Not sure what to do

[Regina7]

For months, my parish has been planning a festival to help raise money for a perpetual adoration chapel. And months ago, I was told to hold the date so that I can attend and help (not sure what I’m specifically doing).

Today I received an email from my brother saying that is the day they are baptizing their soon-to-be-born baby.

Because of where my brother lives, I cannot attend both. I feel an obligation to both and do not know what to do. Suggestions?

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

You should go to the Baptism. I’m sure you aren’t the only volunteer.

Just let your parish know that a family event has come up. I’m sure they will understand.

 

[Della]

Family commitments such as this come first. Simply inform whoever you are to report to for the festival that you cannot be there, unless your plans change. Social and moral etiquette will be met in both cases. No one is indispensible at a parish festival–they can find someone else to take your place, but your family will not understand or be happy if you miss a baptism of a niece or nephew for any other reason than illness or death.

 

[Kelfa28]

Baptism comes first. It’s more important.

I’m sure they would understand.

Just graciously explain why you cannot attend.

I had a good friend of mine accept a my wedding invitation years ago. She was so excited to go and was one of the first people to accept the invite and RSVP back.

She then had to tell me, months later, that her niece was getting baptized that day. I was a little disappointed but I totally understood why.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

For months, my parish has been planning a festival to help raise money for a perpetual adoration chapel. And months ago, I was told to hold the date so that I can attend and help (not sure what I’m specifically doing).

Today I received an email from my brother saying that is the day they are baptizing their soon-to-be-born baby.

Because of where my brother lives, I cannot attend both. I feel an obligation to both and do not know what to do. Suggestions?

This is an easy one. Baptism.
Why is this a question?

 

[Regina7]

This is an easy one. Baptism.
Why is this a question?

I suppose I just feel bad because I already committed to the fest. I’ve always been irritated by people who don’t do what they promise, so I’ve always tried my best to keep up my promises.

But, yes, I understand that baptism is the more important of the two.

Thanks for all the answers, everyone.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I suppose I just feel bad because I already committed to the fest. I’ve always been irritated by people who don’t do what they promise, so I’ve always tried my best to keep up my promises.

But, yes, I understand that baptism is the more important of the two.

Thanks for all the answers, everyone.

I hope that didn’t come off as mean or anything. But being present at a saving sacrament for a new soul vs a volunteering position… Perhaps you just needed to step back and see it from a logical perspective!
I wouldn’t feel bad at all. The world will turn without whatever you were going to do at the festival! And I have a feeling you are going to be one of the strongest supporters of this perpetual adoration chapel in the future.

Rest easy my friend. And enjoy some cake at the baptism!

 

[robertmidwest]

Go to the baptism.

Check to see if there is some prep work you can help with in advance. If you can’t help, then you can’t.

 

[Christbearer03]

I agree with the others. Attend the Baptism and celebrate one of the Church’s newest members!

 

[midori]

“I have a family obligation that day, but is there anything I could do to help out ahead of time?”

 

[Allegra]

Go to the Baptism. Try to recruit someone else to take your spot, if you can. If you don’t even know what they are going to assign you to do, then you probably aren’t indispensable for the event. If you still feel bad, you could probably offer to do some prep work instead. Our parish picnic requires a lot of water balloons.

 

[pianistclare]

I suppose I just feel bad because I already committed to the fest. I’ve always been irritated by people who don’t do what they promise, so I’ve always tried my best to keep up my promises.

But, yes, I understand that baptism is the more important of the two.

Thanks for all the answers, everyone.

Which is why we shouldn’t assume people are just backing out without good reason.
You priest would say “go to the Baptism”.

 

[Regina7]

Which is why we shouldn’t assume people are just backing out without good reason.
You priest would say “go to the Baptism”.

The people I’m thinking of are family/friends who admit that they just don’t feel like doing it anymore. A few family/friends are notorious for promising to do something but never following through.

 

[Della]

The people I’m thinking of are family/friends who admit that they just don’t feel like doing it anymore. A few family/friends are notorious for promising to do something but never following through.

Then it’s up to whoever is running the festival to find a replacement. You’ll be giving them plenty of notice, so it’s not like you bailed on them at the last minute. Things like this always seem to work out even though we fret about them. You can only be in one place at one time. Your family comes first in this instance.

 

[on_the_hill]

I suppose I just feel bad because I already committed to the fest. I’ve always been irritated by people who don’t do what they promise, so I’ve always tried my best to keep up my promises.

And you’ve learned the lesson of the importance of flexibility and forgiveness.