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In this edition of Canon Corner, our judicial vicar, Father David Esquiliano explains why we are celebrating the Immaculate Conception on Monday, Dec. 9.

One of the most controversial things a pastor can do in a parish is change Mass times. Even a change of just half an hour is enough to cause consternation and ire among Mass-goers. It also causes confusion, which may lead to some people missing Mass on a particular Sunday. Yet there are times when the pastor has no choice but to change the parish Mass schedule. For example, if a parish is used to having two priests but suddenly goes to one, the number of Masses that can be celebrated there will have to change, and therefore, so will the Mass times. That is because church law sets the maximum number of Masses that a priest can celebrate.

Many of us are familiar with parish mergers and suppressions, but we may not realize that dioceses sometimes go through similar processes, often for similar reasons. (Photo the Cathedral in Grand Island, Nebraska.)

(bilingual) Your bags are packed, your passport is in hand, and you have made sure your bank is aware you will be on a cruise for a couple of weeks. You go over the cruise itinerary you received, and you realize you have a sea day on Sunday. That is, once you board the cruise on Saturday afternoon from whatever port you’re visiting that day, you won’t disembark until the next port on Monday. As a devout Catholic, you know you are obligated to attend Mass on Sunday, and you genuinely want to go. What should you do?

Canon 7 of the Code of Canon Law states that “A law is established when it is promulgated.” In simple terms, a law cannot exist unless it has been made public in an official way. For laws issued by the Holy Father, Canon Law mandates publication in Acta Apostolicae Sedis, an official publication of the Holy See, although this can vary in some cases. As for particular laws, such as diocesan laws, it is up to the legislator to decide how to promulgate them.

As with many aspects of the sacramental life of the church, the law is clear on what should be used for the celebrations, which is referred to as proper matter. For example, in the case of baptism, the proper matter is water. If a priest were to use milk, for example, for a baptism, the baptism would not be valid, as the proper matter would not have been used.