IMMACULATE CONCEPTION is a Holy Day of Obligation This year the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th, will be moved to Monday, December 9th. December 8th is the Second Sunday of Advent, and it is of higher liturgical importance than the Immaculate Conception. Traditionally, when a Holy Day is transferred from Sunday to Monday, it is not a Holy Day of Obligation. When the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) asked for clarification on this matter, the Holy See in Rome wrote back that Monday, December 9th, is a Holy Day of Obligation. Consequently, there will be an 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mass at Our Lady of Hope and a 6 p.m. Mass at Saint Mary for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. There can be no Vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception on the evening of Sunday, December 8th. Please make sure to pick up a December Mass Calendar when it is published in the bulletin.