Not able to attend Mass on Sundays

[Eliazer]

Long ago my husband and I decided I would work weekends and take care of the kids/house during the week while he would work a traditional M-F job.

I work as an in home caretaker for a young adult on weekends. The hours are very long from early, early morning until late evening. Because of this I am never able to attend evening Sat services or Sun services at all. I do attend Mass during the week, often M-F. I check masstimes.org from time to time hoping for a later mass on either Sat or Sun but haven’t had any luck.

I was under the impression that since I am working in the medical field it was acceptable. But I have come across some threads here that are leading me to believe that I may be in error. I do attend the church of the person I care for with them on Sunday mornings, which is a non-denominational church. I am hoping for insight and resources. Thank you.

Now since you are doing it for work reasons you definitely want to talk to your parish priest and explain the situation then he will be able to guide you and determine whether it is morally tolerable/acceptable or not.
I know it is not voluntarily but for a catholic to attend to a non-denominational church in replacement of attending the catholic church is generally not acceptable and does not fufill the Sunday obligation. One still must be attending to their Catholic Church which is free from error and heresy or if not possible let’s say for example someone goes to greece or certain parts of russia where there is no catholic church then in that case the orthodox church
But honestly it is not my place to say whether it is morally wrong or not it is the job of your local parish Priest because he knows more about the regulations on morality. because it also has to do with concience and work conditions.
I honestly am not qualified since the authority was solely given to the priest by Our Lord.
I hope this helps. God Bless you.

 

[Eliazer]

One of my pastoral duties, once upon a time, was to celebrate a Sunday evening Mass in the hospital chapel for those who otherwise would not attend Mass because of the length of the shifts.

Assuredly, as a medical worker working long shifts, you would be excused from the obligation because the nature of the work you provide is essential and needs to be provided. I have not met a brother priest who doesn’t understand that…because we are all, to some degree, involved in pastoral care to the sick. Plus, if we live long enough, we eventually find ourselves under care in or out of hospital and know that, 24 hours per day, people who need round the clock care must receive it…whether in hospital or elsewhere.

Of course, this is no less true for the round the clock need for firemen, policemen, and military as well as healthcare providers. Emergency responders must make sacrifices for the welfare of others.

If you are attending Mass during the week, it is a simple matter of asking your pastor to commute your obligation to a day during the week when you have no responsibility for a patient.

As 1ke said, this a matter to talk through with your pastor. Also, many dioceses now have a priest specifically designated as the bishop’s vicar for health care issues. As a diocesan official, he also could resolve the matter easily for you.

It is very unfortunate that one can encounter people on websites who have neither the education nor the office to provide advice…but do so anyway, while giving advice that is wrong. Beware of this phenomenon.

God bless you and your work.

I am sorry Fr. I did not meant to disobey I posted first before reading your post.
And said which is not for me to say only you.
I told her “Now since you are doing it for work reasons you definitely want to talk to your parish priest and explain the situation then he will be able to guide you and determine whether it is morally tolerable/acceptable or not.
I know it is not voluntarily but for a catholic to attend to a non-denominational church in replacement of attending the catholic church is generally not acceptable and does not fufill the Sunday obligation. One still must be attending to their Catholic Church which is free from error and heresy or if not possible let’s say for example someone goes to greece or certain parts of russia where there is no catholic church then in that case the orthodox church
But honestly it is not my place to say whether it is morally wrong or not it is the job of your local parish Priest because he knows more about the regulations on morality. because it also has to do with concience and work conditions.
I honestly am not qualified since the authority was solely given to the priest by Our Lord.”

I am sorry and Please ignore my comment. and Like DonRugerro said who is a priest, I couldn’t say it better. Listen to him, that’s his mission.

I also agree with 1ke, angell1.
Fr. Bless me with your prayers even from afar.