Scheduling Confession

[Maria1212]

Hi,

My Church as Reconciliation scheduled on Saturdays for 45 minutes. On the website it says you can also call to schedule an appointment with a priest. I just called to ask to see if a priest would have time to hear my confession tomorrow and was told it is only offered on Saturdays. The person was abrupt so I was taken by surprise (after mustering my courage to call) so thanked them and hung up.

I can`t decide if I should call back and hope someone else answers or just try to go to a different church. Alternatively, is it rude if I attend Mass tonight and then ask the priest afterward how to schedule confession?

I was hoping to make an appointment so I wouldnt feel like I needed to rush if there was a line. But now I wonder if it is arrogant of me to take time out of a priests schedule by requesting Confession outside the set time.

If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it.
Sincerely,

Maria1212

 

[puzzleannie]

personally I would try to see the priest after Mass and tell him, I tried to call your office for an appointment for confession, but they blew me off rather rudely. Can you tell me what would be a good time to call you? He has to know if the staff are getting in the way of parishioner’s legitimate needs.

 

[Maria1212]

Thanks for your advice. I did call during lunch hour so am hoping that the person who answered the phone is not the regular receptionist.

I might also try calling some different churches. I wish confession was offered more frequently.

Sincerely,

Maria1212

 

[Epistemes]

I might also try calling some different churches. I wish confession was offered more frequently.

You and me both! My parish offers it for 1 hour and 45 minutes during the entire 168 hour week. I can’t really complain because I always make it, but I think so many other people would make it to confession more often if it was more readily available.

 

[FrDavid96]

Hi,

My Church as Reconciliation scheduled on Saturdays for 45 minutes. On the website it says you can also call to schedule an appointment with a priest. I just called to ask to see if a priest would have time to hear my confession tomorrow and was told it is only offered on Saturdays. The person was abrupt so I was taken by surprise (after mustering my courage to call) so thanked them and hung up.

I can`t decide if I should call back and hope someone else answers or just try to go to a different church. Alternatively, is it rude if I attend Mass tonight and then ask the priest afterward how to schedule confession?

I was hoping to make an appointment so I wouldnt feel like I needed to rush if there was a line. But now I wonder if it is arrogant of me to take time out of a priests schedule by requesting Confession outside the set time.

If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it.
Sincerely,

Maria1212

Maria,

Pastors have an obligation to hear confessions whenever the person is properly disposed and at a reasonable time. Never feel that you should not request to have your confession heard as long as you meet those 2 requirements. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the priest’s schedule will allow him to be available whenever a request is made, but it does mean that confession is not limited to the scheduled hours.

It’s always a good idea to talk to the priest directly–not the receptionist or secretary or anyone else who happens to answer the phone line, but the priest himself, to schedule a time.

It’s not at all rude to ask the priest after Mass if he can hear your confession then, or at a later time. It’s not rude, it is your right to do so (within the limits of common sense and common courtesy of course.)

Schedules have a purpose, they are never meant to be obstacles to the faithful receiving the sacraments.

 

[BSHoop96]

Hi,

My Church as Reconciliation scheduled on Saturdays for 45 minutes. On the website it says you can also call to schedule an appointment with a priest. I just called to ask to see if a priest would have time to hear my confession tomorrow and was told it is only offered on Saturdays. The person was abrupt so I was taken by surprise (after mustering my courage to call) so thanked them and hung up.

I can`t decide if I should call back and hope someone else answers or just try to go to a different church. Alternatively, is it rude if I attend Mass tonight and then ask the priest afterward how to schedule confession?

I was hoping to make an appointment so I wouldnt feel like I needed to rush if there was a line. But now I wonder if it is arrogant of me to take time out of a priests schedule by requesting Confession outside the set time.

If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it.
Sincerely,

Maria1212

We have one priest, very busy with a large parish, and one hour scheduled. However, he would also meet for a scheduled confession. That being said I would not ask this of him for every confession simply because of how busy he is. If you have something really serious or you have not confessed for a really long time then call back. If they tell you it’s one hour inform them that their bulletin says you can call for an appointment and see what they say. Good luck.

 

[Blackbog]

Unfortunately, the people working the phones aren’t always well-catechized Catholics, and don’t take mortal sin very seriously, hence they are unable to sympathize with your desire to receive Penance.

 

[Maria1212]

Maria,

Pastors have an obligation to hear confessions whenever the person is properly disposed and at a reasonable time. Never feel that you should not request to have your confession heard as long as you meet those 2 requirements. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the priest’s schedule will allow him to be available whenever a request is made, but it does mean that confession is not limited to the scheduled hours.

It’s always a good idea to talk to the priest directly–not the receptionist or secretary or anyone else who happens to answer the phone line, but the priest himself, to schedule a time.

It’s not at all rude to ask the priest after Mass if he can hear your confession then, or at a later time. It’s not rude, it is your right to do so (within the limits of common sense and common courtesy of course.)

Schedules have a purpose, they are never meant to be obstacles to the faithful receiving the sacraments.

Thank you very much Father David. Since I did meet those two requirements I will talk to the priest directly after Mass and politely ask if there is a time we could meet that works with his schedule.

Sincerely,

Maria

 

[puzzleannie]

Unfortunately, the people working the phones aren’t always well-catechized Catholics, and don’t take mortal sin very seriously, hence they are unable to sympathize with your desire to receive Penance.

you should not have to give any explanation whatever to the parish staff on why you want to meet with the priest. simply tell whoever answers the phone, I need to speak to Father about a pastoral matter.