Shrines of Pittsburgh, among other parishes, offering drive through Confessions

Within 24 hours of Bishop David Zubik’s announcement permitting outdoor Confessions, some parishes were already open for penance.

The Shrines of Pittsburgh created a drive through confessional at St. Nicholas Church in Millvale. Volunteers controlled traffic flow, making sure that cars stay a safe distance apart, and that in the interest of privacy, all stayed far back from the improvised tent where Father Nicholas Vaskov heard confessions.

He set up a “waiting area” in one parking lot, which was some distance from his make-shift confessional, created from a canopy and clear shower curtains. The Act of Contrition and a crucifix were attached to the shower curtain, offering spiritual support while preventing spread of the virus. After each penitent pulls away from the tent, there is an opportunity to do penance at a curbside tabernacle on the way back to the road.

Father Vaskov heard confessions without a break from 1-3 p.m. on Friday April 24. He has added morning hours for Saturday the 25 ^th and will continue next week on Monday through Saturday afternoons.

Of the churches in the Shrines of Pittsburgh, St. Nicholas was chosen for parking lot confessions because it offers both accessibility and privacy, Father Vaskov said.

“It’s right off the highway and the noise from Route 28 adds to the privacy. I can hear the penitent. They can hear me. But if you’re 20 feet away, you can’t hear anyone talking,” he said.

Many people mentioned how much they had missed coming to Confession.

“Everyone was extremely grateful,” he said.
 
These are some of the first parishes to post times and locations for outdoor confessions. Check the website and Facebook pages of your parish or grouping to see what may be available there. Please assist loved ones and neighbors who may not have Internet access:  

• The Shrines of Pittsburgh, outside St. Nicholas Church in Millvale. For details, see its Facebook page  and its parish website
• Divine Mercy Parish, outside Epiphany Church next to PPG Paints Arena in Uptown 
• Corpus Christi Parish, Bridgeville will have Confession outside St. Mary, St. Barbara and Holy Child
• Holy Spirit Parish in New Castle 
• The Great Grouping in northwest Allegheny and Beaver Counties will resume Confessions outside Ss. John and Paul  in Franklin Park and St. John the Baptist in Baden