The Most Reverend James T. Ruggieri visited two Catholic Communities of All Saints Parish on the weekend of July 19 and 20. All Saints Parish is comprised of seven Midcoast churches of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine. This Parish represents over 216 years of Catholic devotion, service and history.

Bishop Ruggieri concelebrated the Liturgy of the Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time on July 19 and 20 at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Boothbay Harbor. The concelebrant was Rev. Phillip A. Tracy, Pastor. Deacon John Blatz, assisted with the Liturgy

 He concelebrated the Liturgy on July 20 at St. Patrick’s in Newcastle with Rev. Philip. A. Tracy, Pastor. Deacon Robert Curtis and Deacon James Ziemba assisted with the Liturgy.

His homily, based on the value of suffering, was inspiring and challenging.

A reception followed in the Church Hall.

The Most Reverend James T. Ruggieri was named by the late Pope Francis as the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland on Feb. 13, 2024.  On May 7, 2024, Ruggieri was ordained and installed as the Thirteenth Bishop in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Portland, Maine). 

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland was established by Pope Pius IX on July 29, 1883. The Diocese now consists of 33,215 square miles and a population of more than 275,000 Catholics.  (Harvest Magazine. Commemorative Issue I, 2024)

Bishop Ruggieri is a native of Rhode Island. He attended the public schools in Barrington before matriculating at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts where he earned a bachelor of arts in religious studies. He later earned a Master of Divinity from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland. (1994)

While at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, he was ordained a deacon by the late Most Reverend Joseph H. Gerry, OSB., the Tenth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland (Maine).

Bishop James T. Ruggieri is known as a champion (among other accolades) of assisting the people of Rhode Island with food insufficiency outreach. He brought the phrase, “Meals On Wheels” to an existential level by driving a food truck around Providence - bringing food to those in need of sustenance. Feeding the Hungry is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. The theme of “Feeding My People” is mentioned in the synoptic gospels. “I was hungry and you gave me food.” … “Truly, I say to you, as you did it for one of the least of these my brothers, you did it for me.’ Matthew (25:35-40).

In order to better serve his bilingual flock, Bishop Ruggieri became fluent in Spanish.

He has been the recipient of numerous awards profiling his pastoral work.

His tenure here in Maine will surely include administrative leadership, pastoral interface, evangelization, community engagement, and provide for Welcoming for all of His flock.