Father Ralph Talbot

Father Ralph Talbot, pastor of St. Mary of the Lake in White Bear Lake, stands outside of an ice fishing house he uses for drive-up confessions every Saturday morning. He began doing it in November and will continue through the end of Lent. DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells two of his newly chosen disciples, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, that they will become “fishers of men.”

That theme is coming to life in an ice fishing house converted to a confessional at St. Mary of the Lake in White Bear Lake. As anglers across Minnesota were pulling their fish houses onto frozen lakes, Father Ralph Talbot, St. Mary of the Lake’s pastor, arranged for a fish house outside the church building to “fish” for penitents during the winter months. He had been hearing confessions outside since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, and he was looking for a way to keep it going once the weather got cold.

Some parishioners offered an ice fishing house, and Father Talbot eagerly agreed, in an effort to offer the sacrament of reconciliation in a manner that was safe for those who did not feel comfortable coming inside the church. A handmade plaque hung near the door of the outdoor confessional reads “House of Mercy.”

Orange cones in the parking lot direct people to the ice house on Saturday mornings starting at 9, with Father Talbot sitting inside to talk through an open window draped on the bottom with purple fabric to signify his presence inside. He said about 10 to 12 cars have been coming through every week, with an additional handful of people coming on foot.

The response of those who visit the House of Mercy? “They love it,” Father Talbot said. “It’s been a great help to everyone. They’ve been very grateful for it.”

He plans to continue doing it through Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb 17.

“Lent is a time of grace,” Father Talbot said. “And, for many people, it seems like we’ve been on Lent since last March (as churches first dealt with restrictions and closures due to the pandemic). There’s been lots of issues going on in the country, in the Church, in families because of the politics and the culture. And so, people have a lot of anger and disappointment and sadness. The sacrament of reconciliation is a great way to unload that and to begin the process of healing.”

The Saturday outdoor confessions last until 10 or 10:30 a.m. Father Talbot said he is considering expanding the opportunity during Lent. He also hears confessions inside the church during regularly scheduled times.

Father Talbot urged people to take advantage of the sacrament, either at St. Mary of the Lake or any other Catholic church.

“I always think confession is important,” he said. “Regardless of whether it’s a pandemic or cultural or political struggle, it’s always important. But I do believe that now is the time. As we’ll hear on Ash Wednesday or the first Sunday (of Lent), now is the time for repentance.”