Immaculate Conception

When we celebrate the Immaculate Conception on December 8th each year, it is a common mistake to think we are celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Jesus. At Mass on the Immaculate Conception the Gospel is always the Annunciation. Because the Archangel Gabriel appears to Mary to tell her about the child she would have, sometimes people think that is the conception which is called immaculate. But the Immaculate Conception is about the conception that prepared Mary for this moment; the time where she would choose whether or not to participate in God's plan for salvation.

In the Gospel, the angel Gabriel says, "Hail Mary full of Grace." In Greek the word used, κεχαριτωμένη, is a perfect passive participle of χαριτοω meaning "to fill or endow with grace." The tense indicates that Mary was graced from the instant she first existed in her mother's (Anne's) womb (well before Gabriel visited) and ever since. It might be best understood as her being so full of grace that sin can not enter her.

The first Mass celebrating the Immaculate Conception will be tonight (Wednesday) at 5:30 p.m. There will also be Masses Thursday at 6:20, 8:15, 12:10, 5:30 and 7 p.m. It is such a special event that it is considered a Holy Day of Obligation.

Celebrating the Mother of God

A prayer recited at Compline or the Night Prayer of the Divine Office is:

We fly to your patronage,
O Holy Mother of God;
Despise not our petitions in our necessities,
But deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin

In 1917 an ancient, Egyptian text was discovered using this prayer. This was a surprise as many didn't realize how old the prayer was. Because the prayer uses the term "Mother of God" it was assumed that it could be from just after 431 because that's when the Council of Ephesus declared that Mary was the Mother of God or Theotokos. But scientific tests showed the papyrus dated form no later than the 3rd century. Further research showed that Alexandrian Christians were already calling Mary the Mother of God in the third century.

This is an example of how the people of God experienced Mary and grew from her before the Church officially recognized that dogma. The same was true with calling Mary the Immaculate Conception, which was a widespread practice before the Church officially recognized the term. As a Church we grow through our experiences.

Masses as we celebrate this holy day are:

Wednesday

5:30

  

Thursday

7:30, 9:00, 10:30 & noon

The Immaculate Conception

When we celebrate the Immaculate Conception on December 8th each year, it is a common mistake to think we are celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Jesus. At Mass on the Immaculate Conception the Gospel is always the Annunciation. Because the Archangel Gabriel appears to Mary to tell her about the child she would have, sometimes people think that is the conception which is called immaculate. But the Immaculate Conception is about the conception that prepared Mary for this moment; the time where she would choose whether or not to participate in God's plan for salvation.

In the Gospel, the angel Gabriel says, "Hail Mary full of Grace." In Greek the word used, κεχαριτωμένη, is a perfect passive participle of χαριτοω meaning "to fill or endow with grace." The tense indicates that Mary was graced from the instant she first existed in her mother's (Anne's) womb (well before Gabriel visited) and ever since. It might be best understood as her being so full of grace that sin can not enter her.

The first Mass celebrating the Immaculate Conception will be Monday at 5:30 p.m. There will also be Masses Tuesday at 6:20, 8:15, 12:10, 5:30 and 7 p.m. It is such a special event that it is considered a Holy Day of Obligation.

Sneaky Ascension & An Announcement

Thursday is a Holy Day that, as Fr Damian says, sneaks up on us. The stained glass windows in our chapel (pictured above) remind of us of when Jesus, before he ascended, spoke the words which are the basis of our parish mission statement, "Go and Make Disciples."

There is an anticipatory Wednesday tonight at 5:30 to celebrate the Ascension of Jesus to heaven. The Masses Thursday for this Holy Day are:

6:20 a.m.

8:15 a.m.

12:10 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

At the end of Mass, we will also publicly announce our next pastor. It will be in the bulletin Sunday, but we thought we will announce it on the Holy Day. It will also be posted on the blog after the 12:10 Mass.

Celebrating Mary as Mother of God

A prayer recited at Compline or the Night Prayer of the Divine Office is:

We fly to your patronage,
O Holy Mother of God;
Despise not our petitions in our necessities,
But deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin

In 1917 an ancient, Egyptian text was discovered using this prayer. This was a surprise as many didn't realize how old the prayer was. Because the prayer uses the term "Mother of God" it was assumed that it could be from just after 431 because that's when the Council of Ephesus declared that Mary was the Mother of God or Theotokos. But scientific tests showed the papyrus dated form no later than the 3rd century. Further research showed that Alexandrian Christians were already calling Mary the Mother of God in the third century.

This is an example of how the people of God experienced Mary and grew from her before the Church officially recognized that dogma. The same was true with calling Mary the Immaculate Conception, which was a widespread practice before the Church officially recognized the term. As a Church we grow through our experiences.

Masses as we celebrate this holy day are:

Wednesday

5:30 and 11:00 p.m.

  

Thursday

7:30, 9:00, 10:30 & noon

All Saints' and All Souls' Days

Today we celebrate the feast of All Saints. In the painting above, by Fra Angelico you will notice that each saint in the painting is different, but all are celebrated together.

All Saints' Day

While this day is special and holy, because it falls on a Saturday this year, it is not a day of obligation. We will have one Mass to celebrate it, at 9:00 a.m. this morning.

All Souls' Day

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (often simply called All Souls') is celebrated this weekend rather than the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time. So at all of our Masses we shall recall those who have passed away in the last year.

The Assumption of Mary

Today the strongest evidence for Mary's Assumption is, ironically, the complete lack of evidence.

No city ever claimed to have Mary's remains and no early Christian ever claimed to have a bodily relic of Mary. This is unlike the early veneration of the tombs of the Apostles and the other saints. Everyone knew that Peter and Paul's graves were in Rome, John and Timothy's graves were at Ephesus, Luke's grave Luke was in Greece, and Mark's grave was in Alexandria, Egypt and later moved to Venice. Furthermore, James' grave was in Jerusalem and Mary Magdalene's was in Marseille. The graves of the Old Testament saints were similarly venerated: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at Hebron; Rachel at Bethlehem (Matt 2:18), and in Jerusalem (Acts 2:29). The most logical reason to explain why NO early Christian ever spoke about a grave of the Virgin Mary was because there wasn't one.

It's also important to note that while Jesus ascended (it was His action) into heaven, Mary was assumed (God's action) into heaven.

Masses for this Holy Day of Obligation are:

Thursday

5:30 p.m.

Friday

6:20, 8:15 a.m., 12:10, 5:30 and 7:00 p.m.

Ascension Thursday is Sneaky

Thursday is a Holy Day that, as Fr Damian says, sneeks up on us. That may be even more true this year since it is the same week as Memorial Day.

The stained glass windows in our chapel (pictured above) remind of us of when Jesus, before he ascended, spoke the words which are the basis of our parish mission statement, "Go and Make Disciples."

There is an anticipatory Mass tonight at 5:30 to celebrate the Ascension of Jesus to heaven. The Masses Thursday for this Holy Day are:

6:20 a.m.

8:15 a.m.

12:10 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God

Wednesday is the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. The collect prayer which begins our Masses is:

O God, who through the fruitful virginity of the Blessed Mary, bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.

The Masses for this Holy Day of Obligation are:

Tuesday

5:30 and 11 p.m.

Wednesday

7:30, 9, 10:30 & noon

(no 5 p.m. Mass)

The 11 p.m. Mass on Tuesday night will be followed by a New Year's toast and celebration in the Social Level.

All Saints & All Souls Day

Friday we celebrate the feast of All Saints. In the painting above, by Fra Angelico you will notice that each saint in the painting is different, but all are celebrated together.

For this Holy Day you can attend Mass at St. Columbkille Parish on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. or on Friday at 6:20, 8:15 a.m. 12:10, 5:30 or 7:00 p.m.

All Souls' Day

There will be a special all Soul's Day Mass Saturday at 10:00 a.m. to especially remember our parishioners who have passed away in the last year.

What's the deal Saturday Night?

In the hierarchy of liturgical days, All Souls' Day takes precedence over a Sunday in Ordinary Time. Therefore the readings and Propers for All Souls' Day will be followed for the vigil Mass on Saturday, November 2, (5 & 6:30 p.m) even though it satisfies the Sunday obligation. In other words, the reading Saturday evening will be the ones used for All Souls' Day even though it "counts" as a Sunday Mass.

Mary's Assumption

Today the strongest evidence for Mary's Assumption is, ironically, the complete lack of evidence.

No city ever claimed to have Mary's remains and no early Christian ever claimed to have a bodily relic of Mary. This is unlike the early veneration of the tombs of the Apostles and the other saints. Everyone knew that Peter and Paul's graves were in Rome, John and Timothy's graves were at Ephesus, Luke's grave Luke was in Greece, and Mark's grave was in Alexandria, Egypt and later moved to Venice. Furthermore, James' grave was in Jerusalem and Mary Magdalene's was in Marseille. The graves of the Old Testament saints were similarly venerated: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at Hebron; Rachel at Bethlehem (Matt 2:18), and in Jerusalem (Acts 2:29). The most logical reason to explain why NO early Christian ever spoke about a grave of the Virgin Mary was because there wasn't one.

It's also important to note that while Jesus ascended (it was His action) into heaven, Mary was assumed (God's action) into heaven.

Masses for this Holy Day of Obligation are:

Wednesday

5:30 p.m.

Thursday

6:20, 8:15 a.m., 12:10, 5:30 and 7:00 p.m.

Ascension Thursday in just 2 days

Thursday is a Holy Day that, as Fr Damian says, sneeks up on us because the date changes with Easter each year. The stained glass windows in our chapel (pictured above) remind of us of when Jesus, before he ascended, spoke the words which are the basis of our parish mission statement, "Go and Make Disciples."

There is an anticipatory Mass tomorrow night at 5:30 to celebrate the Ascension of Jesus to heaven. The Masses Thursday for this Holy Day are:

6:20 a.m.

8:15 a.m.

12:10 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

About the Immaculate Conception on Saturday

The Immaculate Conception is considered such a blessed event that it is considered a Holy Day of Obligation. Because the Immaculate Conception is the patron of the United States, this feast day (like Christmas) is an obligation even when it falls on a Saturday or Monday. However, the Saturday evening Masses (5 and 6:30 p.m.) celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent rather than the Immaculate Conception. As Fr. Steve says, you can't get a twofer by attending Saturday night.

When we celebrate the Immaculate Conception, it is a common mistake to think we are celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Jesus. At Mass on the Immaculate Conception the Gospel is always the Annunciation. Because the Archangel Gabrial appears to Mary to tell her about the child she would have, sometimes people think that is the conception which is called immaculate. But the Immaculate Conception is about her conception which prepared Mary for the Annunciation; the time where she would choose whether or not to participate in God's plan for salvation.

In the Gospel, the angel Gabriel says, "Hail Mary full of Grace." In Greek the word used, κεχαριτωμένη, is a perfect passive participle of χαριτοω meaning "to fill or endow with grace." The tense indicates that Mary was graced from the instant she first existed in her mother's (Anne's) womb (well before Gabriel visited) and ever since. It might be best understood as her being so full of grace that sin can not enter her.

The first Mass celebrating the Immaculate Conception will be Friday at 5:30 p.m. There will also be Masses Saturday at 6:20, 8:15, and 12:10 p.m.
Saturday night, starting at 8 p.m., there will be two hours of Eucharistic Adoration and prayer for the end of abortion as well.

All Saint's - A Holy Day

Today we celebrate the feast of All Saints. In the painting above, by Fra Angelico you will notice that each saint in the painting is different, but all are celebrated together.

For this Holy Day you can attend Mass at St. Columbkille Parish on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. or on Thursday at 6:20, 8:15 a.m. 12:10, 5:30 or 7:00 p.m.

Mary's Assumption

Today the strongest evidence for Mary's Assumption is, ironically, the complete lack of evidence.

No city ever claimed to have Mary's remains and no early Christian ever claimed to have a bodily relic of Mary. This is unlike the early veneration of the tombs of the Apostles and the other saints. Everyone knew that Peter and Paul's graves were in Rome, John and Timothy's graves were at Ephesus, Luke's grave Luke was in Greece, and Mark's grave was in Alexandria, Egypt and later moved to Venice. Furthermore, James' grave was in Jerusalem and Mary Magdalene's was in Marseille. The graves of the Old Testament saints were similarly venerated: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at Hebron; Rachel at Bethlehem (Matt 2:18), and in Jerusalem (Acts 2:29). The most logical reason to explain why NO early Christian ever spoke about a grave of the Virgin Mary was because there wasn't one.

It's also important to note that while Jesus ascended (it was His action) into heaven, Mary was assumed (God's action) into heaven.

Masses for this Holy Day of Obligation are:

Tuesday

5:30 p.m.

Wednesday

6:20, 8:15 a.m., 12:10, 5:30 and 7:00 p.m.

Ascension Thursday

Tomorrow is a Holy Day.

There is an anticipatory Mass tonight at 5:30 to celebrate the Ascension of Jesus to heaven. The Masses tomorrow (Thursday) for this Holy Day are:

6:20 a.m.

8:15 a.m.

12:10 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

The Immaculate Conception

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary. In the ordos used in Jerusalem in the 5th century, we see that Mary's conception was already being celebrated.

In the Gospel, the angel Gabriel says, "Hail Mary full of Grace." In Greek the word used, κεχαριτωμένη, is a perfect passive participle of χαριτοω meaning "to fill or endow with grace." The tense indicates that Mary was graced from the instant she first existed in her mother's (Anne's) womb (well before Gabriel visited) and ever since. It might be best understood as her being so full of grace that sin can not enter her.

The first Mass celebrating the Immaculate Conception will be tonight at 5:30 p.m. There will also be Masses tomorrow at 6:20, 8:15, 12:10, 5:30 and 7 p.m. It is such a special event that it is considered a Holy Day of Obligation.

The Immaculate Conception

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary. In the ordos used in Jerusalem in the 5th century, we see that Mary's conception was already being celebrated.

In today's Gospel the angel Gabriel says "Hail Mary full of Grace." In Greek the word used, κεχαριτωμένη, is a perfect passive participle of χαριτοω meaning "to fill or endow with grace." The tense indicates that Mary was graced from the instant she first existed in her mother Anne's womb (well before Gabriel visited) and ever since. It might be best understood as her being so full of grace that sin can not enter her.

Today there will be Masses at 6:20, 8:15, 10:00 a.m., 12:10, 5:30 and 7 p.m.