If you think we have it bad, this dude has to fly to Confession

Nearest priest is 800 miles away.

I think I heard this joke from Archbishop Hurley first. The priest is by himself and is asked, “Have you been to confession lately?”

He answers, “No I have to fly, which is too expensive for venial sins and too dangerous for mortal sins.”

If I want to go to the sacrament right now I have to fly. The nearest priest is 800 miles away. 

I have seen marvelous healing and deep changes here in Russia in people’s lives after receiving this sacrament.

I remember when I was asked to hear someone’s confession for the first time since her baptism some 40 years ago in the Ukraine. Another Russian said to me, “Father, you know this is a new life for her, so please take your time and listen to her and give her the needed advice because she wants to change her life.”

From that time on, I spend time before every Mass and often throughout the week with people who take seriously this sacrament of healing.