Confused: Catholicism VS. What actually happens in parishes

[TheRealJuliane]

Thank you. That’s a very good suggestion. I am a very careful person, it could be because I’m Canadian. I don’t like to make people feel bad, I don’t like to burden them, I don’t like to demand anything of them. I haven’t complained to the priest or even mentioned that he stood me up several times. Mainly because I don’t want to accidentally offend or burden him.

I like your idea of just gently slipping it into conversation.

I think part of the problem could be that I have to arrange these appointments two-three weeks in advance so I can book the time off work. It could be that with such a large time gap between when the appointment is made and when it happens it’s just slipping his mind. I realize it’s quite the gap. I’m not sure what to do to help alleviate this gap without being troublesome though. I thought of writing him a little reminder email the day before but then I thought that would seem quite pushy, especially if it’s one of the rare moments where he’s NOT forgetting…

I suppose some of the problem IS me because I’m not being as assertive as perhaps I could or should be but it’s not in my nature to demand anything. Even something like this.

Our parish priest uses technology to keep him on track. There are old-fashioned things like calendars and day-planners for those who aren’t up on the latest smartphones and apps.

I mean seriously? Any parish priest should have his own calendar, and the parish ought to have at least a part-time secretary or assistant. If not, then it is even more important that the priest makes and keeps his appointments, especially for sacraments. Confession is no less important than is any other sacrament including marriage. Is he forgetting to show up for weddings?

 

[Gordon_Sims]

Do you have your priest’s cell phone number? I’d call him before my appointment to make sure he doesn’t forget. I’d consider doing the same with my priest if not for the fact that he beats me to the punch and both emails and calls me anytime I have an appointment with him.

As far as being first in line for Confession, when I went last month I was in a hurry so I got there early, hoping to be the first in line. I was actually the 4th or 5th person there, but the others, instead of getting in line, all knelt down in the pews to pray beforehand. I went over to where the line normally forms and after standing there for a few minutes without anyone going in, I took it upon myself to be the first. I didn’t see a problem with this until I was met with a bunch of angry stares when I came out.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Do you have your priest’s cell phone number? I’d call him before my appointment to make sure he doesn’t forget. I’d consider doing the same with my priest if not for the fact that he beats me to the punch and both emails and calls me anytime I have an appointment with him.

As far as being first in line for Confession, when I went last month I was in a hurry so I got there early, hoping to be the first in line. I was actually the 4th or 5th person there, but the others, instead of getting in line, all knelt down in the pews to pray beforehand. I went over to where the line normally forms and after standing there for a few minutes without anyone going in, I took it upon myself to be the first. I didn’t see a problem with this until I was met with a bunch of angry stares when I came out.

Didn’t you see those invisible placeholders??? I’m sorry, but if no one was going in, how were you supposed to know that there was a protocol? Geez.

 

[Gordon_Sims]

Didn’t you see those invisible placeholders??? I’m sorry, but if no one was going in, how were you supposed to know that there was a protocol? Geez.

LOL. I really did give them every opportunity to go in front of me. I even made sure I waited until after the scheduled start time so it wouldn’t look like I was jumping the gun. They made sure to form a line after I got out.

 

[ccmcmg]

Do you have your priest’s cell phone number? I’d call him before my appointment to make sure he doesn’t forget. I’d consider doing the same with my priest if not for the fact that he beats me to the punch and both emails and calls me anytime I have an appointment with him.

As far as being first in line for Confession, when I went last month I was in a hurry so I got there early, hoping to be the first in line. I was actually the 4th or 5th person there, but the others, instead of getting in line, all knelt down in the pews to pray beforehand. I went over to where the line normally forms and after standing there for a few minutes without anyone going in, I took it upon myself to be the first. I didn’t see a problem with this until I was met with a bunch of angry stares when I came out.

I actually wish our Parish would form the line in the nearby pews. The wait can be quite long and there are no chairs. Some people just can’t stand that long. We have pews available right there. I’m new to the Parish though, so there might be some reasoning I’m not aware of…like no one wants to upset the apple cart since people are actually forming long lines for Confession. Nonetheless, it hasn’t hurt me so far; I just have chosen to be last, despite the fact that I was there early enough to be in the first 5, but that requires being there 30-40 minutes early…so that makes an hour of standing in line. I ended up there 2 1/2 hours last time, so I was able to pray a couple rosaries, observe a wedding Mass in the church where we were waiting, read the Bible, and pray more. I have met some amazing people while I was waiting!