Parish changed confession times--and now I'm worried about my parents taking me?

[jtav]

I live in a fairly spread-out semi-rural parish, and we just lost our parochial vicar. We appear to be losing the Saturday reconciliation before Mass, so it’s now on Wednesday evening only.

I live with my parents and depend on them for transport (and they have to be the ones to take me both for their own peace of mind and because it’s an electric chair that needs a lift). My parents used to be strongly anti-Catholic but have softened, but probably not enough to appreciate driving 15 minutes just for confession. The neighboring parish still has Saturday confession and Mass but it’s also somewhat out of their way. I’m unsure how to broach the subject or what a good solution is. They don’t really “get” confession to begin with. And to make things worse, I need to go to confession ASAP.

 

[Convert_in_99]

I live in a fairly spread-out semi-rural parish, and we just lost our parochial vicar. We appear to be losing the Saturday reconciliation before Mass, so it’s now on Wednesday evening only.

I live with my parents and depend on them for transport (and they have to be the ones to take me both for their own peace of mind and because it’s an electric chair that needs a lift). My parents used to be strongly anti-Catholic but have softened, but probably not enough to appreciate driving 15 minutes just for confession. The neighboring parish still has Saturday confession and Mass but it’s also somewhat out of their way. I’m unsure how to broach the subject or what a good solution is. They don’t really “get” confession to begin with. And to make things worse, I need to go to confession ASAP.

Maybe they’d be more open to a monthly confession outing?

 

[pensmama87]

Maybe they’d be more open to a monthly confession outing?

That’s a good idea. You could also ask if you could make an appointment for confession either before or after Mass. You’re not limited to the scheduled times.

If you’re dealing with habitual sin, in some ways this turn of events could be a blessing in disguise for you - temptation may be easier to overcome knowing confession is not as conveniently available.

 

[acadiANNA]

Praying that your parents will accommodate you on the day of reconciliation and as soon as possible. God bless. (.)

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I live in a fairly spread-out semi-rural parish, and we just lost our parochial vicar. We appear to be losing the Saturday reconciliation before Mass, so it’s now on Wednesday evening only.

I live with my parents and depend on them for transport (and they have to be the ones to take me both for their own peace of mind and because it’s an electric chair that needs a lift). My parents used to be strongly anti-Catholic but have softened, but probably not enough to appreciate driving 15 minutes just for confession. The neighboring parish still has Saturday confession and Mass but it’s also somewhat out of their way. I’m unsure how to broach the subject or what a good solution is. They don’t really “get” confession to begin with. And to make things worse, I need to go to confession ASAP.

My child, why don’t you explain your situation to your parish priest and ask if he can make an accommodation in light of your quite extenuating circumstances?

Before I retired, I was pastor in parishes where I had to change the schedule for one reason or another but when presented with a situation such as you describe…the need involving one person using an electric wheelchair and special transport and such…I would make special arrangements…perhaps to hear the confession, privately, after Mass, to avoid the need of the person and their caregivers making another trip. I would like to think my brothers priests in America all have common sense as well as pastoral compassion.

If you were house-bound, the parish priest would be having to come to your home for the sacrament of reconciliation so, if you are able to get to the church, he is already ahead, as it were.

If worse comes to worst, he can always invoke canon 916 for you and hear your confession after Mass and Communion…but I will leave that for him to explain, if that need arises.

 

[jtav]

I talked it over with my mother, and I’ll be attending Mass at the other parish this week so Mom doesn’t have to make two trips. Prayers for a good confession and that the church is accessible.

 

[acadiANNA]

Keeping you in prayer for a good confession. May God bless you.

 

[EasterJoy]

My child, why don’t you explain your situation to your parish priest and ask if he can make an accommodation in light of your quite extenuating circumstances?

Before I retired, I was pastor in parishes where I had to change the schedule for one reason or another but when presented with a situation such as you describe…the need involving one person using an electric wheelchair and special transport and such…I would make special arrangements…perhaps to hear the confession, privately, after Mass, to avoid the need of the person and their caregivers making another trip. I would like to think my brothers priests in America all have common sense as well as pastoral compassion.

If you were house-bound, the parish priest would be having to come to your home for the sacrament of reconciliation so, if you are able to get to the church, he is already ahead, as it were.

If worse comes to worst, he can always invoke canon 916 for you and hear your confession after Mass and Communion…but I will leave that for him to explain, if that need arises.

This. If there is any situation which the priests I have known have been more than willing to accommodate, it is situation of the penitents who want to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis but who lack the opportunity to do so via the regular channels. Happy, in fact, is the word I would use…they are usually* happy* to do this!

 

[jtav]

I just wanted to know that I went to confession before Mass and the priest was more than happy to do so by appointment and Mom’s willing to make the trip monthly. Deo gratis!