However, it does state that Mary conceived a child "in the normal way", and that the term "immaculate" indicated something about her innate spiritual nature, that is, her consciousness.

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! That is what I have been saying it meant for what?....years now on this forum. Yet people will continue to blithely assume that the "immaculate conception" means Mary got pregnant without having sex with anyone...which interpretation suits the absurd straw man they have set up to attack their idea of "religion" to a "T" doesn't it?