New and worried

[Rachel_Kelsen]

Good evening!
I am a convert going onto my second year. Asking questions of a priest still makes me nervous. Funny thing about that is I work in a Catholic Church as a bookkeeper/volunteer coordinator. I really like the priest there but he’s so busy taking care of the parishioners I don’t want to bother him. I attend mass at a different parish, but I don’t really feel at home there.

I guess I just want to know a priest’s view of things. I have questions about scapulars and confession and so many other things. Can I ask these questions even though technically he’s my boss? What about confession? Would you confess your darkest secrets to your boss? I know priests are supposed to keep the secrets and they don’t hold your sins against you, but they’re humans too and I just don’t see how they can look past some things.

Anyways - enough rambling for tonight.

Thanks and God bless!!
Rae

 

[Michael16]

Congrats on coming home, Rae. I’m thinking why not just ask the priest some general questions that don’t require confession to ask and in the meantime, go to your parish priest for confession?

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

Also, confession is usually through a screen or a curtain.
But confession is really just part of the job.
People tell secret things to psychiatrists all the time–would you worry about what they thought of you?
ray:t2: For you!

 

[PaulfromIowa]

You ought to be able to talk to him about questions that you have, especially as you are volunteer coordinator. If I were you, I would try to go to a different priest for confession. For example, if you confessed that you had a theft problem and you are the bookkeeper, that puts him in an awkward position, doesn’t it?

 

[AdherentToRome]

In my church anybody who reports to the priest can’t confess to him as it could be a conflict of interest as was stated above. Most churches mention that during the hiring phase. At my parish they would hand out time another priest could hear the confessions of the church employed. As for the rest I would say ask away. If he is busy you coukd write him a letter or email so he can respond when he is able. My priest answers mine usually within a week with the understanding that there is no rush.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

As others have said, find another priest to confess to due to possible conflict of interest. If there’s another parish close by then just go there for confession.

You should be able to ask your priest questions about Catholic things, but I understand what you say about priests being really busy. Maybe you can make an appointment or arrange to have lunch with your priest, since you’re both in the office, and go through your question list all at once. Or get to know a couple other priests so you aren’t bombarding the one with questions all the time. You can also make use of online resources to learn about things like scapulars.