I want to thank everyone who donated, volunteered and participated in the spaghetti supper and breakfast for new school shades. I wish to thank the Knights of Columbus and our School Teachers, Staff and Families who helped as well in this. We raised $1,350.00 through those two initiatives. This will go toward replacing the very old and worn-out shades currently in the classrooms.
Last weekend we had our winter storm. I was very impressed for two reasons. First, so many came to the 4pm vigil Mass in order to fulfill their obligation. It was like Christmas Eve Vigil Mass with how many people were there! Second, there were some hardy folk who attended the Sunday Masses as well. Albeit it was a bit surreal having Sunday Mass with so few people.
Many wonder if they sinned by not attending Mass on Sunday. Not necessarily if you were snowed in or if attending Mass would present a serious risk to one’s or another's life. There are legitimate reasons why we will not be able to get to the Mass. In fact, today there are many Catholics who due to age or location that cannot get to Mass on a regular basis.
One key metric in the spiritual life revolves around our desire for Jesus in the Mass. At the first stage we attend Mass because it is an obligation; in justice we owe God worship. Yet, God wants us to move beyond mere obligation to love. At the second stage we attend Mass because we love Jesus in the Eucharist and we would not be anywhere else.
We spend our lives here on earth increasing our love for Christ in the Eucharist so that if we do find ourselves unable to get to Mass it will be a great sadness for us. Much in the same way that we are sad when we are unable to be with those whom we love. This would not be a sinful missing of Mass, since we would have been there if we could. In essence when we think about Mass attendance we should frame in the context of a relationship with God and being fed by Him.