I never said it was possible.
Now tell me how you know they weren't going to mass? The man sitting next to me goes everyday, but not at his Church. His Pastor would not know that. If he wanted to know, he could ask.
BTW, I have only been to Mass once this year. Am I in mortal sin? (I'm not RC, does that matter?)
To whom much is given, much is expected. If you are not Catholic, you are not held to the same obligation. Someone who is raised in the Church and received the sacraments would have a hard time pleading ignorance to the obligation of weekly mass. Not that it doesn't happen - of course there are many Catholics who don't know the first thing about their own faith. But that doesn't relieve the priest his duty of correcting those who do not understand and pointing out that attendance at weekly Mass is mandatory to be in a state of grace. Once they are informed, they are "on the hook", so to speak. God is merciful. Part of mercy is to teach Truth, even when it's a demanding Truth. Jesus said, "take up your crosses". He didn't avoid the subject so people could go on in unimpeachable ignorance.
Now tell me how you know they weren't going to mass?
Read the article.
His Pastor would not know that. If he wanted to know, he could ask.
If you are pastor of a church, you know who's at mass and who is not. Especially regarding young families. They stick out like sore thumbs.