From the Desk of Father Jason - December 7, 2025

Dear Saint Francis Xavier Parishioners,

Happy Second Weekend of Advent!

This week we are blessed with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is the patronal feast day of the United States of America. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. This means that Catholics are required to go to Holy Mass that day. Missing Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation is a sin.

What is this solemnity about? It is about the conception of St. Mary in the womb of her mother St. Anne. Normally, every human being is conceived with the stain of Original Sin. In the case of Mary, she was preserved from the time of her conception from Original Sin.

This doctrine has been believed for a long time in the Church as evidenced by universal popular devotion of the faithful. In the course of time, it became better understood and in 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed this dogma to be infallible.

On Tuesday December 9, we have our Advent Vigil service at 6 pm. This will happen in the context of our second Tuesday of the month adoration. We will begin in communal prayer and then enter into individual prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This time will end with solemn Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament.

Finally, I want to encourage you to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession before Christmas. It is on Tuesdays from 6-7 pm. It is also offered on Saturdays from 8-9 am and 3-3:35 pm. This Sacrament is about conversion to Jesus Christ. We throw out the sin in our lives and are strengthened to avoid it in the future. The Church encourages regular use of the Sacrament. What does regular use look like? For me it means going once a month. I go to St. Norbert Abbey. At the very least, we should be going at least once a quarter (four times a year) making sure to do it during Advent and Lent.

Sincerely through Jesus,

Fr. Jason