Missing Mass for Work?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BlueRain
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
B

BlueRain

Guest
If you work on Sundays or have to work and can’t attend Mass, is it a sin?

During the holiday season I applied for a job and in order of having a better chance of getting the job, I decided to be avaible on Sundays. But, I felt so sad missing Mass, I couldn’t even make to the 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. Masses. It was a temporary position and I regretted it.

However, what should we do if we work on those days? Should we tell the employer that we want that day off?
 
I would try to negotiate with him (gently) for at least one Mass time to attend. If that fails, discuss the situation with your priest who is authorized to dispense someone from the obligation. I am sure he would do so for unavoidable work.

If dispensed or otherwise not obligated to attend Sunday Mass, it is not required to go to daily Mass, although I certainly think it is a good practice. And Jesus is just as present.
 
40.png
BlueRain:
If you work on Sundays or have to work and can’t attend Mass, is it a sin?

During the holiday season I applied for a job and in order of having a better chance of getting the job, I decided to be avaible on Sundays. But, I felt so sad missing Mass, I couldn’t even make to the 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. Masses. It was a temporary position and I regretted it.

However, what should we do if we work on those days? Should we tell the employer that we want that day off?
Click to expand...
You don’t need the whole day off. You should ask for either Saturday evening (in time for Mass) or Sunday morning. It may mean that you get up at 6AM to go to the first Mass of Sunday morning. IF this is the only job available and you have no other means of support for yourself or your family then missing Mass is excused.
 
Thank You for answers. I hope that employers are understanding. Since I’m young, I think that sometimes they think I’m lying and I just want the day off to go out, lol.
 
My husband worked a 4 day on and 2 day off schedule the years our children were 5 and under. More often than not we went to a weekday morning mass together instead of Sunday. I don’t believe there is was anything wrong with that. Attend a weekday mass nearest to Sunday.
 
Actually, attending a weekday mass is not an adequate substitute for Sunday Mass, although if you cannot attend Sunday and have a dispensation, it would be the next best thing. However, it is not a substitution for Sunday, it is in addition to your Sunday obligation. If you miss Sunday without the dispensation, you must go to confession before receiving communion.

CARose
 
I am guessing that if your parish priest is aware of the situation that is dispensation? Is this what you mean?
 
You specifically request that you be dispensed from the requirement to attend Sunday Mass, given the specifics of your situation. I don’t know if you need to ask on a weekly, monthly basis, or how that specifically works.

I’ve asked to have my daughters requirement dispensed when she was going to camp, and I realized that the schedule was going to make it extremely tough for her to get to Mass. We’ve been known to drive an hour to get to a late Sunday Mass when our schedule has gotten crazy, so we don’t take our obligation lightly, and our pastor understands that.
We also had a visiting pastor who got upset at being asked for a dispensation because he said it wasn’t necessary. I quoted the Code of Cannon Law and he got upset about legalists. (I’d recently been in a conversation on the topic here, hence I had the Code info at the tip of my tongue). Please note that this same visiting pastor is noted for his abuse of the liturgy.

CARose
 
This is interesting CARose. This all makes good sense. The process of asking for dispensation is a guideline and method of discernment. To bad more people don’t know about this. I am guessing most don’t know.
 
I hope the info I’ve provided helps. I think we are entering an era where more Catholics care to learn about what the Church teaches and requires. I know I have grown in my willingness to accept the authority of the Church in my life.

God Bless,

CARose
 
40.png
CARose:
I think we are entering an era where more Catholics care to learn about what the Church teaches and requires. I know I have grown in my willingness to accept the authority of the Church in my life.
Click to expand...
I am open to this. Thanks for sharing.
 
Isn’t it illegal to not give time off for “worship” or the such? :confused:
Like taking 1 1/2 hrs. off when you work to attend Mass… Though if you say your available Sundays… Should let them know that means after Mass.
 
Isn’t it illegal to not give time off for “worship” or the such? :confused:
Like taking 1 1/2 hrs. off when you work to attend Mass…
Click to expand...
In a word, no.

The First Circuit in Boston has ruled in Clotier v. *Costco (2004) *that "A religious accommodation constitutes an undue hardship when it would impose upon an employer more than a de minimus cost "

Getting someone to cover for an employee at mass would be more than a de minimus cost.

Whether or not its good public policy to do so is another question.

BTW, don’t protest Costco over this, Clotier wasn’t a Catholic, she was a member of the Church of Body Modification.
 
40.png
CatholicCid:
Isn’t it illegal to not give time off for “worship” or the such? :confused:
Like taking 1 1/2 hrs. off when you work to attend Mass… Though if you say your available Sundays… Should let them know that means after Mass.
Click to expand...
It varies by State. In NC there is a State Law requiring employers to not require workers to work on Sunday. This replaced the old “Blue Laws” which prohibited certain (non-essential) businesses from opening on Sunday and prohibited others from opening before 2PM. Most businesss abide by the change.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top