How far must one travel to meet one's obligation?

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I have to work today and can’t make the daytime mass offered at my parish (which was canceled anyway due to a snow dump we received overnight). There is usually one in the evening also, and I had planned on going to it after work, but I just found out it was yesterday evening instead. Doh!

So the question is, do I need to look around for another parish to go to, and if so, how far should I look? I think there’s one pretty much on my way home that will have one this evening, but this got me to wondering how far one is required to go to meet one’s obligations, and I really don’t know. I figure it’s probably one of those prudential judgments, but would appreciate any insights any of you may have.
 
I highly doubt you will find an afternoon mass today. If you got lots of snow (the weather here is frightening today too, whiteout conditions) then I suggest you not risk travel. Count it off as a minor mistake in not checing the right date.
 
SPQR said:
I figure it’s probably one of those prudential judgments, but would appreciate any insights any of you may have.
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You are correct! The best way I could explain it, is imagine something very important to you, that you must/want to attend - birthday of a child, seeing your spouse or a loved one after a trip, very special activity - something that you would try as hard as you could to attend,m but would NOT risk your safety to attend (ie not a life and death situation).

So ask yourself, for example, since it’s a one-time occurrence, if your loved one needed you and was an hour away, would you drive there? A person 90 years old might say “No I am unable”. A 21 year old would drive an hour in a “NY minute” to see their favorite music star in concert. So where do you/I fit in? Listen to your heart, and the Holy Spirit will give you the answer!
 
Pretty much a common sense thing. If it is to the point where you are putting your life in danger to attempt to go to Mass, then it ain’t worth it. Of course, what’s putting you in danger and what’s putting an 87-year-old half-blind woman in danger are two different things. So take into account your ability and desire to drive in dangerous situations and how far you’re willing to drive and go from there.

I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.
 
SPQR said:
I have to work today and can’t make the daytime mass offered at my parish (which was canceled anyway due to a snow dump we received overnight). There is usually one in the evening also, and I had planned on going to it after work, but I just found out it was yesterday evening instead. Doh!

So the question is, do I need to look around for another parish to go to, and if so, how far should I look? I think there’s one pretty much on my way home that will have one this evening, but this got me to wondering how far one is required to go to meet one’s obligations, and I really don’t know. I figure it’s probably one of those prudential judgments, but would appreciate any insights any of you may have.
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It’s your judgement. What is a reasonable distance considering the circumstances, weather, etc.
 
There’s no “magic number” when it comes to reasonable distance. You’ve already recieved some great responses to your original question. Some situations are simply unforseeable. When they come up, you do the best you can. Intending to miss Mass, or simple indifference? Yeah, that’s a problem. It doesn’t seem to reflect your situation though.
 
I have 5 churches (Catholic I mean) within 5 minutes drive of my house. Of course I live in the Philippines.
 
Good morning all and thanks for the thoughtful replies. I checked around the parishes near my house that I could reach in time for an evening mass, but as THurifer2 had predicted none of them were saying masses then. So I apologized in prayer, went home and cleared the snow out of my driveway, have learned to look for a vigil mass next year, and am taking this as a gift from Our Lady as an opportunity to grow in humility (for making this uff-da and having to explain to my wife and kids that I can’t read a calendar) and in trusting in Her Son’s understanding (that it is intentions that make a sin, not shoddy planning).

Happy new year to all.
 
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