Fear of Bugging Busy Priest

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robertmidwest

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I need some advice from others who talk regularly to their priest.

I don’t have a problem confiding in a priest, but have a fear of taking up their time. I don’t think it is a totally unrealistic fear. From what I see there are so busy with the parish I can’t imagine my request for time is not just increasing their burden. How do I seek guidance on doubts, fears, personal issue ect. without being a burden?
 
I guess you could limit what issues you approach the priest with. Are there others who could help you with some of the things you ask the priest about?
 
I would ask him for an appointment which is convenient for him. It’s tough talking to them after Mass and sometimes in Confession too when there’s a lot of people waiting. If you attend a weekday Mass, sometimes they have a little time afterwords.
 
robertmidwest said:
I need some advice from others who talk regularly to their priest.

I don’t have a problem confiding in a priest, but have a fear of taking up their time. I don’t think it is a totally unrealistic fear. From what I see there are so busy with the parish I can’t imagine my request for time is not just increasing their burden. How do I seek guidance on doubts, fears, personal issue ect. without being a burden?
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You can try askapriest.org if you are scared. I am not sure if I bothered my parish priest. He had many concerns. I did feel like I took up his time, but he invited me first to speak with him.
 
Sunbreak said:
I guess you could limit what issues you approach the priest with. Are there others who could help you with some of the things you ask the priest about?
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You mean a deacon or something?
 
PelagiathePenit said:
You can try askapriest.org if you are scared. I am not sure if I bothered my parish priest. He had many concerns. I did feel like I took up his time, but he invited me first to speak with him.
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Are you sure about that website, because it doesn’t exist. I tried askthepriest.org and it is inactive and run by an Episcopalian.
 
robertmidwest said:
I need some advice from others who talk regularly to their priest.

I don’t have a problem confiding in a priest, but have a fear of taking up their time. I don’t think it is a totally unrealistic fear. From what I see there are so busy with the parish I can’t imagine my request for time is not just increasing their burden. How do I seek guidance on doubts, fears, personal issue ect. without being a burden?
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I have the same problem, my big parish has only 2 priests, one of whom also has another assignment from the Bishop and they seem to have their hands over full. However, I am blessed to be in an area where there are a couple of monasteries and a priory, and the priests are quite open to scheduling an appointment for direction, and usually they are not rushed for Confession, either. You could perhaps see if there is someone available for spiritual counseling in your area in a monastery.
 
Do not take it upon yourself to manage a priest’s time. If your concern is relevant and pressing then he will make time for you. If you are wasting his time then he will not let you continue. I think, of all people, busy priests are quite capable of managing their time well, and listening to the legitimate concerns of a good parishioner is important business.
 
robertmidwest said:
How do I seek guidance on doubts, fears, personal issue ect. without being a burden?
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I think Elizium’s post above is spot on, and I agree with it wholeheartedly. But just as a sort of “addition” to their comments:

I think that seeking council for such problems is a good thing. I see absolutely nothing immoral about it, and, unless you’re merely being frivolous, such council will probably greatly assist you spiritually. Therefore, if you’re feeling guilt about it, I highly doubt that your guilt is coming from the Holy Spirit. In fact, I would probably interpret it as coming from the evil one.
 
InNomineDomini said:
I think Elizium’s post above is spot on, and I agree with it wholeheartedly. But just as a sort of “addition” to their comments:

I think that seeking council for such problems is a good thing. I see absolutely nothing immoral about it, and, unless you’re merely being frivolous, such council will probably greatly assist you spiritually. Therefore, if you’re feeling guilt about it, I highly doubt that your guilt is coming from the Holy Spirit. In fact, I would probably interpret it as coming from the evil one.
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I don’t think it’s immoral. I was more concerned about being a pest.
 
I used to try ducking past my pastor on the way out of Mass on Sunday. My reasoning was that since I worked there three days a week, I saw him plenty and had no good reason to take up his valuable time spent greeting parishioners on their way out of Mass. I was wrong. He always insisted on greeting me, at least a few pleasantries. He just would not let me pass without it. And I realized that this face-time is very important to him. I am sure it lets him make important assessments of how we are doing and keep those lines of communication open. So no, you are definitely not a pest, quite the opposite: any pastor worth his salt will WANT to hear from you.
 
I grew up in a small town with a small parish, and our priest seemed to know everyone in the parish and be part of their lives. But now I live in a big town with a big parish, and it seems our priest knows very few people in the parish and is probably involved in even fewer people’s lives. I often wish I had the opportunity to speak with him, maybe get some advice on spiritual matters, but like the original poster said, I feel like I’d be bugging him.

I’ve been needing to go to confession, but I haven’t been for so long that I’ll need to schedule an appointment. Maybe I’ll get a chance to speak to him then.
 
I agree with posters who stated to talk with the priest, because he want to know what’s going on with his flock. I have decided to spend some time in prayer and reflection first. To let God work on my heart first to calm my emotions and allow me to speak intelligently, not just an emotional rambling.
 
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