St Mary's Holy Door draws Festival-goers to Confession

Western NY Catholic checked into parishes designated to host a Holy Door of Mercy during the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Halfway through the year, churches reported on the the impact of their doors in the community. [EXCERPT] "In Olean, St. Mary of the Angels decided to draw attention to their holy doors by having Brett Swiatek, from Swiatek Studios, create a custom monogram, "MD" for Mercy Door, hand painted in gold on both sides of the 100-year-old oak doors installed when the church was built. A vintage gold priest's stole is draped over the door forming an "M," naturally. At the 45th annual parish festival, Father Gregory Dobson and Father David Tourville, pastor and parochial vicar respectively, offered confessions Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Confession is one of the qualifications for the graces of the Holy Door. "We were very impressed with the quality and the number of confessions," said Father Dobson. "Many of the people were visitors (from out of town). I heard again and again, when they heard the announcement, it was like a call from heaven: this is the time, go and do it. That happened repeatedly." Father Dobson and Father Tourville heard about 25 confessions over the weekend. The numbers might not seem high, but keep in mind, people were coming to the festival to hear music and visit the beer tent. Father Dobson said they created the right atmosphere. Sacred music played through the newly renovated church. Because there were no long lines, priests had time to sit with people and talk with them. "I think the grace of God. That's what they testified," Father Dobson said. "When they heard that we were having confessions, they said something stirred in them. I think that's how the grace of God sometimes works. Something stirred in them and they felt this was the time I should do this."