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Being hearing-impaired is a big detriment to confession, as many churches do not have face-to-face as an option. Also Opus Dei priests, for example, do not allow face-to-face confession anyway. So after I lost too much hearing to be "in the booth" with my Opus Dei confessor, my confessions dropped off. Of course, I could arrange a special time with our priest at the rectory, but since my top two sins are sloth and gluttony, well ...

Fast forward to our current Sunday parish, St. John Cantius, in Chicago, where confession is highly promoted by the Canons Regular (before, during, and after all Sunday masses), I wondered if they were also sensitive to the issue of hearing loss. After my husband talked with the pastor, he said, "Sure, just hail a priest for your wife, and we'll find a spot." Well, the photograph shown is my confessional (sans all those people, of course). So, how do you like that? Hearing loss has its pluses. :):)

Awesome ... and such a beautiful sanctuary.

One of my Catholic neighbors suffered brain damage which presents a problem expressing herself. She comprehends everything but is challenged in finding the words to verbalize what it is she wants to say. Unable to find a RC priest to hear her confession, I brought her to my Maronite pastor. He was very amenable to working with her. (We lost our confessional when the shrine/church was renovated last year; we now have confession face to face in the sacristy.) I brought my neighbor to our Lenten Penance Service, she went in alone and emerged with a big smile on her face. It had been years since she went to confession and she was so pleased to have unburdened herself through this remarkable priest.

Sadly, our pastor has been transferred to Williamsville NY and will be leaving at the end of this month. His replacement is a young and spiritual priest. I have great faith that our Lord has sent him here now to draw lapsed Catholics back to the Church.

Beautiful church!

but since my top two sins are sloth and gluttony, well ...

LOL.

In my area the push is face to face only, grudgingly letting the those who want anonymity have a screen.

Fast forward to our current Sunday parish, St. John Cantius, in Chicago, where confession is highly promoted by the Canons Regular (before, during, and after all Sunday masses),

Wow, what a blessing and an example for other dioceses. I'm not surprised then that they were so accommodating to you.