Prince of Peace Parish

Pope Francis has declared that the year 2025 will be a Holy Year of Jubilee for the Catholic Church - an event that takes place once every 25 years. The theme for the 2025 Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope”, an invitation to showcase the hope of our Christian faith to people right across the world at a time when there is so much suffering from the impact of war, poverty, climate change, and the lasting effects of the COVID pandemic.The Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee presents each one of us with an opportunity to reignite the flame of our faith in our own hearts and to share the light of that faith with those in darkness.

The concept of Jubilee is one rooted in the earliest days ofJudeo-Christian tradition. In the Book of Leviticus, we read that the people of Israel celebrated this tradition every 50 years. Its purpose was to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. It involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields. Today, the Catholic Church celebrates this tradition once every 25 years as a year of grace, offering the faithful the opportunity to renew faith through prayer, pilgrimage, acts of charity, and by asking for a plenary indulgence - a special grace that strengthens our wounded souls in the fight against sin.

Plenary Indulgence

In his proclamation of the Jubilee of 2025, Pope Francis announced an indulgence would be available to the faithful during the jubilee year. The indulgence, he explained, would be “a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God’s mercy.”

A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin.

• Pope Francis' decree on the Granting of Indulgence during the Jubilee Year (External Link)
• What is a plenary indulgence? -  Harvest magazine special report.  

Jubilee Resources

Jubilee Celebration Calendar (USCCB Weekly Themes)

Jubilee Logo

Jubilee Prayer

Oración del Jubileo (Jubilee Prayer / Spanish)

Prière du Jubilé (Jubilee Prayer / French)

Jubilee Prayer (Additional Languages / External Link)

Jubilee Official Website (English / External Link)

Jubilee Official Website (French / External Link)

Jubilee Official Website (Spanish / External Link)

Official Hymn (External Link)

Spes Non Confundit (Papal bull / External Link)

USCCB Jubilee Information Sheet

USCCB Jubilee Information Sheet (Spanish)

News Stories

Pope Francis opens Holy Door (Catholic News Agency / External Link)

Pope Francis opens Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica (USCCB / External Link)

Pope Francis opens Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican News / External Link)

Pope Francis opens Holy Door at Rome Prison (USCCB / External Link)

U.S. Bishops Designate National Shrine as Pilgrimage Site (Catholic News Agency / External Link)

January: Living as Missionary Disciples
As we begin the Jubilee Year of 2025, Pope Francis invites us to embrace the call to be missionary disciples. But what does that mean for us today? The term "missionary disciple" may feel like it belongs to saints like Mother Teresa rather than everyday Catholics. Yet, Jesus calls all of us—right here in Lewiston, Auburn, and Lisbon Falls—to take part in His mission. Let’s explore how we can respond to this call and live it out at Prince of Peace Parish.


Pray
Mission begins with a relationship with God. Deepen your love for Him through prayer and the sacraments. Spend time in Eucharistic Adoration, join a Rosary group, or commit to praying with your family. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how He wants you to use your unique gifts for His glory. Prayerful discernment is the foundation of a missionary disciple’s journey.


Witness
Sharing your faith authentically is at the heart of being a missionary disciple. Start small—invite someone to attend a parish event or group with you. Consider opportunities like a parish Bible study, a community service project with the Knights of Columbus, or Cross the Street Ministry.
You can also witness through your actions:

• Give Catholic gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, or other celebrations, such as a Rosary, a saint medal, or a book about the faith.

• Create a “Mary Garden” in your yard, showcasing the Blessed Mother as a witness to your neighbors and a reminder of your devotion.

• Let your faith permeate your everyday life by choosing decorations, conversations, and acts of service that reflect Christ’s love.

This January, challenge yourself to reflect your faith in every part of your life and invite someone to join you in experiencing the richness of our Catholic community.


Engage
Missionary discipleship often begins with a simple invitation. Bring someone with you to Mass, a parish social, or another parish gathering. Encourage them to join you in hosting coffee and donuts after Mass or helping with hospitality. These small, welcoming acts can create meaningful connections and show others the joy of living the Catholic faith.


Volunteer
Get involved in the life of the parish and encourage others to do the same. Serve through ministries like the Knights of Columbus, or help at parish events and initiatives like Cross the Street Ministry. Volunteering alongside someone can be a great way to build relationships and grow in faith together.


Study
Deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith. Join Fr. Daniel Greenleaf’s adult catechesis classes on Monday evenings or participate in the Men’s and Women’s Groups for spiritual development. Use resources like Formed.org, which is available through the parish, or find a book or study guide that interests you. Invite a friend to learn and grow alongside you.


Support
Generosity is a hallmark of missionary discipleship. Support Prince of Peace Parish through offertory giving, and consider donating to the Bishop’s Appeal or local ministries. Your contributions help sustain essential programs, like youth ministries, outreach efforts, and parish initiatives.


Living the Call at Prince of Peace
At Prince of Peace Parish, there are countless ways to embrace the call to missionary discipleship:

• Pray: Join a weekly Adoration hour, pray the Rosary, or attend daily Mass.

• Serve: Support Cross the Street Ministry, help at parish events, or volunteer with the Knights of Columbus.

• Engage: Bring someone with you to Mass, a parish social, or join in hosting coffee and donuts or hospitality.

• Learn: Participate in adult catechesis programs or join a Bible study to grow in your understanding of the faith.

Becoming a missionary disciple is not about completing a checklist but adopting a mindset that puts Christ first. Ask Our Lady to guide you closer to her Son and inspire you to share His love with others. Together, let us make 2025 a year of mission, love, and transformation for our parish and community.