Fortunately, the new Catechism of the Catholic Church asks us to move us beyond such draconian understandings. Still, since the question comes up often, I wonder where we are with such things. Quite frankly that is a terrible reason to come to mass. If such is in you I encourage you in the context of this faith community and in your private prayer to pray for divine delivery from such misguided thinking. Faith practiced out of fear is of no value.
Fear is darkness.
It blinds us to the light of Christ. Nevertheless the Sunday obligation is one of the basic rules of the Church. Let's begin with the first question. Some tell me that they come to mass every Sunday here at St. John Vianney because they never know what I am going to do next. Some have told me that they come because they like being part of this community.