Monday, March 16, 2009

Confession in a Mall?

Millcreek Mall in Erie, Pennsylvania now offers Confession along with the usual fare of commercial America. A small chapel which offers a sacred place for prayer and confession amidst opened on Ash Wednesday 2008 under the direction of Bishop Donald Trautman who wanted to help bring more people back to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I like the idea! Saturday at 3:30 is not always convenient for confession. Why not have it available where people are? The chapel is a visible reminder of the Church and the presence of Jesus Christ for those who might not otherwise step into a church. The Church needs more innovative ideas like this.

2 comments:

Fr. Seán O'Mannion said...

I agree, I think it's a great idea. In Boston the Oblates of the Virgin Mary have a chapel at the Prudential Center Mall, and the Carmelite Sisters have one in Peabody Mall (although these are "full-service" chapels where Mass is celebrated). When I was in Rome I visited a small adoration chapel that was surrounded by boutiques and other businesses in a very busy part of town.

Could Holyoke Mall be next? :-)

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur said...

I think you should suggest it to the Bishop!

#OpenBook for March 2024

  Welcome to #OpenBook. I'm joining up with Carolyn Astfalk who hosts an #OpenBook Linkup on CatholicMom.com . Here's what I'v...