If I cant attend Mass every Sunday?

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Aaron780

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Just a quick question, Im a shift worker, Its a career and ive been doing it for nearly 14yrs now, but I have to work weekends quite a lot, Now I can usually go saturday night if I have to work on a sunday morning, and vise versa, so I can still attend on the weekend just not always on sundays, my priest says this is fine if you have to work, but Ive read in the catechism that attending mass on sundays is a must, so is it ok if I miss sunday mass for work reasons or do I have to find a new job?
 
Attending Mass on Saturday evening completely fulfills your obligation to attend Mass. In essence, liturgical Sunday starts on Saturday evening. So whether you are working or simply prefer to attend on Saturday, you’re fine.

From canon law: Can. 1248 §1. A person who assists at a Mass celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the feast day itself or in the evening of the preceding day satisfies the obligation of participating in the Mass.
 
I am in the same situation. I attend on Saturdays or Sunday evenings sometimes due to my job. It is acceptable to do.
 
Aaron780 said:
Just a quick question, Im a shift worker, Its a career and ive been doing it for nearly 14yrs now, but I have to work weekends quite a lot, Now I can usually go saturday night if I have to work on a sunday morning, and vise versa, so I can still attend on the weekend just not always on sundays, my priest says this is fine if you have to work, but Ive read in the catechism that attending mass on sundays is a must, so is it ok if I miss sunday mass for work reasons or do I have to find a new job?
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I am a firefighter and I work 48 hour shifts. This means every six weeks I work Sunday/ Monday and so I go to Saturday Mass. The following week I would then work Sat/Sunday so I am unable to attend. Everyone I have talked to has said it is fine. What I do not do is sign up for overtime in Sundays. From my understanding, if you don’t have to work on Sunday, then you shouldn’t volunteer to work overtime or cram that last report or whatever.

It also sounds like your priest has formally given you dispensation so that is a bonus.

One thing I do on Sundays either on my break or on the drive in is listen to mass on the radio, or a homily podcast or pray the Rosary so that I am still doing what I can to offer the day to The Lord. It’s not required but I find comfort in doing so.

Glad to hear you are still asking questions by the way! 🙂
 
I would listen to your priest. No need for a new job. Nice to see someone so concerned about getting to Mass. 🙂
 
Aaron780 said:
Just a quick question, Im a shift worker, Its a career and ive been doing it for nearly 14yrs now, but I have to work weekends quite a lot, Now I can usually go saturday night if I have to work on a sunday morning, and vise versa, so I can still attend on the weekend just not always on sundays, my priest says this is fine if you have to work, but Ive read in the catechism that attending mass on sundays is a must, so is it ok if I miss sunday mass for work reasons or do I have to find a new job?
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Either you receive a dispensation or it is mortal sin.

I do not know how the former works.

Work reasons may not be a valid reason to spare one hour a week on the Lord’s Day for the worship He has a right to receive.
 
thanks for that everyone, Yeh my priest has said saturdays are just the same as a sunday, like I said if I cant make sundays I can always make the saturday night vigil instead, I wasnt doubting my priest I just wanted a few more opinions on it thats all…
 
I ask a priest the same question,and my preist told me that missing Masson Sundays is a sin,for it is one ofthe Commandments #3 Remember to keep Holy the Lord,s Day,unless you are real Ill and can,t make it. The priest said that sat count,s for Sunday if you can,t make it on Sunday,plus you can fine a church that has differtant hrs,either for Sat or Sunday,but by all means,try to make it one one of those day,s,and if you can,t tell you can than go to confession,when you can and ask God fore his foregivness,God bless,and good luck.
 
johnthebaptist1 said:
I ask a priest the same question,and my preist told me that missing Masson Sundays is a sin,for it is one ofthe Commandments #3 Remember to keep Holy the Lord,s Day,unless you are real Ill and can,t make it. The priest said that sat count,s for Sunday if you can,t make it on Sunday,plus you can fine a church that has differtant hrs,either for Sat or Sunday,but by all means,try to make it one one of those day,s,and if you can,t tell you can than go to confession,when you can and ask God fore his foregivness,God bless,and good luck.
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And people in the military fighting a war do what?

You want all hospitals, fire stations, police, ambulances, air traffic control, civil defense, coast guard, astronauts, fishing boats, oil platforms, etc… To close on Sundays??

You can’t make an absolute statement about these. That is why every priest is authorized to give dispensation from the Sunday Obligation as necessary.

Remember Jesus healed on the Sabbath. You can work under certain circumstances. The OP asked his priest and presented the facts of his case. His priest said it was fine and so it is.

Missing mass because you choose to do something else is a sin, but having to work to feed yourself and your family is not .
 
In case there was doubt the Catechism speaks cl
Clearly on the issue:

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 obligatqion commit a grave sin.

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.123 Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.

The charity of truth seeks holy leisure- the necessity of charity accepts just work.124
2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s Day. **Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. **With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.
 
Jon_S said:
And people in the military fighting a war do what?

You want all hospitals, fire stations, police, ambulances, air traffic control, civil defense, coast guard, astronauts, fishing boats, oil platforms, etc… To close on Sundays??

You can’t make an absolute statement about these. That is why every priest is authorized to give dispensation from the Sunday Obligation as necessary.

Remember Jesus healed on the Sabbath. You can work under certain circumstances. The OP asked his priest and presented the facts of his case. His priest said it was fine and so it is.

Missing mass because you choose to do something else is a sin, but having to work to feed yourself and your family is not .
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👍

My husband is in the military and was confirmed right before he left for a deployment. I was worried because since he has been gone he hasn’t been able to attend Mass. I asked my priest about it and he said that my husband was fine.
 
KendraDZ1902 said:
👍

My husband is in the military and was confirmed right before he left for a deployment. I was worried because since he has been gone he hasn’t been able to attend Mass. I asked my priest about it and he said that my husband was fine.
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I agree with every one,that in certain times we are foregiven for missing Mass, but I,am talking about those that don,t try to make adtimed to go to Mass. Sorry if people miss understood me in what I was trying to say. God Bless.
 
Go to a saterday evening mass what is a counted as a sunday obligation
 
Lucky7 said:
You’re good Aaron.

Glad to see you’re still pursuing… 🙂
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Thanks, Ive had my moments lately, it hasnt been easy for me at times especially lately, but im staying strong, I have a good priest which has helped me through all this, hes tought me so much and given so much of his time and I love him for it, hes like a friend now, unfortunatly though im surrounded by ignorant athiests and so called protestants and ive copped it hard for wanting to be a Catholic, but its just water of a ducks back for me now, deep in my heart for some reason I know its right…just a matter weeks away now I hope till I can recieve holy communion at mass like everyone else:thumbsup:
 
johnthebaptist1 said:
I ask a priest the same question,and my preist told me that missing Masson Sundays is a sin,for it is one ofthe Commandments #3 Remember to keep Holy the Lord,s Day,unless you are real Ill and can,t make it. The priest said that sat count,s for Sunday if you can,t make it on Sunday,plus you can fine a church that has differtant hrs,either for Sat or Sunday,but by all means,try to make it one one of those day,s,and if you can,t tell you can than go to confession,when you can and ask God fore his foregivness,God bless,and good luck.
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Just to clarify, a Saturday evening Mass fulfills the Sunday obligation EVEN IF you can make it on Sunday. It’s a valid option regardless.
 
felsguy said:
Just to clarify, a Saturday evening Mass fulfills the Sunday obligation EVEN IF you can make it on Sunday. It’s a valid option regardless.
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Thats what my priest told me, If you cant make sunday mass, then saturday is fine, he said the sat night vigil is just the same as attending on a sunday, I also go once during the week as well. He said with weekend mass, if you have to work, if your sick or looking after someone who is sick or if your travelling then no problem at all, anything else though then it is a problem…
 
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