Diocese of Portland

Black Bears, Breaking Bread, and Bananagrams: Bishop Deeley Visits UMaine’s Newman Center on March 27

ORONO---"Pray, spend time with Jesus. He wants us to know the wonder of God’s love and care for each of us,” the bishop told the students. “He wants us to see him as light in our world.”

On Sunday evening, Bishop Robert Deeley made a stop at the Newman Center, the home for Catholics in the University of Maine community, to visit students, staff, and parishioners and to celebrate Mass on the 4th Sunday of Lent.

“Like the academic year, Lent is moving along quickly. We are at the halfway mark,” said the bishop during his homily, “and that means the preparation of those to be baptized becomes more and more of our focus. At Mass this evening, we have what is called the second scrutiny. It is really an opportunity to pray for those preparing for baptism at Easter, asking God to strengthen them in their decision. As the prayer will tell us, ‘to deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out the decision to love God above all.’”

Bishop Deeley said that the prayers for the candidates for baptism are also for those already baptized.

“They ask the grace we need to convert our lives and become more like the followers of Jesus we seek to be. We ask ourselves, what is it in our lives that could be changed so that we could better be followers of the one whom we believe brings us a message of love, and provides the meaning for our lives?”

After Mass, Bishop Deeley shared in the supper at the center, offered for free each Wednesday and Sunday night, and enjoyed in the fellowship of the welcoming community. He even learned to play Bananagrams, a student favorite, and find about the many Black Bear Catholic service projects and programs. The bishop commended the staff of the Newman Center for providing such a wonderful environment for hearing God’s word and growing in faith.

“Taking part in the life of this community at Sunday Mass and at the opportunities for prayer and enrichment not only helps each of us to live in the light of Jesus, but it also helps us to invite others to come to the same light,” he said. “We provide the place where Jesus can heal and bring light to others. He shows us the way we are called to live.”

To learn more about the Newman Center, its new and upcoming renovations, and how you can help, click here.