How often does your parish offer confession?

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Toledo said:
I have noted that the more the priest mentions Confession and offers Confession, the more it is used. The older I get, the more I believe one of the hallmarks of a good priest is his love of getting people to utilize Confession.
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True, but a lot depends on the work other people did, or didn’t do, in years prior. When I was going to Catholic school Confession was emphasized in the Religion program, and provided in school day monthly. We were very much aware of Sin, as such.

When my children went to Catholic school the Religion textbooks mentioned Confession, now “Reconciliation” (a very nebulous concept) but were vague about why it was needed. They used to offer it twice a year during school day, then dropped even that, saying better for kids to go with their family, at the evening penance service. But I didn’t see many children there.

A lot depends on what other people, mostly Laity, have done in prior years.
 
There is a deanery meeting next Saturday so no confession, that means two weeks on thin ice.
 
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Toledo:
I have noted that the more the priest mentions Confession and offers Confession, the more it is used. The older I get, the more I believe one of the hallmarks of a good priest is his love of getting people to utilize Confession.
Click to expand...
True, but a lot depends on the work other people did, or didn’t do, in years prior. When I was going to Catholic school Confession was emphasized in the Religion program, and provided in school day monthly. We were very much aware of Sin, as such.

When my children went to Catholic school the Religion textbooks mentioned Confession, now “Reconciliation” (a very nebulous concept) but were vague about why it was needed. They used to offer it twice a year during school day, then dropped even that, saying better for kids to go with their family, at the evening penance service. But I didn’t see many children there.

A lot depends on what other people, mostly Laity, have done in prior years.
Click to expand...
There is a lot blame to be laid at the feet of what happened before. For many years, in various parishes in Canada, we got used to the Lent and Advent Reconciliation Services with General Absolution. They were usually very well attended.

Then came the ad limina visits in 2002 and our bishops returned and informed the priests that general absolution was no longer to be given unless the canon law requirements were met. I know, it never should have been offered in that context, but from the time Form II started being used, it was bound to happen, human beings always looking for the easiest way. Once people realized they had to actually confess orally, attendance at Penitential Services in our parish was cut in half and went downhill from there. But because people had become used to the twice-a-year general absolution, they did not return to Confession. I’ll admit I was as guilty as anyone else. That sacrament was not really on my radar for several years outside of Christmas and Lent and heading off on a long car trip.

Then came a pastor who preached on Confession, if not on examples of sin. It made me look at my life and step up my game. He also didn’t use Form II at all, because he said it made it seem like Confession was only important twice a year, rather than any time we had committed a mortal sin or even venial ains.

One of the last times I remember being involved in the preparation of a Form II service, we had people who were offended by an Examination of Conscience that actually treated them as adults and named sins. They’d been used to a touchy-feely E of C that talked mainly of the environment and kids disobeying mom & dad, not being nice to their friends, and not doing their homework. Great if it was for a school but not a parish service where 99% of the assembly consisted of adults.

Personally, I wish we could have a monthly Form II to supplement the hour per week of Form I.
 
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This is actually an on-going issue at my parish. Currently, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is only available once per week, for about 45mins, right before Vigil on Saturdays. That is the only opportunity to receive the sacrament. I have called multiple times in the past to try and make an appointment and I constantly get deferred to call back next week because the priests are very busy with [insert event of your choosing]. The few times I have gone on Saturdays, there is only one priest, and it’s not even one of our priests (we have 2 assigned), it’s a retired priest who comes in to hear confessions and to celebrate Vigil Mass because, without him, they wouldn’t be happening. He’s always so sorry when he has to stop hearing confessions to prepare for Mass and there’s like 20+ people still in line that have been there since the beginning. He always tells those in line to keep calling the parish until they fix it. It’s been months to no avail. One day after Vigil Mass I stopped him and asked him if I would have his support in calling His Excellency, our Archbishop (I’m in an Archdiocese), as I suspected, he didn’t recommend it because it could likely exacerbate issues once the Archdiocese gets involved. This is something that has been infuriating me. We criticize people for not coming to the Church, but when they do, to receive one of the most important sacraments, we make them wait a 45min line, to then in the end, get nothing done. Shame on us. Shame on us. I don’t understand how men, who have dedicated their lives to serving Christ and to ministering, are denying people this opportunity to experience the graceful forgiveness and mercy of our Lord.

I apologize for the rant, but this has been something on my mind for a while and something that I’m actively working on correcting.

EDIT: I wanted to add that I am blessed and grateful to be around a lot of Jesuits and to have a Jesuit parish near me, there they offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation for around 30 minutes before each Mass, and they hold four Masses every day. Any one of the priests would be more than happy to hear one’s confession at any time if you just stop them and let them know. I often will refer the people that get stuck in line to go there if they feel called to do so.
 
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A few times a day every single day. Lines are always full too!
 
I think it’s quite a bit like exercising. The more you go to confession, the stronger you (and the rest of the parish) will become in receiving the Graces of the Sacrament of Penance consistently. Offer it sparingly and the people that will come to confession will be likewise. Offer it more and more people will come to have their sins forgiven. It doesn’t apply perfectly in context with this passage but my mind definitely goes to this Bible verse.

“Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2Corinthians 9:6)
 
As a parish secretary, I schedule requested confessions all the time. We never ask for more than a first initial and a call back number just in case Father gets called away on a death call. We would never, ever ask someone’s name.

We explain to the penitent:

Father goes over to the confessional about 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time. Please be on time but not early if you wish to remain anonymous.
 
We have 1/2 hour before Divine Liturgy but one has to go ask Father to hear their confession.
 
During every Sunday Mass!

1 vigil mass, 5 Sunday masses.

Also Wed 6:30-8:00pm Sat 3:30-5:00pm

The line of wraps around the church, and we are not a “large” parish.

I think they are on to something.
 
We have about 900 attending Mass for Sundays, total.
Parish offers confession for 45 minutes before Saturday vigil and after the Friday 615am Mass.
The times are inadequate so many people drive to another parish or go to the local Marian Shrine which has confession every day before Mass.

Our pastor is a wonderful priest but he does not necessarily hold orthodox views on the necessity for confession.
 
He’s doing well if he’s able to offer 45 minutes worth before and after mass. Is there more you’d expect him to do?
 
On Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, plus anytime on appointment.

A priest from outside the parish is also available one Thursday afternoon per month, for people who prefer not to confess to one of their pastors.
 
InThePew said:
He’s doing well if he’s able to offer 45 minutes worth before and after mass. Is there more you’d expect him to do?
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Sure, he’s doing the best he can. There are just limited opportunities and times.
 
Monday to Friday after 9 AM Mass and 4-5 PM on Saturday. Also by appointment.
 
We’re very fortunate at my parish. We have confession every day, Mon-Sat, and in Spanish two different times on Sun. Also, of course, by appointment.
 
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