Parish of the  Precious Blood

Dear Friends,

We are a little over three weeks away from Election Day.   As Catholics, we bring the richness of our faith to the public square. We draw from both faith and reason as we seek to affirm the dignity of the human person and the common good of all. Everyone living in this country is called to participate in public life and contribute
to the common good. 

In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. As Catholics, we should be guided more by our moral convictions than by our
attachment to any political party or interest group.

Catholic voters should use Catholic teaching to examine candidates’ positions on issues and should consider candidates’ integrity, philosophy, and performance. It is important for all citizens “to see beyond party politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically, and to choose their political leaders according to principle, not party affiliation or mere self-interest” (USCCB, Living the Gospel of Life, no. 33).

In today’s environment, Catholics may feel politically disenfranchised, sensing that no party fully shares our comprehensive commitment to human life and dignity. This should not discourage us.
For the Church, these considerations all boil down to one concept: conscience. Conscience allows Catholics to make difficult moral decisions, such as deciding who to vote for in 2020. One must take into account the various factors, good and evil, which have been discussed; one must learn as much as they can about the various candidates, factions and policies. Most importantly, one must take care that their  conscience is “well-formed.” A well-formed conscience is not gut instinct, but a faculty capable of making difficult decisions in light of years of action, prayer and reflection.
After all, I can’t tell you who to vote for in 2020. Only your conscience can do that — and only you can train your conscience to make the right decisions.
                                                                 

                                                                                                                  Blessings,
                         
                                                                                                                  Fr. Dave
 

      Click here to access the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young Adults.                                            

 

                                                            

                       Click here  to access the Diocesan Code of Ethics (Rev. 2016).

Follow this link to access a variety of useful material and resources including:

      ·        Details about the Office of Child & Youth Protection and the
           Protecting God’s Children program

·         A variety of safe environment forms and applications for parishes, parents, schools, employees and volunteers

·         How to file a sexual abuse report

·         Information about the Office of Professional Responsibility

·         Diocesan policies on counseling assistance

     Click here to learn more about    Medicare Advantage Plans in Maine.
   

 
                          CLICK HERE

  * Status as of Oct. 8, 2020

    Total received  $67,540   

    We are at 72% of our Goal.      

             2 Gifts this week!
 

    28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

            Sunday Celebration in the
                   Absence of a Priest

        Sat., Oct. 10, 2020 ~ St. Mary's

       Sun., Oct. 11, 2020 ~ St. Mary's
  
 PERMISSION TO PODCAST /LIVESTREAM THE MUSIC OBTAINED FROM CHRISTIAN COPYRIGHT LICENSING INTERNATIONAL, LICENSE #48409215. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

DAILY MASS WILL BE LIVESTREAMED  8:30 AM MON. TUES. AND FRI.. 6:00 PM ON WEDS.  LOG ON TO THE PARISH FACEBOOK PAGE TO VIEW.

SUNDAY MASS WILL BE LIVESTREAMED AT 4 PM SATURDAY AND 9 AM SUNDAY. LOG ON TO THE PARISH FACEBOOK PAGE TO VIEW.

The rectory offices in Caribou and Presque Isle remain CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC until further notice.  There will be minimal staff on hand to answer the telephone. Staff will be required to complete their work from home if possible.

Please do not come to the rectory to conduct business. 

Conduct any business you have with the Parish by telephone or e-mail. 
If you have an emergency and need a Priest, please call the rectory in Caribou at
498-2536 or Presque Isle at 768-3671.  Someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
 
For now the following protocols are in place:  
 
No Individual prayer in the church at this time. 
 
There will be NO  public suppers, social gatherings of any kind until further notice.
 
All Church groups, prayer groups, committees and councils will meet via Zoom OR SUBMIT A PLAN TO THE PASTOR FOR HOW YOU WILL MEET ACCORDING TO THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND SANITIZE AFTER.
 
Special arrangements for Baptismal Preparation are available by calling the rectory at 498-2536.
 
The Good Sam Thrift Store in Caribou is CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 
 
Faith Formation classes
Parish of the Precious Blood is excited to announce that we will be offering a NEW faith formation program called "Family Catechesis" starting in September.  This is a bi-monthly program that is more streamlined than previous programs and allows for flexibility to fit the dynamics of individual families.  However, we are in need of site coordinators for Holy Rosary, St. Mary's and St. Denis to be part of a core team.  You will be working with dedicated and seasoned catechists and will be given direction from our parish catechetical leader on the lessons for each month .  Gatherings will be bi-monthly and last for one hour each. If you are interested in being part of this team and helping this program to grow, please contact   Fr. Dave at 498.2536 or
Stella at 554.7086.  
 
All Faith Sharing Groups meeting on Church property  are cancelled unless you SUBMIT A PLAN TO THE PASTOR FOR HOW YOU WILL MEET ACCORDING TO THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND SANITIZE AFTER.  
 
These protocols may change as new information becomes available.
 
Please keep each other in prayer and also pray for those who become ill and those who will care for them. 
 
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this national emergency.  Our adherence to these protocols has a direct impact on the ability of our healthcare workers to manage the response to this pandemic. 

Let’s all do our part to help them.
 
 Be assured of our prayers,
 Fr. Dave & Fr. Raj

    
                           CLICK HERE