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pumpkinmom Forum All-Star
Joined: March 28 2012 Location: Missouri
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1028
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Posted: Oct 27 2014 at 7:21pm | IP Logged
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I'm a little confused on All Saint's Day this year. I wish I had asked the priest about it on Sunday. So, the church bulletin said it wasn't a Holy Day of Obligation this year. Is this true?
We were also invited to confirmation of a relative who is Lutheran which is this Sunday at the same time as our only Mass time. I really don't want to miss Mass especially since there is no Mass on Saturday. Yet, I don't want to hurt their feelings. I know my dh won't have any problems going to the Lutheran church and we will be divided on that (it's his side of the family). They are having lunch afterwards and we could go to that. What would you do?
__________________ Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
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KellyB Forum Newbie
Joined: Feb 09 2014
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Posted: Oct 27 2014 at 7:45pm | IP Logged
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Hi Cassie,
It is true that All Saints day is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year. As for your other question, is there any other church in your area where you may attend the vigil Mass on Saturday night or early Sunday morning? That way you could attend the confirmation and lunch. If neither is a possibility, I would not replace the Mass with a Lutheran service (where there is no Eucharist) and would only attend the lunch. Feelings may be hurt but the Mass is sacred to us as Catholics and should only be missed when absolutely necessary.
These situations can be difficult. Wishing you the best!
Kelly
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MaryM Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005 Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline Posts: 13104
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Posted: Oct 27 2014 at 7:54pm | IP Logged
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In regards to Canon 1246, §2 - Holy Days Of Obligation, the US Bishops made these changes about 25 years ago.
Quote:
On December 13, 1991 the members of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States of America made the following general decree concerning holy days of obligation for Latin Rite Catholics:
In addition to Sunday, the days to be observed as holy days of obligation in the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States of America, in conformity with canon 1246, are as follows:
January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension
August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
November 1, the solemnity of All Saints
December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated. |
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So on those years it falls on a Saturday the obligation is lifted, but of course it is still advantageous to go to Mass on those days. Like Kelly, I was wondering about the availability of an anticipatory Mass somewhere in a nearby town on Saturday.
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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guitarnan Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline Posts: 10883
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Posted: Oct 27 2014 at 10:00pm | IP Logged
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Cassie, from your post it looks as though no Saturday vigil Mass is available. I know what it's like to live far, far from other Catholic churches (besides your own); it's really difficult when you're faced with situations like the one you describe.
Were I in your shoes, I'd do this:
Let my husband decide what he wants to do, whether it involves missing Mass or not (it's his family, and I, like you, married into a family that was not Catholic, so I get that part), and agree together on the words he will use to explain why you're not there ("Cassie and the children are overjoyed to be able to come to the celebration lunch; they'll be here right after Mass," or a similar adaptation if he goes to Mass with you);
Take myself and my children to Mass and attend the celebratory lunch;
Explain to the children that Lutherans, like Catholics, celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation, and help them understand that the lunch is a very special one because of this.
I know that if I were in your shoes I would want my husband to come to Mass with me, but if he made a different choice, I'd be able to understand that because of his family situation. You and your husband will need to discuss the weekend schedule and determine what works best for you, of course!
It isn't easy to live in a place where there's just one Mass; in fact, it is downright stressful at times. Those of us who have many parishes in our local area sometimes forget the sacrifices families make just to get to Sunday Mass...long drives, one opportunity per week, weather issues...but rest assured that God understands that you are doing your very best (especially on those bad weather days when you just can't get there!).
__________________ Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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