[Catholic Iowan]

"I've actually had a priest say to me, "Oh why don't you tell me the good things you've done instead."

What I hate is when I get a priest that asks me what I would like to do for my penance. Since this question usually comes from the liberal, touchy-feely types, I've always had to stifle the urge to say that to help my low self-esteem, I should probably treat myself to Dairy Queen as my penance. :-) Instead, as respectfully as I can, I'll let him know that I don't feel comfortable choosing my own confession as it is not my place to do so. Of course, then I usually get some vague penance about being nice to someone. :-/ Gee, aren't we supposed to be nice to everyone? How is doing so a penance? Sigh.

[murphE]

Of course, then I usually get some vague penance about being nice to someone. :-/ Gee, aren't we supposed to be nice to everyone? How is doing so a penance? Sigh.

Now I am hearing that old song, (a show tune perhaps?), in my head...

Make someone happy, just make one someone happy...

[k omalley]

There must be some seminaries that teach priests to give a penance of "do something nice for someone."

I went to a communal penance service at my previous liberal parish. Everyone went to private confession afterward. We were told to confess only one sin. After I confessed my one sin, I was given a penance of "do something nice for somebody." I went away confused. At the time I was always doing nice things for people as a wife, mother, and nurse. I needed help to avoid sin, and an appropriate penance.

[Grey Ghost II]

What I hate is when I get a priest that asks me what I would like to do for my penance.

Perhaps you can respond by saying:

"I would like to restore all things in Christ and return Christendom to it's proper Glory. Can you help me do that?"