PORTLAND — Masses and special events at churches across Maine will highlight the diocese’s celebration of the Feast Day of Saint Patrick.

The feast day on March 17 holds special significance in the Diocese of Portland as St. Patrick, along with St. Jean Baptiste, are the diocese’s secondary patrons, recalling the proud heritage of the Irish and French foundations of the Church in Maine. St. Patrick, who was captured by Irish raiders as a teenager in the fifth century, ultimately escaped his enslavement, entered the Church, and returned to Ireland where he brought the message of the Gospel to the very people who had kept him in slavery.

Local celebrations of Feast Day St. Patrick include:

Saturday, March 12

Saint Joseph Church, Farmington: The Knights of Columbus will hold their annual Saint Patrick’s Day Dinner at the Saint Joseph Church hall, located on 133 Middle St., from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Franklin County Fiddlers. Reservations are encouraged. Take out is always available. Donations will be accepted at the door to defray a portion of the food costs and to make a donation to the fiddlers. FMI: 207-778-0586. 

Saint Charles Borromeo Church, Brunswick: There will be a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration at Saint Charles Borromeo Church, located on 132 McKeen St., from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening, which is a fundraiser for the high school youth ministry mission trip to Brooklyn, features live music, dancing, step dancing, a silent auction, Irish soda bread, coffee, tea, and desserts. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under age 12 with a maximum of $25 for a family.

FMI: www.portlanddiocese.org/feast-saint-patrick.