On-call work on days of obligation

[jritenour]

With my job every now and again, I am required to be on-call. That is, be responsive to my phone and/or emails to help with customer issues. The on-call period when it occurs is on Saturday/Sunday. Does anyone believe this is sin if I’m not able to attend Mass during my on-call weekends?

Thanks!

 

[Brigid34]

One is given an dispensation from going to Mass when work is our means of support.

 

[grasscutter]

It’s not a sin.

However, I would assume that you are meant to be on call for a maximum of 12 hours. I don’t know where you live or your transportation issues, but is there a Mass nearby at an hour that would work for you?

The reason that I’m asking is that I’m going out of town this weekend to visit family (while juggling my job) for Canadian Thanksgiving and I’ve researched many different options for attending Mass. As far as I can tell, for me, it’s totally doable. Maybe your situation will also present you with opportunities that work.

 

[SMHW]

With my job every now and again, I am required to be on-call. That is, be responsive to my phone and/or emails to help with customer issues. The on-call period when it occurs is on Saturday/Sunday. Does anyone believe this is sin if I’m not able to attend Mass during my on-call weekends?

Thanks!

Are you expected to sit by a land line and a computer all weekend?

I understand that some people are on call ALL weekend long for a 48 hour period or longer. But that doesn’t usually mean you are stuck in one small spot all weekend.

The people I know who are on-call on weekends take their cell phone to Mass with it on vibrate. If a call comes through and they must take it immediately they just step out to the narthex or outside. Presumably there are times when you are more likely to expect calls than others. Go to Mass at a time when you don’t expect as many calls. Or you might try attending the first possible Sunday Mass (or anticipated Mass) so you’ll have a chance to go later in the weekend if work interferes.

If you live some place where there are not many Catholic parishes or are not many Mass times or if you get a non-stop volume of calls then you are excused since there is a genuine work conflict.

 

[1ke]

I don’t see how being on-call would interfere with attending Mass. Just take your phone with you, on vibrate. The odds of you getting a call at all are pretty slim, but if you must take one just step out.

If you are really concerned, talk to your pastor about it. He can dispense you if necessary.

 

[jritenour]

Thanks all for the help here. Turns out this is not an issue from my work. As I can get back home if need be and work remotely. Still though, if you are required to work and there’s not a time where you can go to Mass, it’s good to know this. Even when I was a Protestant, I had a few scrupulous tendencies. trying to kick that now.