Transfiguration Hermitage recognized as a private association of the faithful 

On the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, August 6, Bishop James Ruggieri officially recognized Transfiguration Hermitage in Windsor as a private association of the faithful. The hermitage is a contemplative Roman Catholic monastery following the rule of St. Benedict. 

Sister Elizabeth Wagner, the prioress of the hermitage, said that being canonically recognized as a private association of the faithful is a long-awaited moment for the community, which also includes Sister Bernadette Marie Kasinathan and Sister Anastasia Esther Wibowo. The sisters were dispensed from their vows as diocesan hermits, while professing their perpetual vows as Sisters of the Transfiguration Hermitage. 

 Bishop Ruggieri presided over the Mass and perpetual profession. Joining him were concelebrant Father Joseph Manship, Deacon Jeffrey Lewis, and deacon candidate Peter Czerwinski. The Mass was attended by close friends and benefactors of the sisters. 

St. Joseph’s College announces return of $1 million #MakeMercyReal challenge

St. Joseph’s College of Maine in Standish is bringing back its $1 million #MakeMercyReal TikTok challenge. The college will once again award up to $1 million in full-ride scholarships to prospective first-year students who demonstrate empathy, leadership, and service in their communities.

Prospective students are invited to create a 15-to-30-second TikTok video capturing a genuine, everyday moment during which they show compassion by recognizing a need and taking steps to help. Inspired by the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy and their founder, Catherine McAuley, the campaign brings together the college’s deeply rooted Catholic tradition of service with the reach of modern social media.

“Our world needs changemakers who don’t just feel compassion but actively put it to work every single day. That’s what this scholarship celebrates: proving that kindness, character, and hands-on service are every bit as valuable as a stellar transcript,” said Saint Joseph’s College President Joseph Cassidy.

To learn more about the scholarship, visit www.sjcme.edu/.

Diocese of Portland unveils new website

The Diocese of Portland invites you to visit its new website, which was launched in August. The new site was created to be dynamic, welcoming, and modern, with a more distinctive Maine look and easier content navigation.

The refreshed website aims to reflect who we are as a diocese. From Kittery to Fort Kent and from Eastport to Rangeley, we are one family of faith in the Diocese of Portland in Maine.

Home for pregnant women moves forward with help from the Knights 

The HopeStead, a new home for pregnant women in Midcoast Maine, was in danger of not being able to open when planned until the Knights of Columbus stepped in to help.

The Knights were contacted by a board member of Hope Givers, the nonprofit sponsoring the home, asking for help because work on the project had stalled. The Knights came through, first walking through the home to identify issues and then cleaning, painting, and making necessary repairs.

“You absolutely showed up at a time when we most needed assistance to get us over the finish line. You all came together with notepads and pens, and then with paint, hammers, saws, power washers, plumbing supplies, etc.  You showed up big time for us,” said Tammy Blake, secretary of The HopeStead.

Twelve Knights from Limerock Council 136 in Rockland worked on the project, donating more than 120 hours of labor. The Knights also restored an old wooden cross in the backyard and donated $2,000. 

Gorham Knights 5K to benefit food pantries

The Knights of Columbus from St. Anne Church in Gorham will host their fourth annual 5K Race/Walk on Saturday, October 10, hoping to raise $9,000 to benefit local food pantries. The race will begin at 9 a.m. at Shaw Cherry Hill Farm on Route 25 in Gorham.  

“With food insecurity such a critical issue in the state and locally, given the rising cost of food, housing, fuel, and basic necessities, selecting local pantries as the recipient of our proceeds made complete sense and matches our mission. Most of our proceeds come from generous local business sponsors,” said Ben Michaud, race director.

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Gorham Food Pantry, Standish Food Pantry, Buxton Food Co-Op, Buxton Community Cupboard, and the Sebago Warming Hut food pantry. The race raised more than $8,000 last year.

 Registration is $25 for adults and $15 for children up to age 12. Please visit www.gorhamknights.org/events/5k to register. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsorships should email Ben Michaud at valleydeere84@yahoo.com.