M
MSSheBear
Guest
At my parish we had one Mass and it was full as one Sunday Mass. That is pretty good considering in my diocese today isn’t a Day of Holy Obligation.
Mass attendance for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
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P
ProVobis
Guest
In my immediate area (of about seven parishes), there was not a single Spanish Mass offered, though the normal one at my local parish is full of kids and young folks at the Sat evening Spanish Mass. I attended a vespere (vigil) Mass and it was full of mostly over-60 people, most of whom I suspect wanted to get the obligation out of the way (very short sermon), their own parishes weren’t offering a vigil Mass, and a major snow storm was predicted. In fact, it took me over 20 minutes to drive home and it’s just 2 miles away.
It’s still snowing in the Chicago area and I was unable to check the attendance at the morning Mass in various parishes. Most of them only had one Mass in the a.m.
A
Artc
Guest
I went to the vigil mass, and it was as least as well attended as a Sunday mass.
C
corsair
Guest
Same numbers as on last Sunday 
B
bben15
Guest
I’m a good driver. I’m just not old enough to have a license.
P
Peebo
Guest
We went to midnight mass…church was over quarter full…a blessed way to start the new year
V
Vincent_de_Paul
Guest
Our Mass was about the size of a Sunday Mass, or maybe just a hair more. My wife and I attended the 5 o’clock vigil. Nice to see but always odd coming right after standing room only attendance at most of the churches around here on Christmas.
M
MorEphrem
Guest
Today I went to church for the feast of the Circumcision of our Lord at 11AM - it was much less populated than a Sunday. Two dozen elderly people, and maybe a family or two with 5 young people.
B
Bonnie
Guest
We had nearly twice the number I thought would show up - there were all of 12 of us! Which is a good number. 
The church was packed for the Christmas midnight mass - many were people we hadn’t seen all year. The funniest thing was at the end when the priest said “Go in peace, the mass has ended” the irregulars took him at his word and left. When he and my husband (who was serving at the altar) turned around and and saw most of the pews empty, my husband said, “Well, you told them to go!”
The church was packed for the Christmas midnight mass - many were people we hadn’t seen all year. The funniest thing was at the end when the priest said “Go in peace, the mass has ended” the irregulars took him at his word and left. When he and my husband (who was serving at the altar) turned around and and saw most of the pews empty, my husband said, “Well, you told them to go!”
L
larsont7
Guest
In the EF, today was the Octave Day of Christmas (Feast of the Circumcision) instead of the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, but we still treat it as a Holy Day of Obligation. I don’t really know if our diocese requires it or not, but then again, I just always assume all 6Holy Days are obligatory so I don’t have to worry about it. We had a pretty full crowd at our Noon Low Mass considering the conditions of the snowy/icy roads, and I believe our 10:00 a.m. Mass was also typical of a Sunday Mass.
One great thing to see was our pastor signing his own sermon (as well as prayers after Low Mass) due to our sign language interpreter going to an earlier Mass. We only had two deaf parishioners in attendance today, so that was really accommodating of our pastor to do that. I’ve talked with interpreters that say it’s hard to speak and sign at the same time, so kudos to Father for deciding to do this at the last minute!
One great thing to see was our pastor signing his own sermon (as well as prayers after Low Mass) due to our sign language interpreter going to an earlier Mass. We only had two deaf parishioners in attendance today, so that was really accommodating of our pastor to do that. I’ve talked with interpreters that say it’s hard to speak and sign at the same time, so kudos to Father for deciding to do this at the last minute!
H
HoosMommie
Guest
Our parish had two Masses, 8:15am and 10:15am, so we went to the earlier one. It was about like the 8am Sunday Masses, half full.
M
MaryinsunnyFL
Guest
I went to our Vigil Mass after I got off work. It was a little less crowded than a regular Mass. However, it was attended better than what I expected.
I’m very blessed, we have wonderful, and devoted priests and deacons. I live in an area where our parish is well attended, especially in the winter months when the folks from up north come down to their second homes (in Florida) to flee the cold weather.
If I may, I would love to tell you a quick, uplifting true story of our Pastor, who has been in our parish since 2007.
His story,
His mother and father married and for many years had hoped to have children. Years passed, and the doctors told them as she neared 40 years of age, that she was barren and would never carry a child. One day, as his mother sat at her uncle’s bedside at a Canadian hospital, she prayed with him in his last hours. He was priest, and when he was about to pass on, his last words to her, were, “Florence, you will give birth to a baby boy. He will be born on the Feast of St. Joseph, and he will become a Priest.” (Her husband’s patron Saint was St. Joseph, and he was a carpenter )
On March 19th, the following year, John was born.
He grew up hoping that he would follow in his father’s footsteps, and would be a carpenter like his father. But one day, at age 16, he went dashing out of the house to go to school, and found his father in the driveway, deceased from a heart attack. It was then, he said, that he started thinking about life, our purpose, and how short our time is here on earth.
They were a very devout Catholic family and John loved God. He also loved his father so much it seemed at the time, probably the most devastating thing that could happen in life, to lose his dad. When he was 18, he went to his mother and told her he wanted to be a priest. It wasn’t until then, that she told him what his great uncle had told her, while she prayed at his bedside.
I remember Fr. John telling us one time, how the death of his father has only brought him closer to him, closer than he had ever been before. He told us of the Mass he held in their basement, in Canada, after he was ordained - and how he felt the presence of his father with them. He has reminded us over the years, that what sometimes seems like a horrible incident or devastation in our lives, may one day be a blessing. He has given us hope, guidance, love, spirituality, leadership, friendship, a beautiful church that at times, takes my breath away. He’s not afraid to speak the truth, and he’s an author of over a dozen books, on many subjects. He heard my confession after 30 years of being away from the Catholic Church, and it was him, who led me back to the Church - when I was so lost. I’m sure I’m only one of many. God Bless all of our Priests, those of whom are ordained, and those who are on their Priestly journey, as we so need them in our lives and churches.
Thank you for letting me share his story.
I’m very blessed, we have wonderful, and devoted priests and deacons. I live in an area where our parish is well attended, especially in the winter months when the folks from up north come down to their second homes (in Florida) to flee the cold weather.
If I may, I would love to tell you a quick, uplifting true story of our Pastor, who has been in our parish since 2007.
His story,
His mother and father married and for many years had hoped to have children. Years passed, and the doctors told them as she neared 40 years of age, that she was barren and would never carry a child. One day, as his mother sat at her uncle’s bedside at a Canadian hospital, she prayed with him in his last hours. He was priest, and when he was about to pass on, his last words to her, were, “Florence, you will give birth to a baby boy. He will be born on the Feast of St. Joseph, and he will become a Priest.” (Her husband’s patron Saint was St. Joseph, and he was a carpenter
)On March 19th, the following year, John was born.
He grew up hoping that he would follow in his father’s footsteps, and would be a carpenter like his father. But one day, at age 16, he went dashing out of the house to go to school, and found his father in the driveway, deceased from a heart attack. It was then, he said, that he started thinking about life, our purpose, and how short our time is here on earth.
They were a very devout Catholic family and John loved God. He also loved his father so much it seemed at the time, probably the most devastating thing that could happen in life, to lose his dad. When he was 18, he went to his mother and told her he wanted to be a priest. It wasn’t until then, that she told him what his great uncle had told her, while she prayed at his bedside.
I remember Fr. John telling us one time, how the death of his father has only brought him closer to him, closer than he had ever been before. He told us of the Mass he held in their basement, in Canada, after he was ordained - and how he felt the presence of his father with them. He has reminded us over the years, that what sometimes seems like a horrible incident or devastation in our lives, may one day be a blessing. He has given us hope, guidance, love, spirituality, leadership, friendship, a beautiful church that at times, takes my breath away. He’s not afraid to speak the truth, and he’s an author of over a dozen books, on many subjects. He heard my confession after 30 years of being away from the Catholic Church, and it was him, who led me back to the Church - when I was so lost. I’m sure I’m only one of many. God Bless all of our Priests, those of whom are ordained, and those who are on their Priestly journey, as we so need them in our lives and churches.
Thank you for letting me share his story.
T
TheDoctor
Guest
Full church (1200) for the vigil Mass on New Year’s Eve. Don’t know about the 3 masses on New Year’s Day but they used the Church (vs. the smaller chapel normally used for weekday Masses) so I presume it was well attended.
R
Razanir
Guest
That brings up an interesting question, though. Is the Solemnity of Mary on January 1st or the Octave Day of Christmas? Like if we switched to the Sym454 or Sym010 calendar, in which December is 28 days except in leap years when there’s an extra week, would it always be 1/1, or would it alternate between 1/4 and 12/32?
P
ProVobis
Guest
What would you fill dates 12/33 thru 12/35 with? Or 1/1 thru 1/3
It seems like a 4-yr cycle would work better for such Symmetry calendars. Just saying.
R
Razanir
Guest
It’s actually every 5 or 6 years. But still. Is it the Octave Day or 1/1?What would you fill dates 12/33 thru 12/35 with? Or 1/1 thru 1/3
It seems like a 4-yr cycle would work better for such Symmetry calendars. Just saying.
K
kylemoreland
Guest
I was passing through your diocese and attended the 9:30 a.m. mass at All Saints in White Hall, IL. Church was mostly filled with people 60+ years my senior (I’m 18). The pastor, to my knowledge, is pastor of three parishes in that area as well. Is there a large shortage of priests in your diocese?
Praying for you!
K
kylemoreland
Guest
What a blessed story, Mary! Glory be to God for giving us such a holy priest.I went to our Vigil Mass after I got off work. It was a little less crowded than a regular Mass. However, it was attended better than what I expected.
I’m very blessed, we have wonderful, and devoted priests and deacons. I live in an area where our parish is well attended, especially in the winter months when the folks from up north come down to their second homes (in Florida) to flee the cold weather.
If I may, I would love to tell you a quick, uplifting true story of our Pastor, who has been in our parish since 2007.
His story,
His mother and father married and for many years had hoped to have children. Years passed, and the doctors told them as she neared 40 years of age, that she was barren and would never carry a child. One day, as his mother sat at her uncle’s bedside at a Canadian hospital, she prayed with him in his last hours. He was priest, and when he was about to pass on, his last words to her, were, “Florence, you will give birth to a baby boy. He will be born on the Feast of St. Joseph, and he will become a Priest.” (Her husband’s patron Saint was St. Joseph, and he was a carpenter
On March 19th, the following year, John was born.
He grew up hoping that he would follow in his father’s footsteps, and would be a carpenter like his father. But one day, at age 16, he went dashing out of the house to go to school, and found his father in the driveway, deceased from a heart attack. It was then, he said, that he started thinking about life, our purpose, and how short our time is here on earth.
They were a very devout Catholic family and John loved God. He also loved his father so much it seemed at the time, probably the most devastating thing that could happen in life, to lose his dad. When he was 18, he went to his mother and told her he wanted to be a priest. It wasn’t until then, that she told him what his great uncle had told her, while she prayed at his bedside.
I remember Fr. John telling us one time, how the death of his father has only brought him closer to him, closer than he had ever been before. He told us of the Mass he held in their basement, in Canada, after he was ordained - and how he felt the presence of his father with them. He has reminded us over the years, that what sometimes seems like a horrible incident or devastation in our lives, may one day be a blessing. He has given us hope, guidance, love, spirituality, leadership, friendship, a beautiful church that at times, takes my breath away. He’s not afraid to speak the truth, and he’s an author of over a dozen books, on many subjects. He heard my confession after 30 years of being away from the Catholic Church, and it was him, who led me back to the Church - when I was so lost. I’m sure I’m only one of many. God Bless all of our Priests, those of whom are ordained, and those who are on their Priestly journey, as we so need them in our lives and churches.
Thank you for letting me share his story.
J
JTD_Eagle1
Guest
went to 9:30 mass on New Years day, only about a third full. I have gone to the vigil mass on new Years eve in years prior, and was a lot more full. I think because it is new years, and people stay up late, and is no afternoon/evening masses.
It was a Holy day of Obligation in my diocese, but why was it not in other diocese’s?
It was a Holy day of Obligation in my diocese, but why was it not in other diocese’s?
P
Phemie
Guest
One thing I have noticed, in my own and in other parishes, is that there is no mention at all of Jan. 1st being a Holy Day of Obligation. It might not make any difference in the long run, but I honestly don’t think people know. I know our choir people often joke about their lack of presence on Jan. 1 due to the serious partying they did the night before and our Mass that day is as low-key as any weekday Mass.
It’s sad, really, considering it’s one of only two HDOs in Canada.
It’s sad, really, considering it’s one of only two HDOs in Canada.
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