Parish of the  Precious Blood

            * MORE BREAKING NEWS *

We have such a great group of students in our youth ministry program. Our youth have been meeting on Sunday afternoons at St. Mary’s in Presque Isle for a number of years. Our program which is based on Life Teen, is one for the entire Parish; from Limestone to Portage and from Stockholm to Mars Hill. I invite the youth from ALL our churches to gather on Sunday afternoon and share their experiences; the wonders of their Catholic faith.

When I was in high school, like many of you I was part of CYO. This had a big impact on my life. I know that our program has the same impact on our youth. We also have a program for middle school students called Edge. They also meet on Sunday.

The Need: Our Parish is searching for an adult youth minister (leader) to plan youth lessons and activities. This person works with a GREAT group of adults who help out on Sunday afternoons. This is a part-time paid position.

Another Need:  Our parish is in need of a part-time administrative
assistant at St. Mary’s in Presque Isle.  If you are interested, please call 498-2536 and speak to our business manager, Martha Frank.

Today's youth are plunged into the distracting worlds of consumerism and technological isolation, which can damage the connection with their church and a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. Our secular culture does not offer the proper economic, spiritual, and personal tools to help youth become disciples of Jesus Christ. It is up to us to show our youth that the Church maintains a culture of love and discipleship. 

Let us be "youth-friendly". It is crucial to value adolescents. This means listening to them and responding to their needs, as well as providing them with facilities and money to enable their growth as disciples. If the parish wants youth to commit to future parish life, the parish must commit to the development of the youth.                                                             
 

                                                                                          Blessings,
        

                                                                                          Fr. Dave                                                                                 

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 and not knowing until short notice when Fr. Steve and Fr. Prabu were actually leaving, we were unable to plan the kind of farewell they both deserve. We encourage parishioners to send their best wishes to them in a personal card or letter. We are going to miss them both deeply.

Fr. Prabu's new address:

Fr. Arockia Prabu
225 S High St.
Bridgton, ME 04009

Fr. Steve's new address:

Rev. Nehru Stephen Savarayia
24 Washington St.
Augusta, ME 04330

      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

          

Dear friends,

It is my pleasure to welcome Fr. Selvaraj Kasi, "Fr. Raj", as our new Parochial Vicar. Fr. Raj is not new to Aroostook County having spent a year serving the parishes of Our Lady of the Valley and St. John Vianney from 2017-2019. He was then assigned to Lewiston. Now he returns to the area that he loves; a warm welcome, Fr. Raj.
Fr. Raj will be living at the Rectory in Presque Isle and will begin his ministry here Aug. 1st.

                                           Fr. Dave






Dear Fr. David Raymond, and parishioners of the Parish of the Precious Blood,

First of all, I thank God for bringing me to the Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to see, learn, and experience the beauty of the culture and the life in Northern Maine. Indeed, I have had peaceful and happy time in this historic and cultural region.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 took away the opportunity from me to serve you better. I pray that the pandemic will end soon so that the joy of activities in the communities will return.

Secondly, I offer my deep thanks to
Fr. David Raymond who is the pastor of the Parish of the Precious Blood. I thank you for welcoming me to your parish during this difficult time. Thank you for your lessons and empathy. Thank you for your prayers, spiritual guidance, and the encouragement that motivated me to move forward in the priestly vocation.

Next, I thank the parishioners in each community. Somehow, you have been praying for me and encouraging my priestly vocation. Do you know that each one of you who I have met is a gift that God sent to me? God is showing me His love through you. God is teaching me through you. I owe you so much. Please continue keeping me in your prayers, and be assured that you are in my heart and in my prayers.
I wish Fr. David Raymond and all of you many blessings from God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. God bless you.

Sincerely in Christ,

Lam Vo
401 Michigan Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20017

      LIVESTREAM ORDINATION - AUG. 22 

 This year the Missionaries will not be able to make their visit to our parish in person due to the pandemic which is affecting countires around the world.  Please click on the link below to make your donation to the 
SMA Fathers who are the group assigned to our parish this year. 

The Society of African Missions (SMA) is a worldwide organization of Catholic missionaries made up of priests, brothers, and laymen and women. Their more than 1,000 missionaries hail from five continents and joyfully witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They currently serve in 17 countries throughout Africa and in other parts of the world, including the United States. The Diocese of Portland is pleased to have two SMA priests assisting here.

For more than 160 years, members of the society have been committed to evangelization, proclaiming the Gospel to those who have not yet heard it, most especially the poor and abandoned. In their work in Africa, they strive to answer questions of justice and peace, particularly by engaging with street children, former child soldiers, refugees, war-displaced people, Ebola victims, and people living with HIV and AIDS. They also focus on human development through education and health. [Read more.] 

 To support the mission of the Society of African Missions, please visit the Parish of the Precious Blood online giving page.

                            DONATE

 
                          CLICK HERE

  * Status as of Aug. 6, 2020

   We are at 68% of our Goal.

   1 more gift this week!
 

       Sat., Aug. 8, 2020 ~ St. Mary's
  *Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest
       
       Sun., Aug. 9, 2020 ~ St. Mary's
  *Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest

 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 NOW OPEN on Tues & Fri. from
9 AM - 1 PM and Sat. from 9 AM-12 PM. You must wear a mask and follow social distancing protocols.
 
Faith Formation classes are cancelled at this time.
 
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. Steve & Fr. Prabu

    
                           CLICK HERE