NO ONE should have to make an appointment to go to Confession!!

What the Catechism Says…
https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/367/

Catholics also believe that the sacraments are an outward sign of an inward grace. In this case, the outward sign is the absolution, or forgiveness of sins, that the priest grants to the penitent (the person confessing his sins); the inward grace is the reconciliation of the penitent to God.

The purpose of Confession is to reconcile man to God. When we sin, we deprive ourselves of God’s grace. And by doing so, we make it even easier to sin some more. The only way out of this downward cycle is to acknowledge our sins, to repent of them, and to ask God’s forgiveness. Then, in the Sacrament of Confession, grace can be restored to our souls, and we can once again resist sin.

Three things are required of a penitent in order to receive the sacrament worthily:

He must be contrite—or, in other words, sorry for his sins.
He must confess those sins fully, in kind and in number.
He must be willing to do penance and make amends for his sins.

A good rule of thumb is to go once per month. (The Church strongly recommends that, we go to Confession even if we are aware of venial sin only.)

The Sacrament of Confession is one of the seven sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church. Catholics believe that all of the sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ himself. In the case of Confession, that institution occurred on Easter Sunday, when Christ first appeared to the apostles after his Resurrection. Breathing on them, he said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained” (John 20:22-23).

CONFESSION: STEP BY STEP
Before going to Confession, do an examination of conscience to reflect on
what sins you have committed. Say a prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance. If
you are worried you won’t remember your sins, it’s OK to make a written list
and bring it with you to Confession.
It is important that you are truly sorry for your sins (contrition) and that you are
determined to try and avoid committing these sins in the future (resolution).

STEP 1: PREPARE FOR CONFESSION
When you enter the confessional, you can choose to kneel behind the screen
and confess anonymously or to walk over and sit in the chair across from
Father to confess face-to-face.
BEGIN WITH THE SIGN OF THE CROSS:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
CONFESS YOUR SINS:

• Begin by saying, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been (# of weeks/months/
  years) since my last confession. These are my sins.” If you are not doing a face-to-face
  confession, it can be helpful to the priest to say your age, marital status, or other important
  characteristics.
• Next, tell the priest all of the sins you have committed and if possible indicate the number
  or frequency of the sin. Is this something you do often or was it just once?
• When you have said all your sins, end with, “For these and all my sins, I am truly sorry.”
  LISTEN TO THE PRIEST:
• Listen closely as the priest talks to you and gives you your penance.
• The priest will ask you to pray an Act of Contrition (see back) out loud.
• When you finish, the priest will extend his hand and say the prayer of absolution: God, the
  Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to
  himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry
  of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the
  name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. You reply, “Amen.”
• Lastly, the priest will dismiss you with a prayer, such as: The Lord has freed you from your
  sins. Go in peace. You respond, “Thanks be to God” and leave the confessional.
  After leaving the confessional, go into a pew, kneel down and say a prayer
  of thanksgiving to God for his mercy and love. If the penance given by the
  priest is to say certain prayers, complete your penance in the church. If
  your penance is something else, such as making amends with a person, try
  to complete this as soon as you can.
  
  

LET ME BE BLUNT!
Having to make an appointment for confession
or offering one hour of confessions a week
during a Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning
is negligent.
Make it longer.
Make it every day, at a time when people can actually come
Early morning before work
maybe around 5 or 6 p.m.
on their way home from work.
If you pastor more than one parish rotate daily.
Perhaps one parish is easier to get to than the other.

You cannot tell your parish confession is good if you are not there to hear it. No one should wonder if you will be there. No one should be told you cannot hear any more you have something else to do or Mass to say.