CRANBERRY TWP — Butler County Catholics shouldn't count on sleeping in on Sunday, New Year's Day.

Jan. 1 is a holy day of obligation — meaning the faithful are obliged to attend Mass — celebrating the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

The Rev. Charles Bober, pastor of St. Killian Roman Catholic Church, 7076 Franklin Road, said, “The idea is that first was the Feast of the Incarnation, then the Nativity of Jesus, and with this we honor the Mother of Christ.”

Bober said Mary is also known as Theotokos, the God Bearer.

In A.D. 431, the Council of Ephesus decreed Mary is the Theotokos because her son, Jesus, is both God and man: one divine person with two natures (divine and human) united.

“In the light of Christmas, Mary had such an important role in bringing the Incarnate Word into the world,” said Bober.

“The fact that we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, on Jan. 1, it's no coincidence that it is so close to Christmas,” said the Rev. Anthony Sciarappa, a priest of the Butler Catholic parishes of St. Paul, St. Peter and St. Michael.

“It is one of the oldest Marian feasts, reflecting that she was really important,” said Bober.

Pope Paul VI highlighted the feast's celebration of both Mary and Jesus.

While there are many Marian feasts on the church calendar, — The Assumption of Mary, The Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Guadalupe — only Jan. 1 focuses on Mary's divine maternity

Bober also noted the connection to New Year's Day and Mary's role as Queen of Peace.

“It is also a day when we pray for world peace,” said Helene Paharik, consultant to Bishop David A. Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.

“Mary is called the Queen of Peace. We have just celebrated the birth of her son, called the Prince of Peace,” said Paharik.

“Pope Francis will give a special message for world peace Jan. 1,” she added. “Last year he spoke on the refugee crisis and climate change and the relationship between the two.”

“Many refugees are fleeing not just war but drought,” Paharik said. “And, of course, Pope Francis will address the horrific humanitarian crisis of Aleppo.”

“And many will be praying prayers for peace and reconciliation,” she said.

“It's a holy day of obligation, “ she said. “But really you should go out of love, go to Mass on that day and pray for peace.”

“That can be peace in the heart, peace among families and peace between nations,” she said.

Bober and Sciarappa said there were no extra Masses scheduled for this weekend or special additions to the Masses, but Sciarappa said services will have more prayers associated with Mary.

“The Christmas decorations will still be up. It will look like a Sunday Mass. Most Masses are solemnities,” said Sciarappa.

“Jan. 1 is always a day to look forward with hope. God promises to bring us peace through Jesus,” said Paharik.

“I think that God always outdoes us in generosity. Whenever we give God something, every time he also gives back so much more,” said Sciarappa.