With the brevity of Advent 2017 and final exams beginning December 12th, the TC community’s annual end-of-semester pre-Christmas party came early, on an important holy day: the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The day was marked by a noon Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception commemorating this feast with the historic dedication of the new and breathtaking Trinity Dome in the Basilica’s main church. Excitement was still in the air when staff and their families were welcomed for Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Evening Prayer in the TC chapel, followed by a festive reception and convivial dinner party. The evening concluded as usual with the “New Men Christmas Show,” poking fun at the faculty and at the six deacons who will be bidding farewell to TC when they graduate in the Spring, after which they will finally be ordained in their own dioceses. With the Christmas holiday just around the corner, it was fitting to be celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, recognizing the maternal role of the spotless Virgin Mary in the lives and endeavors of those moving forward with great joy.