Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => Catholic Living in the Modern World => Topic started by: Antony on October 17, 2011, 07:15:42 PM
-
Well, my boss has done it again. He wants me to work next Sunday and I wanna go nuts. Every once in a while he does ask us to work on Sundays and I have had it with working Sundays -- for one thing supernaturally speaking it is generally wrong, and naturally speaking it goes against every grain of fiber I have in me. And since I cant reach my local trad priest I am reduced to asking other online trads what their opinions are. :scratchchin: Any feedback? Should I just pack up, take my wife and move to the mountains and live off the land, lol? Of course I am just kidding.
-
What kind of work do you do? What are the implications to you if you don't report to work on Sunday?
-
Antony- if you have a normal 'office' job, or retail job, or warehouse job, etc, anything not related to being in any sort of medical, emergency (fire/police) etc job, you should probably look for another job my friend. I know its much easier to type than carry out in real life, especially in this economy, but its probably what would be advised of you. If its not possible (ie your family would starve if you tried to 'live off the land') then you should keep you job. I would suggest keeping an eye open, though I'm sure you're already doing that. :wink:(<- see- "one eye open" hahaha)
-
In many places, people with religious obligations are still allowed to be exempt from work without fear of reprisal. Since you were a Catholic already when you were hired, it should be totally legal for you to go to the management and tell them you are simply not allowed to work on Sundays, as you have a religious obligation.
I know it sounds easier said than done, but you really still do have a 'leg to stand on' in this matter. If need be, get a letter from your parish priest or bishop's office that explains the injunction of the Church against servile work on the Lord's Day.
St. Joseph, patron of workers, pray for us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
-
Antony,
I agree with s2s, this is what my priest told me many years ago. I know how you feel though, I remember constantly feeling guilty about working on Sunday. Like s2s said if your family would starve then that counts as an Ox in the hole. Just keep looking, surely God will help you out of the situation, or even pray that your boss stops with the Sunday working nonsense.
What Mr. Francis said is worth a shot also, sounds reasonable.
-
I work as a driver/warehouse worker for a sewing and vacuum cleaner retailer. The boss knows what I think about working on Sundays. However, one time he cut my hours for several months(from full time to part time) mainly due to the fact of my refusal to work on Sundays. Yes, dear Lord grant me the grace of patience, because my boss has become one of my crosses.
-
Believe me, I am looking like crazy for a new job. But like most of you probaly know, there is not a lot out there.
-
I am sorry Antony, This whole week you will be in the intention of my family Rosary. I really hope it works out for you. Just keep praying and when you get a chance talk to your Priest about it.
-
Aren't there dispensations when there is a necessity involved, so long as one takes the appropriate time to consecrate one day of the week, etc to the Lord?
Even if you are forced to work, you could still elevate your mind to God by mental prayer, etc. If you are going to take off Sunday and have to be all nervous at Holy Mass to the point where you can't gather yourself to worthily receive Holy Communion may want to reconsider. Sabbath is made for man, not the other way around.
-
I really appreciate all of your feedback and prayers
-
Expect prayers from me too.
As far as your situation, I'd look and pray for another job. There are sometimes when people can't help that they must work on Sunday, like doctors who must go into emergency surgery on someone on Sunday to save their life. But in your circuŠ¼stance, you need to find another job if you can.
-
Can you use those liberal anti-discrimination laws in your favor?
-
Related question, I live with my parents and my dad asked me to do yardwork around the house last sunday like weeding. I knew it was wrong, but I don't have a job and I was afraid he would kick me out of the house if I said no. So I weeded for an hour on Sunday. I know this is at least a venial sin, but is it a mortal sin? I had full knowledge, but I didn't really want to do it. I was unsure if it was a grave matter. I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but it has been stressing me out lately. Is this a form of scruples or genuine concern?
-
Related question, I live with my parents and my dad asked me to do yardwork around the house last sunday like weeding. I knew it was wrong, but I don't have a job and I was afraid he would kick me out of the house if I said no. So I weeded for an hour on Sunday. I know this is at least a venial sin, but is it a mortal sin? I had full knowledge, but I didn't really want to do it. I was unsure if it was a grave matter. I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but it has been stressing me out lately. Is this a form of scruples or genuine concern?
I think it's a mortal sin but don't quote me on that. Just be sure to bring it up to your confessor. Just tell your dad that you are not going to do any work on Sunday, then proceed to tell him that you'll be glad/sure to do whatever he needs on Saturday or Monday. Only a truly evil person would kick you out for that and even then...would you want to live with (or under) someone who has such a contempt for the Faith?
-
If you have a boss who tries to get/force you to work on Sunday, I'd advise going as far as you can to be an exemplary employee in every other way, while respectfully telling him why you can't work Sunday. Volunteer to work every Saturday and secular "holiday". In general, be such a good employee that your boss would be loathe to fire you or even cut your hours.
You see, we're all in the right here. We can be righteous about it, as we ARE objectively doing the right thing. However, there are many ways we can cop an attitude and go about it the wrong way. Politeness and gentleness is still the best way -- that's what the saints did.
St. Margaret Clitherow is a great example of this. She went out of her way to be an awesome (for lack of a better term) wife, because she couldn't follow her Protestant husband in matters of religion. And it worked! He is quoted defending his wife.
That's basically what we have to do. Be an awesome employee, but continue to respectfully refuse to work Sunday. That will certainly make them think! "He's not lazy. He's not into his own convenience..."
-
Related question, I live with my parents and my dad asked me to do yardwork around the house last sunday like weeding. I knew it was wrong, but I don't have a job and I was afraid he would kick me out of the house if I said no. So I weeded for an hour on Sunday. I know this is at least a venial sin, but is it a mortal sin? I had full knowledge, but I didn't really want to do it. I was unsure if it was a grave matter. I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but it has been stressing me out lately. Is this a form of scruples or genuine concern?
As I suggested, I think the ideal would be to ask your dad a few days in advance what he'd like done this weekend. If you approach HIM (instead of the other way around), maybe you can do it Friday or Saturday. But if you make yourself scarce (on purpose or not) and Sunday is the first time he manages to "catch" you -- and he wanted some weeding done this wekeend -- you can expect him to require it of you on Sunday. He's not going to care what day it is.
I'm a head of household myself -- I know how stressful it is to have tons of things that need doing.
-
Is it a mortal sin to officate youth "CYO" basketball on Sunday? I can't find a job and I need the money. Technically, I am an independent contractor so I pick and choose what games I do. Am I committing mortal sin by deliberate accepting Sunday games when I don't have to? Could the mortal sin be reduced to venial sin because I don't have a regular job yet?
-
Related question, I live with my parents and my dad asked me to do yardwork around the house last sunday like weeding. I knew it was wrong, but I don't have a job and I was afraid he would kick me out of the house if I said no. So I weeded for an hour on Sunday. I know this is at least a venial sin, but is it a mortal sin? I had full knowledge, but I didn't really want to do it. I was unsure if it was a grave matter. I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but it has been stressing me out lately. Is this a form of scruples or genuine concern?
As I suggested, I think the ideal would be to ask your dad a few days in advance what he'd like done this weekend. If you approach HIM (instead of the other way around), maybe you can do it Friday or Saturday. But if you make yourself scarce (on purpose or not) and Sunday is the first time he manages to "catch" you -- and he wanted some weeding done this wekeend -- you can expect him to require it of you on Sunday. He's not going to care what day it is.
I'm a head of household myself -- I know how stressful it is to have tons of things that need doing.
Oh I completely agree Matthew. From now on I will approach my father earlier in the week so I can do chores on Friday and Saturday. Its just difficult because my family typically cleans the garage and house on Sundays, in addition to landscaping.
-
Related question, I live with my parents and my dad asked me to do yardwork around the house last sunday like weeding. I knew it was wrong, but I don't have a job and I was afraid he would kick me out of the house if I said no. So I weeded for an hour on Sunday. I know this is at least a venial sin, but is it a mortal sin? I had full knowledge, but I didn't really want to do it. I was unsure if it was a grave matter. I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but it has been stressing me out lately. Is this a form of scruples or genuine concern?
I know what's like living with a father who isn't afraid to work on Sunday. You should just tell him that you'll do yardwork any other day of the week but won't work on Sunday. If he kicks you out of the house for that, then he's the one who has problems.
I'm not sure if weeding for an hour was a mortal sin or not. You should check with a Traditional priest on that.
-
Is it a mortal sin to officate youth "CYO" basketball on Sunday? I can't find a job and I need the money. Technically, I am an independent contractor so I pick and choose what games I do. Am I committing mortal sin by deliberate accepting Sunday games when I don't have to? Could the mortal sin be reduced to venial sin because I don't have a regular job yet?
Well sports shouldn't be played on Sunday given that it's the Lord's Day, so if I were you I'd try to get out of officiating on Sunday. In fact, you may want to look for another job altogether, didn't you say you officiated women's basketball games?
-
Is it a mortal sin to officate youth "CYO" basketball on Sunday? I can't find a job and I need the money. Technically, I am an independent contractor so I pick and choose what games I do. Am I committing mortal sin by deliberate accepting Sunday games when I don't have to? Could the mortal sin be reduced to venial sin because I don't have a regular job yet?
Well sports shouldn't be played on Sunday given that it's the Lord's Day, so if I were you I'd try to get out of officiating on Sunday. In fact, you may want to look for another job altogether, didn't you say you officiated women's basketball games?
girls basektball games, sometimes with female officials. I may be wrong, but I think an SSPX boys basketball team in St. Mary's refused to play a game because a female official was assingned to the game. It cauased a lot of uproar in the media. Not to derail the thread.
-
Related question, I live with my parents and my dad asked me to do yardwork around the house last sunday like weeding. I knew it was wrong, but I don't have a job and I was afraid he would kick me out of the house if I said no. So I weeded for an hour on Sunday. I know this is at least a venial sin, but is it a mortal sin? I had full knowledge, but I didn't really want to do it. I was unsure if it was a grave matter. I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but it has been stressing me out lately. Is this a form of scruples or genuine concern?
Dont worry. It would only be a mortal sin if you did it for two or three hours. The three basics also have to apply, grave matter, full knowledge, and full consent. The two or three hour thing I heard from a a trad priest who got it from a trad moral theologian.
-
Related question, I live with my parents and my dad asked me to do yardwork around the house last sunday like weeding. I knew it was wrong, but I don't have a job and I was afraid he would kick me out of the house if I said no. So I weeded for an hour on Sunday. I know this is at least a venial sin, but is it a mortal sin? I had full knowledge, but I didn't really want to do it. I was unsure if it was a grave matter. I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but it has been stressing me out lately. Is this a form of scruples or genuine concern?
Dont worry. It would only be a mortal sin if you did it for two or three hours. The three basics also have to apply, grave matter, full knowledge, and full consent. The two or three hour thing I heard from a a trad priest who got it from a trad moral theologian.
Not that i agree with working on Sundays. It should be avoided at all costs. However, I heard a priest say ,that while she shouldnt do, a mother who did a load of laundry on Sunday would only be commiting a venial sin. Yet we should strive never to sin at all, venially or mortally, oh what a sin it is even to commit a deliberate venial sin.
On another note, thank you Matthew for the advice. I will try to be an exemplary employee.
-
Is it a mortal sin to officate youth "CYO" basketball on Sunday? I can't find a job and I need the money. Technically, I am an independent contractor so I pick and choose what games I do. Am I committing mortal sin by deliberate accepting Sunday games when I don't have to? Could the mortal sin be reduced to venial sin because I don't have a regular job yet?
You're working on Sunday. What don't you understand?
Other than by working in certain important professions, there isn't an exception. Especially for sports.
If you live under your parents, why do you need money? Is the few bucks you make on Sunday worth offending God and burning in Hell for an eternity?
If people who work on Sunday under threat of termination are committing sin, it's egregious that you yourself are freely choosing to work on Sunday.
Remember what Christ said: that "the love of money is the root of all evil".
-
Not that i agree with working on Sundays. It should be avoided at all costs. However, I heard a priest say ,that while she shouldnt do, a mother who did a load of laundry on Sunday would only be commiting a venial sin. Yet we should strive never to sin at all, venially or mortally, oh what a sin it is even to commit a deliberate venial sin.
Antony,
My priest says that since the washing machine is actually doing the work, it's ok to do a load of laundry on Sunday, particularly if the clothes are needed the next day, such as work clothes or school clothes. Putting clothes in a machine and turning it on is not the same thing as doing servile work.
I cringe when I see someone here post that such and such is a venial sin or such and such is a mortal sin.
Please, folks, talk to your own confessor and don't take someone's word on the internet that such and such is a sin.
-
Is it a mortal sin to officate youth "CYO" basketball on Sunday? I can't find a job and I need the money. Technically, I am an independent contractor so I pick and choose what games I do. Am I committing mortal sin by deliberate accepting Sunday games when I don't have to? Could the mortal sin be reduced to venial sin because I don't have a regular job yet?
CuriousCatholic23,
These are questions for your confessor. (I hope you have a confessor.) Since you don't have a regular job yet, that certainly has an impact on your situation, but please talk to your confessor.
You are in my prayers.
ora pro me