PORTLAND, Maine — Masses and special events at churches across Maine will highlight the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland’s celebration of the Feast Day of Saint Patrick on Saturday, March 17.
Aroostook County events include:
Saint Mary of the Visitation Church, Houlton: The Saint Patrick’s Bazaar, a Houlton tradition that began over 100 years ago, will be renewed March 17 at Saint Anthony Hall, located on 112 Military St., from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event will feature corned beef and cabbage, roast turkey, and all the fixings.
Admission is $10, or $32 for a family of four. Doors will open at 2 p.m. for the traditional “cake walk” for children. The bazaar will also include a raffle and auction.
For more information, call (207) 532-2871.
Saint Denis Church, Fort Fairfield: The Daughters of Isabella Santa Maria Circle 427 will host a St. Patrick’s Day lunch at noon on Sunday, March 18, at the Knights of Columbus Hall on 260 Main Street in Fort Fairfield. The lunch will include baked ham, mashed potatoes, carrots and peas, salad, dessert, and a beverage.
The cost is $8 per person and $20 per family. There will also be a ‘Pot O’ Gold’ drawing worth more than $100. For more information, call (207) 498-2536.
St. Patrick’s Day holds special significance in the Diocese of Portland as Saint Patrick, along with Saint Jean Baptiste, is a secondary patron of the diocese.
Saint Patrick, who was captured by Irish raiders as a teenager in the fifth century, ultimately escaped his enslavement, entered the Church, and returned to Ireland, where he brought the message of the Gospel to the very people who had kept him in slavery.
Bishop Robert P. Deeley, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from County Galway, Ireland, will celebrate Mass on Saint Patrick’s Day at 4 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.
“These gatherings are meant to celebrate Saint Patrick and his faith,” said Bishop Deeley. “They remind us that we do that best when we live as he lived, filled with the love of God he found in Jesus Christ and striving to carry the Good News of Jesus to others.”
For more information, contact Dave Guthro, Communications Director for the Diocese of Portland, at (207) 321-7810 or dave.guthro@portlanddiocese.org.
