All Maine Catholics are invited to participate in a novena for priests and vocations to the priesthood each evening starting on Thursday, July 27, and running through Friday, August 4, the feast day of St. John Vianney (patron saint of parish priests).

Calling Hours Wednesday, July 5 Noon through 9 p.m. (evening prayer at 5:35 p.m. with Compline at 7:30 p.m.) Saint Anselm Abbey, 100 St. Anselm Drive, Manchester, New Hampshire

It is impossible to quantify the effect the Catholic Appeal has had on the lives of thousands and thousands of Maine people, Catholic and non-Catholic, through the years. The closest you can get is to listen to the ways in which the generosity of donors and a call to help others continue to change the lives of people the givers will never meet.