Question on Sunday Obligation

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BigMichael

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Hi Everyone,

I’m having a bit of an internal conflict. I work a casual job while studying that mostly offers work only on the weekends, with the occasional weekday. This works really well around university and I get to daily mass as often as possible during the week. However, my friend who is about to enter the seminary told me that not fulfilling my Sunday obligation in order to work is a mortal sin so I told my boss I could no longer work Sunday as I had to get to Church. Financially I’m not dead broke and I can essentially survive just working Saturday if I need to so even though it was a difficult decision I decided to be obedient and fulfil the Sunday obligation. However, when I brought this up with my parish priest last week he told me he was fine with me attending mass during the week instead of attending on Sunday, and he said I need to be pragmatic and provide for my future so that’s absolutely fine. Now I’m conflicted because my friend thinks my priest is wrong, and if not for him I wouldn’t have started going back to church and confession and so forth. But if my priest has given me a dispensation does that mean I really ought to work Sunday and so be in a better financial position to have a family etc in the future even if I don’t immediately need the money? I would really appreciate any help or opinions on the issue.
 
BigMichael said:
However, my friend who is about to enter the seminary told me that not fulfilling my Sunday obligation in order to work is a mortal sin so I told my boss I could no longer work Sunday as I had to get to Church.
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Well, maybe. If you are scheduled to work during ALL the mass times, then you may work.

If you can go to a mass in your area on either Saturday evening, early Sunday, or Sunday evening, while working at other times during the weekend then that would be the ideal.
BigMichael said:
However, when I brought this up with my parish priest last week he told me he was fine with me attending mass during the week instead of attending on Sunday, and he said I need to be pragmatic and provide for my future so that’s absolutely fine.
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The obligation is not absolute. There are situations where we are excused from the obligation. Work can be one of those times.
BigMichael said:
But if my priest has given me a dispensation does that mean I really ought to work Sunday and so be in a better financial position to have a family etc in the future even if I don’t immediately need the money? I would really appreciate any help or opinions on the issue.
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It’s a prudential matter. Our mass obligation is a serious one, and so is the need to work in some situations.

Talk to your boss and also look at all the parishes in your area to see if there is a way you can do both.

If you can arrange your schedule so you are able to attend mass, you should do so. But if you have occasion to work and cannot get to mass that week, you would be excused.
 
Your parish priest has the right to give you a dispensation in this matter. Do as he says.

Your friend needs to butt out. This is not his business, nor does he have the authority (the parish priest does). Unfortunately there are a lot of armchair quarterbacks out there these days who think they know better than the priests. Hopefully when your friend actually enters seminary, his teachers there will trounce some of that out of him.
 
Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I work on a food truck that regularly goes 2-3 hours out of Melbourne for events so my days usually go from 6.00am-9.00pm at best by the time I get back so I generally can’t get to any masses if I choose to work that day.
 
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Ideally Sunday is our (new)sabbath, but unfortunately current secular culture prevents many well meaning faithful to adhere it. My suggestion is to give your Sunday to God, having said that I am only trying to follow my own words!
 
BigMichael said:
I’m conflicted because my friend thinks my priest is wrong
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Thank him for his concern, ask him to pray for you, and request that he update you once he’s studied theology and this particular. 😉

You could also ask him whether he thinks your parish priest has the authority to dispense of the obligation. (He does, by the way.)
 
Do what your priest advises you. Not your seminarian friend, not people on the internet that feel this or that. Your priest knows you and your particular situation. Listen to him.
 
My original response seems to have vanished (not cool), so this is now moot. Good luck OP, seems like my (name removed by moderator)ut isn’t wanted.
 
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Just to clarify my situation: I sat down with my priest and he told me to disregard the advice of my friend and to go to work Sundays, since I go to mass during the week he said this was fine with him. So no I don’t believe I have been given a formal dispensation if that needs to be done in writing. Do I need to ask him for this?

Also in regards to finances: what I make on Saturday and with student payments allows me to the bare minimum to pay rent and bills, and I have a small amount of savings if I fall a little short. In that respect I don’t ‘need’ to work on Sunday in order to not fall into poverty, at least not for the immediate future. My seminarian friend also offered to lend me money if I stop work Sundays and need some help. My priest is aware of this and still advised me to work Sundays so as to have a buffer in case of emergencies. Does this change anyone’s opinion as to whether I should listen to my priest?

For the record I personally would prefer to observe the sabbath, but I feel since my priest advised me otherwise to do so would be a case of attempting to fulfil spiritual requirements at the cost of personal responsibilities and duties.
 
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BigMichael said:
So no I don’t believe I have been given a formal dispensation if that needs to be done in writing. Do I need to ask him for this?
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The priest doesn’t need to give this type of dispensation in writing. Where did you get that idea?

The only thing you need to remember is that if your situation changes, such as you suddenly become able to attend a Mass that fulfills Sunday obligation, then you should attend it. If you change parishes and get a new parish priest, then you need to discuss again with the new priest.
 
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Asinner said:
I read the word “if” in front of the word “dispensation,” so I have my doubts one was ever formally granted. I also read he doesn’t need the money for bills or school.
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Again, the priest granted the dispensation. He doesn’t need to write a formal signed letter.

The person has now discussed this twice with the priest. There is no doubt.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
He already explained his work schedule doesn’t let him do that.

Also, presumably he already explained the entire situation in detail to his priest, who has dispensed him. That should be the end of the matter.
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He mentioned Sunday hours but not Saturday hours, which is why I asked him this question. Otherwise I would not have asked. The food truck may not go as far on Saturdays.
This young man may not know about Saturday evening Masses. It is surprising how many don’t.

I realise the Priest has said It is fine to work and miss the Sunday Mass. This young man may want to attend a weekend Mass on a Saturday evening when he can.
Tis_Bearself said:
That should be the end of the matter.
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I take it this young person can answer my question, thank you .
 
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Unfortunately Saturday hours are usually the same (though not always) so that would also not generally be an option. Thank you for your reply though it’s much appreciated.
 
BigMichael said:
So no I don’t believe I have been given a formal dispensation if that needs to be done in writing. Do I need to ask him for this?
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Please stop.

Your priest knows what he is doing.

Dispensations need not be in writing.

Moreover if you cannot attend mass due to your work schedule, you do not require a dispensation— you are excused.
 
Thank you for your responses they were very helpful. I will obey my priest as you and others advised.
 
Thank you. The only reason I asked if it needed to be in writing is because another poster said he doubted whether I had actually gotten a dispensation so I thought I may have been mistaken in thinking the priest telling me qualified as dispensation. I see now it is not necessary.
 
Greetings in Christ, if you really have to work then missing Mass is morally acceptable. Even if you really don’t need the money, you can still work and miss Mass. Your Priest is correct and from what you’ve written, your friend is wrong. Don’t stress. If you want, you could find another Church nearby that has a Sunday Mass that works for you. Even if you don’t look or can’t find a Mass that works, you aren’t commiting a sin.

God love you.
 
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