Mass Obligations for Catechists (RCIA)

[pensmama87]

I have assisted with RCIA for several years, and went through it myself when I became Catholic. A couple times per year, I leave Mass to “break open the Word” with the catechumens when they are dismissed. This year, all the RCIA catechists were informed that when we assist in this way, we must attend another Mass to satisfy our obligation.

I know that I’m not culpable for missing in the past because I didn’t know (it honestly never occurred to me, since I am present for the beginning of Mass and usually the end, although I do miss the Liturgy of the Eucharist).The obligation couldn’t exist in a situation if there were no other Masses, but our parish has several. I’m willing to attend another Mass in addition since it’s been asked of me.

I’m curious what other folks think.

 

[eamonnroma]

I have assisted with RCIA for several years, and went through it myself when I became Catholic. A couple times per year, I leave Mass to “break open the Word” with the catechumens when they are dismissed. This year, all the RCIA catechists were informed that when we assist in this way, we must attend another Mass to satisfy our obligation.

I know that I’m not culpable for missing in the past because I didn’t know (it honestly never occurred to me, since I am present for the beginning of Mass and usually the end, although I do miss the Liturgy of the Eucharist).The obligation couldn’t exist in a situation if there were no other Masses, but our parish has several. I’m willing to attend another Mass in addition since it’s been asked of me.

I’m curious what other folks think.

If you are willing to attend another Mass, then do so.

 

[pensmama87]

If you are willing to attend another Mass, then do so.

Right, I am. I guess my question is, “Am I actually required to attend another Mass?” Would a person who did not attend fail to satisfy their obligation?

 

[jmjZelie]

Right, I am. I guess my question is, “Am I actually required to attend another Mass?” Would a person who did not attend fail to satisfy their obligation?

I don’t know what canon law would say on this one. Perhaps you will get some feedback from others on that.

However, from my perspective as a layman, I think the direction of your own pastor is the key in this. If this direction is from him, then I would say yes, it is probably required. If this is a direction from a layperson making a personal interpretation, then I would say no it is not required.

That being said, if you are not able to make two Masses on a weekend, and you know this is impossible for you (I know you have several very young children) then I would ask in advance of your pastor if this is a serious reason to be excused. I think that might be called a dispensation. A couple times, I have had to request such an excusal from the obligation for holy days of obligation because I knew that it would be impossible for me to attend one of the Masses due to care of very young children. He simply excused me from the obligation, for my own peace of mind, but also reminded me that I already do have the excuse as care of infants is a listed legitimate reason if it interferes with my ability to get to Mass.

Hope that helps!

 

[pensmama87]

However, from my perspective as a layman, I think the direction of your own pastor is the key in this. If this direction is from him, then I would say yes, it is probably required. If this is a direction from a layperson making a personal interpretation, then I would say no it is not required.

I was told by another layperson, but I don’t know if she was directed by our pastor or not. If it’s her directive i know it’s well-intentioned, it’s just a matter of if she’s right.

 

[peter26]

I don’t believe you are obliged to go to another Mass. You are excused from your obligation if something prevents you from attending, in this case you are teaching the RCIA group. If in doubt, ask your priest. If you are able however, go to another Mass. Don’t think of it as an obligation but an opportunity.

 

[jmjZelie]

I was told by another layperson, but I don’t know if she was directed by our pastor or not. If it’s her directive i know it’s well-intentioned, it’s just a matter of if she’s right.

In this case, I would email the pastor directly. If I were in this situation, I know it would put me in a situation of being unable to volunteer with RCIA if I had to attend 2 Masses for Sunday. I would want to know directly from the pastor if this is his direction, or a well-intentioned mistake. (It would not be the first time a leader in RCIA gave incorrect direction because they misunderstood the nature of the obligation; it happened to me as well that I have been given incorrect information and the pastor had to set the record straight.)

If he affirms that is his direction for his RCIA volunteers, then I would immediately inquire about an excusal if I am unable to do both. But that is just how I would handle it, because I am in a position where I know ahead of time that I would be hard pressed to manage it. I value being able to volunteer, but when volunteering keeps me too long away from my young children or interferes with my fulfillment of my duties, it is something I wouldn’t be able to continue.

Just my thoughts. I hope you are able to find out if this is actually a requirement.

 

[Dancer1409]

As other posters have commented, I would ask your priest, but I am almost certain you would be required to attend another Mass. All the RCIA leaders at my parish attend a second Mass in addition to the one they teach the candidates at.

Also, This ask an apologist question, forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=86204&highlight=Mass+obligation+teach , while it isn’t necessarily about RCIA teachers, says that Sunday School teachers must attend another Mass, so I think the same would apply to RCIA teachers.

 

[pianistclare]

Right, I am. I guess my question is, “Am I actually required to attend another Mass?” Would a person who did not attend fail to satisfy their obligation?

In short yes.,

 

[utah_rose]

In short yes.,

If you had to attend another Mass, then perhaps you may consider attending a Saturday night Vigil Mass. Personally though, I’d still ask my pastor. In essence you’re performing a charitable act with the RCIA people. If you were just teaching them another day, and not doing this at Mass I know you would then be obligated to attend another Mass. Seeing you have young children too, and may mean neglecting them I think you pastor might give you a dispensation. The other teachers may be in a different situation than yours. And he should be happy that you’re volunteering! God bless you for doing so.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

When I break open the word on Sunday morning I usually attend Mass on Saturday. Occasionally I’ll attend a later Mass on Sunday, but usually I go on Saturday. It doesn’t seem to me that attending half the Mass meets either the letter or the spirit of fulfilling my obligation. If it were impossible for me to attend another Mass due to other commitments I would find someone else to work with the catechumens. God first, then other commitments,

 

[pianistclare]

If you had to attend another Mass, then perhaps you may consider attending a Saturday night Vigil Mass. Personally though, I’d still ask my pastor. In essence you’re performing a charitable act with the RCIA people. If you were just teaching them another day, and not doing this at Mass I know you would then be obligated to attend another Mass. Seeing you have young children too, and may mean neglecting them I think you pastor might give you a dispensation. The other teachers may be in a different situation than yours. And he should be happy that you’re volunteering! God bless you for doing so.

**She is not removed from the Sunday obligation just because she’s a catechist.
He WILL NOT remove it. **

The person who does breaking open the Word at our parish is a Catechist whose regular Mass attendance is at the 5 PM Vigil Mass. That’s what made him eligible to do the BOW.

A person who is leading in RCIA should be doing everything a good Catholic should.
Not making exceptions. This is incorrect5.

I know the OP to be quite faithful, btw.

 

[pensmama87]

In this case, I would email the pastor directly. If I were in this situation, I know it would put me in a situation of being unable to volunteer with RCIA if I had to attend 2 Masses for Sunday. I would want to know directly from the pastor if this is his direction, or a well-intentioned mistake. (It would not be the first time a leader in RCIA gave incorrect direction because they misunderstood the nature of the obligation; it happened to me as well that I have been given incorrect information and the pastor had to set the record straight.)

If he affirms that is his direction for his RCIA volunteers, then I would immediately inquire about an excusal if I am unable to do both. But that is just how I would handle it, because I am in a position where I know ahead of time that I would be hard pressed to manage it. I value being able to volunteer, but when volunteering keeps me too long away from my young children or interferes with my fulfillment of my duties, it is something I wouldn’t be able to continue.

Just my thoughts. I hope you are able to find out if this is actually a requirement.

I asked Father this morning after Mass and he said yes, it is required. He was willing to give a dispensation since I have young children, but said ordinarily the obligation still needs to be satisfied.

(I appreciated the dispensation, though - as I said, I am willing, and it is possible, but very difficult.)

I only do it once or twice per year, so for us it is mostly doable. If we were asked to take on more than that, I’d likely quit volunteering for that aspect of RCIA until our family needs were different, because two Masses is hard on our family, especially if one parent is managing the kids alone for part or all of one of them.

 

[pensmama87]

**She is not removed from the Sunday obligation just because she’s a catechist.
He WILL NOT remove it. **

The person who does breaking open the Word at our parish is a Catechist whose regular Mass attendance is at the 5 PM Vigil Mass. That’s what made him eligible to do the BOW.

A person who is leading in RCIA should be doing everything a good Catholic should.
Not making exceptions. This is incorrect5.

I know the OP to be quite faithful, btw.

Thanks, Clare.

We used to have 1-2 people doing BOW, but I think it got to be too much for them and now it’s shared among the whole RCIA team (8-10 of us).

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Right, I am. I guess my question is, “Am I actually required to attend another Mass?” Would a person who did not attend fail to satisfy their obligation?

Yes. As a Catholic you are required to attend Mass on Sunday’s, which means you must be there from the Offetory to the Communion to fulfill your Sunday obligation.

 

[pianistclare]

Yes. As a Catholic you are required to attend Mass on Sunday’s, which means you must be there from the Offetory to the Communion to fulfill your Sunday obligation.

I agree with your first part,
However the Church has no document stating from this point to that point you have fulfilled your obligation.
I think it was just last week that this got batted around for pages and pages.
No such recommendation.
Just “Mass”.

 

[tawny]

**She is not removed from the Sunday obligation just because she’s a catechist.
He WILL NOT remove it. **

The person who does breaking open the Word at our parish is a Catechist whose regular Mass attendance is at the 5 PM Vigil Mass. That’s what made him eligible to do the BOW.

A person who is leading in RCIA should be doing everything a good Catholic should.
Not making exceptions. This is incorrect5.

I know the OP to be quite faithful, btw.

Correct. We have our classes on Sunday morning. I always attend the Saturday evening Vigil Mass. It also help me prepare to explain the readings & Gospel. I also use pointers from the Homily.

 

[jmjZelie]

**She is not removed from the Sunday obligation just because she’s a catechist.
He WILL NOT remove it. **

The person who does breaking open the Word at our parish is a Catechist whose regular Mass attendance is at the 5 PM Vigil Mass. That’s what made him eligible to do the BOW.

A person who is leading in RCIA should be doing everything a good Catholic should.
Not making exceptions. This is incorrect5.

I know the OP to be quite faithful, btw.

The exception that Utah Rose and I were both mentioning is not due to the fact that she is a catechist, but due to the fact that care of very young children might interfere. He has given her a dispensation for it, due to that reality.

Parents with young children can be good and faithful Catholics who sometimes miss Mass due to illness or care of young children or who seek/receive dispensations due to care of young children. I agree that every effort should be made to fulfill the obligation, though.

 

[pianistclare]

The exception that Utah Rose and I were both mentioning is not due to the fact that she is a catechist, but due to the fact that care of very young children might interfere. He has given her a dispensation for it, due to that reality.

Parents with young children can be good and faithful Catholics who sometimes miss Mass due to illness or care of young children or who seek/receive dispensations due to care of young children. I agree that every effort should be made to fulfill the obligation, though.

She asked about having to go to Mass due to attending BOW with RCIA students.
This is a totally separate issue.

 

[jmjZelie]

She asked about having to go to Mass due to attending BOW with RCIA students.
This is a totally separate issue.

No it is not a separate issue. The two issues are just intertwined, so that is why I and utah rose mentioned it.

We know that pensmama has several young children. She already has to arrange for childcare for those occasions when she volunteers with RCIA. On those weekends, she needs to go to another Mass because BOW requires her to be absent during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In order to fulfill her Mass obligation, she will need to again arrange for childcare or bring all her little ones along with her. Hopefully, with her husband’s help, it will always be possible. But parents who miss Mass due to care of infants are not sinning, because the Church already recognizes that this creates a sometimes unavoidable conflict. If a parent knows ahead of time that they will miss Mass because of care of a child, and they cannot arrange for suitable child care, they can also speak to their pastor. The pastor will sometimes give them a dispensation from the obligation for that Mass.

I brought this up to pensmama before and mentioned that IF this was one of her concerns about being able to be at the parish for two Mass times (volunteer RCIA and Sunday obligation) with managing children or arranging for childcare for so much time on a single weekend, to ask her pastor of he would want to give her a dispensation for the Sunday Mass obligation. She did ask and he did give her a dispensation. Of course, it is hoped that it all goes smoothly and she can do both BOW and Sunday Mass.

Does that all make sense now?