Doing my Due Diligence?

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CaptainPrudeman

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Tomorrow night, I’m going on a trip to Boston for a debate tournament. I didn’t think about it when I signed up, but the tournament schedule forces me to miss mass on Sunday and Saturday night, not to mention that I’d have to get someone to go with me. I thought about this issue long before now, but I never talked with my debate coach about it. I know I’ve been backed into a corner here, I just can’t really get to mass. However: Did not trying to find a way constitute some sin on my part
 
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Don’t really have time for that now. Can they do dispensation for something that has already happened?
 
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Tomorrow’s only Wednesday. Can’t you see priest before you leave, maybe even go to mass at same time?
 
I probably should’ve said this in the post, I’ll edit to reflect that. I leave tomorrow night.
 
If you cannot attend Mass through no fault of your own due to travel, then it is what it is - no sin, no dispensation needed, just what it is. The only argument to be made is whether you did things within reason when planning your trip. Seems to me you have, but you also don’t give all the details. Maybe there’s a Mass at a time around where you’ll be that will work out (masstimes.org). Either way, it doesn’t sound like your intention was a willful skipping out on Mass.
 
Is there possibly a late Sunday Mass? Like 5:00? Or maybe you’ll be traveling then…you couldn’t squeeze in a 6 or 7 am Mass Sunday? Good luck!
 
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Are you a minor and is this part of a school sponsored trip?
 
Call or email your parish office today, speak to the Secretary if the Pastor is not available. “This is Prudeman, I am going to a debate tourney in Boston this weekend. Would you kindly ask Fr Smith to dispense me from my Obligation to attend Mass this weekend. You can call/text/email me back!”
 
Don’t tehy have Catholic churches in Boston?
If he’s going as part of a debate team, I’m guessing he isn’t necessarily in control of his transportation.

If it were me, I would give the parish office a call as others have suggested. In the future, it would be a good idea to make such a call further ahead of time.
 
In fact, one could ask for a dispensation just after Mass before the trip.
 
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Don’t be worried by this.

No dispensation is needed, your circumstances do not permit you to attend Mass this weekend.

Students are not in charge of their time or transportation at a speech / debate meet. Coaches cannot let them leave to go to church.

If it happens again, go to Mass before or after the meet. You can always study the readings for the Sunday in question.

Deacon Christopher
 
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Most welcome.

My experiences in cross-ex and extemp help me every day in my ministry.

Good luck to your and your team-mates.
 
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