Between now and the new year, there are a few liturgical notes and schedule idiosyncrasies that we want our clergy to be aware of:
November 1, Solemnity of All Saints: This falls on a Monday this year. There is no obligation for the faithful to attend Mass, but it remains a solemnity. Please encourage the faithful to attend Mass and publicize the times of those Masses.
December 8, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: Holy Day of Obligation. Parishes will follow their usual holy day Mass schedules.
December 12, Third Sunday of Advent: The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is omitted this year. Our Lady of Guadalupe may be appropriately honored in the Homily, Universal Prayer, and hymns during the Sunday liturgy. There will be a Diocesan celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Paul Church in Westerville on Saturday, December 11, 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
December 25, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord: Christmas falls on a Saturday this year. All Masses celebrated throughout the entire day, from the Friday evening vigil through Christmas night, are to be for Christmas.
December 26, Feast of the Holy Family: This Sunday feast day will be celebrated solely on Sunday this year. Sunday vigil Masses are not to be celebrated on Saturday evening, December 25. Any Masses which may be celebrated on Saturday evening are to be for Christmas.
January 1, 2022: Solemnity of Mary: The solemnity falls on a Saturday this year. There is no obligation to attend Mass, but it remains a solemnity. Please encourage the faithful to attend Mass and publicize the times of those Masses. Vigil Masses for the Solemnity of the Epiphany begin at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 1.
January 2, 2022: Solemnity of the Epiphany.