To assert that a Mass “counts” indicates that an individual fulfills an obligation by being present. Generally speaking, Catholics are required to participate in Mass every Sunday. This obligation is in accordance with the Second Commandment. Merely viewing Mass on television does not satisfy this requirement. A Catholic who is able to do so should attend Mass at a parish church or oratory.

Nevertheless, these overarching guidelines do not uniformly apply. For instance, extreme weather conditions might diminish or eliminate the duty to be present at church for Mass. Similarly, ill health or the responsibility of caring for the ill, or any other pressing and significant obligation can release an individual from the requirement to participate in Mass.

In your situation, considering the challenges that age has introduced, it’s difficult to assert that you have any duty to participate in Mass. Instead, the Church holds responsibilities towards you to guarantee that you receive the sacraments consistently.

Regarding viewing Mass on television, you are invited to participate. You can listen to the prayers and the readings, and probably a brief homily. This experience is beneficial, even if it does not replicate the experience of being present at a Mass. It doesn’t need to “count” since there is no obligation to gather initially.

Therefore, take heart. We appreciate your continued solidarity in prayer with the Church via the televised Mass and for partaking in holy Communion when it is available in your area.

Jesus and Emmanuel

Question: The Old Testament indicates that the Messiah would be referred to as “Emmanuel,” yet the angel instructed Joseph and Mary to name him Jesus. Does this create an issue?

— John Carter, Washington, D.C.

Answer: No. The name Emmanuel (which translates to “God is with us”) is not significantly different from Jesus, meaning “God saves.” Therefore, the central idea of God being present with us to provide salvation is preserved and realized, even though the names differ in a literal way.

Prophecies typically possess a broad nature that does not necessitate the accuracy that many of us in contemporary literary times seek. Consequently, Matthew has no difficulty linking the names Jesus and Emmanuel while conveying the angel’s message to Joseph: “‘She will give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ This all occurred to bring to fruition what the Lord had declared through the prophet: ‘See, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will name him Emmanuel,’ which translates to ‘God is with us’” (Mt 1:21-23).

Msgr. Charles Pope is the pastor of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian in Washington, D.C., and writes for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., blog at blog.adw.org.