Missing Mass=Sin?

[baltobetsy]

How’s the cat doing? Any more kittens yet?

Betsy

 

[LilyM]

See, this is where you and I differ. You’re a farm girl or so it seems. I’m not. I’m a city chick. As a matter of fact, when I moved from California to Iowa years ago (yea, I know, it was like night and day) I tried to call a cow to pet it. Since them I moved to the Louisville area (more city like). I don’t think of animals like “farm folk” do.
You and Ike made your point… I will be the worst person in the world should I not go to Mass tomorrow, even if that means a kitten may die and I will feel awful about it.
As far as my husband goes and his job… he’s going to work because he assumes I’ll be here… I’ll have to make him think I’ll be here so he’ll go to work, and then leave to Mass or else he would be furious with me. Just FYI, my husband is NOT Catholic.

I’m not a farm girl. My parents retired to the country after working in the city for 25 years, and now have a farm - mangos, mainly, plus a few head of cattle.

And I don’t like the implication that ‘farm folk’ (and I know some born-and-bred career farmers) think any less, or even particularly differently, of their animals than city slickers.

For the record, no I don’t think you’ll be ‘the worst person in the world’. Far from it. After all, there are people who miss Mass just because there’s a particularly interesting football or basketball game on

I think your heart’s in the right place. I just don’t happen to think that your obligations to your pet cat are more important than your Mass obligation.

You want to feel awful? You want someone to be furious with you? Try telling your child that they can’t go out with their friends on a Sunday morning because they have to go to Mass - guaranteed they can make you feel REAL awful and be REALLY furious at you.

Is it wrong to put your foot down with the child? Of course not, in fact it’s entirely the right thing to do. God comes first, even before a child’s socialising … or a pet’s labour.

 

[excubitor]

Christ rebuked the pharisees. Which one of you would not pull an ox out of a ditch on the Sabbath? Now surely the OX is just an animal. The OX could have fallen in the ditch during the night and you wouldnt have known about it. The OX could have survived until the end of the sabbath to be pulled out of the ditch.

The sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath. Likewise the mass. If the OP had gone to church she would have been very distressed and worried about the kittens. For some of us, kittens being born are a routine event. But for others of us its a unique and wonderful event. To be honest if my cat was having kittens I would want to watch and if I had kids who were concerned I would not drag them away to go to mass. And if any of you know me you will know that I am one of the most hardline people here.

Look I might be wrong here so a priest is the best to advise. To be honest I have heard lots of excuses for being absent and late to mass. The great majority of them make me feel nauseous but this one actually made sense to me. However in future I urge the OP to have more confidence in the natural birth cycle. I doubt that the kittens would have died and sometimes our fussing and interventions (particularly human scent on the kittens) can interfere with the bonding process and cause needless stress on the mother cat and kittens.

I read somewhere that sometimes the cat waits until all the kittens are born before they ensure that the amniotic sacks are broken which would indicate that this is not an urgent life and death step. But I’m not sure about that so you could check that out. I suspect that after you have had a couple of litters in the family you will be sufficiently at ease to go to mass and leave Mum cat to do what she knows best to do.

 

[LilyM]

Christ rebuked the pharisees. Which one of you would not pull an ox out of a ditch on the Sabbath? Now surely the OX is just an animal. The OX could have fallen in the ditch during the night and you wouldnt have known about it. The OX could have survived until the end of the sabbath to be pulled out of the ditch.

The sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath. Likewise the mass. If the OP had gone to church she would have been very distressed and worried about the kittens. For some of us, kittens being born are a routine event. But for others of us its a unique and wonderful event. To be honest if my cat was having kittens I would want to watch and if I had kids who were concerned I would not drag them away to go to mass. And if any of you know me you will know that I am one of the most hardline people here.

Look I might be wrong here so a priest is the best to advise. To be honest I have heard lots of excuses for being absent and late to mass. The great majority of them make me feel nauseous but this one actually made sense to me. However in future I urge the OP to have more confidence in the natural birth cycle. I doubt that the kittens would have died and sometimes our fussing and interventions (particularly human scent on the kittens) can interfere with the bonding process and cause needless stress on the mother cat and kittens.

I read somewhere that sometimes the cat waits until all the kittens are born before they ensure that the amniotic sacks are broken which would indicate that this is not an urgent life and death step. But I’m not sure about that so you could check that out. I suspect that after you have had a couple of litters in the family you will be sufficiently at ease to go to mass and leave Mum cat to do what she knows best to do.

The difference being, an animal that falls in a ditch most probably suffers a broken leg or worse - ie is in deep pain and distress. Which is why Jesus compares looking after the animal to healing sick people, since He performed a cure on the Sabbath. And for a pharisaic Jew the animal would be left there the whole day in that pain and agony.

In this case the cat seems to be in no distress, neither are the kittens (born or unborn), and all we are talking about is an absence of an hour or two, not a whole day.

 

[excubitor]

The difference being, an animal that falls in a ditch most probably suffers a broken leg or worse - ie is in deep pain and distress. Which is why Jesus compares looking after the animal to healing sick people, since He performed a cure on the Sabbath. And for a pharisaic Jew the animal would be left there the whole day in that pain and agony.

In this case the cat seems to be in no distress, neither are the kittens (born or unborn), and all we are talking about is an absence of an hour or two, not a whole day.

Actually the OX did not suffer a broken leg it just seemed a bit confused. It was not left in there all day because it only took one hour to get the OX out but they missed synagogue in doing so.

Actually the pharisees did allow the OX to be got out of the pit which is why Jesus challenged them for accusing him of healing the sick on the sabbath. The principle is clear. Breaking the sabbath is excusable to help an animal. Therefore why is it not also excusable to miss mass to help a suffering animal. Whether or not the animal was or was not suffering is beside the point, because for the OP they were concerned that the animal was in danger of its life and they believed that the animal would suffer or even die if they went to mass.

It seems to me if we question the OP’s intentions that we may be judging a bit like the pharisees judged Jesus, accusing him of violations when no such violation occurred.

 

[jenna_isabel]

Last week I had to put my 18 year old cat to sleep. I’m 22 so her companionship was less owner-pet and more sister/best friend. I completely understand the OP’s commitment to her cat and her kittens.

I think your priest will understand the difficulty here, but it is not his place to tell you that you’ve made a poor judgement. That is between you and God, nobody else. We are taught not to judge.

I have often been in your situation where I am worried for the wellbeing of my cat and am concerned it will cause conflicts with mass times. In the wake of her death I spoke to my priest, and asked him is it so wrong to love an animal like an equal? And he said no, absolutely not. Animals are God’s gift to us, why shouldn’t we love them? I suppose it’s like children or siblings… they are always there with you and a bond is created that can’t be broken by someone “reminding” you that an animal, no matter what the animal, is sub-par to a human, and even moreso is beneath God in our priorities. God is in every one of us, not just those who go to mass devoutly. He’s in everything because He is everything…

With that in mind, I will say that I always managed to fulfil my obligations. I actually dislike the word “obligation” - I love going to mass. I’ve loved it since I can remember, and in my time when I wandered away from God I felt a longing for it. I never see it as “I have to do this”. Obligation, for us, is the wrong word.

I am in a massive archdiocese and have 2 beautiful Catholic churches within 10 minutes walk from my house. I have the option of 99 in this archdiocese. It’s easy for me to say I can find a mass time that will suit when these emergency situations arise, and yes because it is a cat and not a human people will look at you funny and say “if it’s between the most holy sacrifice or a cat… then there is no discussion… you go to mass”… but things are never as black and white as that. God gave us our conscience and he gave us animals and he gave us love. He also gave us free will and the power of judgement.

Use yours to find the best outcome - we can only advise. We cannot tell you you are committing a mortal sin or tell you how much or how little you love God. Only you know that, it’s ridiculous to even think we could start commenting on that kind of thing.

I think you’ll be able to go to a mass and see the cats safe. Even if it isn’t your own mass. Just drop your priest a line afterwards and let him know, not that he’d mind. He will be happy you devoted your time to both God and the cats. He will be pleased you have that capacity to love and care, and commit. It’s a good thing, don’t let anybody tell you otherwise!

Love to the cats. Hope they are safe.

 

[Rachel_1]

Well, she’s still stalled out. It’s 6:40am, so I’ll be going to the 8am Mass.
I still would like to know what exactly constitutes missing Mass. I would think life/death situations would, even if that was a kitten’s death. I know some of you claim that she would have done fine because that’s what happens in nature, but you weren’t here and you didn’t see how she didn’t lick off the bag from the kittens. I have NO DOUBT that these kittens would have died had I not been here to remove the bag from their faces and clean them off (I actually had to simulate the ‘licking’ to get them to breath). I feel that if I willingly let an animal die knowing that it could be prevented that it would be sin as well… so I guess in this case I’m trading sin for sin because I honestly don’t know which sin I should do except for what you tell me here.
So I’m going to 8am Mass and will hope that all is ok while I’m gone, and tomorrow I’m going to drive an hour away to go to Confession because I really feel as those I have no choice but to sin one way or the other.

 

[Rachel_1]

I’m so tired that I forgot on Sundays Mass is at 8:30am, not 8am like on weekdays.

 

[karennascargo3]

No life is more important than another life. Yes, if it came down to choosing between a human life and an animal life, of course we would choose the human life. However, if she saves the life of these kittens, how can God be ashamed of her??? She isn’t using this as an ‘excuse’ to miss Mass, she is missing Mass to save one of God’s creatures.

Besides, mortal sin is between a person and God. No one on a forum can judge or criticize anyone they don’t even know – based upon typewritten words on a screen. There’s ALWAYS more behind the story than any of us are privy to and we can’t see inside a person’s heart, nor have any idea of how God is directing or leading that person.

Rachel, you do what you believe God is telling you to do. Pray diligently about it and take it up with your priest when you are able for his guidance or correction if needed.

 

[Rachel_1]

Ok, I went to Mass. Kitty is still stalled too. I got to Mass and realized that I need to trust God more… even with my kitty.
Man I’m sleepy!!! Please everyone pray for my kitty to hurry and have the rest of the kittens so I can get a few hours of shut eye.

 

[turtle18]

I can’t believe there are Catholics on these forums who would think the birth of a kitten is a reason to miss Mass! I think a lot of people make their animals into little gods. The First Commandment says to put God first. It’s not about your feelings or your emtions. It is what or who you make the priority in your life.

If you are in the Louisville area…the Masses go all day long. There are Masses at 5pm, 7pm and even 10 pm. Even for those who work, it is hard to not find a Mass time that doesn’t fit your schedule. Here is a link you may find helpful

archlou.org/massschedules

 

[Rachel_1]

I can’t believe there are Catholics on these forums who would think the birth of a kitten is a reason to miss Mass! I think a lot of people make their animals into little gods. The First Commandment says to put God first. It’s not about your feelings or your emtions. It is what or who you make the priority in your life.

If you are in the Louisville area…the Masses go all day long. There are Masses at 5pm, 7pm and even 10 pm. Even for those who work, it is hard to not find a Mass time that doesn’t fit your schedule. Here is a link you may find helpful

archlou.org/massschedules

You know what… I nearly posted a response to you that was less than charitable mainly because I’m so sleepy and not thinking clearly… but I caught myself before I hit submit and decided that I’ll pray for you instead.

 

[1ke]

Well, she’s still stalled out. It’s 6:40am, so I’ll be going to the 8am Mass.
I still would like to know what exactly constitutes missing Mass. I would think life/death situations would, even if that was a kitten’s death.

The Church does not have an exhaustive list. However, the Church teaches it must be a serious reason. And, it goes give us some guidelines. Our own illness that makes going to mass impossible, caring for another person who is a state of illness or incapacitation, inability to go to mass because you are in a place where there is no church. These are serious reasons.

A pet illness is not a serious reason.

I know some of you claim that she would have done fine because that’s what happens in nature, but you weren’t here and you didn’t see how she didn’t lick off the bag from the kittens. I have NO DOUBT that these kittens would have died had I not been here to remove the bag from their faces and clean them off (I actually had to simulate the ‘licking’ to get them to breath)

Then so be it. The kitten would have died. That is part of cat nature. Sometimes kittens live, sometimes kittens die.

I feel that if I willingly let an animal die knowing that it could be prevented that it would be sin as well…

No Rachel. This is not a sin. Perhaps you need to talk to your priest about over attachment to pets, which can be a sin under the seventh commandment. Care of animals is under the 7th commandment (i.e. “thou shall not steal”) because they are considered under the category of things, not people (which would be the fifth commandment). Animals do not have spiritual souls. They are not made in the image and likeness of God. And we are not to treat them as if they are.

so I guess in this case I’m trading sin for sin because I honestly don’t know which sin I should do except for what you tell me here.

No Rachel. Missing Mass is a grave sin. Allowing an animal to die is not a sin at all.

So I’m going to 8am Mass and will hope that all is ok while I’m gone, and tomorrow I’m going to drive an hour away to go to Confession because I really feel as those I have no choice but to sin one way or the other.

Make an appointment to talk to your priest about your distress over this. Perhaps he can recommend some reading to help you put animals in proper perspective vis a vis people.

 

[Melchior_1]

Make an appointment to talk to your priest about your distress over this. Perhaps he can recommend some reading to help you put animals in proper perspective vis a vis people.

It’s also possible the Priest would give her dispensation. So either way, Rachel, I say talk to your Priest.

 

[jenna_isabel]

kittens dying during the birth process happens in nature… yes, but mothers and babies die during childbirth a lot of the time… and that’s with medical intervention! I’m sure left to fend for themselves many women and babies would not survive the complicated painful experience that is childbirth.

I am disappointed to see some of the uncharitable responses. I’m praying that these people recognise that an animal is capable and deserving of love. Loving God and loving animals is not a mutually exclusive thing at all.

I’m also happy to see people are reiterating the point I made earlier that no person can tell you “you are committing a mortal sin” because it is between you and God, and not any other person or thing.

Rachel, do not beat yourself up over this. You managed to go to mass and see your cats safe. That’s admirable and you should take some happiness in how much importance you have successfully placed on both.

This idea that some posters have, that neglecting an animal’s welfare is not a sin… well once again I will say only God truly knows what’s in your heart. We also believe in a forgiving God who lived as a human and died as a human on the cross, our God is no stranger to the struggles we have. He will know your intention and you don’t need to justify yourself to anyone on a website for goodness sake…! I truly believe that God, who gave you that sense of right and wrong and the grace to love and be loved, will be pleased that you handled this in the way you have.

 

[jmcrae]

I can’t believe there are Catholics on these forums who would think the birth of a kitten is a reason to miss Mass! I think a lot of people make their animals into little gods.

I’m not exactly an animal person myself (I find them annoying and inconvenient), but I do believe that when one takes on the responsibility of an animal, regardless of how lowly the creature may be, one has the obligation to make sure it’s safe from harm, including staying home from work or Church when it’s in distress, or could potentially go into a state of distress.

Animals are not people, to be sure; however, they are living creatures, and when we take responsibility for their lives by owning them as pets or keeping them as livestock, we have an obligation to look to their welfare, feed them, shelter them, comfort and heal them when they are ill, and look to their mental and emotional health.

This is our natural obligation, and has nothing at all to do with making them into “little gods.” I think Rachel would have been just fine if she had stayed home to care for her cat and its kittens, since this is the obligation that she took on before God when she began to own the cat as a pet.

 

[baltobetsy]

So what happened with the kittens???

 

[Rachel_1]

So what happened with the kittens???

She’s still stalled out on labor. Still only two kittens, the ones still inside her are moving around and stuff, she’s acting normal like there is no labor at all now. I read that the record between kittens is 36 hours… I’m starting to think she may break that record!
I managed to get a 3 hour nap in today so my mood is MUCH improved. I also have a live webcam going on her and have multiple people watching it just incase I miss something (so maybe I can sleep tonight!).
If she hasn’t had another by morning I’m calling the vet (I was told as long as she’s not in distress and is acting normal and I can feel the babies inside moving not to worry but this is getting ridiculous! We’re at 26 hours after last kitty now!)

 

[HollyMustardSee]

I don’t think it would have been a sin to miss mass.

 

[turtle18]

You know what… I nearly posted a response to you that was less than charitable mainly because I’m so sleepy and not thinking clearly… but I caught myself before I hit submit and decided that I’ll pray for you instead.

I’m sorry…what exactly are you praying for me for? Telling the truth is not being uncharitable. You came on here asking if it was okay to miss Mass because of the birth of your kitten. You clearly didn’t want to hear any answer that conflicted with what you already believed; instead you are trying to justify your train of thought.

I provided you with a link to all the Masses in the Louisville area so you could find a time to go to Mass. What exactly is uncharitable about that?