If your work schedule is such that you cannot attend either a Saturday evening Mass or a Mass on Sunday, you are not expected to do the impossible. However, there are early morning and late evening options in most cities and you are expected to make your best effort to meet your Sunday Obligation. It’s not that the Church will “look down on you” but that failure to attend Sunday Mass if you are able is grave matter.
Most employers are sensitive to one’s religious obligations. You should ask your employer if you could come in later on Sundays and Holidays or earlier, or something similar on Saturdays. If he won’t make any accomodation, you need to try to find a more understanding employer - but don’t let your current employer know you are looking.
Unfortunately my schedule can’t be changed due to the nature of my work and I couldn’t expect my boss to change my schedule. I will have to make sure I go to Mass on Saturdays if that if that is acceptable according to the Church. I try my best to be a good Catholic and fulfill my obligations to the Church and to our Lord.
Please speak to your priest about dispensations. Sometimes people have work commitments that make it impossible to attend mass freely. For example, quite a few years ago, I explained to my priest that I could no longer be an EMHC as I had to answer the duty phone whenever I was not at work (even if I was on holiday or off sick). I received dispensation to abandon EMHC duties if the phone went off. I was a Casualty Officer and needed to co-ordinate and brief various people in the event of an incident, and not even my line manger would put themselves out to cover.
Thank you I may speak to my priest about it anyway because I do sometimes have to work on Saturday is one of my employees calls in and I can’t find someone to cover their shift. I manage a kitchen in a nursing home and the people we take care of have to eat so it’s impossible for me not to take my job seriously and a supervisor is needed here on weekends as well as during the week.
NB: Assiting at Mass on Saturday evening fulfills one’s obligation for Sunday.
Which word are you speaking of “assiting?” I have never used that word. Is that the official term for “going to Mass?”
No, the bolded* word.
eveningGoing to Mass on Saturday evenings is perfectly fine and acceptable. Frankly that’s when my hubby and I go as we look forward to sleeping in on Sundays. Going to Mass on Wednesday is NOT required–but how wonderful that you go to a daily Mass at least once during the week.
“Assisting at Mass” is a different way of saying “going to Mass” or “attending Mass.” They all mean the same thing.
Please note that attending any Mass on Saturday evening fulfills the Sunday obligation. Attending Mass on Saturday morning or afternoon does not.
Mass is at 4:00 here on Saturdays. Will that work?
Yes, that’s fine.
The Latin word in Canon Law is “vespere” which is more LOTH based than any English definition of “evening.” Answer to your question is yes. And also note that this becomes “dominici” or the Lord’s Day.