Two new Catholic parishes have been formed in the Diocese of Portland.
Three parishes in southern Maine merged into one parish effective Jan. 1. Our Lady of the Angels in South Berwick, St. Christopher in York and St. Raphael in Kittery formed the Parish of the Ascension of the Lord.
The merger is part of 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 merging Our Lady of Peace Parish in Berwick and St. Michael Parish in South Berwick. Later that year, St. Michael was sold to the town of South Berwick and the building is in the process of being renovated 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 two priests and one deacon and that will remain the same, as will the number of Masses. The parish pastoral council will examine its family and youth ministries, religious education and other programs of the newly formed larger parish and will also plan events to celebrate their unity.
The Parish of the Ascension of the Lord also includes the Star of the Sea Church in 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. The Rev. John O’Hara, formerly pastor of Holy Redeemer, has been named administrator of the new parish. Deacon Joseph LaPlante also serves this parish.
The Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord also includes 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.
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