Sunday obligation-potentially contagious

  • Thread starter Thread starter ae22
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

ae22

Guest
I am currently dealing with what I believe to be an infection that could be contagious. I have to get to the doctors. While it wouldn’t bother me physically to go to Mass (and I wish I could), I feel as though it would be quite inconsiderate to potentially spread my infection to fellow parishioners, many of whom are old and/or in poor health.

I suppose I could just sit alone, not shake anyone’s hand during the Sign of Peace, and so on…but I’m not sure if this is the best plan of action. Should I stay home? Would it be sinful to do so, since I am not meeting my Sunday obligation?

Of course, my doctor could say “you’re fine”, but I’m pretty sure that isn’t going to happen.
 
ae22 said:
I am currently dealing with what I believe to be an infection that could be contagious. I have to get to the doctors. While it wouldn’t bother me physically to go to Mass (and I wish I could), I feel as though it would be quite inconsiderate to potentially spread my infection to fellow parishioners, **many of whom are old and/or in poor health.
**
I suppose I could just sit alone, not shake anyone’s hand during the Sign of Peace, and so on…but I’m not sure if this is the best plan of action. Should I stay home? Would it be sinful to do so, since I am not meeting my Sunday obligation?

Of course, my doctor could say “you’re fine”, but I’m pretty sure that isn’t going to happen.
Click to expand...
If you think it’s probably contagious, keep Sunday as a day of prayer and stay at home. Even the simplest things can be quite harmful to some elderly or those with health issues.
 
ae22 said:
I am currently dealing with what I believe to be an infection that could be contagious. I have to get to the doctors. While it wouldn’t bother me physically to go to Mass (and I wish I could), I feel as though it would be quite inconsiderate to potentially spread my infection to fellow parishioners, many of whom are old and/or in poor health.

I suppose I could just sit alone, not shake anyone’s hand during the Sign of Peace, and so on…but I’m not sure if this is the best plan of action. Should I stay home? Would it be sinful to do so, since I am not meeting my Sunday obligation?

Of course, my doctor could say “you’re fine”, but I’m pretty sure that isn’t going to happen.
Click to expand...
Your pastor can give you a dispensation from the Sunday obligation. I had to ask my pastor for a dispensation once when vacation plans disallowed attending Sunday mass. Give him a call and get his opinion on this matter. It’ll put your heart at ease.

Gertie
 
Based on the symptoms, it seems to be a staph infection. Staph infections are extremely unpleasant, and, if it is MRSA, can be very debilitating and potentially even life threatening, even for someone who is completely healthy otherwise. They are also very contagious. So, I definitely don’t want it on my conscience that I exposed someone to it.

On the other hand, I feel physically fine to go to Mass. Attending Sunday Mass really needs to be the high point of our week, as it is such a small thing that God asks of us in return for the abundance of graces He freely gives to us despite the fact that we are completely unworthy to receive them. I completely abhor the idea of missing Mass except for the gravest of reasons, especially considering that I physically feel well enough to go.

So, yeah, I am quite conflicted about it. Of course, there’s always the chance that the doctor will tell me that I am not contagious, in which case I will of course attend on Sunday.
 
Any time one feels there is a risk of spreading an infection, it is best to just stay home. Churches have too many infants and elderly for it to be wise to go. Even if you don’t shake hands during the Sign of Peace, there are plenty of other shared surfaces to spread infection. Hymnals, kneelers, the pews, the collection basket, etc.etc…

I would be especially careful with a staph infection. It’s just a pain for a normal adult, but it could be deadly for the very young or the very elderly.
 
Gertabelle said:
Your pastor can give you a dispensation from the Sunday obligation. I had to ask my pastor for a dispensation once when vacation plans disallowed attending Sunday mass. Give him a call and get his opinion on this matter. It’ll put your heart at ease.

Gertie
Click to expand...
You don’t need a dispensation. If you are sick there is no obligation.
 
Oh, I forgot to mention: pray for me. Please. Pray that it isn’t MRSA, and that it doesn’t result in me getting sepsis.
 
SerraSemper said:
If you think it’s probably contagious, keep Sunday as a day of prayer and stay at home. Even the simplest things can be quite harmful to some elderly or those with health issues.
Click to expand...
👍 And if you do go to Mass, just do what a friend of mine does. If she’s sick, she just gives people the peace sign. 😛
 
Please stay home. As someone who is on immune suppressants due to a rare autoimmune disease, you could make people like me very, very sick. I take precautions at Mass (hand sanitizer, sit alone, etc.) but germs can be persistent. If you think you are contagious, stay home, watch the Mass for the shut-ins and relax. 🙂

I will gladly pray for you. MRSA is horrible! Hope you’re able to be checked out soon!
 
ae22 said:
Oh, I forgot to mention: pray for me. Please. Pray that it isn’t MRSA, and that it doesn’t result in me getting sepsis.
Click to expand...
Prayers that you recover soon.

While some people disagree I think that it is not such a terrible thing if people who have just a cold go to Mass if they take the proper precautions to avoid close contact with other people.

But if you have something that could potentially be MRSA you should not be going out in public anywhere, let alone to Mass. You will probably have to make special arrangements to visit your doctor so you are not around other patients.
 
I would say that if you plan stay home from that coffee place and the grocery store because of this condition that you should feel okay about staying home from Mass. If you really think you have a contagious staph infection how about staying home or just going to the doctor? :dts: I still remember the time I was in the check out line in the grocery store behind a woman how was telling the clerk how sick she was. I caught the worst case of flu in July. :mad:
 
ae22 said:
Based on the symptoms, it seems to be a staph infection. Staph infections are extremely unpleasant, and, if it is MRSA, can be very debilitating and potentially even life threatening, even for someone who is completely healthy otherwise. They are also very contagious. So, I definitely don’t want it on my conscience that I exposed someone to it.

On the other hand, I feel physically fine to go to Mass. Attending Sunday Mass really needs to be the high point of our week, as it is such a small thing that God asks of us in return for the abundance of graces He freely gives to us despite the fact that we are completely unworthy to receive them. I completely abhor the idea of missing Mass except for the gravest of reasons, especially considering that I physically feel well enough to go.

So, yeah, I am quite conflicted about it. Of course, there’s always the chance that the doctor will tell me that I am not contagious, in which case I will of course attend on Sunday.
Click to expand...
Do you consider caring for an infant a grave reason for missing Mass? Or how about being on waitstaff on a restaurant or work in a gas station on weekends?
 
Gertabelle said:
Your pastor can give you a dispensation from the Sunday obligation. I had to ask my pastor for a dispensation once when vacation plans disallowed attending Sunday mass. Give him a call and get his opinion on this matter. It’ll put your heart at ease.

Gertie
Click to expand...
If you are sick (or even honestly suspect you are sick and contagious), you don’t need a dispensation.

Please stay home, take care of yourself, pray for healing…and see your doctor.

If for some reason (I don’t know why you might) risk it, and go to Mass, please do not receive from the cup, and at the sign of peace, just politely pass on your peace without shaking hands.

Hope you feel well soon!
 
I have worked in a hospital microbiology lab for over 30 years, and I know Staph. aureus and MRSA well.

If your doctor diagnoses MRSA, you will be put on an antibiotic. It’s possible that the antibiotic might make you sick. Many people do just fine, but some don’t do well with antibiotics. Sometimes a person will feel well, and all of a sudden out of the blue, they will get sick (usually stomach symptoms).

So that would decide the issue for you!

If you have an MRSA infection, you shouldn’t be around others. You should be home on antibiotics until your infection is healed and your doctor gives you clearance to go out again. This is a public health issue.

There is no need for a dispensation if you are sick or have an infection. Keep in mind that "being sick’ doesn’t always mean that you feel sick. Having an infection is “being sick” even if you feel fine.
 
Well…it’s just impetigo. Still gonna be contagious for another 48 hours, though, and it’s pretty widespread throughout my face and neck as well as on one of my arms. So staying home is the best move.
 
ae22 said:
Well…it’s just impetigo. Still gonna be contagious for another 48 hours, though, and it’s pretty widespread throughout my face and neck as well as on one of my arms. So staying home is the best move.
Click to expand...
I am so glad you used common sense and stayed home. That stuff can spread like wildfire, esp. in children, who don’t know enough not to pick at it and then infect their friends.
 
ae22 said:
Well…it’s just impetigo. Still gonna be contagious for another 48 hours, though, and it’s pretty widespread throughout my face and neck as well as on one of my arms. So staying home is the best move.
Click to expand...
Just impetigo? Just impetigo?!!!

Impetigo is a dual infection with Staph. aureus and Strep pyogenes (Beta Strep Group A)!!!

:bigyikes:

These are two of the most virulent bacteria in existence! Beta Strep A is the same bacteria that causes Strep throat, which can lead to sequelae including scarlet fever, glomerulonephritis (kidney damage), and rheumatic fever!

If there were a pageant to determine “The Most Perfect Pathogen”, both of these bacteria would be Winner and 1st Runner Up!

These are very very dangerous bacteria, and impetigo is not “just impetigo.”

A healthy person will recover from infections with these bacteria with little ill effects. But anyone who is immunocompromised may not recover so easily.

Thank goodness you stayed home!
 
ae22 said:
I am currently dealing with what I believe to be an infection that could be contagious. I have to get to the doctors. While it wouldn’t bother me physically to go to Mass (and I wish I could), I feel as though it would be quite inconsiderate to potentially spread my infection to fellow parishioners, many of whom are old and/or in poor health.

I suppose I could just sit alone, not shake anyone’s hand during the Sign of Peace, and so on…but I’m not sure if this is the best plan of action. Should I stay home? Would it be sinful to do so, since I am not meeting my Sunday obligation?

Of course, my doctor could say “you’re fine”, but I’m pretty sure that isn’t going to happen.
Click to expand...
Oh come on. Just go to Mass and keep your distance from others. Impetigo is not Ebola.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top