February 18, 2015
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a period of spiritual renewal which helps us prepare for the celebration of the Paschal mystery of Christ, his passion, death and resurrection.
The ashes we receive on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday are both a reminder of our earthly mortality and a call to repentance. The ashes are made by burning the palms that were distributed the previous year on Palm Sunday. The ashes are blessed by the priest, who then dips his thumb in them and makes the Sign of the Cross on each person’s forehead, while saying these words: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19).
Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, but Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass to begin their Lenten journey. All Mass times below are for Wednesday, February 18, 2015, unless otherwise indicated.
A special collection taken up in all churches on Ash Wednesday will jointly benefit the Church in Central and Eastern Europe and the Solidarity Fund for Africa. The collection supports pastoral, educational and construction projects in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which were formerly under Soviet control. It also supports many projects that benefit family life, women, and children in Africa.
Ash Wednesday Mass Times
Ashland
Parish of the Precious Blood:
St. Mark Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Auburn
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish:
Sacred Heart Church - Mass at 7 a.m.
St. Philip Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Augusta
St. Michael Parish:
St. Augustine Church - Mass at 7:30 a.m.
St. Mary of the Assumption Church - Mass at 12:15 p.m.
Baileyville
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish:
St. James the Greater Church - Mass at 6:30 p.m.
Bangor
St. Paul the Apostle Parish:
St. John Church - Masses at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
St. Mary Church - Masses at 8:30 a.m. and Noon
Bar Harbor
Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord:
Holy Redeemer Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Bath
All Saints Parish:
St. Mary Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Belfast
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish:
St. Francis of Assisi Church - Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Benedicta
St. Benedict Parish:
St. Benedict Church - Mass at 9 a.m.
Bethel
Holy Savior Parish:
Our Lady of the Snows Church - Mass at Noon
Biddeford
Good Shepherd Parish:
St. Joseph Church - Masses at 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Bingham
Christ the King Parish:
St. Peter Church - Mass at 4 p.m.
Boothbay Harbor
All Saints Parish:
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church - Mass at Noon
Bradley
Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord:
St. Ann Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Brewer
St. Paul the Apostle Parish:
St. Joseph Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Bridgton
St. Joseph Parish:
St. Joseph Church - Mass at 6:30 p.m.
Brunswick
All Saints Parish:
St. Charles Borromeo Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
St. John the Baptist Church - Masses at 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Bucksport
Stella Maris Parish:
St. Vincent de Paul Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Calais
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish:
Immaculate Conception Church - Mass at 5 p.m.
Camden
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish:
Our Lady of Good Hope Church - Mass at 8 a.m.
Campobello
St. Timothy Church - Mass at 4 p.m. Atlantic Time
Cape Elizabeth
St. Bartholomew Parish:
St. Bartholomew Church - Mass at 5 p.m.
Caribou
Parish of the Precious Blood:
Holy Rosary Church - Masses at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Sacred Heart Church - Mass at Noon
Castine
Stella Maris Parish:
Our Lady of Holy Hope Church - Mass at 12:30 p.m.
Cherryfield
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish:
St. Michael Church - Mass at 9 a.m.
Dexter
Our Lady of the Snows Parish:
St. Anne Church - Communion Service with Distribution of Ashes at 8:30 a.m.
Dover-Foxcroft
Our Lady of the Snows Parish:
St. Thomas Aquinas Church - Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Eagle Lake
St. John Vianney Parish:
St. Mary Church - Mass at 4 p.m.
East Millinocket
Christ the Divine Mercy Parish:
St. Peter Church - Mass at 4 p.m.
Eastport
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish:
St. Joseph Church - Mass at 11 a.m.
Ellsworth
St. Joseph Parish:
St. Joseph Church - Masses at 8:10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Falmouth
Parish of the Holy Eucharist:
Holy Martyrs of North America Church - Masses at 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Farmington
St. Joseph Parish:
St. Joseph Church - Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Fort Kent
St. John Vianney Parish:
St. Louis Church - Masses at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Freeport
Parish of the Holy Eucharist:
St. Jude Church - Mass at 6:30 p.m.
Frenchville
Our Lady of the Valley Parish:
St. Luce Church - Mass at 5:30 p.m.
Fryeburg
St. Joseph Parish:
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church - Mass at 8 a.m.
Gardiner
St. Michael Parish:
St. Joseph Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Gorham
St. Anne Parish:
St. Anne Church - Masses at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Grand Isle
Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish:
St. Gerard - Mount Carmel Church - Mass at 4 p.m.
Gray
Parish of the Holy Eucharist:
St. Gregory Church - Masses at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Greenville
Holy Family Parish:
Holy Family Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Hallowell
St. Michael Parish:
Sacred Heart Church - Mass at Noon
Hampden
St. Paul the Apostle Parish:
St. Matthew Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Houlton
St. Mary of the Visitation Parish:
St. Mary of the Visitation Church - Masses at 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Howland
St. Leo the Great Parish:
St. Leo the Great Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Indian Island (Penobscot Nation)
Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord:
St. Ann Church - Mass at 7 a.m.
Indian Township (Peter Dana Point)
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish:
St. Ann Church - Communion service with distribution of ashes at noon
Island Falls
St. Agnes Parish:
St. Agnes Church - Mass at 9:30 a.m.
Jackman
St. Anthony of Padua Parish:
St. Faustina Church - Mass on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Jay
St. Rose of Lima Parish:
St. Rose of Lima Church - Masses at 12:15 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Kennebunk
Holy Spirit Parish:
St. Martha Church - Masses at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Kittery
Parish of the Ascension of the Lord:
St. Raphael Church - Masses at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Lewiston
Prince of Peace Parish:
Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul - Mass at 7 a.m. in the chapel, Masses at 12:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. in the church
Holy Cross Church - Mass at 5:30 p.m.
Holy Family Church - Mass at 6:30 p.m.
Limerick
St. Matthew Parish:
St. Matthew Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Limestone
Parish of the Precious Blood:
St. Louis Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Lincoln
St. Mary of Lourdes Parish:
St. Mary of Lourdes Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Lisbon Falls
Holy Trinity Parish:
Holy Trinity Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Lubec
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish:
Sacred Heart Church - Mass at 4:30 p.m.
Lyman
Good Shepherd Parish:
St. Philip Church - Mass at 9 a.m.
Machias
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish:
Holy Name of Jesus Church - Mass at 4:30 p.m.
Madawaska
Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish:
St. David Church - Mass at 8:30 a.m.
St. Thomas Aquinas Church - Mass at 6:30 p.m.
Madison
Christ the King Parish:
St. Sebastian Church - Mass at 5:30 p.m.
Mars Hill
Parish of the Precious Blood:
St. Joseph Church - Mass at 10 a.m.
Mechanic Falls
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish:
Our Lady of Ransom Church - Mass at 6:30 p.m.
Millinocket
Christ the Divine Mercy Parish:
St. Martin of Tours Church - Mass at 7 p.m.
Milo
Our Lady of the Snows Parish:
St. Francis Xavier & Paul the Apostle Church - Communion service with the distribution of ashes at 6:30 p.m.
Newcastle
All Saints Parish:
St. Patrick Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
North Caribou
Parish of the Precious Blood:
Sacred Heart Church - Mass at noon
Norway
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish:
St. Catherine of Sienna Church - Mass at 7 a.m.
Old Orchard Beach
Good Shepherd Parish:
St. Margaret Church - Mass at 6:30 p.m.
Old Town
Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord:
Holy Family Church - Mass at 8 a.m.
Orono
Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord:
Our Lady of Wisdom (Newman Center) - Mass at 5:30 pm.
UMaine Multi-purpose Room Memorial Union - Mass at Noon
Peaks Island
St. Christopher Parish:
St. Christopher Church - Mass at 7 p.m.
Penobscot Nation
Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord:
St. Ann Church - Mass at 7 a.m.
Peter Dana Point (Indian Township)
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish:
St. Ann Church - Communion service with distribution of ashes at noon
Pittsfield
St. Agnes Parish:
St. Agnes Church - Mass at 6:30 p.m.
Pleasant Point (Perry)
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish:
St. Ann church - Communion service with distribution of ashes at 5:30 p.m.
Portland
Our Lady of Hope Parish:
St. Joseph Church - Mass at 8 a.m. (St. Brigid schoolchildren will be in attendance) and 7 p.m.
St. Pius X Church - Masses at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes:
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception - Mass at 12:15 p.m. celebrated by Bishop Robert Deeley and Mass at 7 p.m.
Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Parish - Mass at 5:30 p.m.
St. Christopher Parish, Peaks Island - Mass at 7 p.m.
St. Louis, Parish - Mass at 6:30 p.m.
St. Peter Parish - Mass at 7 a.m.
Presque Isle
Parish of the Precious Blood:
St. Mary Church - Masses at 12:15 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Rangeley
Our Lady of the Lakes Parish:
St. Luke Church - Masses at 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Richmond
All Saints Parish:
St. Ambrose Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Rockland
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish:
St. Bernard Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Rumford
Holy Savior Parish:
St. Athanasius & St. John church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Sabattus
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish:
Our Lady of the Rosary Church - Mass at 7 p.m.
Saco
Good Shepherd Parish:
Most Holy Trinity Church - Mass at Noon
Saint Agatha
Our Lady of the Valley Parish:
St. Agatha Church - Mass at 7 p.m.
Saint Francis
St. John Vianney Parish:
St. Charles Borromeo Church - Mass at 9 a.m.
Sanford
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish:
Holy Family Church - Masses at 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Scarborough
St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish:
St. Maximilian Kolbe Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Sinclair
Our Lady of the Valley Parish:
St. Joseph Church - Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Skowhegan
Christ the King Parish:
Notre Dame de Lourdes Church - Mass at Noon
Soldier Pond (Wallagrass)
St. John Vianney Parish:
St. Joseph Church - Mass at 6:30 p.m.
South Berwick
Parish of the Ascension of the Lord:
Our Lady of the Angels Church - Mass at 7 a.m. and communion service with distribution of ashes at 7 p.m.
South Portland
St. John and Holy Cross Parish:
Church of the Holy Cross - Mass at 7:30 a.m.
Stonington
Stella Maris Parish;
St. Mary Star of the Sea Church - Mass at 10:30 a.m.
Stratton
Our Lady of the Lakes Parish:
St. John Church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Van Buren
St. Peter Chanel Parish:
St. Bruno - St. Remi Church - Mass at 7 p.m.
Wallagrass (Soldier Pond)
St. John Vianney Parish:
St. Joseph Church - Mass at 6:30 p.m.
Waterville
Corpus Christi Parish:
Notre Dame Church - Masses at 7 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 6 p.m.
Lorimer Chapel at Colby College - Mass at 4:30 p.m.
Wells
Holy Spirit Parish:
St. Mary Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Westbrook
St. Anthony of Padua Parish:
St. Anthony of Padua Church - Mass at 7:30 a.m.; Distribution of Ashes from 12 to 12:30 p.m.; Mass at 5:30 p.m.
Whitefield
St. Michael Parish:
St. Denis church - Mass at 6 p.m.
Windham
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish:
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Winslow
Corpus Christi Parish:
St. John the Baptist Church - Mass at 8 a.m.
Winthrop
St. Michael Parish:
St. Francis Xavier Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Yarmouth
Parish of the Holy Eucharist:
Sacred Heart Church - Mass at 8:15 a.m.
York
Parish of the Ascension of the Lord:
St. Christopher Church - Masses at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.