Where have all the penitents gone?

We hear confessions at 3:30 p.m. (admittedly not a very convenient time for the faithful) every Saturday afternoon.

On a typical Saturday we hear 4-8 confessions (out of nearly 4,000 parishioners), but during Advent and Lent the number of penitents increases rather dramatically, or at least it used to.

Last year during Lent, it was common for two priests to each hear confessions - at the same time - for a full forty-five minutes and we often had a three priest helping at the same time.

This afternoon I went into the church to help with confessions. Two priests were already present and there weren't enough penitents to keep both of them "busy" at the same time.

I suppose it's possible that people simply aren't sinning any more, but that seems very unlikely. Where are all of the penitents?

Could it be that because Easter is so early that people haven't thought about their "Easter duty" yet? ...It might be time to do so.

The vestments have been violet now for three full weeks. Tomorrow is Laetare Sunday. After that there are only two more Sundays of Lent before the Triduum.

For those in the area, the communal penance service is tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart church.

Confessions will be heard each evening March 10th-13th from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., in conjunction with the parish mission.

Confessions will also be heard each day of Holy Week from Noon - 1:00 p.m.