Two County parishes earn ministry awards
PORTLAND, Maine — Two Catholic parishes in Aroostook County are among 10 throughout Maine who have been named recipients of the 2016 Matthew 25 Awards.
The Parish of the Precious Blood, based in Caribou, and Fort Kent’s St. John Vianney Parish will each receive funds to assist their social ministries.
The awards, presented annually by the Catholic Charities Maine Parish Social Ministry program, benefit parishes that are directly serving vulnerable people in need, regardless of their faith affiliation, and adhering to the principles of the Matthew chapter 25 verse, “I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink.”
Grants totaling $15,000 are given to the parishes to assist them in expanding their capacity to serve more people or to help develop a new social ministry.
The Parish of the Precious Blood will receive $1,000 to help expand their blanket ministry. The blanket ministry currently provides free blankets to those in need via the soup kitchen, veterans’ home, and other outlets.
The parish includes Holy Rosary Church, Caribou; Nativity of the Blessed Mary Church, Presque Isle; Our Lady of the Lake Church, Portage; Sacred Heart Church, Caribou; St. Catherine Church, Washburn; St. Denis Church, Fort Fairfield; St. Joseph Church, Mars Hill; St. Louis Church, Limestone; St. Mark Church, Ashland; and St. Theresa Church, Stockholm.
St. John Vianney Parish will receive $3,000 to help renovate a new space for its food pantry so that more food can be provided to those in need. The renovation will also improve accessibility for volunteers.
The parish includes St. Louis Church, Fort Kent; St. Joseph Church, Wallagrass; St. Mary Church, Eagle Lake; and St. Charles Borromeo Church, Saint Francis.
This is the sixth year that the Matthew 25 Awards have been given, but the second in which more than one parish has been honored.
“We were impressed by the numerous applications we received. They are a testament to the good works that parishes are doing to address needs in their communities,” said Michael Smith, the director of mission for Catholic Charities Maine. “We believe that this financial support can help extend our reach in assisting Maine’s most vulnerable populations.”
In the coming months, stained glass awards and the checks will be presented during Masses at the respective parishes to commemorate the 2016 recipients.
Other Matthew 25 recipients are: All Saints Parish, Brunswick; Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, East Millinocket; Cluster 22 Parishes of Cape Elizabeth, South Portland and Scarborough; Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Dexter; St. Mary of Lourdes Parish, Lincoln; and St. Michael Parish, Augusta.
