For centuries, in times of peace and tension, prosperity and struggle, Americans have paused on Thanksgiving to spend time with loved ones and offer gratitude for the blessings of God. This is known predominantly as a patriotic holiday, but its foundation is grounded in faith. The Continental Congress declared a Thanksgiving holiday “to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to Almighty God for benefits received and implore farther blessings…”

A longtime tradition returned to St. Michael School in Augusta on Monday, November 22, after a pandemic-caused hiatus in 2020.

“The encouragement and formation of vocations in the Church is the task of all of us.” The words of Bishop Robert Deeley, part of his message for National Vocation Awareness Week in November, encourage the creation of environments in which young people can hear a possible calling to serve the Church.

In May, Pope Francis invited the global Catholic Church to gather and reflect on communion, participation, and mission within the Church. The two-year process of listening and dialogue is called, For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, & Mission. The process is being referred to as the “synod on synodality.”

During Advent, Bishop Robert Deeley will host a special virtual prayer and blessing gathering for all Maine families on Sunday, December 12, at 5 p.m.

Please check off the items you have purchased, then place the list in top of the bag and bring them to Church by November 21st in a Reusable Grocery Bag.

National Vocation Awareness Week (November 7-13) reminds us that the encouragement and formation of vocations in the Church is a responsibility of all of us. Families, communities, and parishes must help our young people to hear the call that God gives to serve the Church.

Stations of the Crib in Augusta Moved to December 11 and Now Virtual