But that’s the point. You may feel like you’re coming down with something, only to realize you’re not several hours later and feel guilty about it. Or perhaps there’s 15 inches of snow but the roads have been plowed. Or lots of lightning, for that matter. Don’t know whether to chance it. Excuses are easy but are they sufficient for missing Mass? Not always an easy call. Does intention count for anything?
My father-confessor chides me often for scrupulosity over just this kind of issue.
So when you go on vacation do you also stop paying your utility bills?
… Can you even imagine that 
risking your very life to come to the Eucharist? No - now its "I work 60-80 hours per week [or some other personal whim] and I deserve to do this or that instead of going to Mass [as if attendance at Mass is just another item on the “TO DO LIST” or other social activity … its fine if it fits the busy schedule or provides some persoanl satisfaction - otherwise … 
no sweat …We all make choices when we decide who or what comes first in our priorities.…
I am amazed that people would consider leaving God behind to go on vacation … Other posters have mentioned kids soccer games … how about Superbowl Sunday and te NBA playoffs …
My how far we have come from the Christians who risked death in order to even attend a Mass
Jesus died for me [and you], Jesus gives His very Body and Blood - Heavenly Food - for me… A banquet of Love for me [and you] … I want to be there with Him don’t you? …
PS: if you are over worked, burdoned, worn down … you can not find any better comfort or healing then spending time with Jesus - receiving Him in the Eucharist … no primordal forest can take your burdens away … Jesus can … Jesus can give you the strength and grace to face everything and anything …
Yes but I can use the argument that one is given a choice of where he wants to go on vacation and if Mass isn’t his primary concern on a given Sunday, then something is wrong. Surely if he looks long enough, unless he won the trip on some game show, he can find a camp close enough to Mass somewhere. Obviously if he is or even feels forced to go where no Mass is available, then I’ll agree with the dispensation.
Once again, you are imposing your own person habits and spirituality upon another person. The Church does not require that people never vacation away from an available Mass. Regardless of what you think of the chocie, the Church allows it. Docility to the Church should be prefered to imposing personal opinions…
That’s nice that you find it in your heart to agree however let’s stick to what the Church and Her canons actually allow. It doesn’t matter what you think, it matters only what the Church (gudied by the Holy Spirit) allows or disallows.
People are not God.
No, I pay them in advance so I don’t have to do it later.
No, they would come on vacation with me.
Because if I’m on vacation somewhere where there is no church to attend, that pretty much settles the question of going to Mass. However, one can spend time with the Lord in numerous other activities. I think the proper question is “Why do you lock God away in a box, only to be taken out on Sundays?”
Working long hours is a PERSONAL WHIM?
The Church allows a 32+ hour window for attending Mass on Saturday and Sunday. In this new world of speed and internet, where in the world could you be without finding a church to attend in that whole window of opportunity to fulfill your obligation?
The Church allows for a dispensation in certain circumstances. Are you saying you are above the Church? Again…we are talking about dispensations allowed by the priest. I’m pretty sure when I go to my priest and discuss this…he’ll ask questions…and then I TRUST his judgement. We are not talking about the normal weekly fulfillment of obligations.
Sorry, it doesn’t matter whatsoever what you think, feel, or want. The Church has canons and “case history” (so to speak) that dictates what She allows or doesn’t allow. You are free to set for yoruself standards that are stricter than Church law but you are not free to impose upon others duties/obligations/requirements that the Church does not. Unless you are a Protestant who believes in making up your own rules to throw at others, you are stuck being docile and agreeable to the teachings of the Church.
Yes it does and I’m not arguing against the Church. But one who uses vacation as a standard excuse to get out of going to Mass has to think about what exactly is he taking a vacation from, his work, his normal activity, the Mass, or all of these. I can’t judge your motives to know whether you abide by the “certain circumstances.”
But the OP never said anything about it being a standard thing. No…you can’t judge my motives…that is what the PRIEST is for…
ok…so my sarcasim is showing.Please do not misunderstand my position … I actually do understand that there are conditions where it may not be possible to get to a Mass - I have written about a medical missionary trip I made several years ago to Guatemala … I know there are Churches there … but I was the only Catholic traveling in our group - we went to a remote location, I was not traveling independently but with a group - the iteneary was not mine and the country was unfamiliar … I spoke with my parish priest about what I might do on the two Sundays I was in country if unable to get to Mass … and had I not been able to get to a Mass [thankfully - I was able to make that happen - though not easily] and would have followed his advice … and having sought that advice - I could have saved myself the effort …
… Hard to tell …So if someone comes to a different conclusion than you they are “easily and thoughtlessly” relagating it to the optional?
So these posters are just coming to the rescue of the OP’s soul by sidestepping actual Church canons on the matter? Sorry but this thread is simply individuals trying to impose their own personal spirituality upon another without foundation in Church law. Its possible that two people, in good conscience, can come to different conclusions on the same issue.perhaps their moties are more self indulgent - self centered rather the Christ centered - and they need to hear the POV that places the Eucharistic Celebration in its proper context …
