Catholics are obliged to attend Mass every Sunday and on those special Holy Days of Obligation. Those listed here are the major Feast Days in the Catholic Church in America, of which some of these feasts have been transferred to Sundays. Not every Feast Day is a Holy Day of Obligation, so look for the designation.
Celebration of those God has brought into heaven and how they model Christ to us
Sunday, November 1
Thursday, November 1
Christ the King
Final Sunday of Church Year
Sunday, November 26
Sunday, November 25
1st Sunday of Advent
1st Sunday of Church Year and beginning of four-week preparation for Christmas.
Sunday, December 3
Sunday December 2
Immaculate Conception
Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Patronal Feast of the United States
Thursday, December 8
Saturday, December 8
Christmas
The Birth of Our Lord
Monday, December 25
Tuesday, December 25
Christmas Season
Christmas through Baptism of Our Lord
December 25, 2016 - January 8, 2017
December 25, 2017 - January 8, 2019
[1] At their November 1991 meeting, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops decided that whenever January 1, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God or August 15, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin or November 1, the Feast of All Saints falls on a Saturday or a Monday, the precept to celebrate Mass is dispensed. The Congregation for Bishops confirmed the action on July 4, 1992.
Although the obligation to celebrate Mass when these three holy days fall on a Saturday or Monday is abolished, parishes are to continue to observe these holy days by scheduling one or more Masses at a convenient time so that people who wish to participate are able to do so.
+ Lenten Days of Fast, Abstinence, and Penance
All Fridays of Lent are Days of Abstinence
Abstinence means not eating meat. All persons 14 years and older are bound by the law of abstinence.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are Days of both Fast and Abstinence
Fasting allows one full meal, but a light breakfast and lunch are not forbidden. All adults, 18 up to the beginning of their sixtieth (60) year, are bound by the law of fasting. Pastors and parents are to see to it that children while not bound to the law of fast and abstinence are educated and introduced to an authentic sense of penance.
On Fridays, when abstinence is not required by law, acts of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety are suggested. Abstinence from meat is especially recommended but under no obligation by law.
* The Easter Vigil, during the holy night when Christ rose from the dead, ranks as the "mother of all vigils."11 Keeping watch, the Church awaits Christ's resurrection and celebrates it in the sacraments. Accordingly, the entire celebration of this vigil should take place at night, that is, it should either begin after nightfall or end before the dawn of Sunday (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, no. 21).
[2] Easter Vigil 2017 - Easter Vigil should not begin before 8:30 pm CDT (Nautical Twilight @ 8:41 pm CDT)
[3] Easter Vigil 2018 - Easter Vigil should not begin before 8:30 pm CDT (Nautical Twilight @ 8:32 pm CDT)