Sinful indeed, Bob, and it inspires me to re-tell my favorite confession joke. I had the nerve to tell it to our priest and he seemed to enjoy it, but he was mumbling something about excommunication.
Tommy O'Toole goes to Father Ryan for his confession: "Father, I have sinned; I have been with a loose woman".
Recognizing his voice, Father says; "Is that you, young Tommy O'Toole? Tis a grievous sin and you must name the woman"
Tommy replies:"Aye, Father; it is I, but I cannot betray the woman".
Father asks: "Was it Meagan O'Hara?" Tommy: "I cannot say the name".
Father: "Was it Mary Flynn?". Tommy: "My lips are sealed".
Next: "Was it Patricia Dougherty?". "It would not be fair for me to say".
Father is becoming exasperated, but he continues and names six women, but Tommy steadfastly refuses each time to reveal anything. Father then realizes it's useless to continue: "Tommy, you're a stalwart lad. Say 20 Our Fathers and 20 Hail Marys and sin no more".
Tommy walks out and over to the pew where his friend Sean is kneeling, saying the penance he was given. Sean whispers:"What did he give you?". Tommy replies with enthusiasm: "Six good leads!".
