Difficult for me to attend Mass on Sunday

[AFSP]

Hi all. This is my first post here and I would like some advice. I am a member of the United States Air Force currently serving overseas. I’ve only been in for 6 months and I missed the last two Sunday Masses. The problem is, I don’t work a normal 8-5 job like most people on base here do, and this is a small base and church services are kind of limited.

While in Basic Training and Technical Training School, I was able to attend Mass every Sunday. But now that I’m a real working member of the Air Force, it’s extremely hard to attend Mass on Sunday. My job is Security Police. It’s the same as Military Police and a civilian Police officer. I work a 4 day on, 2 day off schedule. Sometimes I get Sunday off and I’m able to attend, but when I work on Sunday it’s impossible.

The Mass times on Sunday are 7am, 9am, 3:30pm, and 6:30pm. I work the day shift which is scheduled from 6am-6pm, but we have to be at work an hour early for weapon issue and the daily breifing, and when we get off at 6pm, we have weapon turn in and then de-brief. By the time I actually get off work, it’s after 7pm, and there’s no more masses availiable.

Sorry for the long post. Would it be possible for me to attend Mass during the week on both of my days off to make up for missing Sunday? The mass times for the week are Mon-Fri 6am, 6:30 pm. Saturday 7am, 9am, and 6:30 pm. Or is there “no excuse” for missing Mass on Sunday?

What should I do?

 

[Luna_Lovecraft]

Hi all. This is my first post here and I would like some advice. I am a member of the United States Air Force currently serving overseas. I’ve only been in for 6 months and I missed the last two Sunday Masses. The problem is, I don’t work a normal 8-5 job like most people on base here do, and this is a small base and church services are kind of limited.

While in Basic Training and Technical Training School, I was able to attend Mass every Sunday. But now that I’m a real working member of the Air Force, it’s extremely hard to attend Mass on Sunday. My job is Security Police. It’s the same as Military Police and a civilian Police officer. I work a 4 day on, 2 day off schedule. Sometimes I get Sunday off and I’m able to attend, but when I work on Sunday it’s impossible.

The Mass times on Sunday are 7am, 9am, 3:30pm, and 6:30pm. I work the day shift which is scheduled from 6am-6pm, but we have to be at work an hour early for weapon issue and the daily breifing, and when we get off at 6pm, we have weapon turn in and then de-brief. By the time I actually get off work, it’s after 7pm, and there’s no more masses availiable.

Sorry for the long post. Would it be possible for me to attend Mass during the week on both of my days off to make up for missing Sunday? The mass times for the week are Mon-Fri 6am, 6:30 pm. Saturday 7am, 9am, and 6:30 pm. Or is there “no excuse” for missing Mass on Sunday?

What should I do?

You should speak with your chaplain for guidance on your situation. Being a military man as well as a priest, he’s best positioned to guide you.

Luna

 

[mdkirkbride]

If you can attend the 6:30 PM Saturday night Mass, that should fulfill your Sunday obligation, but you should talk to your military Priest. When I was in the Military we got some dispensations due to certain circumstances, your chaplain should be able to tell you if any of those apply.

 

[rhiannonh]

Chaplins are extremly good and as Luna has already posted, speak to him about it.

 

[Catholic1954]

When I served in the Navy, there was a UCMJ rule that stated service personnel were to be allowed to attend religious services while on duty and no other time was available. I worked weird hours in the galley at the time and was able to go (and return immediately of course) during working hours, much to the annoyance of a cheif or two. You should check into that.

 

[maryjk]

When I served in the Navy, there was a UCMJ rule that stated service personnel were to be allowed to attend religious services while on duty and no other time was available. I worked weird hours in the galley at the time and was able to go (and return immediately of course) during working hours, much to the annoyance of a cheif or two. You should check into that.

According to my niece the rule is still in place.

 

[Richard320]

Originally posted by Catholic1954
When I served in the Navy, there was a UCMJ rule that stated service personnel were to be allowed to attend religious services while on duty and no other time was available. I worked weird hours in the galley at the time and was able to go (and return immediately of course) during working hours, much to the annoyance of a cheif or two. You should check into that.
According to my niece the rule is still in place.

According to my niece the rule is still in place.

That’s only because nobody’s brought it to the attention of the Commander-in-Chief yet, I’m sure.