It’s the Second Sunday of Advent and we are only two weeks away from Christmas Eve! Wait a minute, how can this be? This year, it’s a “short” Advent season. We literally only have three full weeks of Advent plus a few hours. Yes, it’s true: Two weeks from this Sunday, it’s not only the 4th Sunday of Advent, but it’s Christmas Eve!
Yes, this is the confusing year on the Liturgical Calendar. Having done this several times now in my time as a priest, it doesn’t really get any easier to explain this. That is why there is a special graphic from the Diocese in the bulletin today (and next week) to remind everyone of what to do in 2023.
In short, everyone still has the obligation to attend one of the Sunday Masses on the 4th Sunday of Advent, December 24th (the Vigil on Saturday night on the 23rd or the morning Masses on Sunday the 24th) and a Christmas Mass. The expectation is that a person will attend two masses (one for Advent, one for Christmas) between the 23rd of December to the 25th of December. Due to this unusual combination, the Sunday evening Masses will actually be vigil Masses for Christmas. Attending a Christmas Mass will not fulfill your obligation of attending a Sunday Mass.
It's a good thing we don’t have to worry about this every year! I looked at the 2024 calendar and thankfully, since it is a leap year in 2024, Christmas will be on a Wednesday next year. With only two more weeks until Christmas, I encourage everyone to make the most of these remaining days of Advent for prayer and for the Sacrament of Penance. Next Saturday, we will be offering an Advent retreat. We will continue to have individual confessions on the next two Saturday mornings from 11 a.m. to noon. Since we already had our penance service this past week, please check the schedule for upcoming Penance Services at the other area parishes. Since time is so short, make the most of this season of Advent!