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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 296 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Mon Mar 5th, 2007 07:10 pm |
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How do I go about asking my priest for a dispensation for missing mass this upcoming weekend? I'm taking my daughter and several girls on a Girl Scout camping trip, and I'm pretty sure we won't be home in time Sunday to attend. The camp runs from Friday through Sunday--so Saturday is out too.
Quite frankly I'm scared of asking him. We have 2 priests-the one I would prefer to ask is retired and it's likely I won't be able to see him. The other, who "runs the place," I'm afraid might deny me. How should I make the request? And what should I say if he says "no"?
Any help greatly appreciated!
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mrsbmoo
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 344 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Methodist. RCA, Presbyterian, Holiness, Wesleyan... Catholic as of June ... |
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Posted: Mon Mar 5th, 2007 08:37 pm |
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When I was a kid, one of the leaders would leave camp Sunday morning to take all the Catholic kids to mass and then bring them back. Of course this was during the 70s.
I suppose if he said no, you would have to change your plans. Will there be enough adults for you to slip out to a closer parish Sunday morning early? Myself, I might be tempted to not ask, not go, and hit Mass Monday am but I have control issues from a previous bad church experience. Not saying it is the right thing to do, just a thought.
____________________
Becky
Wife of Michael(called Moo) and stay at home mom to 5 daughters between 13 months and 17
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Mar 5th, 2007 09:35 pm |
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beachmoss wrote: How do I go about asking my priest for a dispensation for missing mass this upcoming weekend?
If you go, you really have three choices.
1. You can ask. Tell him you're taking a group of girls on a campout but that you'll have to miss mass, and ask him if that's OK. There's no formality needed. You don't need to "request a dispensation" and he doesn't have to "grant a dispensation". You just need to tell him (or any priest) what you're doing and ask if it's OK. There is a possibility he will say no, but for a one-time function with a group of kids, most priests will say yes. You can also ask in the confessional.
2. You can not ask, and assume it's OK. The Church tells us that it's OK to miss mass for a "grave reason". Most priests I know would consider volunteering to spend the weekend with a group of kids on a campout somewhere a good enough reason. However, this is a decision you would have to make yourself. You could go to mass on Monday morning instead, but that doesn't really fulfill your obligation.
3. You can assume that missing mass is a sin, and go to confession as soon as possible.
When I used to go on Girl Scout campouts, we were not permitted to leave the campground for insurance reasons (unless a kid got hurt) so leaving for mass was not possible. Instead, I led the girls in an optional, non-denominational prayer service dealing with the importance of learning about and respecting all the God created. We would sing a couple of kid-friendly songs, read a couple of scripture passages, etc. There was no Eucharist, of course.
I don't remember if I asked the priest or not. I know I never felt guilty about it and never considered it a sin. I'm sure my priest knew and I had at least his tacit approval, but that really doesn't count. You have to ask and a dispensation has to be granted to relieve your obligation. I asked myself, "what would Jesus do?" and I think he would have been with the kids.
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beachmoss
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 296 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Tue Mar 6th, 2007 01:31 am |
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Thanks, Becky and Rick!
Becky, leaving camp is really not an option. This place is about an hour's drive from any Catholic Church. I'm responsible for driving other girls who would be stranded at camp before I returned.
Rick, your answer really set my mind at ease. I feel bad doing it, but with previous experience with this priest I may go with your option number 2. This man is not child friendly. In fact I've talked to a few people from a nearby parish who left ours just because he is not so great with kids.
And I was told there would be a Scout's Own Service on Sunday morning. I know it's not mass, but it's a personal requirement I have for attending a Sat. night/Sun. morning campout. They can be very beautiful and uplifting. I have found that they can really show the universality of faith.
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