Many thanks to those parishioners who participated in the Bread for the World 2023 Offering of Letters advocacy campaign. The Social Justice and Peace Commission hosted tables at each of the Masses on the weekend of June 17 and 18. They sent 63 letters from our parish – and a few have told us they’ve sent their own letters of support as well.

Thank you for caring and making your individual impact on the local – and global – problem of hunger. By taking part in Bread for the World’s 2023 Offering of Letters in support of the Farm Bill, you have helped deliver a message of support for domestic nutrition programs (including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/SNAP), as well as funding for critical international food assistance programs.

There is still time to contact members of our Congressional Delegation to express your prayerful concerns.

People are hungry. Not just “what’s-for-dinner?” hungry, but “will-there-be-dinner?” hungry. Maine has the highest child hunger rate in all of New England: 1 in 5 Maine kids are hungry.  And, hunger is not limited to the young. We know that.
The Gospel Message is clear: Feed the hungry.

Adding our Voices to Those Alleviating Physical Hunger

We’re suggesting one way to make an individual impact on the local – and global – problem of hunger. Every year, Bread for the World organizes churches, community organizations, and people of faith from across the country to write letters and emails to their members of Congress who have the power to impact the policies and programs that can end hunger. So by taking part in Bread for the World’s 2023 Offering of Letters in support of the Farm Bill, you will help support domestic nutrition programs (including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/SNAP), as well as funding for critical international food assistance programs.

We are joining All Saints Parish in Brunswick in this effort. Letters drafted by Bread for the World and addressed to our Senators and Congresswoman will be available at the Masses on June 17 and 18 on a table in the back of the churches along with a volunteer to answer any questions.

It is easy to participate right after Mass:

• sign each letter in the packet of three on-the-spot
• add your printed name and address or use a printed address label

Not around on the weekend of June 17/18?  You can add your voice online at the Bread for the World’s web page that will walk you through the process. Be sure to check the box that indicates this is part of an Offering of Letters.

The Social Justice and Peace Commission members invite you to join them

If you would like to volunteer to staff a table at one of the Masses on June 17 or 18, please get in touch with the Social Justice & Peace Ministry at olhsjp@gmail.com or speak to one of the members of the ministry.

A Message from the Social Justice and Peace Commission Members:

“In Maine, where life is as it should be (according to our state’s welcome sign), and in Portland, it is not only sad and shameful to see a neo-Nazi rally, but also dangerous. Fortunately, no extremely serious harm was done by a masked neo-Nazi on April 1. However, the racist message of white supremacy and virulent antisemitism has long lasting effects.

Since the rally also congregated at the Immigrant Welcome Center, it is clear that they aim also at our immigrant community members. Most are here because they fled misery and persecution in their homeland. So many have found safe refuge here and have made contributions valuable to Portland as teachers, store owners, health care workers, house cleaners, spiritual advisors, translators, and interpreters, just to name a few. They would not be here if neo-Nazis had had their way.

Living the Gospel Message

Respect for free speech is more than allowing its free expression, it means vigilance and acceptance of the stranger in our midst whom we welcome in the Gospel spirit of love, now more than ever at this joyful time of the Resurrection.”

Additional Context

On Palm Sunday Weekend, ahead of Easter and Passover, a group that espouses racism, antisemitism, and intolerance held a rally in Portland.  Their message is the opposite of Catholic Social Teaching.