We normally observe December 8th as a holy day for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. However, because it falls on Sunday this year, its observance is transferred to December 9th. The Sunday observance takes precedence being the Lord’s Day. And, while the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a holy day of obligation (even when it falls on a Saturday or Monday), the obligation is abrogated when it is moved to December 9th.

Now, if we trace back in history, the observance of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception actually started when Pope Clement XI issued a Papal Bull entitled “Commissi Nobis Divinitus” on December 6th, 1708 and gave the mandate to celebrate it as a holy day of obligation. Then, in 1854, Pope Pius IX officially defined the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception that Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin or its stain—that’s what “immaculate” means: without stain. The essence of original sin consists in the deprivation of sanctifying grace, and its stain is a corrupt nature. Mary was preserved from these defects by God’s grace; from the first instant of her existence she was in the state of sanctifying grace and was free from the corrupt nature original sin brings.

Anyway, not to change the topic, as we enter into the second Sunday of Advent, the call to prepare for the coming of the Lord continues. The readings in today’s liturgy tell us that we must mend our ways for the Lord is coming. In the gospel, John the Baptist says: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Mt. 3:1) He calls on everyone to make straight the way of the Lord and clear everything that hinders Him from coming.

This coming Tuesday, the 10th of December, we have an Advent Evening of Reflection to be given by Fr. Joe Freedy. He is a priest from the Diocese of Pittsburgh and is a well sought speaker. Currently, he serves as parochial vicar in the Church grouping in the Wexford area. On that evening, he will speak in our parish about how we can better prepare for the coming Christmas. This will be an opportunity for us to be guided spiritually in our Christmas preparation.

This week, the Advent Penance Services in our region will also begin. The schedule is as follows:

December 10th – 7:00 P.M. – St. Lawrence Parish, Cadogan
December 14th – 12:00 Noon – St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Kittanning
December 17th – 7:00 P.M. – St. Mary, Mother of God Parish, Yatesboro
December 18th – 7:00 P.M. – St. Patrick Parish, Brady’s Bend
December 19th – 7:00 P.M. – St. Mary Mother of God, Freeport
December 21st – 12:00 Noon – Christ Prince of Peace Parish, Ford City

Let us take this opportunity as a way not only to prepare for the coming of the Lord, but as a way to experience the merciful love of God in Christ Jesus through the sacrament of reconciliation in the Church.