Mass, snow, ice

[CJsmommy]

It goes for dangerous conditions.
Cold. Extreme heat, a sandstorm, acid rain, nuclear winter, hurricane, tornado, a massive solar storm. Etc. the principle is that you are not required to sacrifice your life to go to the sacrifice of the Mass.

Though it’s worth noting that in the most extreme circumstances in history all people have wanted to do was go to Mass.

Around here I figure if I would go skiing, I would go to church. And it takes more than negative temps to keep me off the mountain…

Was more worried about my old car being able to make it. If it was working but being squirrelly I wouldn’t have wanted to chance being stranded on the way. It performed beautifully all day though, so Mass and work for me.

 

[Bonnie]

Was more worried about my old car being able to make it.

I’ve taken chances with our old cars in good weather, but not in the depths of winter. We got plenty of chances to learn about that with a car that couldn’t make it up the final 1/2 mile hill home in the winter. In this part of the country, 4wd is a necessity, not a luxury.

 

[OraLabora]

Alas I was stuck with this problem myself yesterday. My car isn’t old, but we had, in this order: about 6" of snow, freezing rain, rain, flash freeze and another couple of inches of snow over ice. What’s worse, I had to be with our choir 90 km (55 miles) away to sing solemn Vespers and the 5 pm Mass at the cathedral. Needless to say they were one voice short.

My wife ventured out in the morning to her Anglican church, I declined. She said I made the right call, it was white-knuckle all the way there and all the way back (about 12 km each way on rural roads).

Even though my car’s a 2016 with all the modern safety features (traction control, stability control, ABS brakes), and is equipped with 4 good winter tires, that can’t prevent another car from spinning out of control and hitting me, and nor does it make myself invincible. Prudence won out.

 

[halleone]

Alas I was stuck with this problem myself yesterday. My car isn’t old, but we had, in this order: about 6" of snow, freezing rain, rain, flash freeze and another couple of inches of snow over ice.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say you lived next door to me, except we had about 10 plus inches overall. It was supposed to be freezing rain last night, but we somehow lucked out, even though it is still predicted for tonight. I guess I’ll know tonight.

I do appreciate everyone’s thoughts on this subject. It helped me mentally to know I would still be in good graces if I missed Mass (which I did miss).

 

[OraLabora]

If I didn’t know better, I’d say you lived next door to me, except we had about 10 plus inches overall. It was supposed to be freezing rain last night, but we somehow lucked out, even though it is still predicted for tonight. I guess I’ll know tonight.

I do appreciate everyone’s thoughts on this subject. It helped me mentally to know I would still be in good graces if I missed Mass (which I did miss).

Opposite side of the continent, same winter nonsense! Not sure if it’s normal for your part of the state. It’s par for the course in southern Quebec where I live. Oddly I’ve only rarely missed Mass due to weather. It probably will be more frequent as I get older…

 

[otjm]

Alas I was stuck with this problem myself yesterday. My car isn’t old, but we had, in this order: about 6" of snow, freezing rain, rain, flash freeze and another couple of inches of snow over ice. What’s worse, I had to be with our choir 90 km (55 miles) away to sing solemn Vespers and the 5 pm Mass at the cathedral. Needless to say they were one voice short.

My wife ventured out in the morning to her Anglican church, I declined. She said I made the right call, it was white-knuckle all the way there and all the way back (about 12 km each way on rural roads).

Even though my car’s a 2016 with all the modern safety features (traction control, stability control, ABS brakes), and is equipped with 4 good winter tires, that can’t prevent another car from spinning out of control and hitting me, and nor does it make myself invincible. Prudence won out.

We had one of those messes with snow, ice, then more snow on top a few years back. That just plain stunk for driving, but I managed to get around minimally, mostly because it was so bad hardly anyone else was out there.

Perhaps one of the more memorable Christmas Eve’s was 4 or 5 years ago; I was working at the coast and managed to make it inland to the Trappist abbey. Power was out in many areas, including at the abbey. Instead of Mass in the church, the monks had midnight Mass in the refectory. For once, there were only a handful of laity attending. It was a real example of the humility of the Order.

 

[OraLabora]

We had one of those messes with snow, ice, then more snow on top a few years back. That just plain stunk for driving, but I managed to get around minimally, mostly because it was so bad hardly anyone else was out there.

That’s the problem: here, when there’s a storm, it barely makes a dent in the traffic levels. Plus you have fools in all-wheel drive SUVs that think AWD makes them invincible, and are driving way too fast for the condition (note to AWD drivers: the “D” stands for “Drive”, not “Stop”; cars have had all-wheel stop for ages, so your AWD isn’t going to make you stop any faster than the average Joe in his Corolla or Civic).

Perhaps one of the more memorable Christmas Eve’s was 4 or 5 years ago; I was working at the coast and managed to make it inland to the Trappist abbey. Power was out in many areas, including at the abbey. Instead of Mass in the church, the monks had midnight Mass in the refectory. For once, there were only a handful of laity attending. It was a real example of the humility of the Order.

In '98 we had the ice storm of the century. My parish church went without electricity for a month. Our house, about 5 miles away, was in a zone with electricity, but we had load-shedding procedures doing on so we had power 2 hours on, 2 hours off. I went to Mass… or at least I tried to, on the first Sunday of the storm. A handful of us showed up including the priest, but as the church had no heat or light, the priest decided to cancel Mass and sent us home. I was not an oblate then and did not try to go to the abbey, which is 25 miles away.

The factory where I worked as a chemist/laboratory manager was in the zone without power and I was off work for a month! Fortunately we have a wood stove so were able to keep warm even in the couple of hours without power (2 on, 2 off).

 

[otjm]

That’s the problem: here, when there’s a storm, it barely makes a dent in the traffic levels. Plus you have fools in all-wheel drive SUVs that think AWD makes them invincible, and are driving way too fast for the condition (note to AWD drivers: the “D” stands for “Drive”, not “Stop”; cars have had all-wheel stop for ages, so your AWD isn’t going to make you stop any faster than the average Joe in his Corolla or Civic).

In '98 we had the ice storm of the century. My parish church went without electricity for a month. Our house, about 5 miles away, was in a zone with electricity, but we had load-shedding procedures doing on so we had power 2 hours on, 2 hours off. I went to Mass… or at least I tried to, on the first Sunday of the storm. A handful of us showed up including the priest, but as the church had no heat or light, the priest decided to cancel Mass and sent us home. I was not an oblate then and did not try to go to the abbey, which is 25 miles away.

The factory where I worked as a chemist/laboratory manager was in the zone without power and I was off work for a month! Fortunately we have a wood stove so were able to keep warm even in the couple of hours without power (2 on, 2 off).

A month off? I think I will stay put in Oregon.

By the way, “all wheel stop” is an oxymoron. “all wheel slide while locked up” is closer to the truth.

 

[signit]

In short, to answer your question, like everyone else, no it is not a sin. The Church removes the obligation in such conditions.

But where does this leave us? More often than not, if you’re genuinely asking this question, Sunday feels quite empty without the Mass. However, we do live in the 21st century and Mass is broadcast on TV stations (i.e. EWTN).

If, for some reason you missed the televised version of the Mass, then perhaps try meditating on the readings for Mass, making a spiritual communion, and spending some time in prayer.

Our priest made that clear; in extreme weather conditions you’re not expected to take great risks to come to Mass. I would think this especially applies to older people or people who already have health issues.

Our priest also suggested that we watch the EWTN Mass.

 

[Sarcelle]

My priest also told me the same thing.

 

[pianistclare]

Wow. Your posts amaze me.
It was light sweater weather here yesterday.
People in the malls are sweating becuase they won’t turn the heat off “just in case”.
Doesn’t feel like Christmas.

They don’t call it Hotlanta for nothin.
I only even purchased a winter coat 2 years ago.
Have worn it once this winter.
Had to dig it out of the trunk of my car.

 

[Glennon_P]

Wow. Your posts amaze me.
It was light sweater weather here yesterday.
People in the malls are sweating becuase they won’t turn the heat off “just in case”.
Doesn’t feel like Christmas.

They don’t call it Hotlanta for nothin.
I only even purchased a winter coat 2 years ago.
Have worn it once this winter.
Had to dig it out of the trunk of my car.

Last Saturday and Sunday it was bitterly cold in our little corner of God’s green earth (-11 F one morning). On Christmas Day, the forecast high here is 60! Crazy. I’m hopeful that last weekend was the extent of our winter, but something tells me that’s not going to be how it works out.

 

[pianistclare]

Last Saturday and Sunday it was bitterly cold in our little corner of God’s green earth (-11 F one morning). On Christmas Day, the forecast high here is 60! Crazy. I’m hopeful that last weekend was the extent of our winter, but something tells me that’s not going to be how it works out.

Hi friend! Nice to you see you on the boards. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

 

[Glennon_P]

Hi friend! Nice to you see you on the boards. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

And the same to you and yours in Hotlanta!

 

[OraLabora]

Wow. Your posts amaze me.
It was light sweater weather here yesterday.
People in the malls are sweating becuase they won’t turn the heat off “just in case”.
Doesn’t feel like Christmas.

They don’t call it Hotlanta for nothin.
I only even purchased a winter coat 2 years ago.
Have worn it once this winter.
Had to dig it out of the trunk of my car.

It’s light sweater weather here too. In the house. About 24" from the wood stove

Actually it has been fairly mild here in the last couple of days, about 0C today (32F). Some light snow and a high of 1C for tomorrow. Was nice enough to go hiking this morning.

 

[pianistclare]

It’s light sweater weather here too. In the house. About 24" from the wood stove

Actually it has been fairly mild here in the last couple of days, about 0C today (32F). Some light snow and a high of 1C for tomorrow. Was nice enough to go hiking this morning.

It sounds really beautiful.

 

[twf]

It’s light sweater weather here too. In the house. About 24" from the wood stove

Actually it has been fairly mild here in the last couple of days, about 0C today (32F). Some light snow and a high of 1C for tomorrow. Was nice enough to go hiking this morning.

Wow…that’s about the same temperature as here in Vancouver right now. That’s pretty darn mild for out East!

 

[halleone]

Round 1: Most of our snow melted, other than the huge, huge mounds of snow where the plows came through. My driveway was still fairly icy, as it gets very minimal sunshine. We got up to 39 degrees yesterday out here where I live, in the county.

Round 2: Started all over again last night, fresh snow, maybe just 2 inches, instead of the 10 inches of Round 1. And we are expecting more, with below freezing temps, again, and perhaps freezing rain. I guess this is what we get, given that we have had mild winters, with minimal-to-no-snow for about 5 years. Christmas Mass?? Who knows. I will just have to see what it looks like tomorrow morning. I keep telling myself there is no sense in worrying about something I have no control over. Wish it was that simple.

 

[Rosebud77]

Round 1: Most of our snow melted, other than the huge, huge mounds of snow where the plows came through. My driveway was still fairly icy, as it gets very minimal sunshine. We got up to 39 degrees yesterday out here where I live, in the county.

Round 2: Started all over again last night, fresh snow, maybe just 2 inches, instead of the 10 inches of Round 1. And we are expecting more, with below freezing temps, again, and perhaps freezing rain. I guess this is what we get, given that we have had mild winters, with minimal-to-no-snow for about 5 years. Christmas Mass?? Who knows. I will just have to see what it looks like tomorrow morning. I keep telling myself there is no sense in worrying about something I have no control over. Wish it was that simple.

It is really but i know what you mean in my own struggles re not being able for Mass…Utter ironyt this year is that I now have GENUINE flu and that is THAT. Not fit and no way would I endanger others with this foul bug

Be at peace.

 

[halleone]

It is really but i know what you mean in my own struggles re not being able for Mass…Utter ironyt this year is that I now have GENUINE flu and that is THAT. Not fit and no way would I endanger others with this foul bug

Be at peace.

Hi Rosebud, I hope you are feeling better, and I can truly appreciate that you are staying home and not passing the flu along to your fellow parishioners. My (now deceased) husband and I lived in true fear of ever catching the flu, as he had two forms of lung disease, and wouldn’t survive another case of the flu. And he didn’t survive the last one. Anyway, a very Merry Christmas to you and yours.

It is snowing again lightly, it is below freezing, and I am just watching and will decide when daylight comes if I go to Mass or not.

Blessings to you, and all.