My dh has a new job--he may have to miss holy day of obligation

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whatevergirl

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My dh just got a new job, but in the retail industry. He is very happy…we are excited–this is something that must be God’s will, for my dh has never worked in this industry, but was selected to be a dept mgr–and we were praying that he would find something more reliable, since our move. But, my dh would still like to be back in the insurance biz, an industry he’s used to, and doesn’t have to work weekends, etc. He is going to put that on hold though, because his licenses need to be transferred from state to state, and that might take a few extra weeks…this opportunity in retail came around, so for the best of our family/finances, this job offer seems to be a great thing for us. He may have to work next Saturday, and Friday evening–our parish is offering a 7pm vigil mass, and 9am mass for the holy day of obligation.

Since my dh will just be starting tomorrow, Monday–he cannot select his own schedule…for the holidays are here, and as we know, retail is demanding around that time. I pray that he has one of those two days off though, so he can join us at mass. My question is…is this a mortal sin if you have a career obligation?:confused: For a mortal sin to be present, we have to be willingly sinning, and knowing what we are doing is wrong. My husband wants to attend–and has always attended with us as a family…but this is a new situation for us.

I should ask our parish priest, as well.
 
Of course it is not a mortal sin to miss Mass for work. There have been times I was planning on attending Mass but required to work due to forced overtime, and was unable to attend…mortal sin requires deliberate consent…i’m sure your husbands will (as was mine) is to attend Mass if at all possible.

It is necessary for your family to be provided for, and that requires work (remember where Paul said of someone who would not work, to not let him eat?). God understands the sacrifice your husband must make.

Now that being said, of couse when he does do the schedule he should do everything possible to ensure that he can have time off to attend Mass when necessary.

Also, a suggestion: The Holy Day is the whole day, could he attend Mass sometime Saturday night? Even if it’s a Sunday Vigil Mass (provided he attends a Sunday Mass on Sunday), it would still count as Mass attendance on the Holy Day. The readings might be the Sunday readings, but then he would truly be upholding the spirit of the obligation. Just my opinion.

Andy
 
whatevergirl said:
My question is…is this a mortal sin if you have a career obligation?:confused: For a mortal sin to be present, we have to be willingly sinning, and knowing what we are doing is wrong. My husband wants to attend–and has always attended with us as a family…but this is a new situation for us.

I should ask our parish priest, as well.
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He should ask the pastor for a dispensation to miss Mass. Then he doesn’t have to worry about whether it’s a sin or not or whether he should do something to make up for missing the holy day.
 
Hopefully he wouldn’t have to miss the Feast Day, but it is wonderful y’all think ahead like this. If the work schedule is in conflict with Mass and no other Masses around I have called our Parish Priest to just go buy and receive the Eucharist. All the Priest I have ever asked this of have actually been rather impressed that a Dad would got this extra mile, also I would go to Confession, not just to say I could not make Mass, but also to ask the Lord for those extra graces, starting Advent, starting a new job, etc.
 
AHapka said:
Of course it is not a mortal sin to miss Mass for work. There have been times I was planning on attending Mass but required to work due to forced overtime, and was unable to attend…mortal sin requires deliberate consent…i’m sure your husbands will (as was mine) is to attend Mass if at all possible.

It is necessary for your family to be provided for, and that requires work (remember where Paul said of someone who would not work, to not let him eat?). God understands the sacrifice your husband must make.

Now that being said, of couse when he does do the schedule he should do everything possible to ensure that he can have time off to attend Mass when necessary.

Also, a suggestion: The Holy Day is the whole day, could he attend Mass sometime Saturday night? Even if it’s a Sunday Vigil Mass (provided he attends a Sunday Mass on Sunday), it would still count as Mass attendance on the Holy Day. The readings might be the Sunday readings, but then he would truly be upholding the spirit of the obligation. Just my opinion.

Andy
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unfortunately, it might be an all day shift…with the store closing at 10 or 11pm for holiday hours. I am praying that he has time off on friday night, but again, being a newer employee…not sure how the schedule will go. if they don’t schedule him for morning hours…he could very well make the 9am mass with us. I guess I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see what will happen. Thank you for the advice everyone…I also posted this in the ‘ask an apologist’ section–and awaiting a reply there, too.🙂
 
General rule - you do what you can; God doesn’t expect the impossible.
 
How does that work with what I believe is, the employers inability to stand in the way of an employees religious practices? Just asking hypothetically. I don’t think most employers would sit well with someone excusing themselves this way.(especially in retail when it’s easy to get rid of people)
 
Three things -

Check local Parishes - there may be a very early Sat AM Mass that your DH can hit before work, one he could hit on a lunch hour.

If there is just no way, he has to work and there is not one mass for the HDO he can make, as someone else said - God does not ask us to do the impossible.

Third - remember, you cannot fufil two obligations with one Mass, as our Priest put it “No Two-Fer”.
 
What…when is this holy day of obligation i thought the next one was Christmas ( i live in the uk). Please tell me if their is one 😃
 
Pete said:
What…when is this holy day of obligation i thought the next one was Christmas ( i live in the uk). Please tell me if their is one 😃
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It is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Since she is the patroness of the US, a big deal to us. Call your parish, because I have no idea what the calendar is in the UK.
 
Please do ask your parish priest. He should always be your first line of defense! 😃

As a deptartment manager, even though he is the new guy on the block, he’ll probably have some flexibility with his schedule. If you cannot attend Mass because of work, it is not a mortal sin. Your parish priest will be able to give him a dispensation. However, do check parishes close to the store/office. He may be able to make a Mass somewhere, and as another poster said, with a new job starting, the graces of Mass would be so welcome!
 
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