Important Liturgical Dates for the Church Year

Sunday Cycle = Year A Weekday Cycle = Year 1 Important Liturgical Dates for the Church Year 2016-2017 Outside Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter Time, on Saturdays which have no commemoration having the rank of obligatory memorial or higher, a Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary may be celebrated. The readings and prayers may be selected from the Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary (revised editions currently available from Catholic Book Publishing Company and Liturgical Press). A funeral Mass is not permitted on: Holydays, the Easter Triduum, Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter Time. It is permitted on Sundays of Ordinary Time. NFM = no funeral Mass permitted The Lectionary readings for Mass are available online (readings for memorials are not provided) at the USCCB website (Spanish readings are available there as well once you click on the daily reading) http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showlit=1&action=month The site also provides brief video reflections for each day: http://www.usccb.org/bible/reflections/ There is also an audio clip of the readings being proclaimed (may be helpful for readers): http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm Where the date alone is bolded, these are days on the Proper Calendar for Dioceses in the USA Nov. 27 First Sunday of Advent; NFM During Advent the floral decoration of the altar should be marked by a moderation suited to the character of this time of year, without expressing in anticipation the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord. Floral decoration should always show moderation and be arranged around the altar rather than on the altar table. (GIRM #305) In Advent the use of the organ and other musical instruments should be marked by a moderation suited to the character of this time of year, without expressing in anticipation the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord. (cf. GIRM #313) Nov. 30 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle Second Sunday of Advent; NFM Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM, Patronal Feastday of the USA Holy Day of Obligation; NFM Third Sunday of Advent; NFM Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (patroness of the Americas); Holds the rank of Feast for all the countries of the Americas

Dec. 17-23 Dec. 20 Dec. 25 O Antiphons Fourth Sunday of Advent; NFM Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) - Holyday of Obligation; NFM A rubric in the Lectionary for Christmas indicates that it is permitted to choose from among any of the readings for the three Masses for Christmas Day (Midnight, Dawn, Day), depending on pastoral needs, provided one respects the order of one O.T., a Psalm, a N.T., and a Gospel. The liturgical formulae, however, must be chosen in accord with the time of the day, i.e., Vigil, Midnight, Dawn, and Day. It is not allowed to use the prayers for the Mass at Dawn during the Midnight Mass, nor is it allowed to choose some prayers from one Mass and others from another. Christmas Time extends from Evening Prayer I of Christmas through the Baptism of the Lord, Monday, 9 January, 2017. During the Creed, all genuflect at the words and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. (GIRM #137) Reminder that the Roman Missal includes the music and text for: the announcement of The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, from the Roman Martyrology; and The Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts, on Epiphany. Dec. 26 Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr Dec. 27 Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist Dec. 28 Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs Dec. 30 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Jan. 1 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God and the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord Holyday of Obligation; NFM World Day of Peace Jan. 4 Obligatory Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious Jan. 5 Obligatory Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop Jan. 6 Optional Memorial of Saint André Bessette, Religious Jan. 8 Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Vigil Mass may be celebrated the evening before); NFM Jan. 9 Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (closes Christmas Time); Jan. 10 Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time (LoH = Psalter Week I) Jan. 18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 23 Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children From the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions: For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life (no. 48/1), with white vestments; or For the Preservation of Peace and Justice (no. 30), with violet vestments. Readings: 2 Sm 5:1-7, 10/Mk 3:22-30 (317) or,

Jan. 25 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 any readings from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses (vol. IV), the Mass for Peace and Justice, nos. 887-891. The Optional Memorial of Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr or the optional Memorial of Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin may be celebrated for this day only within the Liturgy of the Hours Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle (closes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity) Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time All could be invited to bring candles to Mass the following Thursday to be blessed during the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (World Day for Consecrated Life), candles are normally blessed at this Mass, some of which may then be used for the blessing of throats the following day for the feast of St. Blaise Feb. 11 Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes (World Day for the Sick) Feb. 22 Feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle Mar. 1 Ash Wednesday During Lent it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers. Exceptions, however, are Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities, and feasts. Floral decoration should always show moderation and be arranged around the altar rather than on the altar table. (cf. GIRM #305) In Lent the playing of the organ and musical instruments is allowed only in order to support the singing. Exceptions, however, are Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities, and feasts. (cf. GIRM #313) Mar. 3 Mar. 5 Mar. 20 Mar. 25 Optional Memorial of Saint Katharine Drexel, Virgin First Sunday of Lent; NFM Rite of Election (3pm and 6pm) Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord During the Creed, all genuflect at the words and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. (GIRM #137) April 2 Fifth Sunday of Lent; NFM In the Dioceses of the United States, the practice of covering crosses and images throughout the church from this Sunday may be observed. Crosses remain covered until the end of the Celebration of the Lord s Passion on Good Friday, but images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil. (Roman Missal rubric) April 6 Chrism Mass and Day of Reflection The text for The Reception of the Holy Oils into the parish following the Chrism Mass can be found on the USCCB website:

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/triduum/reception-of-holyoils.cfm or in the Sacramentary Supplement published in 2004 by Catholic Book Publishing Co. The reception of the holy oils may take place before the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday or on another day after the celebration of the Chrism Mass. April 9 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord; NFM The days of Holy Week, from Monday to Thursday inclusive, have precedence over all other celebrations. It is not fitting that Baptisms or Confirmations be celebrated on these days since they have their natural place in the Easter Vigil. Pastors should remind the faithful that the paschal fast "should also be kept sacred. It is to be celebrated everywhere on the Friday of the Lord s passion and, where appropriate, prolonged also through Holy Saturday as a way of coming, with spirit uplifted, to the joys of the Lord s resurrection." (Roman Missal rubric) April 13-16 Triduum Funeral Masses are not allowed on Holy Thursday, or during the Paschal Triduum. Funeral rites on these days make use of a liturgy of the Word, closing with the rite of Farewell, as found in the Order of Christian Funerals, part I, no. 4. Readings should reflect the nature of these days, and Communion is not given. On Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the Eucharist is distributed only during the liturgy, but may be brought to the sick at any convenient hour. Good Friday It is recommended that there be a communal celebration of the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. This Office, formerly called Tenebrae, could fittingly be celebrated by the Bishop in the Cathedral with, as far as possible, the participation of the clergy and the laity. It is encouraged to sing the Solemn Intercessions, as well as the chants for the solemn Adoration of the Holy Cross. Holy Saturday The image of Christ crucified or lying in the tomb or the descent to the dead, which mystery Holy Saturday recalls, as well as an image of the sorrowful Virgin Mary, can be placed in the church for the veneration of the faithful. On Holy Saturday, the Eucharist is not given before the Easter Vigil celebration; it may be given only as Viaticum. On Holy Saturday, the celebration of Marriage is forbidden, as is also the celebration of other sacraments, except those of Penance and Anointing of the Sick. Easter Vigil Those parts unique to the Vigil which should always be sung are: the acclamations during the procession with the paschal candle; the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet);

the responsorial Alleluia; the Litany of Saints; and the acclamation after the blessing of water. Astronomical twilight, defined as that point in the evening when the sun does not contribute to sky illumination, will occur in Jefferson City on April 15, 2017 at 8:20 PM. In the Diocese of Jefferson City, then, it is legitimate to begin the Easter Vigil at 8:30 PM. April 16 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord; NFM (The Triduum concludes with Easter Vespers.) Although not given the title of Solemnity, [t]he first eight days of Easter Time constitute the Octave of Easter and are celebrated as Solemnities of the Lord (Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, no. 24) April 23 April 25 May 3 May 5 May 10 May 15 May 28 Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy) Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist Feast of Sts. Phillip and James, Apostles Feast of the Dedication of the Cathedral of St. Joseph Optional Memorial of St. Damien de Veuster, Priest Optional Memorial of St. Isidore Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (Vigil Mass may be celebrated the evening before); NFM; Mother s Day May 29 May 31 June 4 Memorial Day -- with the permission of the bishop, the Mass for Peace and Justice, #22A or B, may be celebrated; the Order for Visiting a Cemetery (cf. Book of Blessings, nos. 1734-1754) may be used Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Solemnity of Pentecost (Vigil Mass--including an extended Vigil--may be celebrated the evening before); NFM Easter Time ends with the conclusion of Evening Prayer II If Vespers is not celebrated publicly, the paschal candle may be carried in procession at the end of (each) Sunday Mass as a sign that Easter Time has come to an end. June 5 Ninth Week in Ordinary Time; LoH = Psalter Week I) June 11 Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity; NFM June 18 Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi); NFM Father s Day June 23 June 24 June 25 Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist; NFM (Vigil Mass may be celebrated the evening before) Feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

patroness of the Jefferson City Diocese (observed as a Feast in the Diocese); Bishop Gaydos has transferred this day to Sunday for the Diocese, thus displacing the 12 th Sunday in Ordinary Time June 29 July 1 July 3 July 4 July 5 July 14 July 18 July 22 July 25 Aug. 6 Aug. 10 Aug. 15 Aug. 24 [Aug. 27] Sept. 4 Sept. 8 Sept. 9 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 29 Oct. 5 Oct. 6 Oct. 11 Oct. 19 Oct. 20 Oct. 28 Nov. 1 Nov. 2 Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles; NFM (Vigil Mass may be celebrated the evening before) Optional Memorial of St. Junípero Serra, Priest Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle Independence Day; Mass is provided in the Proper of Saints; may use any reading from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses, vol. IV, the Mass For Public Needs, nos. 882-886, or For Peace and Justice, nos. 887-891 Optional Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal Obligatory Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin Optional Memorial of Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest Feast of St. Mary Magdalene Feast of St. James, Apostle Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holyday of Obligation; NFM (Vigil Mass may be celebrated the evening before) Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Bishop John R. Gaydos (1997) to be commemorated (i.e., prayers should be offered for him in the liturgy), but it is not a liturgical day itself [Labor Day; for pastoral advantage, the Mass For the Blessing of Human Labor may be used. Readings are of the day (no. 431), or may be taken from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses (vol. IV), nos. 907-911] Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Optional Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels Optional Memorial of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, Priest Optional Memorial of Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, Virgin Optional Memorial of St. John XXIII, Pope Obligatory Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs Optional Memorial of St. Paul of the Cross, Priest Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles Solemnity of All Saints, Holyday of Obligation; NFM The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day)

Nov. 9 Nov. 13 Nov. 18 Nov. 23 Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Obligatory Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Optional Memorial of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin (USA) Optional Memorial of Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest and Martyr Thanksgiving Day; [For pastoral advantage, the Mass In Thanksgiving to God may be used for Thanksgiving Day. Readings are of the day (no. 500), or may be taken from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses (vol. IV), nos. 943-947 (see esp. Sir 50:22-24 [943.2]/1 Cor 1:3-9 [944.1]/Lk 17:11-19 [947.6])] Nov. 26 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Cultural Mass at the Cathedral (2PM) Nov. 30 Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle Dec. 3 First Sunday of Advent - 2017 Reminder that the principal patron of your parish church or mission is celebrated under the rank of a Solemnity (cf. the Table of Liturgical Days According to Their Order of Precedence in the Roman Missal) and supersedes Feasts of the Lord, Sundays of Ordinary Time and Christmas Time, as well as Feasts of the BVM.