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It’s so much more convenient and easy to be an admirer of Jesus rather than a follower.  But Jesus is not calling admirers.  He wants those who will take up their own cross in following him.  Our crosses will be those burdens we carry by doing justice, as Jesus did.  We will bear our crosses when we tend to the sick, shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, and more.
 
In classical Catholic terms, we refer to these as the corporal works of mercy.  Performing these acts of mercy takes us outside of ourselves.  It places others’ needs ahead of our own.  We die to self so that others might live.  Following Jesus is not about convenience, easy living, or mere admiration.  We only need to see the image of the cross to be reminded of that.  As Jesus had his cross, we have ours.  To be his disciples, we are to take it up and carry it.

— Fr. Emile
 
 

A Rachel’s Vineyard™ retreat for those hurting after abortion will be held near Bangor on October 26-28. “The best way I can describe the retreat is that it’s a safe place. No one judges you. There is only love, and you get a true understanding of God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness” said a retreat participant. Rachel’s Vineyard™ retreats are supportive, non-judgmental weekends for those personally wounded following their or a loved one’s abortion. Grief and pain, often carried for years, is addressed through Scripture meditations, and there are opportunities for reconciliation, Mass, and sharing with others also personally affected by abortion. It provides a safe place to grieve the loss and to understand how abortion affects them so they can grow beyond it. The registration deadline is Monday, October 22 (pre-registration required). For information, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/projectrachel or www.rachelsvineyard.org. To register, contact Annette Rioux at amrioux33@gmail.com or (207) 774-2420 (confidential voicemail). You can also contact Judy Shaw at jude23@outlook.com.

Pope Francis is the most recent and the most eloquent writer to tell us that we are all called to be holy. In simple language, he describes what holiness looks like today and how we can shape our lives to be pleasing to God.Gaudete et exsultate is beautiful but lengthy, so the Worship and Spirituality Commission will be offering you a short excerpt every week until Christmas, to think and pray about. Also, you might like to discuss this clear and encouraging exhortation in a small faith-sharing group. The entire text can be found at
 http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html.
 
Pope Francis’ exhortation to us begins like this:

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE
(Rejoice and Be Glad)
OF THE HOLY FATHER
FRANCIS
ON THE CALL TO HOLINESS IN TODAY’S WORLD

“REJOICE AND BE GLAD” (Mt5:12), Jesus tells those persecuted or humiliated for his sake. The Lord asks everything of us, and in return he offers us true life, the happiness for which we were created. He wants us to be saints and not to settle for a bland and mediocre existence. The call to holiness is present in various ways from the very first pages of the Bible.  
 
 

“Communication is an art learned in moments of peace in order to be practiced in moments of difficulty.” (n. 234)

The love of friendship unifies all aspects of marital life and helps family members to grow constantly. This love must be freely and generously expressed in words and acts. In family, “three words need to be used. I want to repeat this! Three words: ‘Please’, ‘Thank you’, ‘Sorry’. Three essential words!”. (n. 133)

Dialogue is essential for experiencing, expressing and fostering love in marriage and family life. Yet it can only be the fruit of a long and demanding apprenticeship. (n. 136)

Our annual Catholic Appeal is a special way in which we strengthen our family of faith here in Maine!

As you can see in this chart (below), we are very close to making our goal(s).  To those who have already pledged — Thank you!  There is still time to make your pledge and bring our cluster to the finish line!

Please pledge or send your gift today to:
                                  2018 Catholic Appeal
                                  PO Box 628
                                  Lewiston, ME 04243-0628

OR make your gift online at portlanddiocese.org/appeal (button below)
Catholic Appeal Our Church at Work in Maine Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland