SCARBOROUGH – St. John Paul II Parish announces its Lenten season Mass schedules, spiritual programming, social events, faith formation opportunities and charitable efforts spanning from February to April.
Spiritual Programming
The schedule for Ash Wednesday services and Masses on Wednesday, Feb. 22 can be viewed on https://jp2me.org/events/ash-wednesday-2023
The Stations of the Cross is a Lenten devotion on Fridays that offers witness to the Jesus’ Passion and Death. View the schedule or pray along virtually aat https://jp2me.org/stations-of-the-cross
“The Light is on for You” offers parishioners an extra opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation from Monday, March 27 till Saturday, April 1. To view the schedule for this special gift visit https://jp2me.org/lenten-reconciliation
Tenebrae Service — At 7 p.m. on Sunday March 26 at St. Maximilian Kolbe (150 Black Point Rd, Scarborough, ME 04074) is the service of Tenebrae, or darkness, that grew out of a combination of Night Prayer and early Morning Prayer. It features a series of Scripture readings commemorating Jesus’ final week, ending with his burial is also part of the service. At the end of each reading a candle is snuffed out, until the final candle, the Christ candle, is carried out, leaving the room in darkness. To learn more go to https://jp2me.org/events/tenebrae-2023
Charitable Efforts
40 Cans of Lent — Join the “40 Cans for Lent” effort organized by Knights of Columbus Councils #8144, #11747 and #2344 to donate 6,500 pounds of food to the South Portland Food Cupboard. For more information, go to: https://jp2me.org/40-cans-of-lent
An annual staple in Lenten charitable efforts is the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl. Visit https://jp2me.org/lent-and-catholic-relief-services-rice-bowls to learn more.
Adult Faith-Formation Opportunities
Monday Afternoons – Marian Cenacles – The Marian Cenacle meets at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church each Monday afternoon from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for this devotion to Our Lady, including Eucharistic Adoration.
Tuesday Mornings – Opening the Word Co-Ed Faith Sharing Group – Join Faith Formation Director Michelle Valcourt for coffee, baked goods, and a discussion about the upcoming Sunday’s readings.
Tuesday Evenings – Ancient Wisdom: The Wisdom of Solomon and the Gospel of John – Join Dr. John Kenney in this discussion group that will begin by reflecting on a work of Hellenistic Jewish thought, The Wisdom of Solomon, from the Old Testament Apocrypha. Meetings are Tuesdays in Lent at 7 p.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe.
Wednesday Mornings – Ministry of Presence – Each Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in the St. Maximilian Kolbe Chapel, Morning Prayer from Liturgy of the Hours is prayed in common. This is a chance to pray the Church’s official prayer. The church will supply the materials. Afterward, parishioners are invited to pray the Office of Readings from the Liturgy of the Hours and discuss what the day’s readings are asking mand how to be prayerfully present to each other and one’s family.
Saturday Mornings – St. John Paul II Parish Men’s Group – The St. John Paul II Parish Men’s Group meets weekly and is open to men of all ages who desire to grow closer to God. The Men’s Group meets from 7:30-8:30 a.m. (coffee’s on at 7 a.m.) each Saturday morning (with the exception of holiday weekends) at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Scarborough. Each Saturday morning begins with a teaching, followed by conversation that focuses on how to bring Christ into one’s daily life. Members encourage each other to become better Catholic men for our families, friends, workplaces, parish, and community.
Social Events
Knights of Columbus Council #8144 hosts weekly Haddock Dinners on Fridays in Lent – The Knights of Columbus Council 8144 will hold Lenten Baked Haddock Dinners from 5-6:15 p.m. at St Maximilian Kolbe Parish Hall on Fridays during Lent beginning Friday Feb. 24, and continuing every Friday until March 31. Meals will be eat-in or take out and will consist or Baked Haddock, Macaroni and Cheese, Potato, Mixed Vegetables, Coleslaw and Dessert. Coffee and Punch are included with eat-in meals. The cost for the dinner will be $12 for an adult, $5 for children under 12 and $30 for a family. Face Masks are optional. Maintain spacing while in the buffet line. Minors 18 and under will need to be accompanied by an adult to purchase a ticket, stand in the buffet line or get dessert.
A St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon – A St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon (Take-Out or Eat-In) will be held in person at St. Bartholomew’s on March 12 beginning at noon. Each meal will contain, corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and Irish soda bread. The cost for each meal is $15. For those who wish for a takeout meal, please plan to arrive between 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. only. Pre-orders can be made by contacting Angela Best at 207-233-4216 or via email bestn92@gmail.com Orders for pick up only will be accepted through March 8. Cash and checks (payable to St. John Paull II Parish) will be accepted at time of pickup.
In July of 2020, St. Bartholomew Parish in Cape Elizabeth, St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Scarborough, and St. John and Holy Cross Parish in South Portland joined to form the St. John Paul II Parish. The three churches maintained their individual names under the common patronage and intercession of St. John Paul II. For more information, visit www.jp2me.org.
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