Is there a valid reason not to go to Mass

[fbl9]

hi every one up here it is -47 degrees Celius with the wind chill factor. we are in a rural area 10 miles from the church others are farther.our parish priest must travel 40 miles from his home parish to say mass.is this a valid reason for not having mass or travelling for mass? thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut

 

[bear06]

hi every one up here it is -47 degrees Celius with the wind chill factor. we are in a rural area 10 miles from the church others are farther.our parish priest must travel 40 miles from his home parish to say mass.is this a valid reason for not having mass or travelling for mass? thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut

I’d ask the priest. Considering he sounds like he’s in a worse situation than you, he’d probably be a better authority on the matter. My opinion off the top of my head is that unless it’s dangerous, you wouldn’t have a reason not to go. Cold is miserable but Christ died on the cross! I lived in -27 with the wind chill but the roads were well cleared grated and iced so safety was not an issue. We went.

 

[jmcrae]

I’d ask the priest. Considering he sounds like he’s in a worse situation than you, he’d probably be a better authority on the matter. My opinion off the top of my head is that unless it’s dangerous, you wouldn’t have a reason not to go. Cold is miserable but Christ died on the cross! I lived in -27 with the wind chill but the roads were well cleared grated and iced so safety was not an issue. We went.

-27 is darned uncomfortable, for sure, but -47 is a whole different thing; you can literally freeze to death in -47 degree weather.

I’d stay indoors, if I were the OP, especially given the distances involved and the fact that it’s so remote. If something were to happen to the car (like if the heat were to quit, or if they ran out of gas), it could be a death sentence.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

-27 is darned uncomfortable, for sure, but -47 is a whole different thing; you can literally freeze to death in -47 degree weather.

I’d stay indoors, if I were the OP, especially given the distances involved and the fact that it’s so remote. If something were to happen to the car (like if the heat were to quit, or if they ran out of gas), it could be a death sentence.

If the Priest is there you should be. Now I’m no expert But I think you can freeze to death just as easily at -21 as -47. If the Priest can not make it then you good in not going.

 

[bear06]

-27 is darned uncomfortable, for sure, but -47 is a whole different thing; you can literally freeze to death in -47 degree weather.

I’d stay indoors, if I were the OP, especially given the distances involved and the fact that it’s so remote. If something were to happen to the car (like if the heat were to quit, or if they ran out of gas), it could be a death sentence.

Like I said, if it’s dangerous…

 

[bear06]

The real question is what the heck are you doing in a place that sports -47 degrees! I had a balmy 65 today.

 

[fbl9]

well since you asked bear 06…we don’t have any poison snakes here,no earth quakes,no real tornadoes other than really rare one though,the summers are nice up 95 dgrees f.i can’t think of a more beautiful place to live ,for myself, and it can be a very peaceful place to be in.

 

[Brother_John]

Can you find a televised Mass anywhere?

 

[bear06]

well since you asked bear 06…we don’t have any poison snakes here,no earth quakes,no real tornadoes other than really rare one though,the summers are nice up 95 dgrees f.i can’t think of a more beautiful place to live ,for myself, and it can be a very peaceful place to be in.

I’ve never seen a rattle snake outside of captivity and we’ve got no tornadoes here. We are in earthquake country but the worst thing I’ve had happen in an earthquake is that a big crucifix fell off of my wall and that was 18 years ago! God seems to zero in places like “Sodom by the Sea” and neighboring vicinities with those.

 

[1ke]

hi every one up here it is -47 degrees Celius with the wind chill factor. we are in a rural area 10 miles from the church others are farther.our parish priest must travel 40 miles from his home parish to say mass.is this a valid reason for not having mass or travelling for mass? thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut

Yes, bad weather can be a reason to cancel mass and/or to not attend.

Each person has to determine if they can reasonably attend under these circumstances. Age, health, road conditions, car condition, and other factors can definitely impact whether one should go out in weather that extreme.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

hi every one up here it is -47 degrees Celius with the wind chill factor. we are in a rural area 10 miles from the church others are farther.our parish priest must travel 40 miles from his home parish to say mass.is this a valid reason for not having mass or travelling for mass? thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut

If it was a regular work day, would you go to work? If the weather is too bad to go to work, then it’s too bad to go to church. But if it would be ok to go shopping, skiing, to a movie, etc. then it’s ok to go to church.

My mother used to say if you’re too sick to go to school, you’re too sick to go out and play. Same idea.

What is -47 degrees Celsius in Fahrenheit?

 

[jbethity]

What is -47 degrees Celsius in Fahrenheit?

about -52F.

wow, I couldn’t imagine it being that cold. we had 8 days in a row where the temperature didn’t get above 10 degrees and the windchill was well below zero and I thought that was painful enough.

 

[Sr_Sally]

If it was a regular work day, would you go to work? If the weather is too bad to go to work, then it’s too bad to go to church. But if it would be ok to go shopping, skiing, to a movie, etc. then it’s ok to go to church.

My mother used to say if you’re too sick to go to school, you’re too sick to go out and play. Same idea.

What is -47 degrees Celsius in Fahrenheit?

That’s what I would say also. I would also think that it would be wise for the church to have some kind of policy about weather closings and /or a phone tree so that folks would know that the priest isn’t coming out there. It would be awful to have travelled in that kind of weather only to find that Mass has been cancelled.

 

[StatCrux]

Can you find a televised Mass anywhere?

A televised Mass does not fulfill the Sunday obligation. There are plenty of reasons that dispense someone from his or her obligation. In your case, if you think you would be in danger if you left the house (sounds like a yes), you are dispensed from attending. Consulting the priest would be a good idea too.

Assuming you are dispensed, some sort of prayer would be a good idea. Watching a televised Mass could be one way or maybe saying a rosary. Whatever way you best pray. Those prayers don’t replace or fulfill your obligation, they are just a good devotional acts.

In Christ,

SC

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

This morning, before Mass started, when Father made announcements, he told us that, while he loved seeing each and every one of us there; and while it is an obligation to come to Mass that we should not take lightly; if the weather is poor, if road conditions are horrible to the point of causing accidents, if a body has a health condition impacted by the cold; then, it was up to us to use the common sense God gave us and not come to Mass.

He also gave a great homily on sin, but that would be off-topic.

wbuf.noaa.gov/tempfc.htm
-47 C is -52.6 F.

 

[jmcrae]

If it was a regular work day, would you go to work?

This wasn’t directed to me, but I still want to comment:

Below -35c or so, my car doesn’t even start - so no, I wouldn’t go to work, or go shopping, in that weather. (I’d telecommute, but I’d stay snug and warm in my house.)

I certainly wouldn’t play any outdoor sports in those kind of temperatures, either - I think they close the hills when it’s that cold, anyway.

 

[Cristiano]

well since you asked bear 06…we don’t have any poison snakes here,no earth quakes,no real tornadoes other than really rare one though,the summers are nice up 95 dgrees f.i can’t think of a more beautiful place to live ,for myself, and it can be a very peaceful place to be in.

Are you saying that you cannot have a “Rattlesnake roundup” for fun or fried rattlesnake for dinner in your neck of the woods? Now I understand why you feel miserable!

 

[bear06]

Are you saying that you cannot have a “Rattlesnake roundup” for fun or fried rattlesnake for dinner in your neck of the woods? Now I understand why you feel miserable!

Well, I’m sure I could if I went looking. It might take a little while. They’re not quite so prevalent here as they are in other places in the state. That, of course, is how it is in “God’s Country”. Whatever you prefer you can have!

 

[Sir_Knight]

Ask yourself honestly if you would venture out for other reasons – shopping, work, school, etc? If you would, then you should also make an effort to go to mass.

 

[drafdog]

The local bishop here in Orlando absolved the Catholic faithful of the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday when a hurricane came through the area. I was able to attend Mass because I live relatively close to the church, but there were areas where tree falls, power line breaks and the like made it too dangerous to venture out the door. I’m sure the archbishop in New Orleans did the same for his flock.
Your temperature problems are analogous.

Matthew