PORTLAND — Four Maine parishes, including Holy Savior in Rumford, have been named recipients of Matthew 25 Awards, which include grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
The awards, presented by Catholic Charities Maine’s Parish Social Ministry program, are given to parishes to assist them in expanding their capacity to serve more people or to develop a new social ministry. The ministries receiving the awards must be directly serving vulnerable people in need, regardless of faith affiliation, and adhering to the principles of the Bible verse Matthew: 25 — “I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink.”
Holy Savior Parish was awarded $2,000 to improve the acoustics in the parish hall primarily for seniors who come for lunches, speakers and other events.
Other parishes awarded grants are Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Portland; St. John Vianney Parish, Fort Kent; Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, Old Town.
The mission of Parish Social Ministry is to provide leadership, guidance, Catholic social teaching education, and training to empower parishioners to compassionately serve people of all faiths living in their communities. From Kittery to Madawaska, the size and scope of the program continues to grow one successful initiative at a time through youth camps, case managers at soup kitchens, community fairs promoting strong family life, an educational series for seniors, and hundreds of other initiatives.
