In a pastoral letter for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, His Grace Archbishop Leo Cushley of St. Andrews & Edinburgh stressed the importance of the Sunday Mass obligation for Catholics. His Grace Cushley went on to emphasize the importance of attending Sunday Mass. He noted that missing Mass due to extraordinary circumstance, such as an illness, is acceptable, but under normal circumstances, “attending Mass on Sunday is a solemn and binding obligation.” The archbishop also went on to encourage parents to bring their children to Mass every Sunday as a good example of living out the Catholic faith.
As reported by CNA, His Excellency Cushley remarked that ““It is true that many people think of Sunday as just part of the weekend, a welcome break from the usual routine, and perhaps a day for family, or sporting activities. Naturally, it’s good to relax and make time for these things, but our culture has largely forgotten that Sunday is a weekly holiday because of its meaning as the Christian holy day. Missing Mass due to extraordinary circumstance, such as an illness, is acceptable, but under normal circumstances, attending Mass on Sunday is a solemn and binding obligation. If we deliberately fail in this matter, it is a grave sin and we must go to confession before receiving communion again.” Further, the letter read, “The Sacrifice of the Mass is a foretaste of heaven that empowers us to do real and lasting good in the world. Without the power of the Mass, we are not only cut off from the mystery of grace, but also from Christ and community. There’s no better thing you can do for your children than to bring them to meet the living Lord Jesus at Mass every week. If you teach them like this to seek the Kingdom of God first, you can be sure He will bless them in all the other ways that you hope for.”
His Grace Archbishop Cushley concluded his pastoral letter by urging the faithful to make choice to attend Sunday Mass, to make it a priority.
Source: CNA
