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‘Light is on’ turnout ‘exhilarating’
archived from: 2013-03-15
by: John Franko

Pastors report overwhelming response to campaign

Attendance figures varied among parishes for the diocese’s “The Light is on for You” campaign, but pastors noted the presence of many people who had been away from the sacrament of reconciliation for many years.

“It was an opportunity for them to come back anonymously,” said Father William Feeney, pastor of Immaculate Conception in Washington.

Just about all of the 203 parishes of the Diocese of Pittsburgh opened their doors between 6 and 9 p.m. March 6 for those seeking the sacrament.

Father Feeney noted that the flow of those seeking the sacrament was “steady” throughout the evening, and he estimated the number at more than 50.

At St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, the response was “overwhelming,” said Father Kris Stubna, rector and pastor. He pointed out that he heard confessions for three and a half hours, and was joined by three other priests for much of the evening.

“It was a steady and beautiful turnout,” he said.

Bishop David Zubik heard confessions at SS. John and Paul in Franklin Park/Marshall Township, where he was joined by Father Joseph McCaffrey, pastor.

Father McCaffrey spoke of the long lines of penitents that kept the confessionals open until after 10 p.m.

“It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time,” he said.

St. Peter on Pittsburgh’s North Side used the occasion to mark the first reconciliation for seven children.

“This is just such a wonderful experience of the church,” said Pat Kammersell, catechetical administrator. “Leaving the light on, knowing that God is welcoming them.”

She said the children spoke of the joy they felt after telling their sins and were excited that they can go back to the sacrament whenever they feel bad.

“You can feel like this again, a brand new child of God,” she said in describing what she told them.

While attendance figures tended to be lower in city areas, almost two dozen people took part in the sacrament at St. Mary of Mercy in Downtown Pittsburgh.

For a number of them, it was their first experience in years, said Father John McKenna, pastor.

Bishop Zubik invited those who had been away from the sacrament to return in a recent edition of the Pittsburgh Catholic. In doing so, he noted that there were hundreds of priests who were there to help them.

“We want to help you in confession because we want to reflect Jesus’ love for you,” he wrote. “Christ forgives your sins and mine. And he is waiting, waiting with the healing touch of God.”

With the doors open and the lights on, he noted, it was a night that could change lives.

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