Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations

PORTLAND — Local parishes are planning Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations on April 3.

St. Joseph Parish, Bridgton: St. Joseph Church, 225 South High St., will have celebration at 3 p.m. 

Prince of Peace Parish, Lewiston: The parish will make a Jubilee Year of Mercy pilgrimage to the Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul, 122 Ash St. Mass is at 10 a.m., followed by a public outdoor procession with the Divine Mercy image and the image will be enthroned in the basilica chapel. At 3 p.m., the Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited at Holy Family Church on 607 Sabattus St. Exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the sacrament of reconciliation will be at 4 p.m.

Holy Savior Parish, Rumford: Celebration, including the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, will run from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Ave. 

Catholic Women’s Conference

AUBURN — The Rev. Leo Patalinghug will serve as keynote speaker at the Maine Catholic Women’s Conference on Saturday, April 9, at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch.

Patalinghug is the creator of “Grace Before Meals,” an international apostolate, which helps strengthen families and relationships through family meals.

The theme of the conference is “Feed My Lambs” and will feature a variety of programs, testimonies, workshops, music and more. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Robert P. Deeley at 9 a.m.

Born in the Philippines and raised in the Baltimore area, Patalinghug developed his love for cooking while attending North American College in Rome. His message combines faithful Catholic theology presented in a way that is easy to understand and appreciate. 

Registration deadline is Monday, April 4. Cost is $60 for adults and $40 for students. Fee includes breakfast and lunch. Scholarships are available. 

FMI, register: www.portlanddiocese.org/olff/womensconference, 207-321-7898.

‘Mormon Missionary’ April 7

FARMINGTON — University of Maine at Farmington Dean Emeritus Rob Lively will read from his new book “The Mormon Missionary: Who IS that Knocking at My Door” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7.

The event takes place in the Emery Community Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public.

While not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lively’s work is based on nearly 300 interviews with church officials and past, present and future missionaries.

The missionaries are young Mormon men and women who knock on residents’ doors, wanting to talk with them about their faith. Most are turned away, but Lively’s presentation will help attendees understand who they are, why they are doing it and what they and the church gain from their activities.

Signed copies of the book will be sold after the reading.

MacMullen on sabattical until June

SUMNER — The Congregational Church of East Sumner, UCC, has announced that the Rev. Howard MacMullen is on sabattical from April 10 to June 5.

Guest speakers for that period are: April 10, 17 and 24, Bill Glass; May 1, the Rev. Kathy Saarinen; May 8, the Rev. Roberta Barr; May 15 and 22, Bill Glass; May 29, the Rev. Richard Hanks; and June 5, the Rev. Kathy Saarinen.

Everyone is welcome at the church.

FMI: 207-388-2263, 207-388-2667, www.congregationalchurchofeastsumner.weebly.com, www.facebook.com/groups/315705992230/.