I am a parochial school graduate and my faith was partially formed by loving Catholic teachers who taught the faith by example and ethics were woven into all of the subjects.
It sounds to me like her priest was trying to help her make a good confession. The article suggested that she tried to make a general confession, even though she didn't quite know what she was doing and wasn't planning to be completely honest. My priest asked me that same question when he received me back into the church. Having started with the "big" stuff, the whole question of sexual morality actually slipped my mind. My confessor caught it and prompted me. (Father: "Is there something else?" Me: "I don't think so." Father: "Um, are you married?" Me: "No..." Father: Clears throat. Me: "Oh!!")
What a great mercy for her that she started this journey through reconciliation instead of at the table. I don't believe it will go unrewarded, even if she didn't intend it this way.