Spoke With My Priest Today

[jilly4ski]

If we are unable to attend on Sunday due to reasonable circumstances, we should attend on the weekday of the same week. So, it is more than relevant.

There is no such rule. As stated, it would by praiseworthy to try and attend a weekday Mass, it does not fulfill or replace our Sunday obligation.

From the Catechism

The Sunday obligation

2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass."117 "The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day."118

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, **unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.**119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

2182 Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God’s holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2183 "If because of lack of a sacred minister or for other grave cause participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the Liturgy of the Word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop,** or engage in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family **or, as occasion offers, in groups of families."120

vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a3.htm

And from canon law

§2. If participation in the eucharistic celebration becomes impossible because of the absence of a sacred minister or for another grave cause, it is strongly recommended that the faithful take part in a liturgy of the word if such a liturgy is celebrated in a parish church or other sacred place according to the prescripts of the diocesan bishop or that they devote themselves to prayer for a suitable time alone, as a family, or, as the occasion permits, in groups of families.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P4N.HTM

As you see from the texts, there is nothing about going to a weekday Mass. There are suggestions on keeping the Lord’s day sacred, “devote themselves to prayer.”

 

[Listener]

I would like to point out that even if you are raising your kids Catholic, they have no obligation to go to Mass until they reach the age of reason at six or seven.

I think you would be doing the right thing, even if you didn’t ask the priest. Child care is an excuse for missing Mass. If you were still with your wife, you would be leaving them home with her.

I remember what it was like, and I couldn’t have done it without my husband being there. In fact, we used to go to separate Masses sometimes, with one of us home with the kids.

 

[oldgraymare2]

She doesn’t want anything to do with the Catholic Church and doesn’t want her children either. So she has said that I cannot take them with me to mass. She doesn’t want them subjected to it. She is custodial and she makes the major decisions. If I go against her decision it can be seen as breaking the parenting agreement.

I prefer to keep the peace with her and not cause any fighting that would somehow effect the kids. So, I do as she wishes.

I definitely understand where you are coming from concerning this issue.

I don’t have this particular problem that you do with your ex-wife.

However, I do know what it’s like, to deal with family members who can be what I would call, “difficult.” Sometimes we just know when it’s better to just “keep the peace” with them. Otherwise we can feel like life can be just one “battle after another.” At least, that has been my own personal experience.

I am glad that you were able to talk to your local priest, and that you now feel peace of mind about what to do regarding Mass attendance.

Prayers said for you and your family. May God bless all of you.

 

[Viki63]

My grandchild is being raised in a non-Christian home. So I can’t take him to church, and he probably wouldn’t sit through it anyway since he’s two.
But I do have a picture of the Divine Mercy Jesus. which I point out to the grandson occasionally and tell him Jesus loves him. He seems to be confusing Jesus with grandpa right now, but that;s okay. At least he associates Jesus with someone who loves him.
You can explain more to them as they get older. and give thanks at meals. I would hope your ex wife wouldn’t have a problem with saying grace.

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