Is it just me, or is set time for confessions becoming an endangered species

[Brendan]

Confession is only necessary if you’re in mortal sin, so its not really a big deal. Its much wiser to spend time staying OUT of mortal sin in the 1st place. Priests do their best.

Part of the Grace recieved in the Sacrament of Reconcilliation is the Grace to resist sin.

Not only does the Grace clean our souls, it fortified the soul against temptaiton.

So regular reception of this Sacrament is one of the best ways to stay out of Mortal Sin.

If we applied your comment to dental heath, it would be the equivent of saying that there is no need to go to a dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, since a dentist is only necessary when you need bridgework or a cavity filled.

When ,in fact, regular trips to the dentist PREVENT cavities, as the dentist can idenfity troublespot before they need extractions or fillings. He can suggest particular techniques for cleaning that we might not be aware of, or know that it would apply in our circumstances.

The exact same is true for spirtual health. That is why Pope John Paul II went weekly.

 

[lakotak]

Unfortunately, my parish lists confession from 3:00 to 3:45 on Saturday, but the priest does not come into the Church until about 3:50 to prepare for MASS. I always have to go to confession during the weekday morning MASS at another parish. I have to confess, I really never see anyone that wants to go to confession at my parish, so I guess that is why the priest never bothers to honor the time frame for it.

 

[DihydrogenOxide]

Unfortunately, my parish lists confession from 3:00 to 3:45 on Saturday, but the priest does not come into the Church until about 3:50 to prepare for MASS. I always have to go to confession during the weekday morning MASS at another parish. I have to confess, I really never see anyone that wants to go to confession at my parish, so I guess that is why the priest never bothers to honor the time frame for it.

That’s not good! May God bless his soul and grant him the grace to turn around before death.

 

[JimG]

A lot of parishes canceled confessions on Christmas Eve this year, which was a Saturday, because it conflicted with Christmas Masses. The announcement was usually in the bulletins, which were available on their website, but not on the main page of the website.

 

[rotlex]

My “home” parish only has confession on Saturday afternoons at 3:30pm. That never works for me, especially in the summer. My solution? I searched all the local parishes and found one that had a regular time convenient for me. 7:30 am every Saturday which works great!

Also, as others have said, you can just go by appt., but that is kind of annoying too. I do agree that as much as it is preached to go to confession more regularly, it is rather annoying that times can be so limited.

 

[DihydrogenOxide]

Also, as others have said, you can just go by appt., but that is kind of annoying too. I do agree that as much as it is preached to go to confession more regularly, it is rather annoying that times can be so limited.

I agree with you here. How many catholics are going to want to make an appointment? I mean, your everyday catholic, go-to-Mass-only-on-Sunday crowd? Most of my relatives certainly wouldn’t. That’s why they like to kneel behind the screen in the confessional.

 

[Phemie]

It’s interesting to note that in my parish, where confession is as rare as hens’ teeth, they have just remodeled the “Reconciliation Room” to make a proper confessional, taking a closet to make the penitent’s box and putting in a screened opening into the Reconciliation Room.

They did that because the diocese’s Responsible Ministry policy dictates that all reconciliation rooms have glass doors. Until such time as one could be purchased it was decided to simply remove the door to the reconciliation room. Needless to say that went over like a lead balloon. The older people didn’t much like the reconciliation room model anyway, preferring the confessional box style. I admit I prefer that too.

 

[littlepilgrim]

Why don’t you check to see if your college has a Catholic Campus Ministry or Neuman club? Those are usually active on campuses and have conffesion quite often at my school.

 

[Blenderx]

This was my experience where I used to live. I would show up at the appointed time and no one would be there. I was even stood up several times when I made appointments for it. After that, I started attending at the cathedral, where I didn’t have any problems. Where I currently live, there are regular confessions on Saturdays at several parishes and there are long lines. Much better!

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

In my parish, confessions are increasing because the topic comes up frequently in homilies. In fact, red and green indicator lights are being installed in the two reconciliation rooms (they weren’t included in the building plans) specifically to attract people to come inside. We’re looking at adding another day so more people can come. When people finally come back to regular confessions, they notice spiritual growth in their lives.