Deliberately missing Mass

[Holland]

Not sure if this belongs here or in the Sprituality section. I am toying with the idea of just skipping Mass at the Catholic Church that is near my home. I am registered in a Parish that is a 2 hour drive away and I attend Mass there probably 60% of the time. Attending Mass at the local Church can be a spiritually painful affair. This last Sunday Mass at the local Church closed with the priest inviting us all to a CTA event featuring Sister Chris Schenk from Future Church. I think it was at that moment that I finally knew that nothing was ever going to change at this particular church. Please don’t tell me to complain to the Bishop. Been there, done that. I went from being mildly unpopular because I did things like genuflecting to becoming an outright leper because I complained. I am looking for some guidance as to whether it would be OK to miss Mass under these circumstances.

 

[teachccd]

Not in my opinion. If there is a valid Mass available, regardless of the abuses, one should attend. If everyone needed a perfect liturgy we could all fall under your reasoning for skipping Mass. I’m inclined to sway you to attending that parish and go to your other parish the 60% of the time. Forty percent is a lot of absence from the greatest gift that Christ left for us. While you are there pray for that parish and for the many imperfections that we all possess…God Bless…teachccd

 

[thistle]

Not in my opinion. If there is a valid Mass available, regardless of the abuses, one should attend. If everyone needed a perfect liturgy we could all fall under your reasoning for skipping Mass. I’m inclined to sway you to attending that parish and go to your other parish the 60% of the time. Forty percent is a lot of absence from the greatest gift that Christ left for us. While you are there pray for that parish and for the many imperfections that we all possess…God Bless…teachccd

I agree.

 

[LilyM]

I tend to agree - are there no other churches available to you that may be closer than 2 hours and NOT the one you dislike so much? If there are, check them out, and attend them if they suit you better.

Otherwise, as long as the priest is validly ordained and the Masses are valid (they don’t have to be licit) you are still under obligation to attend.

I’m with the poster who said offer your discomfort up for the sanctification of priest and parish.

 

[Seminarian_X]

Missing Mass on Sunday without a legit excuse is a grave sin. Because the priest is a flaming liberal is not a legit excuse. How would you like it if the priest came out to the pulpit and announced, “I’m not going to say Mass today because Holland is here and I don’t like him/her (whatever).”

Sit in the back and take a restroom break during the Sign of Peace and likely no one will even know you’re there. And offer it up.

 

[Holland]

Missing Mass on Sunday without a legit excuse is a grave sin. Because the priest is a flaming liberal is not a legit excuse. How would you like it if the priest came out to the pulpit and announced, “I’m not going to say Mass today because Holland is here and I don’t like him/her (whatever).”

You made an excellent point. I guess I was just feeling weak.