Will most likely miss Easter Mass!...ug

[CatholicZ09]

CatholicZ09, there are no “if, ands, or buts” here. Nor, any “mights.”

To miss Mass on a Sunday and/or a Holy Day of Obligation with full intent is a grave matter (a mortal sin); and should be confessed as soon as possible. This does not mean that one should commit a mortal sin with the intention that it is okay because he/she will go to confession. That appears very risky to me.

There is no reason for the OP to attend a protestant service on Easter Sunday and forego attending Mass; assuming, of course, he is not in some far away place where there are only protestant churches and no Catholic church - which is unlikely.

I was told that if there was no way you can get to Mass, then it’s not your fault. I mean, if there is no possible way for this person to get to Mass (which seems unlikely because they are attending a Lutheran service in the morning), then how can they possibly be blamed? If they’ve tried everything to get to Mass, and all failed, then…I don’t see how they could be blamed.

 

[mullenpm]

The OP is not saying it is impossible for him to get to Mass on this Easter Sunday.

He said that he will “most likely miss Easter Mass” because he will be at his in-laws and attending a Lutheran service.

Nothing was said about it being impossible for him to find a Catholic church where he could go to Mass.

It appears that he had no intention to go to Mass because it would be much easier to just cave in for the sake of the in-laws who were not Catholic.:knight2::knight1:

 

[CatholicZ09]

The OP is not saying it is impossible for him to get to Mass on this Easter Sunday.

He said that he will “most likely miss Easter Mass” because he will be at his in-laws and attending a Lutheran service.

Nothing was said about it being impossible for him to find a Catholic church where he could go to Mass.

It appears that he had no intention to go to Mass because it would be much easier to just cave in for the sake of the in-laws who were not Catholic.:knight2::knight1:

Sorry, it seemed a little unclear to me.

 

[mullenpm]

It’s okay - I didn’t mean to sound so harsh. :hug3: I get annoyed when people treat their Catholic faith so casually and not realize what a gift they have. Mea Culpa.:sad_bye:

 

[CatholicZ09]

It’s okay - I didn’t mean to sound so harsh. :hug3: I get annoyed when people treat their Catholic faith so casually and not realize what a gift they have. Mea Culpa.:sad_bye:

Haha, you weren’t thinking I was treating it casually were you? Haha, I definately try not to. I hate it when people do it. I just thought that he/she was not able to get to the Catholic Mass at all.

Apology accepted, haha. However, I don’t think you came off as rude or anything. You were just trying to make your point.

 

[Brywan]

Let me share from my own experience–

Don’t beat yourself up over this–If you really don’t want to miss Mass, ask Jesus to work out the logistics for you–I have never had any trouble finding a Mass to attend when I’ve been in another town–as others have suggested, just search on-line and you’ll usually be able to find lots of options available to you. I’ve also been in situations with Protestants where I thought it would be impossible for me to get away to Mass–but I was determined in my heart to go, I did what I could to set my intentions in that direction, and God made the details happen…

None of my family is Catholic.

When there are holidays that we spend together, they now know that I will be going to Mass–the first occasion where you take this kind of stand is always the hardest, and then after that it will become natural and expected. Thankfully, I live in an area where there are lots of Mass times to choose from–and I always try to choose a Mass which will accomodate the rest of the family’s celebration times together. If it means going to their service and then to Mass, so be it. (I expect to be a little inconvenienced by my desire to attend Mass, but I try not to inconvenience them)

And remind yourself–gently–of why it is you want to go to Mass–to be present where He is present–nothing else you experience in the weekend will match that time with the Lord in terms of import or value…use it as an opportunity to bring all of your relatives, through your prayers, into the sacrifice of the Mass. It is the most significant thing you can do for them, even though they might not understand it.

To miss being part of the Easter liturgy would be a major disappointment for me, and I suspect it would be for you as well!!! Pray that Jesus paves the way for you to attend Mass on Easter …if you are really worried about the whole thing, ask the advice of your own pastor or confessor this weekend – follow his advice and and then set your mind at ease…

God bless you!!

 

[Dicerning]

I know that I will most likely not be able to participate at Mass this Easter! Neither the Easter Vigil nor Easter Sunday Masses. The reason being that I will be visiting my non-Catholic in-laws out of state. We will probably be visiting one side of the in-laws on Saturday night, so the Easter Vigil is probably out for me. Easter morning I am attending an early morning Lutheran (Missouri Synod) service. I’m truly hoping to go to Mass after that if we don’t already have family plans. What should I do? Will I be in mortal sin?

planning on being gone during easter to Lutheran Relatives likely is not good enough an excuse to miss the most holy time of year. Considering what Lutheranism Means to Catholicism doesn’t help the matter any.

Time to stand up and be Catholic.

I am not pointing fingers but this is the reason why under no cirucumstances I dated anyone who was NOT Catholic. I made the decision to date a methodist girl and broke it off because GOD is first. I have driven this point home to my children as well. Soon they will make their own decisions but since our relationship with GOD is first and formost I hope they consdier this when courting

 

[Dicerning]

I was told that if there was no way you can get to Mass, then it’s not your fault. I mean, if there is no possible way for this person to get to Mass (which seems unlikely because they are attending a Lutheran service in the morning), then how can they possibly be blamed? If they’ve tried everything to get to Mass, and all failed, then…I don’t see how they could be blamed.

This person placed themselves into the situation. It just didn’t “happen” to them. Its not like they work in a hospital and couldn’t get the day off. Being fully aware that you will be Gone to protestantland during the holiest days of the year is not an excuse. Especially when you understand what protestantism is.

 

[stuart12]

This person placed themselves into the situation. It just didn’t “happen” to them. Its not like they work in a hospital and couldn’t get the day off. Being fully aware that you will be Gone to protestantland during the holiest days of the year is not an excuse. Especially when you understand what protestantism is.

Well said. We should also note that attending heretical services is not a charitable ecumenical gesture either, it is a rejection of what God has revealed.

Catholics should really only marry Catholics, and cases like this can be avoided.

 

[LindaSK]

If someone is a Catholic and knows what the Church teaches, why would they even want to go to a church that proclaims a Gospel which is not that of Christ? Why listen to a minister teach material heresy about the Christian message? Attending baptisms in non-Catholic churches, should be merely to witness and not to take an active part in their worship. Knowingly ‘worshiping’ God in a heretical assembly is displeasing to Him, as He has founded the Catholic Church for salvation. This may also be a danger to your faith.

We disagree, but this has nothing to do with this thread, so, I will debate this with you no further.

Peace
Linda

 

[turtle18]

You are willing to miss Mass to go to a Lutheran service with your relatives. It’s not just any Mass; it is Easter Sunday for crying out loud.

Are they willing to miss their Lutheran service to go to Mass with you?

 

[stuart12]

So many of us Catholics are ungrateful for what God has given us. A Mass is not simply a Catholic service, but the Sacrifice of Calvary re-newed through the offering made by the priest who stands in the person of Christ, our High Priest and Victim.

 

[descout]

Where there is a will there is a way! I am a pilot and I have worked weekends the past 3 years. I always am in a new city and always am depending on my two feet, a taxi, a shuttle or whatever to get me to a church. Mass times.org and google maps are my best friends for finding a church. It takes a lot of devotion but I enjoy visiting a new parrish in a different part of the US everyweek. Also remember when you say “You have family plans” Think of your Father in heaven and his family plan. I hope you make it and being that you still have a week to plan I think it can be done. Your family will understand if you must attend mass.

 

[BrickRoux]

As part of my new determination to show modesty, I want to first offer you a peaceful little olive branch. I’m sure you don’t want to miss Mass, but you’re worried about how this is all going to play out and keep everyone happy. I’m a convert, and dealing with my own family and friends is difficult. Church just means something different to them.

Trust me, you don’t have to marry a Protestant to end up in this fix!

Answers that tell you that you need to stand up for your faith and that you’re committing a mortal sin aren’t wrong. Since that’s been established, though, let’s not dwell in fear; Our Father wouldn’t want that. What you need is a way to explain to your in-laws that it is critical that you attend a Mass service on Easter, even if it means missing theirs (though it ought not have to come to that, as everyone’s said, especially with Massfinder.org).

Before I was Catholic, I had no idea what Mass meant to Catholics. I doubt most Protestants do. Some may be hostile to the idea of Mass as an actual recreation of Calvary, some may not, but we should give people the benefit of the doubt (I don’t know the actual disposition of the in-laws in question, here…) I find that when I deal with people - especially about why I have to go, or why they can’t receive communion in a Catholic church - it often helps to give a brief explanation. “You see, the Catholic faith is a little different…” is a good way to start. Say it cheerfully. Find an afternoon Mass and invite them along. If you have your own car, you’re free. If not, find the name of a taxi company who will take you. No such thing in that area? Write to the Parish Office of the church you’ve picked out and explain what’s going on! A fellow Catholic, for sure, will give you a ride, and you’ll make a new friend. Plus, your in-laws will see you take a gentle stand, which is certainly always appropriate.

 

[Brywan]

I agree with BrickRoux’s post–most Protestants do not understand what we believe is happening at the Mass–and so for them, it is just one more way to “go to church.”

Attending Mass is so much more than just attending a church service. I think of it this way. If Jesus Christ were being crucified today instead of 2000 years ago, would you want to be present at the foot of His cross? Or would your rather go out and eat brunch with your friends? Or if He were present today in His actual body and you could go across town to visit Him–would you rather do that or stay home and read the newspaper? The point of going to Mass, for me, is not to guilt myself into obeying some “moral obligation”–although we know that it IS a moral, holy obligation… the point is to understand WHY it is a moral obligation. If you understand what is happening in the Mass, you begin to understand why it is problematic if you choose to do something other than be present at the holy sacrifice…what could you possibly have to do that in any way matches the Mass in terms of significance? Jesus is present, and His once for all sacrifice is made present in space and time during the Mass–we bring everything we are into this moment and are united with Him in His life, death and resurrection. If you love Jesus Christ, what could be more powerful? Where your treasure is, there will your heart be…

If evangelical Protestants (the branch of Christianity I came out of) believed anything even remotely similar to this, I can tell you that they would be packing the pews of every one of their churches in perfect attendance and shouting the good news from the rooftops.

 

[Tonks40]

I join everyone here in encourage our OP to find a way to attend Easter Mass. I was out-of-town last weekend, but with research, I was able to find a Church in the local area for Mass…it made our trip so much more enjoyable!

 

[Chatter163]

I agree with your first statement, but…

"Plus, I don’t understand why Catholics wish to attend heretical services, infact if a Catholic does so, he should be suspected of heresy.

Heresy? Really!! I play for Mass every week, and attend Daily Mass nearly every day. I also play for a Methodist church. I make it perfectly clear that I am Catholic. There is nothing suspect or heretical about it. People also attend ecumenical services held in Protestant churches, and go to baptisms and funerals for friends and relatives who are not Catholic. As long as it is in addition to and not in place of attending Mass, I see no issue. I have also spoken about this with my priest, and he agrees.

However crassly the earlier post was put, the Church has defined Lutheranism as heretical in Exsurge, Domine, among other documents. While there might be reasons for an attending a Lutheran service, such as a wedding or funeral, one cannot attend it for casual reasons (as it is heretical), and certainly not in place of Easter Mass, as was the case in the OP.

 

[kage_ar]

However crassly the earlier post was put, the Church has defined Lutheranism as heretical in Exsurge, Domine, among other documents. While there might be reasons for an attending a Lutheran service, such as a wedding or funeral, one cannot attend it for casual reasons (as it is heretical), and certainly not in place of Easter Mass, as was the case in the OP.

That is really a topic for another thread.

 

[Jean_Anthony]

Please remember to stick to the OP’s topic, everyone. Take side discussions to new or existing threads in the appropriate forum. Thank you all.

 

[Lampo]

Thank you all for your help. I went to the Easter Vigil while visiting my in-laws!