Approximately 300 people, including around 100 priests and deacons from around the Archdiocese of Boston, attended a Mass of Thanksgiving March 11 to bid a formal farewell to Bishop Richard J. Malone as he prepares for his coming installation as bishop of the Portland Diocese in Maine.

Friends, family, colleagues and priests filled the pews of St. Agatha Parish in Milton for the Mass which was presided over by Archbishop Seán P. O’Malley, celebrated by Bishop Malone and concelebrated by three bishops in attendance. The three bishops were Moderator of the Curia Bishop Richard G. Lennon, Central Regional Bishop John Boles and retired auxiliary of the Archdiocese for the Military Services Bishop John J. Glynn.

In his homily, Bishop Malone humorously spoke about what lies ahead of him in Maine — cold winter weather and traveling long distances between parishes. Having spent all his life in the Boston area and almost half his life as a priest in the Archdiocese of Boston, Bishop Malone told the congregation that it will be very difficult for him to leave.

Nevertheless he, like Abraham, whose story Bishop Malone told at the beginning of his homily, must obey God’s call to get up and follow Him.

At the close of Mass, Archbishop O’Malley gave Bishop Malone a warm send-off, saying Maine was receiving one of Boston’s finest priests.

Following the Mass, Bishop Malone greeted attendees as they exited the church on their way to a small reception in the parish hall. At the reception, guests shared coffee, dessert and well wishes with Bishop Malone.

Bishop Malone is scheduled to be installed at Portland’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on March 31.