Immaculate Conception
On Monday, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I’ve found that there’s often confusion over what exactly the Immaculate Conception is and refers to—contrary to what many think, the “Immaculate Conception” does not refer to the conception of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary, but rather the conception of the Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne.
The Church has taught this reality from very early on: in the very earliest centuries, it was mostly implicit—by comparison with Eve, Mary was considered the immaculate and incorrupt mother of all the living. Throughout the centuries, though, theologians developed more and more an explicit doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, that to be given the privilege to bear within her in the Incarnate Son of God, Mary would have needed a special grace to be without sin, up to and including original sin. This was a special grace given her in anticipation of her Son’s death on the Cross, the act which saves all of us (including Mary) from sin.
It was in 1846 that the United States bishops decreed that the US should honor Mary under the title of her Immaculate Conception as the patroness of this country. Some years later, on December 8, 1854, Bl. Pope Pius IX solemnly pronounced it as a dogma of the Catholic faith. The progression of this goes to show that when dogmas are defined, it’s always pronouncing something already held sacred by the Church, not drumming up new ideas for belief.
Because of the significance of the Immaculate Conception to our country—namely, that she is our patroness—we always observe December 8 as a Holy Day of Obligation, even when it occurs on a Saturday or Monday, like this year. This is unlike the Holy Days of Obligation on January 1, August 15, and November 1, which usually see the precept to attend Mass abrogated if they fall a day before or after Sunday. Immaculate Conception and Christmas, however, always maintain their precept to attend Mass no matter which day of the week they fall on.
As such, please remember to attend Mass this Monday. Our Mass times are 8:15 am with the school children and 5:30 pm on Monday, December 8. There will be no “vigil” Mass offered on Sunday evening, as any Sunday evening Mass would have to be of the Second Sunday of Advent. If you are unable to go to these times, I believe there are 7 am options at Cathedral and Christ the King and a 12:05 Mass at Cathedral.
Lastly, looking forward to next week, on Sunday, December 14 at 2 pm, Blessed Sacrament is hosting the Advent penance service for the west-side Springfield parishes. If you would like to take the opportunity to go to reconciliation (it’s always nice to have a clean soul for Christmas!), we will have eight priests here that afternoon, so it will be the perfect opportunity! I can’t encourage you enough to make this important preparation for Christmas, especially if you haven’t gone in many years: there’s no better way to welcome the Savior than to acknowledge our need for the salvation He brings and to humble ourselves to receive the grace of His forgiveness for our sins. It’s a beautiful Sacrament!
Keep spreading joy!
Fr. Friedel
Mass times
December 8
8:15 AM
5:30 PM
We are so excited to host our 4th Christmas Market!
This Saturday from 10am-7pm
The market will take place in the school cafeteria - enter through the main school entrance. There is not an entrance fee, but you are able to buy $1 tickets to enter to win gift prizes at each vendor's booth. As you shop each vendor, you can visit our coffee bar, concession stand, purchase gift cards directly from our Scrip program, as well as Christmas crafts for the kids, hosted by the SHG Art Club. You can also view all of our decorated trees and wreaths that are up for auction. Bid on them and take one home! The bidding is from 10am-6:30pm. The famous Christmas Eve Church Pews will be up for auction throughout the day as well. Need not be present to win and all auction items will have a "buy now" price.
We would like to thank all of our parish families, school families, and local businesses for decorating and donating these beautiful items
.
We hope you will join us for our Youth Mass at 4:30pm, followed by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus at 5:30pm.
We can't wait to see you this Saturday, December 6th, as you enjoy all of the Christmas festivities! Also be sure and check out the Holly Fair & Bake Sale down the street from us, at the St. Anthony Greek Church from 10am-3pm.
Women's Advent Book Study
"Holy Moments" by Matthew Kelly
Wednesday evenings from 7-8 PM
Rectory Basement
Begins Wednesday, December 3
Looking for a way to enhance this liturgical season? Check out this Advent resource calendar below and download your own copy on the right...
Ring in the Holiday season with the resplendent music of Bach & Handel! Please join the singers of the Choral Society in the gorgeous surroundings of Blessed Sacrament Church on Saturday, December 6 for this beloved annual tradition. And be sure to bring along a warmed-up voice for the obligatory sing-along encore of the Hallelujah Chorus!
Tickets: $20, available either online or at the door. Concert is expected to sell out, so advance booking is recommended. Click the button below to go to the ticket sales site.
Tickets: $20, available either online or at the door. Concert is expected to sell out, so advance booking is recommended. Click the button below to go to the ticket sales site.
Would you prefer to read the actual bulletin online? Click on the button to the right for a virtual copy of this week's bulletin.
Become a Bruin Buddy!
As we celebrate the centennial of our parish and school, we are reminded that educating our youth has always been our greatest mission. This fall we encourage you to consider becoming a Bruin Buddy, sharing your time and unique talents with our school community. Whether you read stories, help in the lunchroom, check out books in the library, or share a special skill, your involvement – no matter how big or small – will make a difference and deepen our school and parish bonds. Volunteer applications can found on the parish website and in the back of church.
Pilgrimage 2026
Join Fr. Friedel and Fr. Chris House on a pilgrimage to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to tour the sacred treasures of the Alps! Some of our destinations include Munich, Ettal Monastery, Oberammergau, Innsbruck, Vaduz, the Abbey of St. Gallen, Lucerne, Lake Constance, and Bern. Our twelve-day pilgrimage will leave July 6 and return on July 17.
For cost, a detailed itinerary of the trip, and to sign up, please visit https://holylandtoursllc.com/tour/779. Space is limited, so sign up now to guarantee your spot with us.
From other parishes...
Job Opening – Parish Office Secretary St. Jude Catholic Church in Rochester is looking for a Parish Secretary. If you are interested, please contact the parish office at (217) 498-9197 to obtain the job description and schedule an interview.
St. Frances Cabrini Parish invites you to
The Nativity Festival
Away in a Manger
Senior Day, Friday, December 5, 2025 9 – 11 a.m.
Saturday, December 6, 2025 & Sunday December 7, 2025
10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m
Free admission
Refreshments and Entertainment on Saturday Sunday
St. Cabrini Parish
Cathedral Women's Bible Study - Foretold Perhaps you think God doesn't have a plan for you and your family. But Jesus is the Lord of History, yours included. Join Dr. Sean Innerst in Foretold, a new series from the Augustine Institute that weaves together the Old and New Testament stories, highlighting their connecting threads of prophecy and fulfillment. What was promised in the biblical story came to pass through Jesus, his apostles, and the Church. Ultimately, this biblical history is your history. Just as the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled, you can trust that Jesus will care for you and your story. Encounter this profound mystery and reality for yourself in Foretold.
Cathedral School Library, Thursdays at 10:00 and 1:00 starting on Jan 8, and running for 8 weeks. FREE and open to all women!
Cathedral School Library, Thursdays at 10:00 and 1:00 starting on Jan 8, and running for 8 weeks. FREE and open to all women!