You need an appointment for confession?

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Oftentimes that is the cause - priests can be busy and don’t want to spend too much time in a (perhaps frequently empty) confessional when they could be doing other things.

Think of it as a bonus for you too - you can confess when it’s convenient to you rather than waiting for scheduled times. If you want to be anonymous you can preserve anonymity by not giving your name, and requesting the priest be in the confessional at the agreed-upon time.
 
According to the link you provided, the church does have set confession times on Saturday, as well as by appointment. Seems like they’re just really trying to convenience their parishioners. 👍

Our church, for a while was confession by appointment only, and I have to say, I didn’t go for a long time because of it. I found it a little too intimidating to schedule something like that. Im really glad we’re back to offering it weekly for everyone. 😃
 
I think confession by appointment has more to do with a shortage of people confessing, rather than a shortage of priests. Most any priest would be happy to make an appointment to hear your confession though.
 
LilyM said:
Oftentimes that is the cause - priests can be busy and don’t want to spend too much time in a (perhaps frequently empty) confessional when they could be doing other things.
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What a horrible shame. I reverted to Catholicism laster after a nearly 30 year absence. Confessions are now at a very inconvenient time at most of the parishes in my area. I remember when i was a junior higher, it was never an issue. If I went to church any time before noon on a Saturday, I had to wait in line. Often a very LONG line.

Many people just don’t see their own sinfulness anymore.
 
jmcdzzz said:
What a horrible shame. I reverted to Catholicism laster after a nearly 30 year absence. Confessions are now at a very inconvenient time at most of the parishes in my area. I remember when i was a junior higher, it was never an issue. If I went to church any time before noon on a Saturday, I had to wait in line. Often a very LONG line.

Many people just don’t see their own sinfulness anymore.
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Well, do something about it, don’t just wring your hands and say ‘what a shame’. Tell your priest to preach more on the topics of sin and confession, as to do so is an important part of His job. Certainly Christ was never afraid to call people on their sinfulness!
 
LilyM said:
Well, do something about it, don’t just wring your hands and say ‘what a shame’. Tell your priest to preach more on the topics of sin and confession, as to do so is an important part of His job. Certainly Christ was never afraid to call people on their sinfulness!
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Who says I haven’t? A little quick to judgment are we?
 
jmcdzzz said:
Who says I haven’t? A little quick to judgment are we?
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More power to you and sincere congratulations if you have - and even less reason for the handwringing. What does the Serenity Prayer say? “Give me the wisdom to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can …”

Nothing in there about tut-tutting about either the things you can’t change or the things you can, is there?
 
LilyM said:
More power to you and sincere congratulations if you have - and even less reason for the handwringing.
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Criminily Lily. Who said anything about handwringing? It was you I believe. Don’t put words in my mouth, please. a little less exaggeration goes a long way.
 
Lhhs said:
I don’t know the reason for it but many local parishes have confession “by appointment only” and have no standing confession schedule 🤷
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If confessing to a priest is such a big part of being Catholic, I think it should be more available. I recently figured out what mortal sin was and I really want to go to confession. I’m going to keep looking for a church with a time I can make. This worries me however. If we believe we can only confess to a priest to recieve absolution from our sins, we need to confess often and not some narrow window. Is the church changing it stance on confession?
 
yes and I am sure many pastors feel that by stressing they are available by appointment they are assuring that this sacrament will be available to those who need it, when they need it, without binding them to a pre-set schedule. it is called being pastoral. sorry of the attempt to make the sacrament accessible offends those who only want to confess on Sat.at 4 pm. with all there is to gripe about this is the best we can come up with?
 
Hello,
I’m in a bit of a different situation. My parish offers weekly confession on Saturdays. The only thing is right through the whole time it’s offered, I’m at work. As a result, I’m forced to receive Confession by appointment.
It makes it less seem like it’s “just another chore I have to get out of the way.” By calling and getting an appointment, I find I’ve been more contemplative in preparing for my Confessions. Also, I don’t feel as rushed as when there is a line waiting. I have the ability to actually talk with my priest and get some spiritual direction.😃
 
LilyM said:
Well, do something about it, don’t just wring your hands and say ‘what a shame’. Tell your priest to preach more on the topics of sin and confession, as to do so is an important part of His job. Certainly Christ was never afraid to call people on their sinfulness!
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Increasing the availability of Confession would be preaching on sin and the importance of Confession. Around here it’s the parishes who offer confession most often that have the longest lines.
 
We have quite a few parishioners who make appointments for confession. I think they do it not only for scheduling sake but for the fact that they don’t feel rushed and can spend more time talking about their sinful tendencies. SOme people I know didn’t realise you could have confession by appointment and really like the idea rather than taking time out on a Saturday afternoon when their kids are usually busy with games and other activites. We have a good number of people coming to confesion on Saturdays that we need two priests to hear them, so appointments are a good idea for those who don’t have the time to wait or can’t make it on Saturday. Our priests will also be happy to hear confession after Mass or if someone drops in asking without an appointment (if we can find them and they are not busy)
 
Joannm said:
We have quite a few parishioners who make appointments for confession. I think they do it not only for scheduling sake but for the fact that they don’t feel rushed and can spend more time talking about their sinful tendencies. SOme people I know didn’t realise you could have confession by appointment and really like the idea rather than taking time out on a Saturday afternoon when their kids are usually busy with games and other activites. We have a good number of people coming to confesion on Saturdays that we need two priests to hear them, so appointments are a good idea for those who don’t have the time to wait or can’t make it on Saturday. Our priests will also be happy to hear confession after Mass or if someone drops in asking without an appointment (if we can find them and they are not busy)
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Do you have to be a parishoner to make an appointment? I can do confession in my parish.
 
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