All Saints Parish Homilies and News

Twelve Points of Agreement signed by the Vatican By Anne Kurian Pope Francis: The Declaration was handed to Pope Francis during a hearing. End of Life: Joint Declaration agreed by the Three Abrahamic Religions- "... text published in English and Italian" A “full agreement” and a common commitment: this is the substance of the Declaration signed on October 28, 2019, in the Vatican, by the three Abrahamic religions – Christians, Jews, Muslims – about the end of life. The signatories “categorically” refuse euthanasia and assisted suicide and plead for accompaniment of the person: “effectively alleviate suffering, keep company and give emotional and spiritual support”. The representatives of monotheistic religions also oppose the relentless treatment: “When death is imminent despite the means used, it is justified to take the decision to refuse certain medical treatments that would do nothing but extend a life precarious, painful, suffering." This statement, ...

I am very honored to be among the presenters published in this All Saints Parish bulletin:

https://issuu.com/columbia-magazine/docs/columbiasep19en/7 Catholic Man of the Month on Indigenous People Day Nicholas Black Elk (circa 1863-1950) * : His cause for canonization was opened in 2017. A NATIVE AMERICAN BOY - in Wyoming, named Black Elk, had a vision. "I saw that the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle....and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father." This experience of unity marked the rest of his life, first as a healer among his Oglala Lakota (Sioux) tribe and later as a Catholic catechist. -  Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Black Elk became a medicine man. He also joined his elders, including his cousin Chief Crazy Horse, in defending their territory at the 1876, Battle of Little Bighorn. Together with 176 Lakota people, he signed a petition in 1885, supporting Kateri Tekakwitha's canonization. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is L...

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/10/11/celebrations-begin-five-saints-who-will-be-canonized-sunday Celebrations begin for five saints who will be canonized Banners of Blessed Maria Rita Lopes Ponte and Blessed John Henry Newman. (CNS photos/Junno Arocho Esteves). They are among the five who will be canonized as Roman Catholic Saints, on October 13, 2019, by Pope Francis.  https://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2019/10/11/who-are-the-four-women-being-canonised-alongside-john-henry-newman/ Four women being canonized with John Henry Newman ( Blessed John Henry Newman, C.O. was a theologian and poet, first an Anglican priest and later a Roman Catholic priest and cardinal, who was an important and controversial figure in the religious history of England in the 19th century. He was a Victorian-era intellectual, a Catholic convert and a Cardinal.) By Cindy Wooden the Catholic News Service (CNS) Published in America Magazine Pope Francis will canonize...

https://www.portlanddiocese.org/content/statement-bishop-deeley-regarding-people%E2%80%99s-vetoes-against-physician-assisted-suicide-and Statement from Bishop Robert Deeley Regarding People’s Vetoes Against Physician-Assisted Suicide and Taxpayer-Funded Abortions I am saddened to learn that despite great opposition in the public to physician-assisted suicide and taxpayer-funded abortion, these issues will not be sent to a statewide vote. Physician-assisted suicide, which failed in a statewide vote in 2000, desensitizes our young people and society at large to the inherent value of human life at a time when suicide rates are the highest that they have been since World War II.  Suicide should never be presented as an option, but only recognized for what it truly is, a tragedy. In addition, every Maine taxpayer will now be forced to fund abortions, coercing people to act against their moral beliefs and ethical principles. Understandably, outrage has grown since citizens have lear...

Saint John the Baptist in Brunswick, Maine, a church in the All Saints Cluster, with the Diocese of Portland Maine. Locals call this church "Saint John's". It was built primarily to serve the French-Canadians and Franco-Americans who arrived in the area to find work in mills located along the Androscoggin River.  Most of the stunning stained glass windows are inscribed with French scripture and labels including the three dimensional Stations of the Cross. 

Click here for more information:   https://cclmaine.org/pv/ A coalition is supporting signature gatherings from Maine registered voters, to support a citizens veto ballot initiative for the following bills (1) Physician Assisted Suicide (LD 1313- An Act to Enact the Maine Death With Dignity Act ) and (2) Medicaid covered abortion services (LD 820 - An Act To Prevent Discrimination in Public and Private Insurance Coverage for Pregnant Women in Maine). Many thanks to the Knights of Columbus, who are helping to organize this effort .  Physician Assisted Suicide LD 1313 was sponsored by (1) Representative Hymanson of York (2) Senator Woodsome of York (3) Representative Bailey of Saco (4) Denno of Cumberland (5) Meyer of Eliot (6) Stearns of Guildord (7) Senator Gratwick of Penobscot and (8) Moore of Washington. Medicaid coverage for abortion LD 820 ,  was sponsored by the following legislators:  (1)  Representative McCreight of Harpswel...