Two New Parishes formed by Mergers

As of the first of the year, 2011, two new parishes were formed in the Diocese of Portland.

Three parishes in southern Maine were merged into one parish effective January first. Our Lady of the Angels, South Berwick; St. Christopher, York; and St. Raphael, Kittery are merging to form the Parish of the Ascension of the Lord.

The merger is part of the diocesan and parish plans to strengthen the Church’s evangelization mission while facing the realities of fewer priests, physical building issues and population growth in that area.

In 2006, Our Lady of the Angels Parish was formed by the merging of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Berwick, and St. Michael Parish, South Berwick. Later that year, St. Michael Church was sold to the town of South Berwick; the town is currently renovating that building into a library. Last summer, land was purchased in South Berwick to build a new church to accommodate the faith community for the Berwicks, which will be called Our Lady of the Angels Church.

Since 2006, the geographic area which makes up the Parish of the Ascension of the Lord has shared the services of two priests and one deacon and that will remain the same along with the number of Masses. The parish pastoral council will examine and possibly redefine its ministries (family and youth ministries, religious education programs, etc.) now that the parish is larger. The newly-formed parish will be planning parish-wide events including anniversaries, the Easter Vigil, picnics and other social events to celebrate their unity.

The Parish of the Ascension of the Lord also includes the Star of the Sea Church, York Beach which is open only in the summer.

At the same time, Holy Redeemer Parish, Bar Harbor, and St. Ignatius Parish, Northeast Harbor, are merging into a single parish with the new name Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Reverend John O’Hara, formerly pastor of Holy Redeemer, has been named administrator of the new parish. Deacon Joseph LaPlante also serves this parish.

The parishes were merged in consideration of their size and proximity; due to the need for even closer cooperation between the parishes for the sake of evangelization and to bring together their gifts and resources.

The Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord includes the churches of Holy Redeemer, Bar Harbor; St. Ignatius, Northeast Harbor; Our Lady Star of the Sea, Islesboro; and St. Peter, Southwest Harbor, along with all their cemeteries. The new parish is part of Cluster 11 which includes St. Joseph Parish, Ellsworth, and Stella Maris Parish, Bucksport.