Prince of Peace Parish

    With Covid, so many things are going online and I got this in my email about a FREE BIBLE CONFERENCE ONLINE (for parts of the conference, the rest has a fee).  When I looked at who will be doing the talks, I noticed that many of them are the ones I used for my classes.  I am very interested in this and maybe you might be too.  As Catholics, we have to learn more about the bible and God's holy Word.   There is a also a paid part of the conference that lets you watch more conferences and when you want to watch them.  The people are very well known and if you want any help with recommendations let me know and I can let you know my favorites.   I know that many of you are looking for more and would love to go to a conference, and this is something accessible online and at your own pace.  --  Fr. Daniel Here is the link:   https://go.virtualcatholicconference.com/Bible2021  

 

  CATHOLIC MEN'S GROUP Fr. Daniel will lead the series "Into the Breach" on being a Catholic Man in the Church and the world today.  The Knights of Columbus has produced this series based on the Apostolic Exhortation by Bishop Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix.  It starts on January 16 and meets through Lent and ends on Holy Saturday.  It is all online at 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM on Saturday Mornings.  The topics include Masculinity, brotherhood, Leadership, Fatherhood, Family, Life, Prayer, Suffering, Sacramental Life, Spiritual Warfare, Evangelization and Cornerstone.  Contact Fr. Daniel Greenleaf at Daniel.greenleaf@portlanddiocese.org for more information or visit the parish website at princeofpeace.me/mens-group to register.  

Dear Parishioners, This weekend is the Feast of the Holy Family and it is a great time to consecrate our families to the Holy Family. At Mass, we will go to the manger scene in the Church and pray the consecration prayer given to us by the Knights of Columbus. Thanks to their generosity, we will have prayer cards for those at Mass to follow along and for those to follow who are on live stream. The family is under attack in our culture today, and I am sure you see that in your own families. Let us all pray together that under the protection of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Holy Family, we will keep our families healthy and sacred. We are finally getting to the end of what has been a very strange year for all of us so more than ever we look forward to the New Year. Our struggles are not behind us but there is the hope that life will not always be like this. There is always the grace in realizing that as things are stripped away from us, we rediscover what is really important to us and what

  Attention youth ministry families Come join us this Sunday as we explore the sanctuary and the sacristy with Father Patrick for Holy Family church tour part 2!

  Due to inclement weather the Adoration Chapel will be closed Thursday, December 17th. It will reopen on Friday, December 18th. Thank you! Stay Safe!

  Please join us for one of these Masses on  Thursday, December 31st or Friday, January 1st.

 

  Please join Fr. Michael at Holy Family Church on December 18th at 6:00 PM for a Healing Prayer Service and Adoration.  There is no need to register, however, there will be check in at the door where they will take contact information.

  Did you miss Bishop Deeley's Advent blessing yesterday? Don't worry, we have it right here! Please click below to watch! https://youtu.be/rVvExz2KQ9A

  Dear Parishioners,   As we approach the holy celebration of the Nativity of our Lord, Jesus Christ, many of us will be experiencing it in a very different way.   Certainly, the crowds of people who come to the Sacred Mass will not happen this year due to the limited number allowed.   However, we are hoping that the reception of Holy Communion during the scheduled hours will help connect many people to Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.   For those who are not comfortable staying for the period of time inside the building, we invite you to come with your whole family, say a prayer in the Church and prepare for Holy Communion, receive Communion and pray a prayer of Thanksgiving and return home.   This would only take a few minutes and you will have marked the Holy Night and Day with a Sacred Action.   Please let me know if you have any questions about the process as you consult the times and places where Holy Communion will be distributed. Another option for attending Mass

If you plan on attending Mass for Christmas, please keep the following things in mind: ·         Only 50 people will be able to attend the scheduled Masses in the Church and 50 people will be able to attend Mass from an overflow section in each Church.   ·         You will be asked to wear a mask at all times while inside the Church ·         You will be asked to respect social distancing at all times.  There will be markings on the floor to assist in remaining distant during Communion. WE WILL DRAW NAMES FOR EACH CHURCH AND OVERFLOW SPACE ON  MONDAY, DECEMBER 21.   YOU WILL RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE PARISH IF YOUR NAME AND PARTY WERE DRAWN. Registrations close on Sunday, December 20.  

Check out this Advent message from Father Patrick! Part of the new Carlo Show (named for our patron, Blessed Carlo Acutis) from Prince of Peace Youth Ministry! Please click the link below to watch the video message!   https://youtu.be/aN3ZcEcsH_0

  For more information please contact Scott Vaillancourt.

  For more information please contact Scott Vaillancourt.

Make your Christmas tree part of a holy Christmas with this blessing! And don't forget to bless your nativity scene this Advent! There are many ways that we can make sure that Covid doesn't steal our Advent!  

  "Mark your calendars folks, its part 2 of the Holy Family Church tour! This time Father Patrick will lead us to the front of the church where we will explore the sanctuary and the sacristy. We'll get to be up close and personal with the tabernacle!" This is for the Youth Ministry Group at this time.

  Dear Parishioners, I want to begin by thanking the Bishop for allowing us to distribute Holy Communion after Mass to those people who are either not ready to return to Mass or are not comfortable with the registering of names and contact tracing instituted during the pandemic.  This way, people can come to Church at the designated hours to say a prayer and receive Holy Communion and to stay connected to the Blessed Sacrament during the restrictions in place.  I believe that faith and expressions of it are essential for the spiritual, mental and emotional wellbeing of Catholics. Following all the protocols asked of essential activities, we will continue to keep everyone safe.  Moreover, the length of time in the building and the sanitizing protocols we use would seem as safe as any grocery store visit.  Please check out the times on Sunday that Catholics are able to go to Church, pray and receive Communion. You will notice that we have additions to the “Don’t Let Covid Steal Your Adve

 

It's the feast day of Saint Nicholas! Time to get the rundown on Santa and Saint Nicholas. How are they different and what do they have in common? Here's a few examples!  

  The Holy Family probably encountered more palm than pine on their way to Bethlehem, so where did Advent wreaths come from? Also, check out this great Advent wreath blessing to do with your family this year!

  PORTLAND---During Advent, Bishop Robert Deeley will host a special, virtual prayer and blessing gathering for all Maine families on Sunday, December 13, at 5 p.m. The live presentation, which should last around ten minutes, will be available on Lifesize. There are three simple ways to access the blessing to which all are welcome to attend. View the login information at www.portlanddiocese.org/BishopFamilyBlessing .