From a reader:
Recently a friend of mine went to what he thought was Mass, but actually turned out to be a eucharistic service on a Sunday. He says the ordinary priest was absent but another person (assuming a priest as they were wearing priestly vestments) lead the service. They say there was a Liturgy of the Word and a homily but no Eucharistic Prayer. Rather, the minister (whom we think was a priest) went to the tabernacle and distributed Communion and seemingly the chalice (my friend actually received from the chalice so it was kept in the Tabernacle!).
Is this allowed? Did my friends fulfil their Sunday obligation?
In one sense, no, it did not fulfill the obligation to participate at Mass, since it wasn’t a Mass.
On the other hand, if there was no Mass then, barring the possibility of seeking Mass elsewhere, the person couldn’t fulfill the obligation and therefore didn’t sin. We are not bound to do the impossible. If there is no Mass available, there isn’t much to be done… except pray for vocations!
I am guessing from the description that the “minister” may have been a permanent deacon.