St. John Paul II Parish 

Greetings in the Lord!
It is with great joy that I write to you as your pastor. What a beautiful patron saint we have in St. John Paul II, the pope who showed us the true freedom found in Jesus Christ and how to live authentically our Catholic faith. Fr. Peter Shaba and I are excited to join you here at      St. John Paul II Parish, growing in the new parish’s identity and mission. This initial letter will introduce you to Fr. Peter and me, since we cannot greet many of you in person.

Fr. Peter Shaba, SMA comes to the parish after serving five and half years in the parishes of the Western Maine Foothills in Bridgton and Norway. He is a native of Nigeria, and like Fr. Innocent, he is a member of the Society of African Missions (SMA Fathers). Fr. Peter was ordained in 2010. I know you will find him to be a joy filled priest,  who loves Jesus.

As for myself, I am native of South Berwick and a graduate of Marshwood High School. During my undergraduate years at Providence College, I encountered the enduring joy that could only be found in Jesus. I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Portland in 2011. After serving in Corpus Christi Parish (Waterville) and then Good Shepherd Parish (Biddeford/Saco), I was asked to study canon law for the Diocese. Most recently I served as the parochial vicar at St. Therese Parish (Sanford) and St. Matthew Parish (Limerick). I continue to serve as the chief judge for the Diocese (the Judicial Vicar). Despite the challenges of the vocation, I cannot imagine finding greater joy than being a priest of Jesus Christ!

Fr. Peter and I are here to assist you in growing in love with Jesus and knowing your identity as a beloved child of God.

Finally, an immense thank you to Msgr. Stefanko for his excellent leadership of the three parishes over the past few years and guiding the process of becoming one parish. Msgr. Paul has created a legacy of getting us to see our common mission of bringing the Gospel of Jesus to others. I hope and pray to assist in the good work he and all of you have begun. Let us all congratulate and pray for Msgr. Paul on his retirement!

St. John Paul II, pray for us!

  In Christ,

                                                   Fr. Jack Dickinson

A couple of notes:
An updated weekend Mass schedule went into effect last weekend. Please remember to sign up on our parish website (jp2me.org) or call Julie Cannon (883-0334) to attend the parish Masses. This ensures that we are able to maintain proper numbers for our Diocesan protocols.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is scheduled again: 
Saturdays at 3 PM at Holy Cross in the old Sacristy.  We ask you to enter the door that goes directly into the old sacristy between the school and the church.  Please wait in your car until you see the door open.  

Saturdays at 4 PM at St. Maximilian Kolbe in the daily Mass chapel.   If the chapel door is open, then please proceed into the chapel. If the chapel door is closed, please wait outside by the front garden for the previous penitent to leave.

When attending Mass or coming to confession, please remember to wear a mask that covers both your mouth and your nose. This practice is a small way we care for our neighbors, our fellow parishioners.

If you receive any emails or text messages from Fr. Jack Dickinson,        Fr. Peter Shaba or other staff members that do not match their diocesan email address (first name.last name@portlanddiocese.org).

DO NOT OPEN!
These communications are phising and scams
DELETE IMMEDIATELY!

For the locations of our churches and school click here. 

To see a list of currently scheduled funerals, click here. 

Coronavirus Updates
Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes
Parish Life Committee Meeting Minutes
Social Justice and Peace Meeting Minutes