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Mass Obligation and Caring for the Sick

Question:

Our 3 yr old daughter has a long term illness. Are my husband and I required to split up to get to Mass or can one go per week?

Answer:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (emphasis added):

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

Whether you split up or attend on alternate weekends is up to you.  The care of your daughter is of the utmost importance and whatever helps you to best care for her and feed yourselves spiritually is what you should do.

The commandments are not meant to be hoops to jump through (Mk 27:22) but to bring us to the fullness of life (Jn 10:10) and love (Jn 15:10-11).

If you, for example, you find it advantageous to attend Mass on Saturday night while your husband stays home with your daughter and then he attends on Sunday while you stay home her that is fine.

However if you find that arrangement is too taxing (physically, emotionally, mentally, etc.) and is doing more harm than good then alternating weeks of attendance is perfectly fine.

God bless you, your family will be in my prayers.

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