Is working on Sundays a sin?

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If it is, then I wonder what really isn’t anymore… And what REALLY is the sabbath day? Sunday or Saturday?

Anyway, I read “A TRUE LETTER OF OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST” (in front of the Blessed Sacrament today) and it says "If you want to reap an abundant harvest you must not work on Sunday, for on Sunday you must go to Church, and pray to God to forgive your sins. He gave you six days in which to work and one for rest and devotion and to tender your help to the poor and assist the Church. " catholictradition.org/Christ/true-letter.htm

And what about those people who need to work on Sundays? Those people that are given the arbitrary shifts and cant opt out (or get fired)? On call people? Firefighters, EMS people or those business that rely on Sunday (especially restaurants) since even after church most church-goers eat outside as a family.

And I know a lot of people my age, mostly University students, who work on Sunday because that’s the only time they have since they are already busy with school work and classes during the weekdays.

Note. I am not bashing the letter because I certain don’t want Jesus to forsake me… I am merely asking for clarification
 
Hi, 🙂
The Catechism answers your question in this way:

2185…**
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…

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a3.htm
 
Cathecism does answer it… but I want a human response from a fellow Catholic soul so its relative.

Yeah, we have a restaurant. Apparently its doing really good and alot of “church people” go there after mass… Which is why I am terrified, not only for my family but for the souls of the cooks, the dishwashers and the waiters, which I am sure a good number are Catholic
But other than that, it seems that it is “blessed” by looking at its performance since it is doing well.
 
So… what steps should business owners take? Should they completely close down shop on Sundays? Limit working hours? Limit wages? Close early? tips tips tips please.

Is it the individual employee’s personal responsibility to want to choose to work on a Sunday, or the people that give the employees the shifts ? (managers)
 
This line from paragraph 2187 does specifically mention restaurants,
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.

However hopefully someone will give you the specific reply that you are seeking. God bless you
 
Thank you Trishie.The link you sent me was really helpful, after carefully perusing it. I am going to talk to my priest to expand on a couple of things.
Thanks
 
I guess it comes down to choice.

Are you choosing to work on Sunday or are you obligated by your work.

Are you praying the Rosary and reading Scripture on Sunday when not working?

Do you attend the vigil Mass on Saturday evening?

Lots of people work Sundays because they pay more for people to work them (It may be different in America), whereas the job I had previously I had to work Sundays or I would lose my job.

Although I have known medical staff to say they do not want to work on Sundays as they are Catholic and the hospital just pay others to work it instead.

I don’t think there is a clear answer and I don’t think I have ever known anybody to answer it for all to understand.

I don’t work Sundays but I found a better job that I would like that required me to work every Sunday and I chose not to go for it.

Keep the day Holy, you don’t work all 24 hours of it, how long does it take to pray before or after work?
 
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