Dear Arlene:

I'm afraid we still have a problem. You admit that you are not sure if she is working. The fact is that you have no idea why she is late.

Regardless of how many Masses are available in your community it does not automatically follow that this person is able to go to them. Perhaps the only Mass to which she can attend is the one to which you see her coming in late. This is still a rash judgment.

To be quite blunt, this situation is none of your business. This is between the lady and God, and the pastor, whom obviously sees her coming in late each Sunday. If the pastor thinks that the person needs to be instructed, we will do so.

It is my opinion that you need to confess the sin of rash judgment. During Mass I believe you need to focus on your own worship to God and focus on your own soul. At best offer prayers and blessings to this woman, for you do not know what is in her heart or the specific reasons why she is late.

For myself I rarely notice anybody coming late to Mass or leaving early from Mass because my focus is on worship and prayer and not the people around me. When I do notice such things I pray for those people without making any judgments as to why they may be doing what they're doing. I recommend you do the same.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary