Author Topic: Do you go to Sunday Mass when you are sick? (Read 2331 times)

sspxbvm · « **on:** December 28, 2012, 04:07:25 PM »

Is it just me but doesn't it seem like a great host of people do not have the Charity to stay home on Sunday if they are sick? Especially those with the flu or some other serious contagious virus? There is not a winter that goes by we don't see a child vomit in the pew or with a serious cough. Why don't their parents keep them home? Why don't they stay home if they are ill? Do they have a warped view of the necessity of attending Mass on Sunday?

I have to confess. When I was single I was the same way. Having a family really made me think it over.

A few years ago Father Clifton had supper with us and he brought this very thing up. He said a mother is not obliged to attend Mass on Sunday if her children are sick. No priest ever brings this up publicly. My son, who has some health issues already, cannot afford to go to Mass every single Sunday he is healthy just to catch a new virus/disease.

To top it off our chapel runs the fans year round. So in the winter the germs are spread everywhere equally. Yes, I have written our priests. Told them about our son. No response.

We are at sickness number 3 in only the last 6 weeks. We have mostly been at home---except on Sundays when we go to Mass. I told my wife she should stay home with our children for the rest of the winter. What else can we do? Where is the Charity?

Cheryl · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2012, 04:12:07 PM »

Quote from: sspxbvm

Is it just me but doesn't it seem like a great host of people do not have the Charity to stay home on Sunday if they are sick? Especially those with the flu or some other serious contagious virus? There is not a winter that goes by we don't see a child vomit in the pew or with a serious cough. Why don't their parents keep them home? Why don't they stay home if they are ill? Do they have a warped view of the necessity of attending Mass on Sunday?

I have to confess. When I was single I was the same way. Having a family really made me think it over.

A few years ago Father Clifton had supper with us and he brought this very thing up. He said a mother is not obliged to attend Mass on Sunday if her children are sick. No priest ever brings this up publicly. My son, who has some health issues already, cannot afford to go to Mass every single Sunday he is healthy just to catch a new virus/disease.

To top it off our chapel runs the fans year round. So in the winter the germs are spread everywhere equally. Yes, I have written our priests. Told them about our son. No response.

We are at sickness number 3 in only the last 6 weeks. We have mostly been at home---except on Sundays when we go to Mass. I told my wife she should stay home with our children for the rest of the winter. What else can we do? Where is the Charity?

No it's not just you who has noticed. These are the same people who take their illnesses to the workplace on Monday, and contaminate you there just in case they missed spreading their germs to you on Sunday.

Maria Elizabeth · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2012, 04:29:10 PM »

We have the same problem here.

Some of our friends who attend daily Mass will actually skip Sunday Mass and only go to weekday Mass for fear of getting sick, especially when they hear of some horrible diseases going around.

Elizabeth · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2012, 04:42:41 PM »

No, we do not go to Mass when we are sick. If we notice someone looking ill we take them out to the car. Sheesh. If there is a lingering cough and no fever, we'd go, but if it's annoying, out he goes.

Miseremini · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2012, 05:08:54 PM »

What happens when the priest is sick? And what about when he makes a sick call?

1st Mansion Tenant · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2012, 07:21:19 PM »

I was once told by a priest that it was a mortal sin to miss Mass unless you were on your deathbed. Another said it is not a sin if you miss Mass, so long as it is the type of thing that would also keep you from going somewhere you would have enjoyed; such as a concert you had purchased tickets for, etc. I dread going into a small chapel filled with people coughing and sniffling.We have some serious health issues in the family, so what is the sniffles for one person turns out to be full blown pneumonia for us. But I don't feel right skipping Mass, so I just have to trust God. Besides, if we get sick, how do we know it came from there and not somewhere else...

Olive · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2012, 06:55:42 PM »

If our kids are sick, then I stay home with the sick ones, and my husband makes the journey with the others. If at home we pray the Rosary, watch our Mass DVD, etc.

Matthew · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2012, 07:24:29 PM »

Distorted view is right!

I understand that Trads love and fight for their Mass, they drive long distances and make great sacrifices to attend the true Mass. Far from taking the Mass for granted, they treasure it.

But some take it too far.

Loving the Mass and making it a priority doesn't mean throwing Charity out the window.

You don't go to Mass to show off, get perfect attendance, or to win a prize. You do so out of obedience to God and His Church, and out of love of God which is closely bound to love of neighbor.

To totally disregard our neighbor's well-being in order to "show your love for God" is misguided at best.

It would put you at odds with the God you claim to love.

If you -- or any of your kids -- have bronchitis, the flu, etc. please keep them home -- literally for the love of God!

Honestly -- God understands! You can go "easy" on yourself once in a while. God isn't some kind of mean drill sergeant or boss that makes you come in to work sick!

We had a few kids in the back of the church at Midnight Mass hacking their lungs off. So I had been thinking about this topic already.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2012, 07:33:36 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

We had a few kids in the back of the church at Midnight Mass hacking their lungs off. So I had been thinking about this topic already.

To clarify: They were not *our* kids. :wink:

MaterDominici · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2012, 07:41:35 PM »

Manner of Following Mass at Home

Taken from:
EXPLANATION of the EPISTLES and GOSPELS for the SUNDAYS, HOLYDAYS, and FESTIVALS throughout THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR”
By: Rev. Leonard Goffine, Imprimatur 1918

PREFATORY REMARKS.
BEAR in mind, O Christian soul, that those who would be present at the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, if it were possible, such as the sick, the infirm, the aged, fathers or mothers who must remain at home with the little children, and for other reasons, are all included in the holy Sacrifice, that is, take part in the prayers of the Church, in the blessings and merits of the Sacrifice, if they have a sincere desire to hear Mass.
The holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered for all the faithful. As Christ offered Himself for all men on the cross, so He now offers Himself in the Mass in an unbloody manner for all, hence all partake of the blessings and merits of His sacrifice who assist at Mass with sentiments pleasing to Him. And if you are kept at home, the priest prays, the Church prays, our Saviour Jesus Christ offers Himself, and the merits and blessing of the holy Sacrifice flow to you, if you only heartily desire it, and unite your prayers at home with the prayers of the priest and the whole congregation. Therefore kneel in spirit before the altar and devoutly make a:

more at Crusaders for Christ

Diego · « **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2012, 08:02:14 PM »

Quote from: sspxbvm

Is it just me but doesn't it seem like a great host of people do not have the Charity to stay home on Sunday if they are sick? Especially those with the flu or some other serious contagious virus? ...

And it is not just going to Mass.

Who are these people who think they are doing a wonderful thing visiting you when they are sick? As if it is a cheerful charitable thing to go and cough on well people?

Maybe germs, contagion, covering your mouth when you cough, and washing your hands are such unfathomable advanced concepts for people who are "traditional."

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2012, 08:33:44 PM »

When winter comes, my children have runny noses constantly and sometimes they have a cough. We don't stay at home under those circuмstances, as long as no one has a fever.

If any one has a stomach bug the night before, we stay home, all of us.

However, many viruses present with little or no symptoms during the contagious period and you may never know that your little one has picked up something from someone else or if they have passed it off.

I try not to judge parents to harshly, either. Some parents think every little sniffle is a crisis and other parents aren't concerned about contagion.

But generally speaking, if our children are sick or if an adult it sick, we just stay home.

We also stay home if the weather is bad. We missed Christmas Mass both at Midnight and during the Day because of the first winter snow.

I think many trads want to be a Mass so badly because they know what is like without it. Unfortunately, they allow their emotions to overrule their common sense.

I

Sigismund · « **Reply #12 on:** December 30, 2012, 09:25:12 PM »

When my children were young, either I or my wife would stay home with them if they were sick. Sometimes it was possible for us to trade off and go at different times, although that meant that one of us had to go to a Latin rite liturgy (not that this was a bad thing.) We certainly stayed home if we were sick ourselves.

sspxbvm · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2013, 10:38:16 AM »

Quote from: sspxbvm

Is it just me but doesn't it seem like a great host of people do not have the Charity to stay home on Sunday if they are sick? Especially those with the flu or some other serious contagious virus? There is not a winter that goes by we don't see a child vomit in the pew or with a serious cough. Why don't their parents keep them home? Why don't they stay home if they are ill? Do they have a warped view of the necessity of attending Mass on Sunday?

I have to confess. When I was single I was the same way. Having a family really made me think it over.

A few years ago Father Clifton had supper with us and he brought this very thing up. He said a mother is not obliged to attend Mass on Sunday if her children are sick. No priest ever brings this up publicly. My son, who has some health issues already, cannot afford to go to Mass every single Sunday he is healthy just to catch a new virus/disease.

To top it off our chapel runs the fans year round. So in the winter the germs are spread everywhere equally. Yes, I have written our priests. Told them about our son. No response.

We are at sickness number 3 in only the last 6 weeks. We have mostly been at home---except on Sundays when we go to Mass. I told my wife she should stay home with our children for the rest of the winter. What else can we do? Where is the Charity?

So, no more comments? I have one: a couple of Sundays ago it was almost one continual cough. Everybody seemed to contribute. If only they'd sing just as loud when they are healthy.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2013, 03:22:56 PM »

Quote from: Lepanto Again

Quote from: MaterDominici
Manner of Following Mass at Home

...

more at Crusaders for Christ

Excellent stuff!! The link, however, doesn't work!

I guess they moved it.
Here it is in it's new home:
Manner of Following Mass at Home
Hopefully it will stay put this time.