Light is On - Advent

Opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the third week of Advent

The season of Advent is a time of preparation for the celebration of Our Lord's birth. It is a time to celebrate the way in which the Lord comes into our lives every day, and it is a time to look forward in hope to the second coming of Jesus in his glory.  Advent, like Lent, is also a time of heightened prayer, penance, and preparation so that we may be truly ready for the Lord's coming.

It is why during the third week of Advent, December 18 - 23, 2023, parishes across the Diocese of Portland will offer the Light is On, additional opportunities to receive the grace of the sacrament of reconciliation. Through the sacrament, we experience God's mercy, our sins are forgiven, and we are healed. 

You will find times listed by county below, or you will find a listing by parish here.

Before participating in the sacrament of reconciliation, it may be useful to reflect upon your thoughts and actions. To assist you, the U.S. bishops put together “A Brief Examination of Conscience Based on the Ten Commandments."

Androscoggin County

Auburn - Sacred Heart Church, 8 Sacred Heart Place - Monday, December 11, 10 a.m. to noon, and Wednesday, December 13, 10 a.m. to noon and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Auburn - St. Philip Church, 2365 Turner Road - Tuesday, December 12, 10 a.m. to Noon and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Lewiston - Holy Family Church, 607 Sabattus Street - Monday, December 18 - Thursday, December 21, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Mechanic Falls - Our Lady of Ransom Church, 117 Elm Street - Monday, December 18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Aroostook County

Benedicta -- St. Benedict Church, 1063 Benedicta Road - Wednesday, December 20, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Following 5:30 p.m. Mass)

Caribou -- Holy Rosary Church, 32 Vaughn Street - Advent Reconciliation Service on Sunday, December 17, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday, December 19, at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, December 21, 
at 6:30 p.m.

Eagle Lake - St. Mary Church, 3451 Aroostook Road - Sunday, December 17, at 9 a.m. (Following 8 a.m. Mass) 

Fort Kent - St. Louis Church, 26 East Main Street - Monday, December 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday, December 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, December 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Houlton - St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 110 Military Street - Sunday, December 17, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday, December 18, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Tuesday, December 19, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Thursday, December 21, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Friday, December 22, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Island Falls - St. Agnes Church, 76 Sewall Street - Saturday, December 16, 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.; Saturday, December 23, 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Madawaska - St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 309 Main Street - Tuesday, December 19, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Presque Isle - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 333 Main Street - Monday, December 18, at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 20, at 6:30 p.m.

Saint Agatha - St. Agatha Church, 379 Main Street - Monday and Wednesday, December 18 and 20, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Saint Francis - St. Charles Borromeo Church, 912 Main Street - Saturday, December 16, at 7 p.m. (Following 6 p.m. Mass) 

Wallagrass - St. Joseph Church, 7 Church Street - Sunday, December 17, at 9 a.m. (Following 8 a.m. Mass) 

Van Buren - St. Bruno-St. Remi Church, 174 Main Street - Monday, December 18, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Cumberland County

Bridgton - St. Joseph Church, 225 South High Street - Tuesday, December 19, 6 pm. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 23, 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Brunswick – St. Charles Borromeo Church,132 McKeen Street – Thursday, December 21, 2:30-4:00 p.m.

Brunswick – St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street – Friday, December 22, 5:30-7 p.m.

Cape Elizabeth - St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Road - Monday, December 18, 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Tuesday, December 19, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, December 22, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Falmouth - Holy Martyrs of North America Church, 266 Foreside Road - Thursday, December 21, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Freeport - St. Jude Church, 134 Main Street - Wednesday, December 20, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Gorham - St. Anne Church, 299 Main Street - Wednesday, December 14, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Gray - St. Gregory the Great Church, 24 North Raymond Road - Monday, December 18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Portland - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street - Sunday, December 17, 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Monday, December 18 - Friday, December 22, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 23, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  All are in the cathedral chapel.

Portland - St. Peter Church, 72 Federal Street - Saturday, December 23, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Portland - St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue - Monday-Wednesday, December 18-20, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, December 21, 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Scarborough - St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road - Monday, December 18, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 pm. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, December 19-21, 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

South Portland - Church of the Holy Cross, 124 Cottage Road - Monday, December 18, 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Wednesday, December 20, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday, December 21, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday, December 22, 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Westbrook - St. Hyacinth Church, 268 Brown Street - Tuesday, December 13, 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Thursday, December 15, 6 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Windham - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail - Tuesday, December 13, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, December 16, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Yarmouth - Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main Street - Tuesday, December 19, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Franklin County

Farmington - St. Joseph Church, 133 Middle Street - Tuesday, December 19, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Jay - St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street - Monday, December 18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Rangeley - St. Luke Church, 19 Lake Street - Thursday, December 21, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Stratton - St. John Church, 76 Main Street - Wednesday, December 20, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Hancock County

Bar Harbor - Holy Redeemer Church, 56 Mount Desert Street- Thursday, December 14, at 6 p.m.

Bucksport - St. Vincent de Paul Church, 64 Franklin Street - Tuesday, December 12, at 6 p.m.

Ellsworth - St. Joseph Church, 231 Main Street - Wednesday, December 13, at 6 p.m.

Kennebec County

Augusta – St. Mary of the Assumption, 41 Western Avenue, Monday, December 18 through Friday, December 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Augusta – St. Augustine, 75 Northern Avenue, Monday, December 18, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Gardiner – St. Joseph, 110 School, Wednesday, December 20 & Friday, December 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Waterville - Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours Church, 116 Silver Street - Wednesday, December 20, and Friday, December 22, 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Winslow - St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument Street - Thursday, December 21, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Winthrop – St. Francis Xavier, 130 U.S. Route 133, Tuesday, December 19 & Thursday, December 21, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Knox County

Camden - Our Lady of Good Hope, 7 Union Street - Monday, December 18, 6 p.m.

Rockland - St. Bernard, 150 Broadway - Thursday, December 21, 6 p.m.

Lincoln County

Newcastle - St. Patrick Church, 380 Academy Hill Road - Wednesday, December 20, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Oxford County

Bethel - Our Lady of the Snows Church, 265 Walker's Mills Road - Monday, December 18, at 6 p.m.

Mechanic Falls - Our Lady of Ransom Church, 117 Elm Street - Monday, December 18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Norway - St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street - Wednesday, December 20, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 23, 3 pm. to 3:30 p.m.

Rumford - St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Avenue -  Thursday, December 21, and Friday, December 22, at 6 p.m.

Penobscot County

Bangor - St. John Church, 217 York Street - Saturday, December 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Bangor - St. Mary Church, 768 Ohio Street - Monday, December 11, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, December 12, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Bradley - St. Ann, 84 Main Street - Monday, December 18, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Brewer - St. Joseph Church, 531 North Main Street - Saturday, December 16, 3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Brewer - St. Teresa Church, 425 South Main Street - Sunday, December 10, 2 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Dexter - St. Anne Church, 64 Free Street - Friday, December 22, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

East Millinocket - St. Peter Church, 58 Cedar Street - Tuesday, December 19, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Following 5:30 p.m. Mass)

Hampden - St. Matthew Church, 70 Western Avenue - Wednesday, December 13, 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Howland - St. Leo the Great, 16 River Road - Wednesday, December 13, at 5:30 p.m.

Lincoln - St. Mary of Lourdes Church, 142 Main Street - Friday, December 15, at 5:30 p.m.

Millinocket - St. Martin of Tours Church, 19 Colby Street - Thursday, December 21, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Following 5:30 p.m. Mass)

Old Town - Holy Family, 429 Main Street - Tuesday, December 19, 8:30-10:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, December 20, 8:30-10:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:30 p.m.; Friday, December 22, 7:00-7:45 a.m. and 8:30-10:00 a.m.; Saturday, December 23, 2:00-3:45 p.m.

Piscataquis County

Dover-Foxcroft -St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 43 High Street - Monday, December 18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Greenville - Holy Family Church, 145 Pritham Avenue - Thursday, December 21, and Friday, December 22, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Saturday, December 23, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Jackman - St. Anthony Parish, 370 Main Street - Sunday, December 17, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Monday, December 18, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 19: 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Sagadahoc County

Bath - St. Mary Church, 144 Lincoln Street - Monday, December 18, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Richmond - St. Ambrose Church, 29 Kimball Street - Thursday, December 21, following the 10 a.m. Mass

Somerset County

Jackman - St. Faustina Church, 370 Main Street - Sunday, December 17, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Monday, December 18, and Tuesday, December 19, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Pittsfield - St. Agnes Church, 238 Detroit Street - Thursday, December 21, 10:30 a.m. to Noon

Waldo

Belfast - St. Francis of Assisi, 81 Court Street, Wednesday, December 20, 6 p.m.

Washington County

Calais – Immaculate Conception Church, 31 Calais Avenue, Friday, December 22nd 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Baileyville – St. James the Greater, 15 Hillside Street, Wednesday, December 20, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Cherryfield - St. Michael Church, 51 Elm Street - Friday, December 15, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Eastport – St. Joseph, 51 Washington Street, Tuesday, December 19, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. and Saturday December 23, 4:00 pm

Lubec - Sacred Heart Church, 14 Hamilton Street - Thursday, December 13, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Machias - Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street - Thursday, December 14, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Pleasant Point – St. Ann, Perry, 13 Bayview Dr., Saturday, December 23, 5:30 p.m.

York County

Biddeford - St. Joseph Church, 178 Elm Street - Sunday, December 10, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Kennebunk - St. Martha Church, 30 Portland Road - Wednesday, December 19, following the 9:15 a.m. Mass; Thursday, December 21, 6:30 p.m.

Kittery - St. Raphael Church, 6 Whipple Road - Monday, December 18, at 1 p.m. and Wednesday, December 20, at 7 p.m.

Limerick- St. Matthew Church, 19 Dora Lane - Monday, December 18, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, December 19, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Lyman - St. Philip Church, 404 Goodwins Mills Road - Sunday, December 17, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Old Orchard Beach - St. Margaret Church, 6 Saco Avenue - Sunday, December 17, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Saco - Most Holy Trinity Church, 271 Main Street - Sunday, December 10, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Sanford - Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue - Tuesday, December 19, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, December 21, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Friday, December 22, 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m.

South Berwick - Our Lady of the Angels Church, 4 Angels' Way - Monday, December 18, at 7 pm. and Tuesday, December 19, at 1 p.m.

Wells - St. Mary Church, 236 Eldridge Road - Monday, December 18, at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 20, following the 8 a.m. Mass.

York - St. Christopher Church, 4 Barrell Lane - Tuesday, December 19, at 7 pm. and Wednesday, December 20, at 1 p.m.