Question about those unable to attend Mass

  • Thread starter Thread starter LoveMercyGrace
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

LoveMercyGrace

Guest
There may be many reasons why a Catholic can not attend Mass regularly or at all.
This could be illness, or transportation issues for instance.

I am wondering how many Catholics (on here) experience these circumstances and
what do people do to help stay connected to the church and how one keeps their faith growing.

I also wonder if anyone knows of any saints that experienced this…or hermits, those who take vows of a simple cloistered life

It was said to me that it is impossible to be a Catholic if you do not go to Mass.

There are home ministries, depending on where one lives is this available.

I appreciate any thoughts
 
At the end of mass at my parish those who take the sacrament to the sick come up and a prayer is said for those people and the people they visit. We are merging with another parish so there will probably be more people unable to attend mass so maybe this ministry will increase.
 
I am sure it would be hard to be Catholic without being able to attend Mass but Communion can always be taken to the homebound. Also, Mass can be viewed on TV where I live and lastly, Father celebrates Mass at the nursing home about every month or so for all the residents. He can’t celebrate Mass on a Sunday but he can do an extra Mass in the week.
It means the world to the residents.

Sandy
 
One should remember that you are only REQUIRED to receive communion once a year (though weekly or even daily is recommended if your able). You are also required to attend services every Sunday and Holy day if able.

In many places throughout the world for much of Christian history there were areas where there was not a weekly mass celebrated due to the shortage of priests or the rural nature of the area etc…

While this is not a reality for most Catholics anymore there are still some areas where it is, however they must still keep the Lord’s day holy.

Then there are some people who are just unable to attend mass at times. While many parish’s have a wide variety of mass times that makes it pretty easy for most to attend mass some still cannot. For example I work in emergency services every other Sat and Sun from 4:30am to 7pm. I have looked at every available mass time and parish around me and am simple unable to attend any of them. My pastor is aware of this but there is simply no way around it that we have found. It is a great burden to me and I pray for a day my schedule may allow weekly mass attendance but currently there is no option. I used to go to Monday daily mass but due to our parish recently loosing a priest they have to cut the week day masses in half so there went that as well.
 
Personally speaking, as we’ve had plenty of traumatic events that have disrupted our normal lives and ability to go to Mass, I find a daily prayer routine to be the most significant way of “staying connected” to the faith. For me, praying the Liturgy of the Hours (especially Morning and Evening Prayer) means that I am spiritually joining the Church worldwide in her daily prayer wherever I am.
 
When my aunt was dying of cancer, she would spend time each day reading scripture and meditations on the faith. I’m sure she also prayed the rosary daily. 😃

When my father was ill and home-bound, an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion came to the house daily to bring the Blessed Sacrament, and to pray and visit with my parents. Before my dad had surgery, my mom was pretty much home-bound as well because my mom couldn’t leave the house for more than 20 minutes at a time.

Mass on television (or online) is a great way to be present mentally to the life of the Church for those who cannot attend mass.

Prayer is a wonderful means of making a difference in the world. Those who are home-bound can serve Christ through their prayers. There are other areas of service they could take on according to their physical abilities and skills – for example, writing letters to those in active service in the military, or in nursing homes, or to other home-bound parishioners.
 
My sister-in-law has advanced MS. She relied on my brother to get her to mass. Now he has become ill and is confined at present. I don’t worry about weather they can get to mass because I know they would if they were able. They live far away from me, but have close friends in the church. If you think of all the missionaries that missed mass you would deduce that they were still “Catholic.” Peace.
 
LoveMercyGrace said:
There may be many reasons why a Catholic can not attend Mass regularly or at all.
This could be illness, or transportation issues for instance.

I am wondering how many Catholics (on here) experience these circumstances and
what do people do to help stay connected to the church and how one keeps their faith growing.

I also wonder if anyone knows of any saints that experienced this…or hermits, those who take vows of a simple cloistered life

It was said to me that it is impossible to be a Catholic if you do not go to Mass.

There are home ministries, depending on where one lives is this available.

I appreciate any thoughts
Click to expand...
Hi LoveMercyGrace,

I have been unable to attend Mass for years, due to chronic physical illness.

My family brings me Communion on Sundays, and I try to watch the Mass on youtube (usually the Sioux Falls Sunday TV Mass, which is beautiful).

I also try to read the Sunday readings, and sometimes during the week.

What’s also been crucial in uniting me with Christ is Our Lady, and devotion to her. I have two icons of her in my room, which I can see from my bed, and which I approach especially when in need.

I read True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis DeMontfort every day, along with other books like the Psalter of the Blessed Virgin.

Also, I have a a couple closes friends–one of which is also ill–whom I can ask questions about the faith.

And I spend time on Catholic Answers!
 
LoveMercyGrace said:
I am wondering how many Catholics (on here) experience these circumstances and
what do people do to help stay connected to the church and how one keeps their faith growing.
Click to expand...
You should call your parish office and see if anyone can bring Communion to you. At every mass on Sunday, there are at least 3-5 people from our parish bringing Communion to people on a regular basis. Ask if that could be made available to you, if not every week, perhaps monthly, or every other week.

You could also watch mass on EWTN in order to hear the readings and homilies. I know it is not the same as attending mass, but it may help you feel better connected.
 
LoveMercyGrace said:
There may be many reasons why a Catholic can not attend Mass regularly or at all.
This could be illness, or transportation issues for instance.

I am wondering how many Catholics (on here) experience these circumstances and
what do people do to help stay connected to the church and how one keeps their faith growing.

I also wonder if anyone knows of any saints that experienced this…or hermits, those who take vows of a simple cloistered life

It was said to me that it is impossible to be a Catholic if you do not go to Mass.

There are home ministries, depending on where one lives is this available.

I appreciate any thoughts
Click to expand...
On this blessed Holy Sunday I am reminded how many caring people are here on CAF, that truly live the faith. God bless each of you, thank you for sharing your personal experiences and thoughts. Peace and Good.
 
Sometimes I can’t attend Mass because of my mental illness. There are days that I just cannot bear to leave the house. I have never thought to ask for the sacrament to the sick because I am not sure if mental illness counts.
 
Liturgy_Geek said:
Sometimes I can’t attend Mass because of my mental illness. There are days that I just cannot bear to leave the house. I have never thought to ask for the sacrament to the sick because I am not sure if mental illness counts.
Click to expand...
I am the OP of this post, just commenting on what you wrote here.

I am happy you are now thinking of the possibility you could receive a visit at home from

the priest or Eucharistic ministers.

I hope you call your parish right away, I believe you could qualify! Please let us know

how it works out. God bless you
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top