Missing Mass due to Work Schedule

[GracieRuth]

I am entering an internship for Alcohol and Drug Counseling. As part of the internship, I will be spending some time in the Detox unit. I don’t determine my hours, and it’s quite possible that they will be scheduling me for weekends.

How does it work when a person needs to work on weekends and cannot attend any of the weekend Masses on a regular basis? I feel good about what I’m doing, tending to the least of these my brethren, but I worry about missing my Sunday obligation.

 

[Bookcat]

To simplify things - just have your Pastor dispense you for that day when you have to work.

But try to see to it that you are not always working those days!

 

[Bookcat]

Catechism

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a3.htm#2181

 

[CatholicZ09]

What kind of shifts would you work on the weekends? Is it possible to attend a very early Mass or late Mass somewhere in your area?

 

[Musicmedic]

My priest is very understanding about me missing mass due to work (Work 24 hours on, 48 off). Sometimes I do get stuck working all day Saturday and Sunday but make an attempt to attend a weekday mass or two when this happens. The best piece of advice I can offer is to talk with your priest!

 

[phil19034]

Use Masstimes.org to see if there are other parishes near your home, near your work, or on your route to/from work that have a Mass time that will work on Sat or Sun.

There are usually at least one parish near by that has a Sunday evening mass and/or a later Sat night mass.

If not, ask your pastor for dispensation when you have to work.

God Bless!

 

[MissRose73]

I would also discuss your situation with your priest. He can advise you accordingly. You are not deliberately missing Mass. Some jobs do require weekend work, and in some work places unless you take a rare vacation or sick day, you have to be present & working.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Some places make this quite easy. Here, you Sunday obligation is filled by some simple shopping around. Try masstimes.org. So within 10 miles of me masses that fulfill Sunday obligation start at 5 on Saturday and extend to 9 pm on Sunday. (Many Newman centers on college campuses have a later Sunday mass. That’s 28 hours. I can’t think of a job that requires 28 hours where you cannot leave the premises for an hour or so within a 28 hour period.
Granted where you are might not have this bounty of masses but you get the idea.

Funny I never see posts where people can’t find a Mickey D’s drive through for lunch for over a day while working…

 

[Kielbasi]

Use Masstimes.org to see if there are other parishes near your home, near your work, or on your route to/from work that have a Mass time that will work on Sat or Sun.

There are usually at least one parish near by that has a Sunday evening mass and/or a later Sat night mass.

That depends on where someone is at, its certainly true in most of your major cities with large Catholic populations.

In rural areas and smaller cities, especially those with not terribly large numbers of Catholics, it probably isn’t true.

 

[GracieRuth]

Thank you everyone for your answers. I think I have a better handle on things.

 

[pnewton]

To simplify things - just have your Pastor dispense you for that day when you have to work.

This is what I did. Twenty years ago, I could sleep a little and get up. Now, I get physically sick if I try this too much. And no, there is no Mass available during the two hour window I have during the weekend, at least when I am on nights. When I am on days, I can do attend right after work, then I shower, have an hour to unwind and go to bed. It’s heck getting old.

I think attending Mass on another day, though not an obligation, could be spiritually beneficial. The Eucharist is still the Eucharist and we need all the grace we can get.