Bulletin Greeting: December 7, 2025

Bulletin Greeting: December 7, 2025

Tomorrow, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a dogma that was solemnly declared by Pope Pius IX in 1854. This feast reminds us that Mary, from the first moment of her existence, by God’s grace, was completely free of the stain of original sin, thus giving her the graces needed to become the dwelling of the Most-High. Her freedom from sin, and her “yes” to the announcement of the angel Gabriel make way for the coming of the Messiah; she becomes the New Eve as all of creation is given new life through the gift of her Son.

Coming from a Protestant Christian background, when I converted to Catholicism, I naturally had a lot of questions about Mary and our understanding of her. It wasn’t until a few years after my conversion that I began to really develop a relationship with Our Lady. By this time, I had started seminary and would have described my relationship with Mary as being more of an acquaintance than that of a loving mother, so I set out to find Mary; and with the help of a fellow seminarian, I not only found her, but in her I discovered a most beautiful and loving mother.

Writing of Mary, philosopher and theologian, Alice von Hildebrand said, “The dazzling radiance of this feminine place – the tabernacle of the God-man – must have blinded the angels, bringing them to their knees.” In Mary, we have a most beautiful and loving mother, who never fails to bring us closer to Christ, her son. I invite you to welcome Mary into your own journey to Bethlehem this Advent and together let us join all of creation in joyful anticipation of the coming of Christ.

Masses for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (Holy Day) are:

8:30am – Holy Trinity

Noon – St. Benignus

7:00pm – St. Mary, Queen of Heaven

7:00pm – St. Mary