St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

 Welcome to the 2^nd week of Advent!  The first one really zipped by.  Just several more to go until we celebrate the season of Christmas.  Let’s not waste one moment of these December days to prepare ourselves for the Coming of Jesus Christ.  This great season of Advent challenges each of us to look inside our soul and make sure it is in proper order for the celebration of the Word becoming Flesh.

This coming Monday, December 9^th is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Now, you may be wondering why that is, when this Holy Day is on December 8^th. 

Please try to understand the explanation below. 

The Immaculate Conception Holy Day, December 8^th, is one of the two Holy Days of the five we celebrate, NO MATTER what day it falls on.  The other one is Christmas.  The other three, if they occur on a Friday or Monday, are still Holy Days but the obligation to attend Mass is lifted. 

Now, this year December 8^th is on a Sunday, the 2^nd Sunday of Advent.  The Sundays of Advent take priority over any other celebration.  So, the Holy Day this year is transferred to Monday, December 9^th.  It was not a Holy Day of obligation because it didn’t occur on the 8^th.  BUT, the Vatican Office that handles this issue has now declared that even though the Immaculate Conception occurs on the 9^th of December this year, it IS a Holy Day of Obligation, which changed the previous decision that it was not.   

Are you confused yet?  Rome ruled that if this particular Holy Day is transferred, then the obligation stays with the Holy Day.  This Holy Day would be the only one in the United States that would be transferred.

ERGO—there will be two Masses at SJW on Monday, December 9^th at 8:30am and 5:30pm.  This means all Catholics must come to Church to celebrate this Solemnity or risk being in mortal sin.

Please try to see the need of coming to SJW or some other Catholic parish that day to fulfill your obligation to celebrate this most important Holy Day.  The Immaculate Conception of Mary is the patronal feast of our country and of our diocese.

May Mary, the Mother of God, without the stain of Original Sin from the moment of her birth, and kept free from sin her entire life, intercede for us.

Your Pastor, Father Joe