Courtney McGrailDear Editor, Your recent front page on the Mercy on the Mall initiative in Shannon parish (IC 26/11/2015) should be an inspiration to other priests during this Year of Mercy.
Having Confessions heard by priests in a shopping centre reminds me of a recent trip to New York when clergy were posted at subway stations on Ash Wednesday distributing ashes to commuters.
They are fantastic ideas which may well attract people who wouldn’t typically receive ashes or indeed avail of the Sacrament of Confession.
It was great to read in the most recent edition of the paper that the initiative was a resounding success with shoppers, traders and priests all in agreement that it was a wonderful occasion for all who took part.
I think it’s worth mentioning too, that it was wonderful for those who perhaps didn’t take part. The powerful vision of seeing some brave soul approach the sacrament in the middle of a crowded shopping centre might prompt them to do so next time. Indeed, it is also a fantastic opportunity for priests to be more visible to the non-massgoing public.
Congratulations to all involved.
Yours etc.,
Deirdre O’Reilly,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.