Catholics will not have the usual obligation to attend Mass on Jan. 1, 2022, for the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The obligation is lifted this year because of how the liturgical calendar is handled for U.S. Latin-rite dioceses, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Because Jan. 1 falls on a Saturday in 2022, the faithful will not have an obligation to attend Mass that day, although parishes will still celebrate a separate Mass in honor of the feast day. Sunday, Jan. 2, is the solemnity of the Epiphany.
According to norms issued by the U.S. bishops in 1991, Latin-rite Catholics in the United States typically observe six holy days of obligation throughout the year:
Jan. 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension
Aug. 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Nov. 1, the solemnity of All Saints
Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Dec. 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The Diocesan Administration Center will be closed to celebrate the Birth of Christ among us and the coming of a new year.
The DAC will be closed from Dec. 23 at 12 Noon through Dec. 27 and Dec. 31 through Jan. 3, 2022. Regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will be observed Dec. 28-30 and Jan. 4, 2022.
May you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed new year.
Bishop David Malloy sent a letter Nov. 23, 2021, to Father Jared Twenty, parochial administrator of Holy Cross Parish in Batavia, updating him and the parishioners there regarding the former pastor, Father James Parker.
Click here to read the letter
The Diocese of Rockford issued a new document of guiding principles on human sexuality titled “Living the Truth of Our Creation.” This document was released in English and Spanish to all priests and parishes Aug. 6.
On Saturday, June 5, at 11 a.m., Bishop David Malloy will ordain three men to the holy order of priesthood for the Diocese of Rockford.
Read the full Press Release
Deacon Robert Plazewski
ELGIN—Deacon Robert E. Plazewski, 83, of Elgin, Illinois, died on Saturday May 15, 2021, with his family around him.
He was born on March 19, 1938, to Helen (Grogan) and Edward Plazewski in Chicago.
After his discharge from the U.S. Air Force Veteran, he married his wife, Mary Jane, in 1964. They raised three children.
Deacon Plazewski was a life-long public servant, and retired owner of a delivery service.
Click here to read more...
Bishop David Malloy tells priests in a new letter that “Registration is no longer required for Mass attendance."
Read the entire letter in English and Spanish
Back in His Presence Guidelines updated
As the State of Illinois moves into the Bridge Phase of its COVID-19 mitigation recommendations, the Diocese of Rockford has updated its guidance for parishes, schools and related activities.
See the new May 13, 2021 updates here.
