I had an odd experience the other evening at a program in church. The topic was Moral Decision Making and was led by the pastor.
Things were moving along quite nicely and we were getting ready to tend the discussion when the question was raised, “It is a sin to miss Mass on Sunday?” The question was asked at my table so I answered that yes, missing Mass was a mortal sin.
Four incredulous faces turned toward me. I think one may have considered turning on me. All four were shocked.
“Are you sure?” they asked.
“I’ve never heard such a thing and I was taught by nuns.”
My favorite comment was, “Well, I’ve been a Catholic much longer then you have and I don’t think you’re right!”
I really wanted to go get my diploma from my office wall at that point but I restrained myself.
I tried to explain that unless you had a legitimate reason, such as sickness, taking care of a sick person, it was a mortal sin that should be confessed before receiving communion.
One woman asked, “So a tee time…?” I had to inform her that golf was not a legitimate reason. The group left not quite believing me.
A good evangelizer knows the truths of our faith. We need to know the rules so we can pass them on to others.
I’m not speaking here of sitting a person down and giving all the dos and don’ts of Catholicism in one sitting. That is not helpful and would be overwhelming. But we need to know how to pass the truths on without being judgmental and in a way that people will listen.
We need to know where and how to find answers when people want proof. To that end, I found a clip of Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, answering this question. We will show that next week to the group. Mass participation is also addressed in the Code of Canon Law, 1246 – 1248.
This little interlude reminded me that you never know what can happen when you get a group of people together. You must be as prepared as possible and be willing to take one for the team if necessary. I did not expect to have to defend this particular question to a group of practicing Catholics, but I did.
Copyright © 2013, Deanna Bartalini
Deanna Bartalini
Deanna G. Bartalini, is a Catholic writer, speaker, and educator. She serves on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center. Deanna loves teaching about Catholicism and how it fits into our daily lives. She writes at DeannaBartalini.com, serves as the editor of the NewEvangelizers.com blog, and is a contributor there as well as at AmazingCatechists.com. Deanna contributed to A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion published by Ave Maris Press. She is the author of “Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life: Growing in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control” published by Our Sunday Visitor. Deanna is available to lead retreats and speak at catechist and ministry events.
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