The Maine Catholic
A series of Podcasts produced by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. The Maine Catholic aims to build the Kingdom of God in Maine, sharing the wisdom of the church with all of her people in our diocese.
Episodes
"When we think about evangelization, we might first think of arguments, catechism classes, or homilies. These are all important, but none of them bear fruit without joy."
In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri emphasizes that joy is the mark of a Christian alive in the Spirit. Not to be confused with happiness or pleasure, true joy comes from the Holy Spirit. In a divided, cynical world, joy outshines fear.
Listen to this episo...
Bishop James Ruggieri explores what it truly means to be a missionary parish in 2025. Moving beyond the walls of buildings, he reflects on the parish as a living community of faith, called to proclaim the Gospel, foster encounters with Christ, and build the kingdom of God. Drawing on the teachings of Vatican II and Canon Law, Bishop Ruggieri challenges us to reclaim a vision of parish life centered on mission, communion, and servic...
This week, Bishop Ruggieri speaks about our call to live the Gospel in the everyday moments of life. He explores how ordinary things like work, school, and friendship can become pathways to holiness.
His excellency cites the example of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati to show us how we can lift others to holiness without succumbing to despair. He also gives practical advice for supporting teen parents and the elderly.
What is one simple...
Bob McDermott is the Director of the Office of Safe Environment for the Diocese of Portland. He joined our Communications Manager, Jake Buttarazzi, to talk through everything our diocese does to make sure children, and vulnerable adults, are safe in our communities. These efforts have made our churches some of the safest places for children, despite what many people think.
A full transcript can be found on our website at https://po...
In this week’s episode of the Auspice Maria Podcast, Bishop James Ruggieri reflects on what it means to evangelize culture. He invites us to see how faith meets daily life—in our media, our art, our education, our politics, and even in the small choices we make at home. With the guidance of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and St. Francis of Assisi, Bishop Ruggieri reminds us that culture is not something to flee from, but some...
In this week’s episode of Auspice Maria, Bishop Ruggieri invites us into a powerful reflection on how justice and mercy are not extras in the life of the Church—they’re essential to how we evangelize. He explores the heart of Catholic social teaching and shows how real evangelization happens not just in words, but in action: when we serve the poor, visit the sick, comfort the sorrowful, and advocate for the dignity of every human p...
What does it mean to live a vocational life? How do our unique vocations build the Kingdom of God? In this episode, Bishop James Ruggieri reflects on the power of saying “yes” to God’s invitation, drawing wisdom from Scripture, Church teaching, and the example of the Blessed Mother.
Whether married, single, ordained, or consecrated, your life has a mission. Jesus wants you to live it with purpose, joy, and love.
What is the Kingdom of God, and where do we find it? In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri reflects on the heart of Jesus’ message—a kingdom already among us, yet still to come in fullness.
He invites us to consider how the Church is called to live this kingdom now: by building a culture of love, life, and mercy. This is not just a future hope, but a present call—to live as citizens of heaven while still on earth.
A full Transcription ca...
We all struggle to fill our lives with meaning. Some search for satisfaction from success, comfort, or independence, though these things often fail to fill our "existential vacuum."
Bishop James Ruggieri invites listeners to consider a deeper question: Why do we feel so empty? What are we really living for?
This episode explores how the Catholic Church—through its sacraments, community, and tradition—offers not just belief...
Bishop James Ruggieri reflects on the deeply biblical and profoundly human call to accompany others in faith. Drawing from the lives of Moses, St. Paul, and most fully Jesus, he explores how walking with, listening to, teaching, and breaking bread with others is central to Christian discipleship. Rich in Scripture and practical wisdom, this episode invites listeners to consider how they can be present to others—just as God is prese...
In this Episode, Bishop Ruggieri discusses how conversion is a continuous process. Jesus tells us to "repent and believe in the Gospel." Repentance is not just about being sorry or regretful, but about continuously changing the way we live.
Bishop Ruggieri breaks down several obstacles we all face in our daily conversions and offers practical advice to help us continue.
A full transcript can be found on our website at http...
This past April, Bishop Emeritus Robert Deeley travelled to the Diocese of Kumbo in Cameroon to ordain two priests and celebrate the Catholic faith with the people of Kumbo.
For over eight years, the Diocese of Kumbo, in Cameroon, has sent many of their priests to help us here in Maine. We currently have twelve priests from Kumbo serving in our parishes and we are very thankful for everything they do for us.
Bishop Deeley recently s...
In this Episode, Bishop Ruggieri discusses the power of personal encounter with Jesus. Using examples from the gospel and our daily lives, he explains how Jesus reaches out to us personally.
"Conversion does not begin with a concept or a rulebook. It begins when someone experiences a relationship with the living Jesus Christ, a relationship that brings healing, fulfilment, and the promise of eternal life."
If you enjoy this...
In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri discusses the how the Holy Spirit guides us in evangelization. He examines how the Holy Spirit inspired boldness in the Apostles during Pentecost and provides examples of how we can let the Spirit guide us in our lives today.
A full transcript can be found on our website at https://portlanddiocese.org/news/podcast-auspice-maria-ep-5-role-holy-spirit-evangelization
If this podcast resonates wi...
Bishop Ruggieri discusses how Jesus preaches with Truth and Love together, and how we must do the same.
A full transcript is available on our website here: https://portlanddiocese.org/news/podcast-auspice-maria-ep-4-proclaiming-gospel-truth-and-love
The Maine Catholic Podcast is a production of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. All rights reserved.
Bishop Ruggieri talks about how the church must proclaim the Gospel as Christ does, with love and truth together.
He cites the differences between the beatitudes in Matthew and Luke's Gospels. In Matthew, Jesus goes up a mountain to teach. In Luke, he comes down to a plain. These are not just geographical differences. They represent two essential modes of proclaiming the gospel: from above with clarity and authority and from al...
Bishop Ruggieri discusses the Kerygma, the core proclamation that Jesus is Lord. He explains why it's so important to us as Christians and teaches us practical ways to live and proclaim the gospel in our daily lives.
Remember that Jesus loves you and wants you to return to him. You are lovable.
A full Transcription of this episode can be found on our website, at https://portlanddiocese.org/news/podcast-auspice-maria-ep-2...
In this episode, Bishop James Ruggieri introduces his new podcast, Auspice Maria, (which means, "Under the Protection of Mary") and discusses the mission of the Catholic Church.
Bishop Ruggieri breaks it down into three areas of focus:
- Proclaim the Gospel.
- Bring people to Christ.
- Build the Kingdom of God.
Are your ministries truly missionary?
A full Transcription of this episode can be found on our website, at h...
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