Do you think it's right to go to mass and never receive communion?

[Domine_Deus]

That’s what my sister told me this morning and I might add it did not make me happy. Now she only goes when she has to, like weddings, funerals, etc.but she never receives communion. I’m afraid I handled it badly, said the first thing out of my mouth. I said, the most important part of the mass is communion and you’re obligated to receive it. Plus I said, what’s the sense of going to church if you’re not going to receive the sacrament of communion. Was I wrong? Probably but I was frustrated because I have three brothers and three sisters and only myself and another go to church and communion; I’ve tried to get through to them but it’s like talking to a brick wall. My mother was a devout catholic and she inspired me to love Jesus Christ and his Church but I don’t understand what happened with the rest of the family. I’ve about given up on them. They don’t understand that the center of my life now is Jesus and the Catholic Church, they think I’m a religious nut but I don’t care. I love them but I will not let them come between me and my faith. I pray that they will one day come back. Please advise.
Thank you and God bless

 

[Kielbasi]

Domine Deus:

I said, the most important part of the mass is communion and you’re obligated to receive it. Plus I said, what’s the sense of going to church if you’re not going to receive the sacrament of communion. Was I wrong?

You’re wrong on this part, certainly. Catholics are obliged to receive communion just once per year, between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday.

Some of the saints , particular those who lived in different eras, didn’t receive communion every time they heard mass. The idea of everyone receiving is something which was unfamiliar to our Catholic grandparents and great grandparents.

As far as your sister is concerned, it actually might be most appropriate for her not to receive, as she is, according to your statements just a funeral-wedding Catholic. That would indicate to me that she really doesn’t have that much belief in the Catholic faith, and really isn’t in a “full communion” kind of status vis-a-vis the church.

 

[Pug]

Even if we cannot receive communion for some reason, we still have an obligation to attend mass every Sunday and Holy Day. It is best to go, but not receive if you are in a state of mortal sin. You are not obliged to receive every time you go to mass. You are obliged to try to receive once in a while, at least, at the dirt minimum once a year, but oftener is so way better.

If your sister is only going when socially obligated to go, she is probably right to not receive the Eucharist. I will assume she knows what is going on in her heart. I surely don’t.

 

[Madia]

Now she only goes when she has to, like weddings, funerals, etc.but she never receives communion.

Is she attending Sunday Mass? It is a grave sin to miss Sunday Mass (unless excused by a serious reason such as illness, etc.). If she is not attending Sunday Mass she has a grave sin on her soul and should not be receiving Holy Communion. It is a grave sin to receive Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin. From the Catechism:

1385 To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience: "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself."218 Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a3.htm

As a Catholic she is required to receive Holy Communion once during the year:

Can. 920 §1. After being initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, each of the faithful is obliged to receive holy communion at least once a year.

§2. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at another time during the year.

Also, she is required to confess grave sins once a year:

Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is ob-liged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM

For a valid confession she must confess all mortal sins by kind and (aproximate) number.

Plus I said, what’s the sense of going to church if you’re not going to receive the sacrament of communion. Was I wrong?

Whether or not you are in a state of mortal sin it is a grave sin to miss Mass on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation:

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

I pray that they will one day come back.

I recommend the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (at 3:00pm if possible):
ewtn.com/Devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm

My other advice is to be strong in your faith and be an example to her.