There is little doubt in my mind that in the past number of years there has been confusion among the Faithful in the Church with regard to "Holy Days" on the Church calendar especially when it comes to the "Obligation" to participate in Mass under pain of mortal sin (as is the case for Sunday Mass). Basically, when a Holy Day falls on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday it is obligatory for Catholics to participate in a Mass for that Holy Day. When it falls on a Saturday or Monday, Catholics are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to participate in Mass that day but are not obliged to do so. The exception to that is on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (December 8) in the United States when participation in Mass is obligatory since Mary is the patroness of our country under that title. HOWEVER, since this year we celebrate the 2nd Sunday of Advent on December 8 and IT takes precedence on the calendar, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated on December 9 throughout the Universal Church and here at Sacred Heart at 10:00 a.m. without the obligation to participate in Mass.
I have a sense that when the Church started having Masses of Anticipation on Saturdays back in the early 1970's for reasons which included a shortage of priests and began having Sunday evening Masses to practically provide another needed Mass for the Faithful, the bishops recognized that it would be confusing to more than a few as to which Masses were being offered for the Holy Day and which for that Sunday when a Holy Day fell on a Monday or Saturday. In addition, there was concern for the health (at least the mental health) of some priests who might have to celebrate many Masses in a short period of time when Holy Days were Obligatory and on Monday or Saturday.
I ask all of you to consider coming to celebrate Mass on traditional Holy Days no matter what day they are celebrated out of zeal for serving the Lord and worshiping him NOT ONLY when the Church obliges us to do so. Practically speaking we could celebrate only one Holy Day Mass whether it's obligatory or not here at Sacred Heart Church because of our large seating capacity (though I do not plan to do that here). I hope to see as many of you as possible this Monday at 10:00 a.m. for the Mass celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Mary as we ask for her help for our country in the areas, we definitely need her intercession to be what Christ her son calls us to be.
I have a sense that when the Church started having Masses of Anticipation on Saturdays back in the early 1970's for reasons which included a shortage of priests and began having Sunday evening Masses to practically provide another needed Mass for the Faithful, the bishops recognized that it would be confusing to more than a few as to which Masses were being offered for the Holy Day and which for that Sunday when a Holy Day fell on a Monday or Saturday. In addition, there was concern for the health (at least the mental health) of some priests who might have to celebrate many Masses in a short period of time when Holy Days were Obligatory and on Monday or Saturday.
I ask all of you to consider coming to celebrate Mass on traditional Holy Days no matter what day they are celebrated out of zeal for serving the Lord and worshiping him NOT ONLY when the Church obliges us to do so. Practically speaking we could celebrate only one Holy Day Mass whether it's obligatory or not here at Sacred Heart Church because of our large seating capacity (though I do not plan to do that here). I hope to see as many of you as possible this Monday at 10:00 a.m. for the Mass celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Mary as we ask for her help for our country in the areas, we definitely need her intercession to be what Christ her son calls us to be.