Confession Schedule

[Gertabelle]

I agree with all your points, except the last one: Sunday confessions. Nearly every priest that I have worked for has said that praying the Mass on Sundays takes a lot out of them.
They say it’s not like for us. My current pastor won’t even meet with anyone between with the Masses, nor will he “talk shop” with employees, or be willing to be cornered for impromptu counseling by the many people who think that they can get him aside to talk because it’s convenient for them. He goes to his office and spends time in quiet. Shows up for Mass on time, happy and rested. All of our pastors have had this policy. Sunday is Sunday. It’s up to parishioners to take care of things when it’s offered, or to make an appointment.

Our parish offers confession times seven days a week, including Sundays between the 11:00 and 1:00 masses.

The lines are almost always long – our priests have done a good job encouraging the sacrament and making it available, thanks be to God!

I once compiled a list of all the non-Saturday afternoon confession times within ten mikes of my house into a single document. I was floored how many parishes in my area (Denver) offered confession during the week, before Sunday masses, mornings, afternoons, evenings.

I haven’t used that list myself yet, but it was uplifting to see what’s available in our area

Gertie

 

[pianistclare]

Well, I guess our parishes are odd.
We rarely have more than 4 people in line.

 

[babochka]

I agree with all your points, except the last one: Sunday confessions. Nearly every priest that I have worked for has said that praying the Mass on Sundays takes a lot out of them.
.

Our regularly scheduled confession time is on Sunday, one hour before Divine Liturgy, or 1/2 hour before any scheduled service. (We don’t have services every day - practically speaking, this means Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. I don’t think anybody has ever asked for confession before the 6am liturgy.) It has been this way for many years. This schedule is necessary because we are a commuter parish and nobody, not even our priest, lives really close to the church.

Another nearby parish offers Confession before every Mass, and a few offer it before one Mass on Sunday mornings. The FSSP parish has scheduled confessions before or after every Mass throughout the week. Each of these parishes has more than one priest available, though, which makes it possible to offer Confessions on Sunday morning.

 

[babochka]

Well, I guess our parishes are odd.
We rarely have more than 4 people in line.

I don’t know which comes first, the line or the schedule, but every parish that I’ve been to that offers generous scheduled confession times has long lines at confession.

 

[babochka]

The lines are almost always long – our priests have done a good job encouraging the sacrament and making it available, thanks be to God!

I think this is key to getting long lines for confession - our priests need to encourage people from the pulpit to make use of the sacrament and emphasize its importance by providing ample scheduled times.

I once compiled a list of all the non-Saturday afternoon confession times within ten mikes of my house into a single document. I was floored how many parishes in my area (Denver) offered confession during the week, before Sunday masses, mornings, afternoons, evenings.

That is fantastic!