Father John and I will be ready to hear their confessions and to assure them of God’s forgiveness.
In every Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati the doors will open and the lights will be “on” for God’s welcome from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, March 18, 2014.
At our beloved St. Andrew we are ready for all who come through our doors during this “The Light is ON for You” event.
We have experimented with our lights, so that attention will be gently directed to the tabernacle, to the altar and to the crucifix, while having enough light in the nave for people to be able to read the “how to go to confession” tri-fold.
There will be greet-ers and pray-ers, that is, a couple parishioners who will quietly and unobtrusively help people know that we are pleased that they have come, and who will then slip out of the way and let God do God’s work.
In addition to our every day and all the time reconciliation chapel, we have set up a confessional in the priest’s sacristy. 
At the priest’s chair all is in place. There is a box of tissues to help wipe away any tears of fear or sorrow or gratitude or overwhelming joy … 
… a variety of acts of contrition … 
… and the gift of a prayer card that might be given as a penance or might be given just because.
All is ready, except me.
It is 5 o’clock. I will eat a quick little supper: some leftover cheese and spinach perogies. Then there will be a 15-minute nap, 10 minutes on the treadmill and a quick shower. That should get me alert and refreshed for two hours of God’s welcome.
With Open Doors 