Drive-up confessions in Uxbridge

    Drive-up confessions are to be offered at St. Mary Parish in Uxbridge.
    “The bishop has given us permission to try something new,” said a Flocknote message from St. Mary’s, announcing this way of providing the sacrament while keeping social distance during the coronavirus pandemic.
    From 4-6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting March 21, people can go to confession behind the church at 77 Mendon St.
    Father Nicholas Desimone, St. Mary’s pastor, said he  will sit outside, between the parish center entrance and Our Lady of the Valley Elementary School, to hear confessions, which penitents will make from their cars several feet away.
    The Flocknote message explains the process as follows: “The driver will pull forward and stop in a designated space, roll down the window, and stay in the car. The priest will hear the person’s confession, prescribe a penance, and give absolution. The car will pull away. The next car, that has been waiting at a distance, will then pull forward.
    “There must be only one person in the car. There will not be an option for anonymous confessions. …
    “If there is a car in front of you, please stop at the statue of the Blessed Mother. (There will be a sign).”
 
    “It wasn’t really my idea,” Father Desimone said; the idea for drive-up confessions was raised during a group chat, as a number of young clergy in the diocese texted each other. Drive-up confessions have been offered or are being planned at some parishes outside the Worcester Diocese.
    “I was sort of elected as the one to bring it to the bishop’s attention,” Father Desimone said. He said Bishop McManus “thought it showed a lot of apostolic zeal on the part of the young clergy.”
    
    “We’ve got a great response from parishioners,” who had been saddened at the prospect of not being able to receive the sacrament of penance, Father Desimone said.
    “It’s not a forgotten sacrament here in our parish,” he said; people come regularly.
    He said he thought people also appreciated seeing that their pastors are still caring for their spiritual well-being. During any time of crisis, people remember their faith, he said.