Sunday Obligation

[joamyred]

I need an objective view on this:
I live in an area where winter travel can be difficult (possible, but not always easy.) Winter weather advisories are common and poor road conditions are common. I also suffer from panic attacks when driving (usually in association with driving in winter weather.) If I miss church because of a combination of the weather and my panic attacks, have I committed a mortal sin? I do understand the importance of attending mass as well as the obligation we have to attend. I am converting and am in the process of going through RCIA. I’m estimating this could happen 2-3 times a winter- it’s not something I make a habit of doing. It’s hard for me to get a right perspective sometimes because of the panic attacks.

 

[asquared]

If you genuinely can’t get to Mass, there is no obligation. This is a prudential judgement based on conditions at the time-the weather, your health, state of your car, distance etc. You probably should not be driving anyway if you are having a panic attack, ask your doctor. If this will cause you to miss RCIA classes, explain in advance that when weather is bad you won’t be coming and how can you make up the lesson, or have something to read or meditate with at home for that week’s readings.

 

[SMHW]

Missing Mass when it is not reasonable to attend is not a sin.

As far as what is reasonable…

How far away do you live from the Church? Do you drive because you live too far away to walk? Could you walk if you allowed yourself an extra 15 to 20 minutes? I would think you would want to put in as much (and preferably more) effort into making it to Mass as you would to get to work or send children to school.

Is there a different parish you could attend if the weather is bad?

Do you only have the panic attacks when you drive? Or do you get them before you get in the car? Do you get them when someone else is driving? No one wants you to be driving if you can’t do it safely. But if you know bad weather is expected and that you are likely to have a panic attack then you can plan ahead.

I understand that if you are going through RCIA you may not know many people at the parish but perhaps you need to make it a priority to get to know others who live near you that could help you out with rides. There are probably one or two people who would be happy to call you on a wintery Saturday evening or Sunday moring and offer you a lift.

 

[mgarstin]

You need to be dispensed by a priest to miss mass unless it is an extreme circumstance. This doesn’t sound extreme.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

joamyred:

I need an objective view on this:
I live in an area where winter travel can be difficult (possible, but not always easy.) Winter weather advisories are common and poor road conditions are common. I also suffer from panic attacks when driving (usually in association with driving in winter weather.) If I miss church because of a combination of the weather and my panic attacks, have I committed a mortal sin? I do understand the importance of attending mass as well as the obligation we have to attend. I am converting and am in the process of going through RCIA. I’m estimating this could happen 2-3 times a winter- it’s not something I make a habit of doing. It’s hard for me to get a right perspective sometimes because of the panic attacks.

Have you checked around for a fellow Catholic who is comfortable driving in winter weather? Someone who owns a 4 wheel drive and could take you when necessary?

 

[carol_marie]

mgarstin:

You need to be dispensed by a priest to miss mass unless it is an extreme circumstance. This doesn’t sound extreme.

A panic attack during a blizzrd sounds extreme to me.

I’d talk to the Priest or your RCIA instructors about this… they can help you.

Blessings,
CM

 

[JMJ_Theresa]

Our Pastor is very generous with allowing people to miss Mass due to poor driving/sidewalk conditions. I would be at peace. You are not missing Mass to go to the Mall. Alot of people are hurt every winter slipping on sidewalks. Sometimes there are even complications that can lead to death or disability.

However, if you miss Mass and then go to a movie…

 

[Ruthie]

I live in an area that can have some extreme winter weather. I wouldn’t attempt to drive the 7 miles to town in blizzard conditions. I don’t think my priest would argue with that.

I like SMHW’s advice to find a fellow parishioner in your neighborhood that can give you rides in the winter.

Another good reason to find a parishoner-neighbor is that, if you prefer to drive yourself, such a person could help you make up your mind whether the weather is severe enough to skip Mass.

Are you getting treatment for your panic attacks? If they are interfering with your life, you may do well with medication.

Another suggestion is to contact AAA to find a winter driving course. Learning how to handle the various winter hazards could relieve your panic attacks.

As far as walking goes - if there is a winter storm advisory that says stay inside, stay inside! In winter conditions, it can be far more dangerous to be on foot than in a car. That’s why every “winter safety” flyer tells drivers to stay with their car rather than go look for help!

Just some friendly advice from someone with alot of winter driving under her belt.

 

[Roz]

Panic attacks in relation to poor driving conditions indicate that you should not drive in those circumstances. Ask yourself if God would want you to take such risks in order to get to Mass. In the same circumstances, and without any other means of getting to Mass, I would consider myself excused. I would not think of asking a priest to advise. It seems like commonsense to me!

 

[Ana_Reus]

I have a question. I have a slight case of the flu, but I am almost over it. Am I under obligation to stay home. I am not dying. I don’t even have a fever. But I feel guilty about giving someone else the flu. What should I do? I forgot to say I really want to go!!!

 

[mercygate]

Ana_Reus:

I have a question. I have a slight case of the flu, but I am almost over it. Am I under obligation to stay home. I am not dying. I don’t even have a fever. But I feel guilty about giving someone else the flu. What should I do? I forgot to say I really want to go!!!

You may go to Mass if your infection is longer contagious.

 

[acadian]

Ana_Reus:

I have a question. I have a slight case of the flu, but I am almost over it. Am I under obligation to stay home. I am not dying. I don’t even have a fever. But I feel guilty about giving someone else the flu. What should I do? I forgot to say I really want to go!!!

If you’re not sure if you’re contagious, or if you’re not sure that you can sit somewhere where you’re not near people, then please stay home a couple of more days. Catching the flu can be life threatening for some people.

 

[Ana_Reus]

Thank you. That is all I needed to know. I think I will have to stay home. I hope I get over this real soon. I usually go to daily mass. So this is real hard on me. And I missed adoration yesterday, and I am missing guadalupanas tomorrow. We have it once a month. How depressing.