Holy Days of Obligation

Holy Days of Obligation for the year 2021 including Mass times

(assuming we get back to normal, those days, in addition to Sundays, we are obliged to worship God at Mass)

• May 26, Thursday – Ascension of the Lord 
• Only a day of obligation for residents of Pennsylvania
• You can fulfill your obligation at St. Mary’s by coming to
• the regular morning Masses (7:30 am) or
• the Ascension Mass (sung, in the Extraordinary form) at 6:30 pm.

• August 15, Sunday, – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Our patronal feast day
• However, no obligation this year because it falls on a Monday.
• Schedule to be announced
• November 1, Tuesday – All Saints Day.
• October 31, 7:30 pm.
• November 1, 7:30 am Mass, 10:30 am (with the School), and 6:30 pm Mass (Extraordinary Form)
• December 8, Wednesday – The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
• December 7 at 7:30 pm, 
• December 8 at 7:30 am, 10:30 am (with the School) and 6:30 pm (Extraordinary Form)
• December 25, Sunday – The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
• December 24 at 4:30 pm at St. Mary’s, 7:30 pm at St. Michael’s
• December 25 at 12:00 midnight (Extraordinary Form), 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:30 am (Extraordinary Form)
• January 1, 2023, Sunday – Mary, the Holy Mother of God
• Regular Sunday Schedule

“The proclamation of the date of Easter and the other moveable feasts on Epiphany dates from a time when calendars were not readily available. It was necessary to make known the date of Easter in advance, since many celebrations of the liturgical year depend on its date. The number of Sundays that follow Epiphany, the date of Ash Wednesday, and the number of Sundays that follow Pentecost are all computed in relation to Easter. 

“Although calendars now give the date of Easter and the other feasts in the liturgical year for many years in advance, the Epiphany proclamation still has value. It is a reminder of the centrality of the resurrection of the Lord in the liturgical year and the importance of the great mysteries of faith which are celebrated each year” (from the USCCB website). 

Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts (for the year 2022)

Know, dear brethren (brothers and sisters),
that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,
so by leave of God's mercy
we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection,
who is our Savior.

On the second day of March will fall Ash Wednesday,
and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.

On the seventeenth day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day,
the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[In those places where the Ascension is observed on Thursday:
On the twenty-sixth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.]

[In those places where the Ascension is transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter:
On the twenty-ninth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.]

On the fifth day of June, the feast of Pentecost.

On the sixteenth/nineteenth day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

On the twenty-seventh day of November, the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.