Decreasing Reconciliation Offerings at Parishes?

[babochka]

I live in close driving distance of a few dozen parishes. If I want to go to confession on Saturday about 3 PM I have dozens of choices. If I want to go some weekday I have one choice. If I want to go at night during the week, I can wait till Advent or Lent, unless I make a special request, which I suspect few would do.

The same is true for daily Mass. I have dozens of choices at 8:30 AM. Not otherwise.

I wish parishes would coordinate with each other

I completely agree. I have seen dramatic improvements in scheduling confessions in my area in the last few years. I hope that it continues.

 

[EnglishTeacher]

On the positive side, I’ve noticed more parishes offering confession times on weekday evenings, which is very much needed. It makes little sense for every parish in the area to offer confession on Saturday from 4-5 if they want to be able to reach the widest number of people

Totally agree that weekday evenings would be great for a larger number of people. I don’t know why almost no parishes do this, though (although I am glad to here that some near you are offering it).

 

[InThePew]

For folks who have some kind of religious community nearby, that may be a good option. Their priests have valid orders, they can hear confessions and absolve!

Religious communities are good because there’s several priests there and so more chance of finding someone. Having said that, I’ve known several community houses who don’t answer their phone on a Monday (it seems all their priests take the same day off).

One of my biggest frustrations before ordination was the difficulty in trying to get hold of a priest for confession so I try to live out a principle of availability - even when I’m getting dinner ready (my stomach can wait - the penitent can’t). So what I would say is be persistent - a priest has a canonical obligation to hear your confession at any reasonable time - so while 5 minutes before mass isn’t going to work, tell him that you’re prepared to hang around after mass. If he’s got another mass to run off to straight away - tell him you’ll keep it quick (just the big stuff) since it’ll still be valid. If one presbytery doesn’t answer, try another one. If you’re still getting nowhere, phone the bishop’s office - be polite - and say that you’ve tried X number of parishes to no avail and can they help. Where there’s a will there’s a way!

 

[poche]

A friend of the family wanted to go to confession. He called one of the local Catholic churches and asked about the schedule. They said that the priest doesn’t have a scheduled time for confessions. My friend replied, “So you’re telling me that nobody in your city sins?”

 

[OraLabora]

Today I had something on my conscience and wanted to go to confession. Confession at the abbey is 30 minutes before Mass. I made an effort to be at the door of the confessional at 10:25 so I could be first; I’ve learned the hard way that confessions at the abbey are longer than usual; people who go there usually are going out of their way to get there and want a bit more than just confession. Strange because the abbey will always make a monk-priest available for spiritual direction (with confession if desired) “off-line” as it were, and you can take as long as you’d like.

Alas a younger man (younger than me at least) was there before I was. He was first. It timed him. He was in the confessional for 20 minutes!!! I was on the verge of bailing when he finally came out and I went in for mine, which took about 4 minutes. My penance was to go pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament for a few minutes. They were precious few minutes indeed as I was only 5 minutes from the start of Mass by then. Fortunately I had also prayed before the Blessed Sacrament before confession, it’s usually my first stop when I arrive before Mass (unless I arrive early enough for Terce).

Confessions are like homilies: if they take longer than 6 minutes, you aren’t getting your message across

 

[Hope1960]

Most parishes here, including my own have it right before Saturday Vigil Mass, usually 3:30 to 4, then the same priest says a 4 PM Mass.

This is awkward, as you already know your confession has to be short. I feel self conscious if there is a line, and I only get in at 8 minutes to 4.

I wish they would have confessions after Mass.

We have several Confession times during the week, including from 4:00 to 4:45 on Saturday before the Vigil Mass. You can always make an appointment to see the priest for Confession, face to face.too, in his office.
I always go to the Saturday one before Mass. I have made 2 or 3 appointments to confess face to face in his office but I’m uncomfortable with that and much prefer confessing behind a screen.

 

[babochka]

Confessions are like homilies: if they take longer than 6 minutes, you aren’t getting your message across

I’ve been to 30 minute confessions in which my part took no longer that 2 minutes.

My confessor takes his time with everyone. It is one of the things I appreciate the most about him - he hears every confession as if it is the only one that he has to hear and he gives it the time that he believes it’s necessary.

Having said that, I usually make an appointment for confession. Our parish’s regularly scheduled confession time is about 50 minutes on Sunday morning before Divine Liturgy. It is hard to get to church an hour early on Sunday and if I don’t make the beginning of the line, I might not get it at all. But father is always happy to hear confessions after the Divine Liturgy and pretty much any time he is asked.

 

[InThePew]

People who come to confession are in varying stages in terms of their spiritual life as well as their personal lives. For some people, it’s a real struggle just to get themselves to confession let alone to confess. Some have been away for so long they can’t even remember how long, some are struggling emotionally, others have mental health issues, while others still are struggling to find the right words. In other words, it takes however long it takes. Of course it would be a lot easier if penitents would cull their laundry list to one or two “headline” items, describing the rest thematically; if those struggling emotionally would take the time to compose themselves first and those with a lot to cover would make an appointment. Easier shouldn’t however be equated with better. the simple reality is that we are all flawed creatures, each with our own personal struggles and sinfulness. Granted some people are far more comfortable with the sacrament than others and can be in and out in under six minutes - but those who are strong need to bear with the failing of those who are weak.

 

[Mi_Rose]

We live in an area that is desperately trying not to close parishes so sometimes one priest is responsible for three parishes. You can always find a confession in the city but in country parishes where the priest just shows up for mass it is not so easy.
Generally they will hear a confession before or after mass if you can catch them!

 

[OraLabora]

I agree completely, and these situations need to be addressed with sensitivity. However, the abbey will make a priest available for counselling, spiritual direction and confession privately, on request, I hesitate to say “24/7” but if it is a genuine emergency, the night porter will do his best to help (he is also priest).

Anyway I was being a bit facetious when I said that a confession over 6 minutes is like a homily that lasts more than 6 minutes. Obviously some situations require more time.

 

[DMorgan56]

My Parish, Our Lady of Grace, has both weekday(except Friday) and Saturday confession offerings prior to Mass.
Most of the other Parishes in my county have once a week, 30 minutes allocated. Of course by appointment is available.

 

[Marie16]

This is a wonderful explanation. Thank you for the kindness and understanding you portray in it. It is a sacrament I have experience in struggling with and it’s nice to know everyone isn’t looking to only critique the efforts of others. We can all just do our best.