Bishop Robert P. Deeley will celebrate a special Mass at Saint Dominic Academy’s Upper School at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, to offer his blessings on students and faculty at the start of the new school year.

“I look forward to gathering together in prayer with the wonderful students and staff at this faith-filled school which is at the heart of our diocese,” he said in a news release from the Portland Diocese. 

“The beginning of each school year creates a special atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. Our prayer this year will, as ever, ask God’s blessing on the year ahead, but it will also ask God’s grace on Saint Dominic Academy’s new organization of leadership that I am confident will allow it to flourish this year and beyond,” the release said.

In early August, the Roman Catholic  Diocese of Portland announced that the school would adopt a president/principal model of school administration. Donald Fournier, who has been serving as principal for the past eight years, was named the first president of Saint Dominic Academy.

Joline Girouard, formerly an assistant principal at the school, is the new principal of the Upper School in Auburn, while Donald Bilodeau, also previously an assistant principal, is the new principal of the Lower School in Lewiston.

Bishop Deeley will be back in the Twin Cities to celebrate a Blue Mass at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 122 Ash St. in Lewiston. He will be joined by priests and deacons from throughout the diocese to recognize hundreds of local, state and federal law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency personnel for their faithful commitment and self-sacrifice.

“They are true heroes, but not just in dramatic ways. What they do is a way of serving, and even loving, the people of Maine. It is the kind of love that Jesus calls us to share,” Bishop Deeley said in the news release.

“The Blue Mass is a proud tradition honoring their tremendous and noble work, including those who have given their lives in the line of duty preserving law and order, and saving people from the many forces of destruction that can harm our tranquility. Expressing our boundless gratitude for the blessing of those who serve us is something we must never forget to do,” he said.

The Mass is planned and organized by diocesan officials and representatives from local, county and state public safety agencies. Color guards, including a multi-jurisdictional honor guard, will be on hand, as will the Maine Public Safety Pipe and Drum Corps, which will perform before and after the Mass. Ladder trucks will display a large American flag outside the Basilica.

The Blue Mass, referring to the blue uniforms worn by many public safety personnel, dates back to 1934 and is a venerable tradition in many dioceses. The events of 9/11 served as an impetus for the Diocese of Portland to institute the Blue Mass locally.

All members of the public safety community are invited to participate, wearing their uniforms. People of all faiths are encouraged to attend and join in showing gratitude.