Catholics/Elderly Church Attendance

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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 3/20/2011


Question
My mother is 86 and lives in an assisted living facility.  Is she obligated to attend church on Sunday? She does not drive and relies on her children to take her to church, which isn't a problem, but more often than not she doesn't want to get out.

Thanks,
Ruth

Answer
Hi, Ruth:

Thanks for the question.
Due to the circumstances you describe, your mother does not personally have the strict obligation of her own to assist at Mass; however, the children would do well to consider how much they can assist her in getting to Mass on a regular basis without undue or grave inconvenience to themselves.  Is she mobile enough to be transported and assist at Mass on any kind of a regular basis?  Does she desire this for herself as much as possible?
It happens sometimes that Mass is made available ot residents of such institutions in a chapel at the facilities on a regular basis on a weekday.  This is often a consolation to the residents as a good opportunity for fostering their personal devotion so that they are not completely deprived of attendance at Mass for their spiritual good.  This situation, and the many more like it throughout this country on a day-to-day basis, are opportunities for families to work together to develop a mutually beneficial spiritual plan as Catholics to grow in love, faith, and devotion.  I encourage you to take the matter to prayer and a realistic discussion among family members.  May God bless you throughout this hoyl season of Lent!

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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