December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, is a Holy Day of Obligation. The Blessed Mother, under her title as the Immaculate Conception, is the Patroness of the United States. Some parishioners have asked whether attending a Sunday evening Mass on December 7 fulfills both the Sunday obligation and the Holy Day obligation. Because of the way the calendar falls this year, there is no “two-for-one” option. A vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception on Sunday evening does not fulfill the Sunday obligation, and attending a Sunday evening Mass for the 2nd Sunday of Advent does not fulfill the Holy Day obligation. To meet both obligations, the faithful must attend one Mass for Sunday and one Mass for the Immaculate Conception. Please check your local parish bulletins or websites for Mass times for the 2nd Sunday of Advent and the Immaculate Conception.