Confession Dilemma

[Kateri92]

I would like to go to confession since it has been a while but I’m so annoyed with my parish right now because the only confession time I can find is at a sister church in the opposite direction and the time makes it quite hard for me to get there. Further, My parish doesn’t have a confessional. I’m just so confused here. Why is it that confession is not taken seriously? Why don’t they make it more available to the faithful? And besides from making an appointment, is there anything I can do? I’m feeling discouraged.

 

[christofirst]

I would like to go to confession since it has been a while but I’m so annoyed with my parish right now because the only confession time I can find is at a sister church in the opposite direction and the time makes it quite hard for me to get there. Further, My parish doesn’t have a confessional. I’m just so confused here. Why is it that confession is not taken seriously? Why don’t they make it more available to the faithful? And besides from making an appointment, is there anything I can do? I’m feeling discouraged.

Your parish doesn’t offer scheduled confessions at all? Or just at times that conflict with your schedule? I know that some small, understaffed parishes only offer confessions by appointment, and this is a sad situation, in my opinion. What I can tell you is that the unfortunate situation you describe is not the same everywhere. Within a ten mile radius of where I live, I can find scheduled confession times literally morning, noon, and night, six days a week. The Church takes Confession very seriously - with an even greater emphasis now during this Year of Mercy.

It may be uncomfortable for you to bring your dilemma up to your pastor, but if you don’t tell him, how can he know? I don’t like the way confessionals have been modified, or in some cases, done away with either, but I guess past transgressions made some bishops and pastors decide on greater transparency, by sacrificing a level of privacy. This being Advent, does your parish, or one close to you, offer a Reconciliation service you can attend? When done right, these offer an opportunity for private confession with a number of different priests to choose from (at least that’s how it is here in the big city). I wish I had better suggestions, and hopefully someone here will.

 

[MiserableSinner]

I would like to go to confession since it has been a while but I’m so annoyed with my parish right now because the only confession time I can find is at a sister church in the opposite direction and the time makes it quite hard for me to get there. Further, My parish doesn’t have a confessional. I’m just so confused here. Why is it that confession is not taken seriously? Why don’t they make it more available to the faithful? And besides from making an appointment, is there anything I can do? I’m feeling discouraged.

Make an appointment. Confessions should be available every day by appointment. If you have been away long, you need one anyways. You don’t want to go at scheduled times if you are going to be in Confession for an hour.

Don’t be discouraged. Ask our Mother to help.

I know that the Church has some within it who do not truly believe the Doctrine and Dogma that the Holy Spirit gave us, and some of them might be in leadership positions. But God is with you. Ask Him for the grace to get to Holy Confession. Ask Him to give you a good Confession.

Try to make an act of perfect contrition and make an appointment for as soon as possible.

 

[esieffe]

Does your church have a Pastor Advisory Council? You could raise the issue there. In the meantime, I would follow others advice and make an appointment. I myself, prefer face to face confessions. We have two or three confessionals, but there is rarely more than one that is staffed, except around Easter.