The time has now come to suspend publicly scheduled confessions until further notice in light of the growing spread of COVID-19 in Connecticut, which is anticipated to peak in the coming weeks. This is necessary for the protection of both penitents and priests. The teaching of the Church states that where the individual faithful find themselves in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it should be remembered that our contrition coming from love of God above all else and expressed by a sincere request for forgiveness (that which the penitent is at present able to express) and accompanied by the firm resolution to have recourse, as soon as possible, to sacramental confession, obtains forgiveness of sins, even mortal ones.