As much as feasible, you may attempt to have Sundays free, yet as you pointed out, there frequently arises a need for all staff to equally distribute the burden of the less favored shifts. However, it is advisable to communicate to your supervisors your issues regarding Sunday to adhere to the Third Commandment. If this cannot be reasonably accommodated, you have fulfilled your responsibilities and should not be held responsible for having to work on Sunday. Additionally, you are not obligated to resign from your position due to this issue, as employment is connected to our other obligations of working and providing for a family. It would be irresponsible to deliberately aim to work on Sundays if it can be sidestepped.

Gaining knowledge from the Catechism

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains the purpose of the day of rest: “God’s actions serve as an example for human behavior. If God ‘rested and was refreshed’ on the seventh day, it follows that humanity should also ‘rest’ and allow others, particularly the underprivileged, to ‘be refreshed.’ The sabbath pauses the routine of daily labor and offers a break. It stands as a declaration against the bondage of work and the adoration of wealth. … Sunday embodies the spiritual essence of the Jewish sabbath and heralds humanity’s everlasting rest in God. The worship under the Law laid the groundwork for the mystery of Christ, with the practices observed there foreshadowing certain elements of Christ” (Nos. 2172, 2175).

We can observe, therefore, that we are called to three actions: emulating God, providing respite for workers (particularly the underprivileged who frequently labor longer hours and endure exhausting tasks), and steering clear of the veneration of wealth. For these reasons, the Catechism states: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to abstain from work or activities that impede the worship due to God. … [In addition, they should aim to participate in] the execution of acts of mercy, as well as suitable relaxation of both mind and body. Family responsibilities or significant social services can justifiably excuse one from the duty of Sunday rest. The faithful ought to ensure that valid excuses do not develop into practices harmful to religion, family well-being, and health. … Sunday is a time for contemplation, silence, mental cultivation, and meditation that promotes the development of the Christian inner life” (Nos. 2185, 2186).

With all this in mind, it is evident today that in the United States, numerous nonessential businesses are now operational on Sundays, a stark contrast to their closure before the 1970s. Our society has transformed into a highly secular one, with even many people of faith giving little thought to non-essential shopping and eating out on Sundays. To some extent, our craving for convenience compels businesses to remain open, imposing additional pressures on the youth and the disadvantaged to work on Sundays. While it is true that economies are intricate and American culture is varied, we once managed to navigate this by predominantly reserving Sundays for most Christian believers, while also respecting the obligations of Jewish and Muslim communities. Frankly, Sunday has become a significant shopping day, not only due to our increasingly secular society but also because many Christians have remained quiet and appear to prioritize the ease of shopping and profit over honoring the Third Commandment. Similarly, clergy have also largely stayed silent as the ability to uphold the Third Commandment has diminished right in front of us.