Sent away from confession

[Cory]

Today a few us were sent away from confession. We had been in line. Then a lady who had been monitoring the line came over and said the priest needs to prepare for Mass and he doesn’t have time for the three of us. We could come back next week or go to another Parish.

I find this to be unacceptable. The secular world would never do something like this. Shouldn’t the Church be better then them?

The main thing I was wondering if this common practice?

I don’t think I have ever had a good experience with the Church. If I go to mass and don’t talk to anyone it just is. But whenever I need to talk to a priest or someone it’s always horrid.

Thanks for listening.

 

[KCT]

I’ve had that happen – sort of. It was the priest who told us he had to prepare for Mass. But he said he would continue to hear confessions after Mass.

If it were to happen again, ask the priest directly if he can hear your confession after Mass. He may not know what the lay person was telling people.

 

[adv]

This is not unusual. This has happened to me. There is just not enough priest. They are very busy and do have to prepare for mass. You can make an appointment to do confession. Sometimes I catch a priest after mass. Just ask.

 

[Gorgias]

Today a few us were sent away from confession. We had been in line. Then a lady who had been monitoring the line came over and said the priest needs to prepare for Mass and he doesn’t have time for the three of us. We could come back next week or go to another Parish.

I find this to be unacceptable. The secular world would never do something like this.

It wouldn’t? Try going to a government office, and see if they’ll stay open beyond their posted hours for you if you happen to be in line late in the day.

Shouldn’t the Church be better then them?

On the other hand, are you suggesting that Mass should start at arbitrary times each week, depending solely on the number of people in line for confession? That doesn’t seem like a good solution, either.

I’m assuming that you’re saying that you had been in line the entire time that confessions were going on, right? And not just that you popped into line toward the end of the time scheduled for confessions prior to Mass? (I’m not too keen on “confessions before Mass,” for precisely this reason – there’s no opportunity for the confessor to stay in the confessional in order to be there for everyone, but rather, he has to finish up at the appointed time, in order to prepare for Mass.)

Of course, you could always call the parish office and make an appointment to go to confession, if you were unable to do so at the scheduled times.

I don’t think I have ever had a good experience with the Church. If I go to mass and don’t talk to anyone it just is. But whenever I need to talk to a priest or someone it’s always horrid.

I’m sorry that you’ve had negative experiences with priests. They’re just human, of course, and have lots of responsibilities and pressures and things that require attention. Add it up, and sometimes it means that you’re not getting him at the top of his game.

Thanks for listening.

I’ll say a prayer for you at Mass tomorrow.

 

[Cory]

It wouldn’t? Try going to a government office, and see if they’ll stay open beyond their posted hours for you if you happen to be in line late in the day.

If you were already inside they would not send you away. They may cut the line at a certain time but you would be told immediately.

On the other hand, are you suggesting that Mass should start at arbitrary times each week, depending solely on the number of people in line for confession? That doesn’t seem like a good solution, either.

Nope not suggesting that. Better planning or better monitoring of the line would be perfect solutions.

Also we have more than one priest. They are not all needed for mass. The priest not doing mass could be assigned to hear confession. Or multiple priests can do confessions and the line would go quicker.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Today a few us were sent away from confession. We had been in line. Then a lady who had been monitoring the line came over and said the priest needs to prepare for Mass and he doesn’t have time for the three of us. We could come back next week or go to another Parish.

I find this to be unacceptable. The secular world would never do something like this. Shouldn’t the Church be better then them?

The main thing I was wondering if this common practice?

I don’t think I have ever had a good experience with the Church. If I go to mass and don’t talk to anyone it just is. But whenever I need to talk to a priest or someone it’s always horrid.

Thanks for listening.

I am sorry this happened to you.

Well, sadly, this is more common than you might suspect, and it has happened to me more than once.

Yes, the priest needs to prepare for Mass, but they should hear confessions after if at possible.

The reason for this is that people who get frustrated by things like this could be driven away from the Church.

There is a certain amount of professionalism in the Catholic Church that is expected.

 

[midori]

I used to work in a government building. The Cathedral was across the street. Mass was at 12:05. Confessions were at 11:30-12 noon. While I enjoyed the opportunity for lunchtime Mass, I never was successful at slipping in for Confession a little early. Day after day, there were plenty of people who waited in line, but didn’t make it in.

Eventually, I realized I needed to go to Confession on a day/at a time/at a place that didn’t have that kind of tight timeline.

Nearly 10 years later, the Cathedral still has the same schedule posted. But those aren’t the only opportunities available; they were just the ones that were convenient to the times when I was going to be downtown. Now, I go to a rural church that schedules Confessions twice a year, and by appointment.

 

[pensmama87]

Also we have more than one priest. They are not all needed for mass. The priest not doing mass could be assigned to hear confession. Or multiple priests can do confessions and the line would go quicker.

We have multiple priests, too, and usually have two during posted confession times (none of which are before Mass, but several are after). But our priests are often away on visits to the sick and dying (one priest is always on call for this express purpose). So even if, say, you have two priests hearing confessions, one may have to be called away for an emergency, and then you have Mass scheduled, so confessions have to stop at least temporarily.

I have had to wait extra time for this reason, but the priest has always assured the penitents remaining that after Mass (or Benediction if Adoration is being held at the same time) he will resume hearing confessions.

Scheduling an appointment is also a very good idea if the situation is urgent.

 

[Ben087]

This has happened to me before, and I just went to the priest after and he heard my confession. Don’t let one lady stop you from getting to confession!

 

[SuperLuigi]

We have multiple priests, too, and usually have two during posted confession times (none of which are before Mass, but several are after). But our priests are often away on visits to the sick and dying (one priest is always on call for this express purpose). So even if, say, you have two priests hearing confessions, one may have to be called away for an emergency, and then you have Mass scheduled, so confessions have to stop at least temporarily.

I have had to wait extra time for this reason, but the priest has always assured the penitents remaining that after Mass (or Benediction if Adoration is being held at the same time) he will resume hearing confessions.

Scheduling an appointment is also a very good idea if the situation is urgent.

That does happen, but I’m not convinced it’s always the whole story. A priest once wrote an article about how alarmed he was that some parishes don’t even have set confessions times and instead have “by appointment only” listed in the bulletin.

 

[SuperLuigi]

This has happened to me before, and I just went to the priest after and he heard my confession. Don’t let one lady stop you from getting to confession!

I agree, but she’s not there to “stop” you, she’s probably there so the priest doesn’t see people in the Confession line.

 

[mlz]

Today a few us were sent away from confession. We had been in line. Then a lady who had been monitoring the line came over and said the priest needs to prepare for Mass and he doesn’t have time for the three of us. We could come back next week or go to another Parish.

I find this to be unacceptable. The secular world would never do something like this. Shouldn’t the Church be better then them?

The main thing I was wondering if this common practice?

I don’t think I have ever had a good experience with the Church. If I go to mass and don’t talk to anyone it just is. But whenever I need to talk to a priest or someone it’s always horrid.

Thanks for listening.

I know how it feels when you aren’t able to make a confession. I am afraid priests from the past unfortunately have gotten use to less confession time being allowed. You can however always call and schedule a time for confession any time. I have found this helpful. I let the priest know when I would like to make a confession and come at that time…usually a time otheres don’t normally come. This could be an option for you…it is such a wonderful sacrament and one so few think they need…( oh dear…this is a ploy of the evil one to make so many think this) The more we ask for confession times the more the priests will see the need of more confession time. Also… pray for priests to see and welcome this need and be sensitive to it. Please, please DON’T give up on the Church Christ founded simply because some in it have not done what you feel they should…it is so much bigger and deeper than that!! I know we all have deep needs and yes, we need help, yet we have to realize that we live in a fallen world with less than perfect priests that need our prayers to be what our Lord wants them to be…TRUST HIM to guide you to forgive and pray for our priests and please call and schedule a time for confession…it will well be worth it!!! My prayers for you and the parish you are in and for all involved.
Our Lord desires greatly that you draw near to HIM!
In His love,
mlz

 

[acadiANNA]

One church I know of has 4:00 pm Mass. The priest hears confessions from 2:30-3:30. Usually there is still time left for him to prepare for Mass. Previously there were 2 priests. One priest would still be hearing confessions after Mass had started. Maybe they could change the hours of confession. Still there may be some who will not have their confessions heard. Sometimes priests take a long time to counsel someone about a particular sin. I know a priest who would tell the penitent to make an appointment in the office and come and talk to me about that. Seems the line went faster.

 

[mlz]

Today a few us were sent away from confession. We had been in line. Then a lady who had been monitoring the line came over and said the priest needs to prepare for Mass and he doesn’t have time for the three of us. We could come back next week or go to another Parish.

I find this to be unacceptable. The secular world would never do something like this. Shouldn’t the Church be better then them?

The main thing I was wondering if this common practice?

I don’t think I have ever had a good experience with the Church. If I go to mass and don’t talk to anyone it just is. But whenever I need to talk to a priest or someone it’s always horrid.

Thanks for listening.

I know how it feels when you aren’t able to make a confession. I am afraid priests from the past unfortunately have gotten use to less confession time being allowed. You can however always call and schedule a time for confession any time. I have found this helpful. I let the priest know when I would like to make a confession and come at that time…usually a time otheres don’t normally come. This could be an option for you…it is such a wonderful sacrament and one so few think they need…( oh dear…this is a ploy of the evil one to make so many think this) The more we ask for confession times the more the priests will see the need of more confession time. Also… pray for priests to see and welcome this need and be sensitive to it. Please, please DON’T give up on the Church Christ founded simply because some in it have not done what you feel they should…it is so much bigger and deeper than that!! I know we all have deep needs and yes, we need help, yet we have to realize that we live in a fallen world with less than perfect priests that need our prayers to be what our Lord wants them to be…TRUST HIM to guide you to forgive and pray for our priests and please call and schedule a time for confession…it will well be worth it!!! My prayers for you and the parish you are in and for all involved.
Our Lord desires greatly that you draw near to HIM!
In His love,
mlz

 

[esieffe]

I have gone to confession when the priest was late due to a sacramental emergency. Not much you can do about that. The priests have horribly busy schedules… maybe that needs to be addressed one day.

I try to get to confession before it starts. That cuts down on the possibility of being turned away. I don’t see anything wrong with Mass starting a few minutes late though, confessions are important.

 

[Casilda]

I was wondering if this common practice?

In larger parishes, yes. Find a parish with 300 or so families registered, the local diocese here has a few, the odds are better that you will be able to talk to a priest and/or get to confession.

 

[YADA]

If you were already inside they would not send you away. They may cut the line at a certain time but you would be told immediately.

Nope not suggesting that. Better planning or better monitoring of the line would be perfect solutions.

Also we have more than one priest. They are not all needed for mass. The priest not doing mass could be assigned to hear confession. Or multiple priests can do confessions and the line would go quicker.

I notice you did not answer the question about when you showed up for Confession … …

Personally I have never been turned away … but if Confessions start at :300 PM I am there at 3:00 or perhaps even a few minutes early … I would never wait and show up latter in the start of the scheduled time - precisely because I know there is a Vigil Mass scheduled later.

Every parish will schedule confessions by appointment as well … why wait until Saturday or just before Mass? - especially if it was so important that you are distressed that you were not able to due to the limited time allowed …

I am sorry you feel this way

don’t think I have ever had a good experience with the Church. If I go to mass and don’t talk to anyone it just is. But whenever I need to talk to a priest or someone it’s always horrid.

Perhaps you should approach attendance at Mass like you are gathering with your family - get more involved … talk to people - volunteer - join in at coffee and donuts - attend Church functions, become a Greeter at Mass - to provide that welcome and bright smile to the others like you - who don’t seem to find the church a welcoming place … just a few ideas …

 

[JimG]

At my parish there are confession for 30 minutes before daily afternoon Mass. The priest has no choice but to end confessions when it’s time to prepare for Mass. He’s in the confessional so he can’t see how long or short the line is. When the time approaches 5 minutes before Mass, he tells the penitent to tell those waiting that no more confessions can be heard. He hears the confession of the person who is already on the other side of the confessional, then goes to get ready for Mass.

There’s not an easy answer. I was in line once with quite a few people. Normally confessions go pretty fast, but one penitent took a lot of time; that meant that others could not be heard because the time ran short. I’m not going to tell one person to speed it up or give a time limit.

Sometimes a second priest will come out to help if there is a long line but that’s not always possible. And sometimes I’ve seen all the penitents taken care of within 15 minutes, but the priest remains in the confessional as usual until 5 minutes before Mass time; then suddenly 10 or 15 people come in at the last minute and line up. There is no way that they can all be taken care of in the time remainng.

 

[LaughingBoy1503]

Sorry that happened to you. I can honestly say I have never been sent away from confession. There have been several times where I wanted to confess but did not want to wait for Saturday (The only day confessions are heard at my home parish) so I went to a neighboring parish that had confessions on a weekday, only to see a sign on the confessional that there would be no confession on that day. This has happened several times and it was frustrating. But, I guess sometimes there is just no way around the church having to do this.

I ALWAYS go to confession and wait a half an hour before confession starts to avoid being sent away should time run out. Just go early from now on and you will never be sent away.

 

[Brianmcg321]

I walked into a Supercuts at 6:30pm. The posted hours stated they did not close until 7. A lady sweeping hair yelled to me “Sorry, we’re closed”. Not only did I not get my haircut, She wouldn’t hear my confession either.