Scheduled Work On Sunday - advice would be appreciated

[Bravo_6]

Sometimes I am scheduled to work on Sundays which is very unfortunate.I have discussed this with management and have been given a discouraging ultimatum.Is there special dispensation for circumstances such as mine?Am I able to fulfil my Sunday obligation by reading my missal?I read it at 10:30am as to coincide with high mass which I usually attend.The only comfort I have is that I work alone.So I do chant(Mass XI as I know it by heart)the Asperges,Kyrie,Gloria,Credo,etc aloud.It’s the mass of Pope John XXIII;1962(I think).

What of those who cannot break away from work commitments without a written warning as no one is willing to cover for me,which is understandable,it’s the weekend.I have put several requests in to be transferred to another section,but to no avail.I was actually transferred here by recommendation of my superiors to the high-ups which is why,it is so difficult.Is there anyone else in this predicament or knows somebody that can lend some advice?Or,knows if one can fulfil their Sunday obligation,given the circumstances.I would really appreciate it.

P.S.In retrospect,money is not everything,but when your salary is double to triple the next guy,it does cater well for large catholic families,is why I’m at a crossroads,and flirting with new propositions.It’s hard to leave also,as I prayed to St Joseph for a little over a year for this job.I know it’s from St Joseph as I was offered this rare opportunity,which I knocked back,then they called me again at the same time my old job called me back offering better pay and conditions,but I took the former while I was still working for another company at the time.

P.P.S I apologize for the extensive post,just getting it off my chest.I think it’s best to tackle this situation with prudence,as it is getting harder to find jobs these days.I don’t want to be rash in my judgements and make a decision I will come to regret and resort to drinking congac and listening to my mother’s ‘Patsy Cline Gold Collection’.

 

[Melchior_1]

Several places offer Masses on Saturday evenings which fulfill your day of obligation (these take place after 4pm, usually). Does your parish (or a nearby one) do this?

My parish, for example, has a 5pm Mass on Saturday which fulfills one’s Sunday obligation.

 

[agnes_therese]

It seems to me that you’re doing just about all you can at the moment, except that you don’t mention the possibility of a Saturday evening Mass.

 

[Seeker1961]

Several places offer Masses on Saturday evenings which fulfill your day of obligation (these take place after 4pm, usually). Does your parish (or a nearby one) do this?

My parish, for example, has a 5pm Mass on Saturday which fulfills one’s Sunday obligation.

That’s currently how I am handing it. I’m doing everything I can to be scheduled early on Saturday so I can get to the 4:30 Mass. However, there are weeks when I am scheduled 16 hours a day both days of the weekend. There’s nothing I can do about that.

Like the OP, this job is a blessing from God that I prayed hard to get. I had been laid off after 11 years with my company. All I could find were temp jobs that paid little and had no benefits. This job still pays very little, but has room for growth and benefits. The problem is that it is in the tourist industry and weekends are the busiest time. Because the salary is low, those overtime hours are critically important when it comes to paying rent.

 

[kmuestwin]

I live in a very un-Catholic part of the country. Even though I do, there are still masses in my area Saturday from 4-6 pm and Sunday from 7:30 am until 8:00 pm.

I know this is hard to think about but have you really searched every option?

If you can say that yes, you have gone and searched all possibilities then you should talk to your priest about getting a dispensation. God doesn’t ask us to do the impossible.

 

[1ke]

If you can go to Mass Saturday evening or Sunday evening to fulfill your obligation, then it is incumbent upon you to do so.

If the area in which you live has no options for Mass at times you can attend due to work, then yes you can be dispensed.

 

[Bravo_6]

Thanks a lot guys for the advice and options.As I do work 12 hour days,which surpasses the mass times stated by a fair margin,and if I work the Sunday,it also means I’m scheduled Saturday as well.

 

[just_came_back]

I had always been told, and fellow Catholics please chime in if I’m wrong, is that if your job demands that you work weekends, the first daily Mass makes up for the obligation. Again, going by 3p info.

 

[PrincepsAuguste]

Write to the bishop and see if you can go to the first available daily mass and fulfill the requirement that way.

 

[Seeker1961]

I had always been told, and fellow Catholics please chime in if I’m wrong, is that if your job demands that you work weekends, the first daily Mass makes up for the obligation. Again, going by 3p info.

I have been told that also by a Confessor. I have also been told that there can be a dispensation from the obligation if the situation warrants it.

It really is a case by case situation. Only you know if there is really no other opportunity for you to attend Mass that weekend. Around my area it is harder in the summertime because Churches actually reduce the number of Masses. Many parishes offer a Sunday evening mass and two Saturday evening masses during the winter when the “snowbirds” are here. My Confessor is well aware of that and also of the workplace policies at my company (including the low wages). If you are a regular at Confession, your Confessor will know enough about you and your spiritual practice to be able to advise you appropriately.

 

[1ke]

I had always been told, and fellow Catholics please chime in if I’m wrong, is that if your job demands that you work weekends, the first daily Mass makes up for the obligation. Again, going by 3p info.

This is not correct. One cannot “make up” the obligation by going to a daily Mass.

If one cannot meet the obligation, one can be dispensed.

 

[1ke]

Thanks a lot guys for the advice and options.As I do work 12 hour days,which surpasses the mass times stated by a fair margin,and if I work the Sunday,it also means I’m scheduled Saturday as well.

Then yes, you can be dispensed. Simply talk to your priest.

 

[1ke]

Write to the bishop and see if you can go to the first available daily mass and fulfill the requirement that way.

This is not possible. One cannot fulfill the Sunday obligation on a weekday. One is simply dispensed if one cannot meet the obligation.

 

[Bravo_6]

Then yes, you can be dispensed. Simply talk to your priest.

Thanks 1ke,you’re a gem mate.

 

[cmforte]

Sometimes I am scheduled to work on Sundays which is very unfortunate.I have discussed this with management and have been given a discouraging ultimatum.Is there special dispensation for circumstances such as mine?Am I able to fulfil my Sunday obligation by reading my missal?I read it at 10:30am as to coincide with high mass which I usually attend.The only comfort I have is that I work alone.So I do chant(Mass XI as I know it by heart)the Asperges,Kyrie,Gloria,Credo,etc aloud.It’s the mass of Pope John XXIII;1962(I think).

What of those who cannot break away from work commitments without a written warning as no one is willing to cover for me,which is understandable,it’s the weekend.I have put several requests in to be transferred to another section,but to no avail.I was actually transferred here by recommendation of my superiors to the high-ups which is why,it is so difficult.Is there anyone else in this predicament or knows somebody that can lend some advice?Or,knows if one can fulfil their Sunday obligation,given the circumstances.I would really appreciate it.

P.S.In retrospect,money is not everything,but when your salary is double to triple the next guy,it does cater well for large catholic families,is why I’m at a crossroads,and flirting with new propositions.It’s hard to leave also,as I prayed to St Joseph for a little over a year for this job.I know it’s from St Joseph as I was offered this rare opportunity,which I knocked back,then they called me again at the same time my old job called me back offering better pay and conditions,but I took the former while I was still working for another company at the time.

P.P.S I apologize for the extensive post,just getting it off my chest.I think it’s best to tackle this situation with prudence,as it is getting harder to find jobs these days.I don’t want to be rash in my judgements and make a decision I will come to regret and resort to drinking congac and listening to my mother’s ‘Patsy Cline Gold Collection’.

I see your location says you are in Autralia. In the USA, and in California in particular, your employer would be committing religious discrimination and thus be breaking the law. Under California law an employer must make any accomadation *that is possible *for an employee’s religious beliefs. Of course, few employers actually do this and few employees, especially in this economy, push the subject. I used to go to a Saturday Mass or talk to my priest about it. I’d thought about showing my employer the law, but I know that that fight, though I’m in the right, in the end, is futile. It’s just better to trust in the forgiveness and understanding of God, than to trust an employer to do the right thing and obey the law, especially in this economy.

-Chris

 

[Bravo_6]

I see your location says you are in Autralia. In the USA, and in California in particular, your employer would be committing religious discrimination and thus be breaking the law. Under California law an employer must make any accomadation *that is possible *for an employee’s religious beliefs. Of course, few employers actually do this and few employees, especially in this economy, push the subject. I used to go to a Saturday Mass or talk to my priest about it. I’d thought about showing my employer the law, but I know that that fight, though I’m in the right, in the end, is futile. It’s just better to trust in the forgiveness and understanding of God, than to trust an employer to do the right thing and obey the law, especially in this economy.

-Chris

You’re not wrong mate.I know exactly what you’re talking about.All you hear about of late is thousands of people being laid off and cut-back-costs.I don’t know about the US,but we have now added the “carbon tax,” perhaps later they will implement a restriction on the number of children due to "carbon emissions,"who knows?I wouldn’t put it past them!A fair few families will have to fasten their belts even tighter.I hope all of you guys are alright and doing well and keeping your heads above water whilst trying to survive and lead a Christian life.At times,it can be a tough gig.

 

[cmforte]

You’re not wrong mate.I know exactly what you’re talking about.All you hear about of late is thousands of people being laid off and cut-back-costs.I don’t know about the US,but we have now added the “carbon tax,” perhaps later they will implement a restriction on the number of children due to "carbon emissions,"who knows?I wouldn’t put it past them!A fair few families will have to fasten their belts even tighter.I hope all of you guys are alright and doing well and keeping your heads above water whilst trying to survive and lead a Christian life.At times,it can be a tough gig.

Australia and the USA have a lot in common!!

-Chris

 

[Cat]

I see your location says you are in Autralia. In the USA, and in California in particular, your employer would be committing religious discrimination and thus be breaking the law. Under California law an employer must make any accomadation *that is possible *for an employee’s religious beliefs. Of course, few employers actually do this and few employees, especially in this economy, push the subject. I used to go to a Saturday Mass or talk to my priest about it. I’d thought about showing my employer the law, but I know that that fight, though I’m in the right, in the end, is futile. It’s just better to trust in the forgiveness and understanding of God, than to trust an employer to do the right thing and obey the law, especially in this economy.

-Chris

You’ve correctly italicized the phrase “that is possible.”

In the U.S., an employer is not required to put his/her own business at risk to be able to accomodate an employee’s religious needs.

There are some jobs where it would not be harmful to the business if the employee is gone for an hour or so; e.g., my husband’s job taking care of business tapes. (It’s a speciality niche in an international computer company.) He is on call constantly, but he is able to take hours off at a time and do other things.

But there are other jobs where this would be impossible; e.g., an employee working in a nursing home (for either the young or the old) as the only caregiver cannot just walk away from his/her fragile patients and leave them alone for more than a minute or so (bathroom break). Same for our blood bank at our hospital; someone has to be there at all times because blood may be needed instantly (blood can be given uncrossmatched in dire emergencies, but there are some policies that have to be met for the patient’s safety).

I sympathize with the OP, and my only suggestion is to speak with the priest first before going to the bishop. Start with the lowest level of authority, and then proceed up the ladder if necessary. The priest would probably appreciate knowing why you occasionally miss Mass.