Dear Parishioners and Friends,

From all of us at Immaculate Heart of Mary, I extend to you and your loved ones prayers and best wishes for a truly Happy New Year!

This coming week on January first, we will celebrate one of the traditional holydays of obligation in the United States.  When it falls on a Monday or Saturday, the obligation to assist at Mass is dispensed.  If it should fall on the other weekdays or on Sunday, Catholics are obliged under pain of mortal sin to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.   The dispensation from the obligation to assist at Mass on this day, which was granted in the Archdiocese in previous years, has been rescinded by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone.  Therefore, we will now observe the practice common in the United States.  On Tuesday, December 31 there is Mass at 5pm and on Wednesday, January 1,  Mass is at 9:00 am and at noon for the Traditional Latin Mass.  

Some may remember this day as the Feast of the Circumcision, before the reform of the Calendar in 1970.  However, in the reform, January first is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God; or in recent years, at the decision of the local bishop and discretion of the priest celebrant, the Mass for Peace could be offered.  However, the Ordo for 2013 stated for the first time: “The Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice (#30) may not be used on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.”.

Nevertheless, as we begin a new year with all our hopes, it is fitting that we turn to Mary, Mother of God, for help.  She is the model disciple, full of faith, hope, and love.  She demonstrates beyond a doubt that grace works.  What happened to her happens to all those who follow in her path.  During these troubled times, the tried and true road to heaven is brighter and more appealing than ever.

At Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, we fervently and devotedly turn to Mary, our loving Mother, to intercede on our behalf.  St. Bernard wrote:  “Aspice stellam!  Invoca Mariam!” (“Look to the Star!  Call on Mary!”)  He also gave us the Memorare, where we pray that “never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection was left unaided.”    

Yours in Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Fr. Mark G. Mazza