Tomorrow—the Immaculate Conception of Mary: Shouldn’t it be today, December 8? How did it land on the 9th? But, on Monday, that day wouldn’t be a holy day of obligation, right? Yes, Mary’s conception is set for December 8— exactly nine months before the feast of her nativity. But, when it falls on Advent Sunday, Advent (just like Lent or Easter) wins over the feast. But, it’s an important feast because, obviously of Mary and because it’s the patronal feast for the United States. So, it gets moved instead of canceled. Rome has recently ruled that when a feast moves, its obligation goes with it. But, given the confusion this brings to parishes that haven’t planned a multiple Mass December 8 schedule, Bishop Bambera has given us a one-year dispensation from Mass on that day.

Bottom line: We’ll have 7 a.m. tomorrow. You’re welcome to participate! I wouldn’t for a moment diminish the importance of Mary in the Church’s life. But, you don’t have to come. Above all, since the bishop gave the dispensation, you don’t have to confess missing this Mass.

But, let’s pay attention to the words and life of John the Baptist this Sunday and next. He calls people to repentance, to recognize that they’re sinners and they need to get ready to meet the coming Messiah.

Let’s not pretend that John’s ministry was only poised to the particular sinfulness of the crowd around the Jordan in the early 30s. The same sins that plagued them are ours as well. Lack of charity? Dishonesty? Divisive words and actions? Lust and anger? Sure, they did them. But, so do we. The call to repentance echoes in every generation. We have the opportunity to experience God’s great mercy. Each Monday evening (coupled with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament) from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday, December 12 here at 1 p.m. (along with the St John Neumann student body), Wednesday, December 18 at 7 p.m. at St Joseph the Worker. Let’s find the freedom Mary knew in her sinless state. Let’s find the change John proclaims and promises.