Part time working on Sundays

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Cruxis117

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I have a part time job where I’m currently scheduled for a Sunday, such as tomorrow. I think it’s possible that I could get that time off, but for the moment I’m scheduled for at least tomorrow. I can easily attend Mass tomorrow, though, and I’m only working for five hours. But am I committing a mortal sin? Is this acceptable.
 
Cruxis117 said:
I have a part time job where I’m currently scheduled for a Sunday, such as tomorrow. I think it’s possible that I could get that time off, but for the moment I’m scheduled for at least tomorrow. I can easily attend Mass tomorrow, though, and I’m only working for five hours. But am I committing a mortal sin? Is this acceptable.
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I’m afraid the answer is “it depends on the circumstances” and “talk to your priest about it.”
 
In order to commit a sin, you need to commit it knowingly and through your own fault. Unfortunately, many people are not in a position where they can be picky about the hours they work and that sometimes means working on Sunday. You are making a good faith effort to get Sundays off and even if those hours remain, you still can keep the Sabbath holy by going to Mass, which you are.

I honestly wouldn’t worry about it. Also remember that it is illegal for employers to discriminate against you because of your religion provided that the accommodation doesn’t constitute an “undue burden” on businesses.
 
Cruxis117 said:
I have a part time job where I’m currently scheduled for a Sunday, such as tomorrow. I think it’s possible that I could get that time off, but for the moment I’m scheduled for at least tomorrow. I can easily attend Mass tomorrow, though, and I’m only working for five hours. But am I committing a mortal sin? Is this acceptable.
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No you are not committing a mortal sin.
 
Cruxis117 said:
I have a part time job where I’m currently scheduled for a Sunday, such as tomorrow. I think it’s possible that I could get that time off, but for the moment I’m scheduled for at least tomorrow. I can easily attend Mass tomorrow, though, and I’m only working for five hours. But am I committing a mortal sin? Is this acceptable.
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There is no obligation to refrain from employment on Sunday. Other poster stating the contrary are misinformed.
 
runningdude said:
There is no obligation to refrain from employment on Sunday. Other poster stating the contrary are misinformed.
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2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.
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If you have the option, do you agree one should refrain from employment?

Of course if one doesn’t have that option, it is not sinful.
 
TrueLight said:
If you have the option, do you agree one should refrain from employment?

Of course if one doesn’t have that option, it is not sinful.
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I agree completely. If one has the option, one should definitely refrain from working during that day. I do understand that those who work in such fields as law enforcement, medicine, and other fields which cannot usually permit such days off are not in sin. To be honest, I was unaware that I was able to make Sundays a free day until two days ago, and I wasn’t able to get a chance to speak to my supervisor about possibly switching that. Do you think it would be okay if I worked tomorrow, and then went to see if it was possible to change that part of the schedule?
 
garn9173 said:
Agreed, as long as the OP fulfills his/her Sunday obligation to attend Mass, it’s all good. I might suggest the OP visit this website, catholicathletesforchrist.com/index.htm, as several Catholic pro athletes, who often have to work on Sunday, talk about their faith.
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I wouldn’t miss Mass for the world, and I definitely can and will fulfil that obligation tomorrow morning, before work. Though I do ask, if I am unable to attend a Sunday Mass and I attend an evening Saturday one instead, would that still be valid? I’ve heard that it is true, but I wanted to double check.
 
TrueLight said:
If you have the option, do you agree one should refrain from employment?
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In general, yes, but the rubric is that work should not hinder worship owed to God, etc. I see no reason why that would be irreconcilable with a part-time position.
 
If you need the money and/or your employer for business reasons requires certain hours + days worked then you must work. If you can get part of the Sunday off to attend Mass, and either work before or after because you must, then do so. Yes, employers should recognized religious needs but at the same time, many occupations require Sunday work. Yes, it would be nice for those who do not attend any form of religious services for their Deity of choice to cover for those who do when Sunday work is required then you work for them on their day of worship which is a different day for most non Christians.

If you can go to Mass on Saturday evening, then your obligation for Sunday is covered. At this time, that is what I currently have to do as I am required to work both Saturday and Sunday due to the business that employs me. I know many would prefer Sunday off itself but at the same time, it may not be practical. Too bad we cannot go back to the days of long ago when very few places were open on Sunday but in today’s modern world we cannot do that now.
 
Just an update: I was able to speak to my supervisor, and he is completely okay with giving me Sundays off. So, now I have Sundays off from work.

One more small question: Am I allowed to mow the lawn on Sundays? The issue is that I wasn’t aware that chores should be avoided getting done on Sundays, and I had made the arrangement with my family to mow the lawn every Sunday after Mass.
 
Cruxis117 said:
One more small question: Am I allowed to mow the lawn on Sundays? The issue is that I wasn’t aware that chores should be avoided getting done on Sundays, and I had made the arrangement with my family to mow the lawn every Sunday after Mass.
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Speak to your priest about this and consider mentioning the possibility of scrupulosity to him so that if it is an issue, he can help you.
 
Can the lawn be mowed a different day if possible and/or by another family member as it may fall under the category of unnecessary servile work on Sunday? If it cannot, then it is work that can be done on Sunday but ask your priest if you are still unsure. Most people do not consider mowing the lawn a pleasurable activity especially if they do not own a riding mower.
 
MissRose73 said:
Can the lawn be mowed a different day if possible and/or by another family member as it may fall under the category of unnecessary servile work on Sunday? If it cannot, then it is work that can be done on Sunday but ask your priest if you are still unsure. Most people do not consider mowing the lawn a pleasurable activity especially if they do not own a riding mower.
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To be honest, I’m not quite sure if I can move the day. The issue is that I have work on every other day, and I made that compromise because my sister does one more day of dishes during the week than I do, because of the lawn-mowing. No, I’m the only one who can mow the lawn. Ah, okay.
 
Doing chores on a Sunday is not sinful. Be careful with what users on websites like this tell you - a lot of people are willing to tell you what you want to hear, motivated by their own pet beliefs and concerns.

It is good to want to live in a holy manner, but you must use you common sense to guide you - common sense is a God-given virtue!
 
Cruxis117 said:
I have a part time job where I’m currently scheduled for a Sunday, such as tomorrow. I think it’s possible that I could get that time off, but for the moment I’m scheduled for at least tomorrow. I can easily attend Mass tomorrow, though, and I’m only working for five hours. But am I committing a mortal sin? Is this acceptable.
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The Church wants us, as much as possible within the constraints of our state in life, to make the Lord’s Day holy by attending Mass. However, if one’s state of life is such that one NEEDS a job whose requirement is that one work part-time on Sunday, then that is acceptable. There is no mortal sin, because you are fulfilling your state of life & have no control over when you must work.

It can be a dicey business to try to get Sundays off, for some people. I once had a job where they wanted me there on Sundays. I did not like that, and finally got up the nerve to tell my supervisor, “I want and need to attend Mass”, and asked to be relieved or to switch the Sunday workday. She kind of laughed at me and made a bit of a point of telling others I was “religious” and I “HAVE TO” go off to Church… But she did NOT impact me in any negative way with having my job; she did not otherwise treat me poorly, etc. She embarrassed me with her reaction/speech; however, I felt strongly that I REALLY needed to be there on Sunday. The risk and the embarrassment were well worth it to me. 😃
 
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