No priest for confession!

[DWC_RC]

Neither of the parishes in town had a priest for confession today. Not a single priest. I am at wits end with my local parish. Not following the rubrics of the Roman Missal, watered down homilies, false teachings…I’ve had it.
We are going to drive 20 miles to another diocese for mass tomorrow. It is the parish that had confession today.

So, so mad.

 

[AndrewA]

Wow that sucks. Perhaps you could write a letter to the priests or the Bishop about your experience?

 

[Lancer]

Keep it in perspective…my son is in the war zone…his 4th tour…this time in Operation Enduring Freedom…last time it was for the surge in Iraq…now its in Afghanistan for the surge…he sees a priest (if he is lucky) every 4-6 weeks…yet while we are here…we can drive 20+ miles or so…to another priest or parish…!

If you were in China…to go to an “above ground Catholic Church” in communion with the Holy Father…you would have to spend @ 12 hours…to ferry to Hong Kong…to attend Mass and then spend another 6 hours getting back to China…a 0600 to 1800 day just to get to and to participate in the Sunday Liturgy.

The USCCB, God bless them, let all of our Catholic soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and coast guards’ men go to war (going on 7-9years ) without enough chaplains…while we back here can (“shop”) to get to Mass and the Sacrament of Confession with little or no inconveniences…and still even better…we are not at risk of being blown up/into the next life/eternity by an IED…or a sniper,

Just a thought…

Pax Christi

P.S…the one best advantage…for my son and those with him…I never met an unorthodox or selfish priest-chaplain in all my years in het Marine Corps…they are a super terrific group of blessed, holy and manly priests! they never let us down…but they can only be in one place at a time! Amen!

 

[Lifeisawesome]

Your frustration sounds like a matter for confession… kidding. Sorry to hear this. I will pray for you and yours.

 

[DWC_RC]

I wrote to the Bishop of our diocese and told him of my displeasure. The parish priest is supposed to be there for his flock, not abandon them. Another priest should have been called in for confession or at least put it in the bulletin that confession wasn’t going to be on Saturday.
The parish secretary told me that their hasn’t been a priest in town all week long. Several people called with marital issues and she didn’t know what to tell them.

 

[DWC_RC]

Keep it in perspective…my son is in the war zone…his 4th tour…this time in Operation Enduring Freedom…last time it was for the surge in Iraq…now its in Afghanistan for the surge…he sees a priest (if he is lucky) every 4-6 weeks…yet while we are here…we can drive 20+ miles or so…to another priest or parish…!

If you were in China…to go to an “above ground Catholic Church” in communion with the Holy Father…you would have to spend @ 12 hours…to ferry to Hong Kong…to attend Mass and then spend another 6 hours getting back to China…a 0600 to 1800 day just to get to and to participate in the Sunday Liturgy.

The USCCB, God bless them, let all of our Catholic soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and coast guards’ men go to war (going on 7-9years ) without enough chaplains…while we back here can (“shop”) to get to Mass and the Sacrament of Confession with little or no inconveniences…and still even better…we are not at risk of being blown up/into the next life/eternity by an IED…or a sniper,

Just a thought…

Pax Christi

P.S…the one best advantage…for my son and those with him…I never met an unorthodox or selfish priest-chaplain in all my years in het Marine Corps…they are a super terrific group of blessed, holy and manly priests! they never let us down…but they can only be in one place at a time! Amen!

Your son is in my prayers.
I don’t mean to complain, but our parish is on the down hill slide right now. I have posted before of the unorthodox behavior of the parish. From what the secretary told me today, many people are upset at the lack of a priest in the entire town…a town that has three large Catholic Church’s.
Several have called regarding marriage issues and their isn’t a priest to see them. Their is a problem if a parishoner needs help and can’t find it at a Catholic Church. The sacrament of reconciliation is needed for salvation, it should be offered at all times.

 

[smithm29]

In Wheeling-Charleston, you get what you can, sadly. We have 107 priests for 111 parishes (or something lose to that!), more than one parish has multiple priests, and there are several assigned to administrative duty. A priest was just suspended in Weirton, so we’re down another. I’m pretty lucky to be able to go to Beckley on Wednesday nights. Both priests there are good confessors, and the bulletin is always updated if they won’t be in.

Father Manuel Gelido is at Christ the King in Dunbar. He’s my former pastor, a great confessor, and a wonderful director. I know that’s still a little drive for you, but that’s all I know of that far north.

 

[Scoobyshme]

In Wheeling-Charleston, you get what you can, sadly. We have 107 priests for 111 parishes (or something lose to that!), more than one parish has multiple priests, and there are several assigned to administrative duty. A priest was just suspended in Weirton, so we’re down another. I’m pretty lucky to be able to go to Beckley on Wednesday nights. Both priests there are good confessors, and the bulletin is always updated if they won’t be in.

Father Manuel Gelido is at Christ the King in Dunbar. He’s my former pastor, a great confessor, and a wonderful director. I know that’s still a little drive for you, but that’s all I know of that far north.

Maybe they should import some foreign priests like other dioceses. I’ve seen several from India, Africa, etc.

 

[Crash001]

I don’t mean to complain, but our parish is on the down hill slide right now. I have posted before of the unorthodox behavior of the parish. From what the secretary told me today, many people are upset at the lack of a priest in the entire town…a town that has three large Catholic Church’s. Several have called regarding marriage issues and their isn’t a priest to see them. Their is a problem if a parishoner needs help and can’t find it at a Catholic Church. The sacrament of reconciliation is needed for salvation, it should be offered at all times.

This saddens me, but should be a wake up call for parishioners. I’m not pointing fingers, but it’s time for some of those in the pew to step up, do a little benchmarking (i.e. what are the good parishes doing that we’re not), and then make things happen. It only takes a group of 3-5 people to turn things around.

Our Church has over 30 active ministries and a strong congregation. On the other hand, my mothers parish has been dying for years and nobody has stepped up to save her - in a different city and far way, otherwise, I’d step in.

Maybe consider it your mission to make your parish committed to being an inclusive and welcoming family, respond to the flock through active ministries as a reflection of God’s love and witness to the Gospel in prayer, word, and deed.

Just a suggestion, but maybe sit down with one priest who cares and say, “I’m ready”. Again, I’m really not pointing fingers, but just suggesting to tackle this and the issue of not having a priest available for confession head-on and in a humble and serving manner.

Another option is to move…seriously. I would move to be near a parish that I love…and then fully support it.

 

[DWC_RC]

The parish in Marietta, Ohio is wonderful. We attended mass there today with my father in law. The priest is wonderful, the parish is BEAUTIFUL and it is less than twenty miles from my house.

We have the three to five people who have stood up, but nobody is listening. Constant emails, discussion ect have been done to no avail.

 

[Lifeisawesome]

This saddens me, but should be a wake up call for parishioners. I’m not pointing fingers, but it’s time for some of those in the pew to step up, do a little benchmarking (i.e. what are the good parishes doing that we’re not), and then make things happen. It only takes a group of 3-5 people to turn things around.

I like the spirit of your thoughts here. We should always be ready to be an active part of the solution to the problems we surface.

 

[Maria1212]

I would try channeling your frustration into prayer for increased vocations. We have a big priest shortage here in the United States. I am sorry you are having problems with your local parish but try focusing on the positive. You are very blessed to be able to drive to another parish.

Sincerely,

Maria1212

 

[JustaServant]

Neither of the parishes in town had a priest for confession today. Not a single priest. I am at wits end with my local parish. Not following the rubrics of the Roman Missal, watered down homilies, false teachings…I’ve had it.
We are going to drive 20 miles to another diocese for mass tomorrow. It is the parish that had confession today.

So, so mad.

This indeed is a problem that cannot be easily dodged. Growing up, I was always used to having Confession before Mass. Since I have returned to the Church, I notice the Sacrament has become less accessible. There are Confession times yes, but when it is before Mass you had no reason to blame memory and say ‘I forgot’, it was right there before Mass. In many parishes if nobody arrives for 4PM confession on Saturday, the priest is gone by 4:05, That is unacceptable in my opinion.

 

[DWC_RC]

This indeed is a problem that cannot be easily dodged. Growing up, I was always used to having Confession before Mass. Since I have returned to the Church, I notice the Sacrament has become less accessible. There are Confession times yes, but when it is before Mass you had no reason to blame memory and say ‘I forgot’, it was right there before Mass. In many parishes if nobody arrives for 4PM confession on Saturday, the priest is gone by 4:05, That is unacceptable in my opinion.

We saw the priest running out the door with a plate of cake (looked like birthday cake). He waved to us and jumped in a waiting car. Generally my wife and I are the only two that show up for confession on Saturday in a Church with 800 families. We are blessed at Saint Margaret Mary to have so many Saints in our presense.

BTW Jim, Dad doesn’t need a bypass. They stented him this morning and he is going home tomorrow.

 

[thistle]

Our parish church has 3 priests and we have have Confession 6 days a day (Monday - Saturday). Its hard for anyone to argue they can’t make one of these times. Our priests are always happy to accomodate Confession outside these times as well.

 

[DWC_RC]

Our parish church has 3 priests and we have have Confession 6 days a day (Monday - Saturday). Its hard for anyone to argue they can’t make one of these times. Our priests are always happy to accomodate Confession outside these times as well.

Our parish generally has two priests. The parish downtown has two priests now and their is a third parish within ten miles. None offer confession other than Saturday unless you make an appointment. As I stated before, their is generally nobody there anyway.

 

[MtnDwellar]

Our parish generally has two priests. The parish downtown has two priests now and their is a third parish within ten miles. None offer confession other than Saturday unless you make an appointment. As I stated before, their is generally nobody there anyway.

Do not forget to be thankful for what you have. Priests have a rough job. Whether you approve or not, they are probably doing the best that they can.