Dear Friends, 
 
The Gospel reading addresses the themes of tolerance and intolerance. In the first part, Jesus admonishes his followers to be less concerned about who “follows us” and more concerned about what they are doing. In doing good for the sake of Christ, those who may not be part of the recognized followers are nevertheless doing something that pleases God. Sin on the other hand does not please God and cannot be tolerated. Those who muddle along in life without ever striving to eradicate whatever separates them from God will find themselves unable to enter the reign of God. God loves good no matter who does it, but evil cannot be tolerated, for it opposes everything that God loves.

One day I woke up early, at around 5:15 AM and I decided to go for a walk by Mantle Lake in Presque Isle. I had a lot going on in my mind. Some areas in the lake were better lit than others and the area by the woods was quite dark. Suddenly, while I was walking, I heard a loud primal “Whaaaa!” sound, just a few feet from me. What was that, I asked myself, but I could not see anything. I turned back to where I was coming from, the rectory, because you never know.
Have you ever heard a deer hiss? When you come between a mother deer and her fawn in the night, that gentle mama becomes a raging protector. The noise she makes is terrifying.

Have you ever heard Jesus’ hiss? In today's reading we may dismiss what Jesus has to say as hyperbole, an overstatement for the sake of making his point. But gentle Jesus can also become a raging protector when his little ones are threatened. 
 
Do not dare lead one of these little ones astray! “It would be better for you if a great millstone were put around your neck and you were thrown into the sea.” Whoa. We are reminded that each one of us, whether we are being formed for the first time in the Christian way of life or have been struggling to live this life for decades, is called to reexamine our priorities constantly on our faith journey. 
Gentle Jesus is not exaggerating. He means it. To his disciples, and to us, he gives us a loud primal “whaaaa!” Unquenchable fire, thrown into Gehenna, where the worm does not die! Do not dare cause one of these little ones to stumble. Cut off your hand. Pluck your eye out. Whatever you must do, do it. Do not hurt His little ones. 

                                                                 Fr Anthony K. Korir SMA 
                                                                 For you a Priest, 
                                                                 With you a Christian
 

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL

One of the greatest missions of the Church is to provide the hope of God’s everlasting love for us to others through prayer and service. God calls us in the Gospel to share his love with others: we are called to be his Church, sent forth as disciples of Jesus.

Each year, the Diocese of Portland has been blessed through the generosity of so many who come together to answer this call by supporting the annual Catholic Appeal. As a united community of faith, we are making a significant difference by supporting our youth and young people, those in need, the people in our parishes, our parishes and clergy, and the offices of ministries of our diocese that spread the good news of Jesus Christ and the work of the Church to the people of God.

United in Hope, we are reminded that it is only together, in the spirit of Christ, that the good works of our Church will continue. Together, we can put our faith into action. Together, we can do more than any single parish or person can do alone. Together, we will continue to provide the love and hope of our Lord to all who are served by the ministries and programs of our Church.

If you would like more information or need assistance, please call Samantha Harmon at the Catholic Appeal Office at 207-321-7835

MAKE A GIFT    

 
                    Click Here to Donate

Diocesan Prayer for the Eucharistic Revival
Jesus, Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation, You gave us the gracious gift of the Eucharist.
We give thanks and adore you fully present in the consecrated bread and wine.
Draw us closer to you and one another as we gather in person for Mass. Open us to receive the transforming gift of your great love. Make us new during this time of revival so that our lives will naturally reflect the faith, hope, and love that begin and end in you.  Amen.
  + Immaculate Mary, patron of the Diocese of Portland, pray for us.

Eucharistic Revival 2022-2025
           "My flesh for the life of the world." John 6:51
The Bishops of the United States (USCCB) are calling for a three-year grassroots revival of devotion and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. They believe that God wants to see a movement of Catholics across the United States, healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and sent out in mission “for the life of the world.” The three years will focus on different levels of Church life and include the first National Eucharistic Congress in the United States in nearly 50 years.

Mission, Vision, and Goals of the Eucharistic Revival
Mission:
To renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
Vision:
A movement of Catholics across the United States, healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist - and sent out in mission "for the life of the world."
Goals:
This Eucharistic Revival seeks to bring together clergy, religious, laity, apostolates, movements, and parish and diocesan leaders to spur momentum, collaboration, and lasting impact for the renewal of the Catholic Church in the U.S. Grounded in prayer and responding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the National Eucharistic Revival has four primary goals:
 + To provide a more profound encounter with Jesus Christ in the Sunday liturgy as a point of unity among all Catholics, and through this powerful encounter, to find personal healing and courage to take the Gospel to a world in need of authentic love – the love of Christ found in the Eucharist.
+ To spark personal conversions through the joyful discovery of a relationship with Christ by encountering the love of God present in Jesus in the Eucharist.
+ To elevate the truth and practices of our Catholic faith through the rediscovery of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
+ To form, inspire, and launch missionary disciples, filled with love of God and neighbor that comes from an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist, to the margins of the Church and the world.

The Eucharist celebrated, received, adored, and lived
Embracing the Eucharist as it is celebrated, received, adored, and lived will guide the Eucharistic Revival in the Diocese of Portland.
+ The Eucharist celebrated focuses on how we celebrate the Mass and encourage parishioners to participate in the liturgy more fully, consciously, and actively.
+ The Eucharist received focuses on individual preparation for personal encounters with Jesus Christ in the Mass, especially ongoing conversion to ever greater faith and devotion through sharing in holy Communion.
+ The Eucharist adored focuses on honoring the Real Presence of Christ outside of Mass
+ The Eucharist lived focuses on people acting as missionary disciples changed by sharing in the Eucharist, cooperating with the Holy Spirit in serving others so the wider community may also be changed by the Father’s gifts of love, mercy, and generosity.