Sunday our church was lavishly decorated for the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Walking through […]

PORTLAND Many Maine parishes are planning Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations for Sunday, April 3, including the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, veneration of the Divine Mercy image, the sacrament of reconciliation, and the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. On May 5, 2000, Pope Saint John Paul II decreed that the Second Sunday of […]

Now that the snow is truly melted and gone here along the southern coast of Maine, there is no denying the amount of work my family must do to transform the land surrounding our little house in the big woods into the lawns and gardens we desire. First, there are dead trees to cut down. […]

VATICAN CITY Pope Francis on Wednesday called for “unanimous condemnation” of extremist attacks in Brussels and elsewhere and urged prayers to convert hearts “ blinded by cruel fundamentalism.” At the end of his weekly public audience, the pontiff led thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square in silent prayer for the victims of the airport […]

ALBUQUERQUE, N. M. (AP) — A boys’ basketball coach says he’s been placed on leave for praying with his team. Espanola Valley High School coach Richard Martinez told KOAT- TV he prayed with the athletes he coaches and was suspended as a result. He said he doesn’t know when he’ll be back on the job. […]

NEW YORK ( AP) — A procession down Broadway led by a miniature donkey marked Palm Sunday before Easter. Hundreds of people carrying palm fronds walked from St. Paul’s Chapel near the World Trade Center to Trinity Church at the top of Wall Street. Drummers, chanting singers and priests marked the Biblical description of Jesus […]