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Karen T
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Hi, this is a pretty lame question, but as a convert who didn't learn (or retain, maybe) a lot from RCIA years ago, it's one I'm unsure of.
My understanding is that if you miss Mass without a very good reason, you should go to Confession before receiving the Eucharist. This is what I've always done, but someone said something different recently and I wanted to be sure I was correct.
And what exactly *is* a good reason for missing? I would assume a car wreck or severe illness, etc. But what about if my child is sick? Ideally, dh and I could go at different times. However, once a month he is away on Reserves for the weekend and only gets back in time for us to go to the 6 pm on Sunday night. If child has been sick all day, one of us is going to have to stay home.
Speaking of 6 pm Mass, my MIL says that is not considered a valid Sunday Mass, that you have to go between Sat pm and a certain hour on Sunday for it to count. I know most of the people who attend the Sun pm mass (Life Teen) don't go to another one that weekend generally also. Of course, my MIL is a bit out of touch on other things; she had not heard of the new Mysteries of the Rosary until I told her a few mos ago!
Where can I check out things like this that come up? I have tried to look in the Catechism, but it's pretty vague. When I look at sites online and try to find answers I usually end up off on rabbit trails that look interesting, but don't find what I'm looking for 
Karen T
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Robin
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I don't presume to have all the answers but I'll just leave you with a thought to ponder... My pastor was preaching about how important Sunday Mass is one Sunday and he said that a good way to find out if we have a really good reason for missing Mass would be to ask ourselves one question: Would I make it to Mass today if the priest was giving out a million dollars to each family that showed up? If yes, then I probably don't have a good enough reason to miss. He went on to explain how the Mass is much more valuable than a million dollars, etc.
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Robin Dupre
"If we become what God intended for us to become, we will set the world on fire." ~ St. Catherine of Siena
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Marybeth
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I have stayed home from Mass with my ds when he has been sick. I have watched the Mass on EWTN to recieve a spiritual communion. Do you have a televised Mass you could watch? I think taking care of a sick child is a very valid reason to miss Mass. Isn't it funny how we think and ponder these things and then talk to someone who has missed Mass to golf and thinks nothing of it??
We have an 8 PM Mass here in Illinois which is valid.
Have you looked up about Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation on the EWTN website library?
God bless,
Marybeth
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Karen T
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| Posted: Aug 21 2005 at 12:31am | IP Logged
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Robin, I do understand the seriousness, and would not miss Mass willingly. My question pertains more to the need for Confession before receiving the Eucharist. While I do try to go to Confession on a regular basis, there have been times when I missed Sunday Mass b/c of a sick child or a simple mistake (out of town and misunderstood directions to the church, and got there way too late), etc. Then it sometimes is difficult to get to Confession before the following Sunday. Even if I had a valid reason for missing, should I continue to refrain from the Eucharist until I've been?
Marybeth, when I search on EWTN I get articles explaining the origin of the Sunday obligation, but nothing concrete for what I'm looking for.
I guess I could just ask one of the priests but it's hard to speak to them after Mass (huge parish) and I'm a bit intimidated to make an appt to ask something like this. Silly, isn't that?
Karen T
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MaryM
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Canon law say there must be grave cause to miss Mass on Sunday though it doesn't specify what "grave cause" would be. Willfully missing Mass without grave cause would constitute serious sin and it would be necessary to receive reconciliation before receiving communion. It is generally accepted that care for the sick would be grave cause.
This is from the EWTN article on Sunday and Holy Day Obligation: "Reasons such as the necessity to work to support one's family, child care, personal sickness or the care of the sick, necessary travel, etc. would excuse a person on a particular occasion. Those who have continuing reason to be excused should consult their pastor."
I also found this Faith Fact- Missing Mass at the Catholics United for the Faith website.
Karen T wrote:
| Speaking of 6 pm Mass, my MIL says that is not considered a valid Sunday Mass, that you have to go between Sat pm and a certain hour on Sunday for it to count. |
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I think she might be confusing it with the time issue on the eve preceding the Sunday or Holy Day. It has to be after 4:00 PM on that eve to be considered valid for the obligation.
Canon 1248 §1. A person who assists at a Mass celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the feast day itself or in the evening of the preceding day satisfies the obligation of participating in the Mass.
Our archbishop celebrates the Sunday 6:30 PM Mass here at our Cathedral. This is an evening Mass and participation definitely meets the obligation.
You asked about where you can check things out like this when they come up. It's a given that the Scriptures and Catechism are the primary resources for Catholics, but to find answers to questions like this I usually will turn to Catholics United for the Faith and Catholic Answers . They have solid information in clear language.
I also find the Catholic Encyclopedia edited by Fr. Stravinskas to be useful for ease of understanding.
Other websites where you can get quick access to Church documents are:
Knights of Columbus Catholic Information Service
Catholic Information Network (CIN)
The Vatican
Catholic Educators Resource Center
Oh and BTW, there are no lame questions  Glad you asked so this won't weigh heavy on you when it doesn't need to.
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Marybeth
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Mary M...you get the gold star for answering questions!! Thanks for the links to all the sites. I can't wait to check out the Catholic Educators Resource Center.
I agree there is no such think as a lame question.
Thanks for getting us thinking Karen T.
Marybeth who needs to get ready for Mass! 
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Karen T
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Thanks Mary, I had already tried Catholic Answers but I did find a good explanation at Catholics United for the Faith
Sunday obligation
There's a lot else I want to read when I get time. Thanks!
karen
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JennGM
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I thought I'd share Pope Benedict's part of his sermon for today's Sunday Mass at this year's WYD...it's just beautiful. He is encouraging the youth to make attendance on Sunday Mass a priority. We need to hear that more often!
The Eucharist must become the centre of our lives. If the Church tells us that the Eucharist is an essential part of Sunday, this is no mere positivism or thirst for power. On Easter morning, first the women and then the disciples had the grace of seeing the Lord. From that moment on, they knew that the first day of the week, Sunday, would be his day, the day of Christ the Lord. The day when creation began became the day when creation was renewed. Creation and redemption belong together. That is why Sunday is so important. It is good that today, in many cultures, Sunday is a free day, and is often combined with Saturday so as to constitute a “week-end” of free time. Yet this free time is empty if God is not present. Dear friends! Sometimes, our initial impression is that having to include time for Mass on a Sunday is rather inconvenient. But if you make the effort, you will realize that this is what gives a proper focus to your free time. Do not be deterred from taking part in Sunday Mass, and help others to discover it too. This is because the Eucharist releases the joy that we need so much, and we must learn to grasp it ever more deeply, we must learn to love it. Let us pledge ourselves to do this – it is worth the effort! Let us discover the intimate riches of the Church’s liturgy and its true greatness: it is not we who are celebrating for ourselves, but it is the living God himself who is preparing a banquet for us. Through your love for the Eucharist you will also rediscover the sacrament of Reconciliation, in which the merciful goodness of God always allows us to make a fresh start in our lives. Here's the whole text.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Robin
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Karen T wrote:
| Robin, I do understand the seriousness, and would not miss Mass willingly. Even if I had a valid reason for missing, should I continue to refrain from the Eucharist until I've been? |
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Of course not, Our Lord waits for you so eagerly! I would never miss a Holy Communion if I'm not conscious of mortal sin on my soul.
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Robin Dupre
"If we become what God intended for us to become, we will set the world on fire." ~ St. Catherine of Siena
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Karen T
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| Posted: Aug 22 2005 at 1:20pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, I feel better about it now. Usually, it's no more than 2-3 times a year that something happens but each time it nags at me until I can get to Confession. Not meaning I'll take it lightly, though.
Karen T
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: missing Mass on Sunday
