Message from Monsignor René Mathieu (1) The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins today and concludes Sunday, January 25. Let us join other Christian churches in our area as we remember the 2015 theme: “Jesus said to her, ‘Give Me A Drink.’” (John 4: 7). You are invited to participate with other Christians in an ecumenical service on Monday, January 19 at Most Holy Trinity Church beginning at 6:30 pm. Refreshments will be served afterwards. (2) The annual Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated January 25-31. This year’s theme, “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service,” focuses on the important academic, faith-building and societal contributions provided by Catholic education. I urge parishioners to participate as they are able in what is a major ministry of Good Shepherd Parish. In particular, take note of the open house at the school for prospective families on Monday, January 26; you can help by inviting families with school-aged children to attend the open house and to consider a Catholic education at St. James School. (3) I welcome Fr. D. Joseph Manship to the parish now that he has established a home in Biddeford after retiring from active ministry on January 1. Until then, Fr. Manship was the chaplain at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion, and St. Mary’s Residence, all located in Lewiston. Born on January 20, 1945, in Caribou, Fr. Manship attended high school in Moncton, New Brunswick, Caribou, and Boston, Massachusetts. He received a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Ottawa before earning a B.A. in theology and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from St. Paul’s University in Ottawa. He also attended the School of Spiritual Direction at Benedictine Abbey in Pecos, New Mexico, where he was certified as a charismatic spiritual director, and Emmanuel College in Boston, where he earned a master’s degree in clinical pastoral counseling. Fr. Manship was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Edward C. O’Leary on September 3, 1976, at Holy Rosary Church in Caribou. He served as associate pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Brunswick and St. Mary Parish in Bangor before being appointed temporary administrator of St. Mary Parish in Westbrook in 1998. In 1999, he was named pastor of St. Mary Parish. In addition to his pastoral duties at St. Mary, in 2003 and 2004 respectively, Fr. Manship was appointed pastor of St. Edmund Parish and St. Hyacinth Parish, both in Westbrook. In 2005, Fr. Manship became administrator of Most Holy Trinity Parish in Saco, a parish he served before assuming his assignments in Lewiston in June 2007. He will help us from time to time with Masses in Good Shepherd Parish. (4) Bishop Deeley has named Fr. Joseph E. Daniels, current pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Farmington and St. Rose of Lima Parish in Jay, as the interim director of the diaconate for the diocese, effective immediately. Fr. Daniels will remain the pastor of the two parishes while he temporarily oversees the diaconate program. The bishop expects to name a new director of the diaconate after a period of consultation and discussion with advisors. In his role as interim director of the diaconate, Fr. Daniels will oversee the ongoing formation (human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral) of 30 deacons and 15 deacon candidates in the diocese. (5) Thank You of the Week: To the parishioner who made a generous donation to the parish after selling her home to benefit Most Holy Trinity Church. Thank you!
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:26:38 +0000
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