We wish you the favor and peace of God our Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ following a blessed Thanksgiving weekend.

Holy Days of Obligation are part of the longstanding tradition within the Catholic Church.
Since Sunday, December 8 is the Second Sunday of Advent, the Solemnity of the
Immaculate Conception is moved to the following day, Monday, December 9 and the
precept to attend Mass on this day also transfers. Because it is the patronal feast of the
United States, it is always held as a day of obligation. It will replace the optional memorial
of St. Juan Diego. It is expected and commendable for us to attend Mass which will be offered at parishes throughout the archdiocese.

It is our belief as Catholics that the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin – immaculately conceived by virtue of the merits of her son, Jesus. This is universally observed nine months before her nativity on September 8. Many people confuse this feast with the “virgin birth” on December 25, the belief that Mary gave birth to Jesus while remaining a virgin. They are not the same thing.

The National Night of Prayer for Life will begin at 9 p.m. on Sunday, December 8 through
1 a.m. on Monday, December 9 when we go to Mary, the Mother of Life in prayer and receive peace and consolation of her motherly care in these trying times. This night bridges the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn and of the Americas. We ask Our Blessed Mother to intercede with the Lord to restore a culture of life and a civilization of love in our land. The Good Newsroom will be listing parishes throughout the archdiocese that will be hosting Eucharistic adoration to pray that every human life will be protected and reverenced.