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 15-19, 2025, 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

Lewiston - Holy Family Church, 607 Sabattus Street - Monday-Thursday, December 15-18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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

Aroostook County

Houlton - St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 110 Military Street - Sunday, December 14, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Monday, December 15, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday, December 17, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, December 18, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, December 20, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Island Falls - St. Agnes Church, 76 Sewall Street - Saturday, December 13, and Saturday, December 20, 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Cumberland County

Bridgton - St. Joseph Church, 225 South High Street - Tuesday, December 16, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cape Elizabeth - St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Road - Monday, December 15, 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Tuesday, December 16, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday, December 19, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Gorham - St. Anne Church, 299 Main Street - Monday, December 15, 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Tuesday, December 16, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Portland - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street - Monday-Thursday, December 15-18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Scarborough - St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road - Monday, December 15, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, December 16-18, 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

South Portland - Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road - Monday, December 15, 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 17, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday, December 18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday, December 19, 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Westbrook - St. Hyacinth Church, 268 Brown Street - Tuesday, December 16, noon to 1 p.m.; Wednesday, December 17, 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and Friday, December 19, 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Windham - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail - Monday, December 15, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, December 18, 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; and Friday, December 19, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Kennebec County

Augusta - St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 41 Western Avenue - Monday-Friday, December 15 to 19, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Gardiner - St. Joseph Church, 110 School Street - Wednesday, December 17, 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Winthrop - St. Francis Xavier Church, 130 U.S. Route 133 - Thursday, December 18, 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

Knox County

Camden - Our Lady of Good Hope Church, 7 Union Street - Monday, December 15, at 5:30 p.m. - Penance Service with several priests available for confession. Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m.

Rockland - St. Bernard Church, 150 Broadway -Thursday, December 18, at 5:30 p.m. - Penance Service with several priests available for confession. Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. 

Oxford County

Fryeburg - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church - Monday, December 15, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Norway - St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street - Wednesday, December 17, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Penobscot County

Bangor - St. John Church, 217 York Street - Saturday, December 20, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Bangor - St. Mary Church, 768 Ohio Street - Monday, December 15, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday, December 16, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Brewer - St. Joseph Church, 531 North Main Street - Saturday, December 20, 2 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Brewer - St. Teresa Church, 425 South Main Street - Sunday, December 21, 2 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Hampden - St. Matthew Church, 70 Western Avenue - Wednesday and Thursday, December 17 & 18, 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Waldo County

Belfast - St. Francis of Assisi Church, 81 Court Street - Wednesday, December 17, at 5:30 p.m. - Penance Service with several priests available for confession. Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m.

Washington County

Cherryfield - St. Michael Church, 51 Elm Street - Thursday, December 11, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Lubec - Sacred Heart Church, 14 Hamilton Street - Friday, December 12, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Machias - Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street - Tuesday, December 10, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

York County

Kennebunk - St. Martha Church, 30 Portland Road - Monday, December 15, 9:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. penance service with opportunity for confessions from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, December 17, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Limerick - St. Matthew Church, 19 Dora Lane - Monday, December 14, at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, December 16, at 8:30 a.m.

Sanford - Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue - Tuesday, December 16, at 6 p.m.; Thursday, December 18, 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Friday, December 19, at 6:30 a.m., and Saturday, December 20, at 3 p.m.

Wells - St. Mary Church, 236 Eldridge Road - Tuesday, December 16, and Thursday, December 18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.