October 29-30, 2023

My dear friends,
This last week has been difficult. The shock of the mass shooting in Lewiston shook us. In hearing the names of those lost in this massacre our grief deepens. What has happened is painful. And that is particularly the case for those living in Lewiston and Auburn. In these few words, as you gather for Mass, I want to assure you of my closeness with you in this time of trial.

You have questions. The existence of evil in our world understandably comes to the fore when these tragedies occur. Questions touch a deep core of our lives, our human concern for safety and security.  It is not my place to give easy answers to this profound question.

What I can say centers on our gathering for Eucharist. Here we believe that the Lord Jesus is with us, he who himself bore the pain of his passion and death. But that was not the end of his story. Jesus rose from the dead. He triumphed over evil and showed us the eternal value of each of us.  

Strengthened by faith we gather in community here in the parish. Coming together is itself a grace. Through our common prayer in this Eucharist, we know the support we give each other. As we do, we strengthen our community, and we lessen the pain for ourselves by realizing that we share it with others.

Let us remember: Jesus is Emmanuel, God is with us.
And let us continue to pray for those who have died, and those injured, and their families.
God bless you all,
Bishop Deeley