SAINT ALPHONSUS CATHOLIC CHURCH
Covington, Tennessee
SAINT JOHN’s CATHOLIC CHURCH
Brownsville, Tennessee
(901) 476-8140
Holy Day of Obligation
December 8th The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holy day of obligation. The following changes will be made to the Mass schedule:
Friday, December 8th
Immaculate Conception Mass/Holy Day of Obligation 7:00 p.m. at St. Alphonsus
Tuesday, December 12th
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
7:00 p.m. at St. Alphonsus
Saturday, December 23th
Vigil Mass - 4:30 p.m. at St. Alphonsus
Sunday, December 24th
Mass/Holy Day of Obligation
10:30 a.m. at Ave Maria
Sunday, December 24th
Christmas Vigil Mass/Holy Day of Obligation 4:30 p.m. at St. Alphonsus
Sunday, December 24th
Christmas Vigil Mass/Holy Day of Obligation 11:30 p.m. at St. Alphonsus
Monday, December 25th
Christmas Mass/Holy Day of Obligation
10:30 a.m. at Ave Maria
Saturday, December 30th
Vigil Mass - 4:30 p.m. St. Alphonsus Sunday, December 31st
Mass – 8:30 a.m. at Ave Maria
Sunday, December 31st
Mass/Holy Day of Obligation
10:30 a.m. at St. Alphonsus
Monday, January 1st
Mass – 10:30 a.m. at St. Alphonsus
Holy days of obligation are feast days on which Catholics are required to attend Mass and to avoid (to the extent that they are able) servile work. The observance of Holy Days of Obligation is part of the Sunday duty.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains holy days of obligation this way:
On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.
Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest.
The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health [CCC 2185].
The Code of Canon Law spells out when the holy days of obligation are on the Church’s universal calendar:
Can. 1246 §1. Sunday, on which by apostolic tradition the paschal mystery is celebrated, must be observed in the universal Church as the primordial holy day of obligation.