Does Attending a Non-Catholic Service Fulfill the Sunday Obligation?

[TrueLight]

Maybe I’m on this forum too much but I just woke up from a dream in which I posted to this forum this very question, he he.

For the past few Sundays I have been attending mass.

However, once a month I sing with a choir in my Protestant church and I adore not just the music but the fellowship and love we (the choir and director) have for each other. At every rehearsal we offer up our needs which go on a list and the list is emailed to all the members so that we can pray for one another. I don’t see myself leaving this choir.

So once a month, we sing and on those Sundays I have to be at church at 9:15 for rehearsal and then sing in the service which ends about 12:30. The Catholic church that is closest to that church has a mass at 12:30. I would probably get there around 1PM or so if I rushed there after singing. There is an 8 o’clock mass but I would not be able to attend more than 30 minutes of it and still get to the other church by 9:15.

If I attend the protestant church and not the Catholic church once a month, do I fulfill the Sunday obligation?

If I get to the mass as late as 1PM, does that fulfill the obligation?

How about if I attend a 5PM mass (which would be hard for me to get to), does that fulfill it?

I should stress that I do not take communion as I am not yet confirmed. nor have I begun an RCIA program. In that case, do I have to fulfill any obligation as I am not yet technically Catholic?

Thanks so much.

 

[MarkThompson]

If you have not yet been received into the Catholic Church, then as far as I’m aware you do not have a “Sunday obligation” as such. That said, for Catholics going to a Protestant worship service instead of Catholic Mass is not acceptable. The Code of Canon Law expressed the obligation thus:
Can. 1247 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.
Simple enough. If you cannot go to Mass “for a grave cause” (Can. 1248 § 2) then you do not violate the obligation, but just having other activities that you enjoy and can’t reschedule does not constitute a grave cause.

As to the 5 PM Mass, yes, that would satisfy the obligation. So would Mass on Saturday evening, and so would an early Mass (many parishes have a Sunday Mass at 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning). However, getting to your 12:30 Mass a half hour late almost certainly would not. If you were a half hour late one day because you got into a car accident on the way there then that might be okay; but, again, having other things that you’d prefer to be doing would not be a justifiable cause.

For more on this, you may want to read these brief sections on the Lord’s Day and the Sunday obligation from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

[valentino]

truelight all questions weere answered except 1.you have to be there before the gospel is said and finish the Mass.

 

[puzzleannie]

May
How about if I attend a 5PM mass (which would be hard for me to get to), does that fulfill it?

I should stress that I do not take communion as I am not yet confirmed. nor have I begun an RCIA program. In that case, do I have to fulfill any obligation as I am not yet technically Catholic?

Thanks so much.

no it does not meet the Sunday obligation, go to the Saturday evening Mass at the Catholic Church on those weekends (and it is wise to get your pastor’s permission to sing with this choir in the first place, once you become Catholic)

your status is not clear
if you are a baptized Catholic over the age of reason yes you have a Sunday Mass obligation, and should not be in RCIA, but asap get in a class to prepare adults for First Communion, you do not have to be confirmed to receive it, but should continue on with confirmation preparation. If you are not Catholic, you have no obligation as yet.

 

[TrueLight]

Thanks everyone!

your status is not clear
if you are a baptized Catholic over the age of reason yes you have a Sunday Mass obligation, and should not be in RCIA, but asap get in a class to prepare adults for First Communion, you do not have to be confirmed to receive it, but should continue on with confirmation preparation. If you are not Catholic, you have no obligation as yet.

I was baptized in the Baptist church when I was about 18 or 19 (n the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

I probably will have to get baptized again because I doubt I will be able to get a certificate and my family will certainly not serve as witnesses so that I can be received into the Catholic church - a fact that would grieve them immensely.

I am seeking an RCIA program.

I am very, very new to this, but since I am feeling a calling to “come home”, I am behaving as much as possible as if I were received into the church, minus confession and communion.

 

[puzzleannie]

Thanks everyone!
I was baptized in the Baptist church when I was about 18 or 19 (n the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

I probably will have to get baptized again because I doubt I will be able to get a certificate and my family will certainly not serve as witnesses so that I can be received into the Catholic church - a fact that would grieve them immensely.

I am seeking an RCIA program.

I am very, very new to this, but since I am feeling a calling to “come home”, I am behaving as much as possible as if I were received into the church, minus confession and communion.

welcome home!
you will not be rebaptized but simply asked to attest the facts of your baptism which you can do since you were old enough to remember. Paul says there is one Lord, one Faith, one baptism. I know the family issue will be a source of grief but this is where sincere prayer to know and do God’s will is going to carry you through. Where RCIA is as it should be, year-round, many parishes are starting new groups now, so it is worthwhile to call your parish and get started. The forums are your go-to for questions until you can ask them in your RCIA group.

 

[ChadS]

Thanks everyone!
I was baptized in the Baptist church when I was about 18 or 19 (n the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

I probably will have to get baptized again because I doubt I will be able to get a certificate and my family will certainly not serve as witnesses so that I can be received into the Catholic church - a fact that would grieve them immensely.

I am seeking an RCIA program.

I am very, very new to this, but since I am feeling a calling to “come home”, I am behaving as much as possible as if I were received into the church, minus confession and communion.

Your local church should be able to provide you with a copy of the certificate or at least a document affirming that your baptism is recorded in their books. It should be none of their business why you are requesting a copy and if they know you’re becoming Catholic and still choose to withold it then shame on them.

The priest won’t actually re-baptize you, he’ll conditionally baptize you, which means that “just in case you weren’t actually baptized before, I baptize you …” This is done in instances where there is doubt that the person was baptized or records no longer exist or can’t be verified.

ChadS

 

[Mumbles140]

truelight all questions weere answered except 1.you have to be there before the gospel is said and finish the Mass.

Yes, this is true, but as it was pointed out by Mark, it must be a grave matter that causes you to be late. This wouldn’t hold true if you wanted to watch a TV show that ended when Mass began, then rush to the Church to make it by the Gospel. In the same sense, singing in a choir at another Church would likely not be considered ‘a grave matter’ that would prevent someone “who intended to arrive at Church on time” from being able to make it.

 

[1ke]

I was baptized in the Baptist church when I was about 18 or 19 (n the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

I probably will have to get baptized again because I doubt I will be able to get a certificate and my family will certainly not serve as witnesses so that I can be received into the Catholic church - a fact that would grieve them immensely.

Since you were old enough to remember your baptism, you can sign the affidavit of baptism. You will not be “rebaptized” or even “conditionally baptized” since your own testimony is sufficient to prove baptism.

I am very, very new to this, but since I am feeling a calling to “come home”, I am behaving as much as possible as if I were received into the church, minus confession and communion.

I know you are attached to this protestant church, and like singing in the choir. But, at some point you will have to cut the cord so start letting this go if you are serious about becoming a Catholic.

 

[Mumbles140]

I know you are attached to this protestant church, and like singing in the choir. But, at some point you will have to cut the cord so start letting this go if you are serious about becoming a Catholic.

Agreed. If you believe the Catholic Church is the one true faith handed down from Christ through the apostles, and that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, then you must leave the Protestant Church. Perhaps you can become involved with the Catholic choir, and if it isn’t done, perhaps bring the practice of circulating a ‘prayer list’ with the other members.

The important thing about Mass is not the music, but the sacrifice. Keep that in your mind and in your heart, and you will see that what you are leaving is of this world, but what you are accepting in the Eucharist is of God.

 

[Thoughtfulone]

Agreed. If you believe the Catholic Church is the one true faith handed down from Christ through the apostles, and that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, then you must leave the Protestant Church. Perhaps you can become involved with the Catholic choir, and if it isn’t done, perhaps bring the practice of circulating a ‘prayer list’ with the other members.

The important thing about Mass is not the music, but the sacrifice. Keep that in your mind and in your heart, and you will see that what you are leaving is of this world, but what you are accepting in the Eucharist is of God.

I disagree. If you love it and you can find a way to make it work, go for it. It’s not like they are there worshiping Satan, people. It’s just a Protestant service.

 

[tee_eff_em]

How about if I attend a 5PM mass (which would be hard for me to get to), does that fulfill it?

no it does not meet the Sunday obligation, go to the Saturday evening Mass at the Catholic Church on those weekends (and it is wise to get your pastor’s permission to sing with this choir in the first place, once you become Catholic)

Why would a 5pm Mass *not *satisfy the obligation!?
(For those who have one to meet)


tee

 

[Mumbles140]

I disagree. If you love it and you can find a way to make it work, go for it. It’s not like they are there worshiping Satan, people. It’s just a Protestant service.

I’m sorry - I thought it was clear from the OP that my arguments were meant in the context of attending a Protestant service instead of a Catholic service to fulfill a Sunday obligation, and the OP said attending both could not reasonably be done.

Also, it may be ‘just a Protestant service’, but to my knowledge, Baptists don’t believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist, so attending a service that proclaims Communion as a symbol is anti-Catholic - not Satanic by any means, but still not a Catholic idea.

 

[Barbkw]

True Light,

Most all parishes have a Saturday Mass either at 5 or 5:30 p.m. and it fulfills the Sunday obligation for Catholics.

Congratulations on your journey & I hope that you check into attending RCIA classes next year.

Because you were already baptised in your Protestant congregation, you will probably not need baptism again. As someone above noted, most congregations keep records of their baptisms. Please call your local Catholic parish and speak with the RCIA coordinator about your concerns & what is needed.

I’m an RCIA sponsor and I often hear the coordinator asking for Baptismal certificates.

 

[nicolep]

Why would a 5pm Mass *not *satisfy the obligation!?
(For those who have one to meet)


tee

She meant the protestant service doesn’t fulfill the Sunday obligation, not a 5pm Mass.

 

[ConstantineTG]

truelight all questions weere answered except 1.you have to be there before the gospel is said and finish the Mass.

The Church hasn’t said anything about at what time of the Mass you have to be there to be able to fulfill the obligation. I’ve heard variations from being there for the Gospel, being there for the Homily, and being there for the Sacrifice of the Mass, which is from the Offertory to the priest receiving the Eucharist. But none of those are the official answers of the Church. I think as long as you have good reason to be late (ie, its not your fault. Like if you were crossing a bridge and an accident happened and stopped traffic for 30 minutes and you have no other way off the bridge) then you fulfill the obligation no matter what part of the Mass you catch. But if you are late because you just dragged your feet getting out of the house, or just because you chose to finish a TV program before heading to Mass, then that is unacceptable and in my opinion, you wouldn’t have fulfilled your “obligation”.

 

[TrueLight]

welcome home!
you will not be rebaptized but simply asked to attest the facts of your baptism which you can do since you were old enough to remember. Paul says there is one Lord, one Faith, one baptism. I know the family issue will be a source of grief but this is where sincere prayer to know and do God’s will is going to carry you through. Where RCIA is as it should be, year-round, many parishes are starting new groups now, so it is worthwhile to call your parish and get started. The forums are your go-to for questions until you can ask them in your RCIA group.

Thank you. I really appreciate the encouragement.

It is also a relief to know I can attest to Baptism.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

I’m sorry - I thought it was clear from the OP that my arguments were meant in the context of attending a Protestant service instead of a Catholic service to fulfill a Sunday obligation, and the OP said attending both could not reasonably be done.

Also, it may be ‘just a Protestant service’, but to my knowledge, Baptists don’t believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist, so attending a service that proclaims Communion as a symbol is anti-Catholic - not Satanic by any means, but still not a Catholic idea.

Or…as I have found out…some “friends” will leave you completely, try and talk you out of it, or at the least…think you are sincerly deceived.

I do appreciate my “new” church community…we have common beliefs and I don’t have to worry about someone trying to talk me out of “that church”…

 

[thequeen]

Maybe I’m on this forum too much but I just woke up from a dream in which I posted to this forum this very question, he he.

For the past few Sundays I have been attending mass.

However, once a month I sing with a choir in my Protestant church and I adore not just the music but the fellowship and love we (the choir and director) have for each other. At every rehearsal we offer up our needs which go on a list and the list is emailed to all the members so that we can pray for one another. I don’t see myself leaving this choir.

So once a month, we sing and on those Sundays I have to be at church at 9:15 for rehearsal and then sing in the service which ends about 12:30. The Catholic church that is closest to that church has a mass at 12:30. I would probably get there around 1PM or so if I rushed there after singing. There is an 8 o’clock mass but I would not be able to attend more than 30 minutes of it and still get to the other church by 9:15.
if you are serious about coming home to the Catholic Church you need to cut all ties with any protestant church that you may be involved in if you catholic parish has a choir see if you can sing in it you can do that before you are received in full communion and as someone else said if you cannot get your baptismal certificate or record you can be baptised conditionally. Welcome to the Faith
If I attend the protestant church and not the Catholic church once a month, do I fulfill the Sunday obligation?

If I get to the mass as late as 1PM, does that fulfill the obligation?

How about if I attend a 5PM mass (which would be hard for me to get to), does that fulfill it?

I should stress that I do not take communion as I am not yet confirmed. nor have I begun an RCIA program. In that case, do I have to fulfill any obligation as I am not yet technically Catholic?

Thanks so much.

 

[thequeen]

Maybe I’m on this forum too much but I just woke up from a dream in which I posted to this forum this very question, he he.

For the past few Sundays I have been attending mass.

However, once a month I sing with a choir in my Protestant church and I adore not just the music but the fellowship and love we (the choir and director) have for each other. At every rehearsal we offer up our needs which go on a list and the list is emailed to all the members so that we can pray for one another. I don’t see myself leaving this choir.

So once a month, we sing and on those Sundays I have to be at church at 9:15 for rehearsal and then sing in the service which ends about 12:30. The Catholic church that is closest to that church has a mass at 12:30. I would probably get there around 1PM or so if I rushed there after singing. There is an 8 o’clock mass but I would not be able to attend more than 30 minutes of it and still get to the other church by 9:15.
If you are serious about coming home to the Catholic Church then you need to cut all ties with any protestant church that you may be involved in if your Catholic parish has a choir see if you can sing in it you can do that before you are received in full communion in the Catholic Church and as another post said you can be conditionally baptised if you have trouble getting your baptismal certificate or the record of your baptism.Welcome to the faith!!!
If I attend the protestant church and not the Catholic church once a month, do I fulfill the Sunday obligation?

If I get to the mass as late as 1PM, does that fulfill the obligation?

How about if I attend a 5PM mass (which would be hard for me to get to), does that fulfill it?

I should stress that I do not take communion as I am not yet confirmed. nor have I begun an RCIA program. In that case, do I have to fulfill any obligation as I am not yet technically Catholic?

Thanks so much.