History of Catholic Charities Maine

A Historical Introduction

Each day 700 workers of Catholic Charities Maine interrupt their own journeys and come to the aid of the poor and vulnerable throughout the state of Maine. They see the faces of those suffering from mental illness, hurt and frightened children and families, those fallen victim to loneliness and isolation, those battling addictions, anxious refugees and many others who have been stripped and beaten by circumstance. All too often, our society passes on the opposite side of those who are suffering. As a result, many have slipped through the cracks and have been forgotten or ignored. Our workers lift them up and care for them.

Maine has vast regional differences in prosperity and has historically ranked lower than the national average in terms of income and earnings. Poverty among working adults has been increasing. At the start of the third millennium, over 16% of Maine’s children under eighteen were living in poverty, and many lack health insurance. We have our sign-laden homeless begging for help. More invisible, however, are those who, try though they may, cannot make it on their own. There are others whose circumstance or disability leads them to ask for help, a help they often seek only out of desperation. These are the marginalized, the poor, and the vulnerable who bless the workers of Catholic Charities Maine.

At the heart of Catholic Charities Maine is its mission statement. Our true riches are grounded in the social teachings of Jesus Christ as they unfold in the lives of our committed staff and our clients who bestow on us the gift of their presence. For, as Pope John II has noted, “…there are none so poor that they have nothing to give and none so rich that they have nothing to receive.” In the Church’s social teaching we find a constant dedication to the poor and the disadvantaged. This ceaselessly invites the faith community to a commitment to overcome every form of exploitation and oppression. It is here that our treasure lies, empowering our mission and values to guide us in all we do. As the evangelist Luke states, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Lk 12:34)

The mission of Catholic Charities Maine is a mission as old as the Church itself. It is a mission that all are called to share. This mission is exemplified by people such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Vincent de Paul, and St. Martin de Porres. In our own time there are also examples such as St. Frances X. Cabrini, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and St. Katharine Drexel as well as the lives of Dorothy Day, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Sr. Thea Bowman. All of them challenge us to deeper identification with and commitment to people living in poverty. In the Diocese of Portland, Catholic Charities Maine is only the most recent name applied to the Catholic Church’s works of mercy and social action. (The name was changed from Diocesan Human Relations Services in 1992). The Agency’s history demonstrates how the local church adapts to changing times and conditions, and highlights the many devoted individuals who carry out the work of compassion in season and out of season.

More on Our History

The Early Years
Treated With Mercy
Statewide Agency
Agency Leaders

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