A Feast of God’s Grace This Wednesday!

On Wednesday this week, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

I call it a ‘feast of God surprising humanity’ in the way God chose to come into our world through a woman’s body. God surprised the world by selecting Mary of Nazareth to become the first ‘tabernacle’ of His Presence and Grace. God chose (surprised) Mary to remain free from sin so that she could ‘conceive’ the pure Son of God, Jesus, in her womb.

It is a feast to celebrate first, the way God surprises us with grace; secondly, a feast to honor all women and the sacredness of their womb that brings life into the world; and thirdly, a feast of each baby that begins life at conception in the womb.

Another great reason to come to Mass this Wednesday (7AM or 7PM), is to pray for our country. The United States of America is dedicated under the patroness of Mary, as the Immaculate Conception. We so need to pray together for her continued intercession for our country to be reunited…after years of political divisions, gun violence, and all other forms of divisive rhetoric.

Like the statue in our shrine reveals, our Mother Mary reaches out her hands to us, praying for us to be people of unifying love and peace. Come to Mass on Wednesday to thank her for her motherly protection and ask her to help us.

God’s Peace,
Fr. Jim Deiters